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Nonprofiteer
← MISSISSIPPI CENTER FOR JUSTICE

Form 990 for tax year 2023

Filed by MISSISSIPPI CENTER FOR JUSTICE.

Totals

Total revenue
$4,214,480
Total expenses
$4,569,249
Contributions and grants received
$4,130,602
Grants paid
$59,599
Program service revenue
$0
Investment income
$80,509
Other revenue
$3,369
Total assets, end of year
$11,278,061
Total liabilities, end of year
$1,093,905
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$10,184,156
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$2,738,268
Management and general expenses
$1,479,629
Fundraising expenses
$351,352
Program service expenses (Part III)
$2,738,268

Program services were 59.9% of total expenses calculated — Part IX's program-services column over total expenses, both as filed.

Line items

Every line the filer filed in Parts VIII, IX and X, as filed and in filed order. Blank columns are left out, and the lines are not forced to add up to the totals above.

Revenue

Part VIII, the statement of revenue.

  • 1c · Fundraising events

    $261,124

  • 1e · Government grants (contributions)

    $768,636

  • 1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

    $3,100,842

  • 3 · Investment income

    total $80,509 · excluded $80,509

  • 8a · Fundraising events: gross income

    $305,465

  • 8a · Fundraising events: contributions included on line 1c

    $261,124

  • 8b · Fundraising events: direct expenses

    $305,465

  • 8c · Net income from fundraising events

    total $0

  • 11a · Other revenue: MISCELLANEOUS

    total $3,369 · excluded $3,369

  • 11e · Other revenue, total

    $3,369

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 1 · Grants to domestic organizations and governments

    total $59,599 · program services $59,599

  • 5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

    total $858,919 · program services $533,526 · management and general $291,320 · fundraising $34,073

  • 7 · Other salaries and wages

    total $1,456,932 · program services $904,988 · management and general $494,153 · fundraising $57,791

  • 8 · Pension plan contributions

    total $35,799 · program services $22,237 · management and general $12,142 · fundraising $1,420

  • 9 · Other employee benefits

    total $198,629 · program services $123,380 · management and general $67,370 · fundraising $7,879

  • 10 · Payroll taxes

    total $173,933 · program services $108,040 · management and general $58,993 · fundraising $6,900

  • 11b · Fees: legal

    total $41,088 · management and general $31,937 · fundraising $9,151

  • 11c · Fees: accounting

    total $319,392 · management and general $248,255 · fundraising $71,137

  • 11g · Fees: other

    total $575,055 · program services $575,055

  • 12 · Advertising and promotion

    total $3,002 · program services $3,002

  • 13 · Office expenses

    total $137,387 · program services $100,744 · management and general $31,443 · fundraising $5,200

  • 14 · Information technology

    total $50,827 · program services $13,458 · management and general $37,369

  • 16 · Occupancy

    total $222,973 · program services $71,689 · management and general $151,198 · fundraising $86

  • 17 · Travel

    total $86,633 · program services $45,685 · management and general $38,861 · fundraising $2,087

  • 19 · Conferences, conventions and meetings

    total $29,749 · program services $29,749

  • 22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    total $46,575 · program services $46,575

  • 23 · Insurance

    total $10,257 · program services $3,298 · management and general $6,955 · fundraising $4

  • 24a · Other expenses: MISCELLANEOUS

    total $211,923 · program services $58,830 · fundraising $153,093

  • 24b · Other expenses: ADVOCACY COSTS

    total $50,577 · program services $38,413 · management and general $9,633 · fundraising $2,531

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 2 · Savings and temporary cash investments

    beginning of year $6,364,855 · end of year $6,975,498

  • 3 · Pledges and grants receivable

    beginning of year $4,060,918 · end of year $3,337,031

  • 4 · Accounts receivable

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $73,805

  • 9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

    beginning of year $28,963 · end of year $16,738

  • 10a · Land, buildings and equipment: cost or other basis

    $879,199

  • 10b · Land, buildings and equipment: accumulated depreciation

    $519,668

  • 10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

    beginning of year $391,296 · end of year $359,531

  • 14 · Intangible assets

    beginning of year $31,250 · end of year $25,000

  • 15 · Other assets

    beginning of year $626,297 · end of year $490,458

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $483,739 · end of year $500,616

  • 18 · Grants payable

    end of year $112,875

  • 23 · Secured mortgages and notes payable

    beginning of year $480,915 · end of year $480,414

  • 27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

    beginning of year $5,195,040 · end of year $6,161,763

  • 28 · Net assets with donor restrictions

    beginning of year $5,343,885 · end of year $4,022,393

Mission and programs · 2023

Mission

MISSISSIPPI CENTER FOR JUSTICE IS A NONPROFIT, PUBLIC INTEREST LAW FIRM COMMITTED TO ADVANCING RACIAL AND ECONOMIC JUSTICE. SUPPORTED AND STAFFED BY ATTORNEYS AND OTHER PROFESSIONALS, THE CENTER DEVELOPS AND PURSUES STRATEGIES TO COMBAT DISCRIMINATION AND POVERTY STATEWIDE.

Activities or mission (Part I)

TO ADVANCE RACIAL AND ECONOMIC JUSTICE AND DEVELOP STRATEGIES TO COMBAT DISCRIMINATION AND POVERTY.

  • MCJ CONTINUES TO ADVOCATE FOR MEDICAID EXPANSION, EDUCATING ELECTED OFFICIALS AND MISSISSIPPIANS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE FOR NEARLY 200,000 UNINSURED MISSISSIPPIANS, MANY OF WHOM ARE WORKING. MCJ AND COALITION PARTNERS CLAIMED A VICTORY THIS YEAR, WHEN MEDICAID POSTPARTUM COVERAGE WAS EXTENDED FROM A MERE 60 DAYS TO A FULL YEAR. MCJ DONATED A WATERBOX TO THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF MISSISSIPPI AS A RESPONSE TO JACKSON WATER CRISIS TO ENSURE CHILDREN COULD HAVE ACCESS TO CLEAN WATER. MCJ FILED A LAWSUIT CHALLENGING HB1020, WHICH WAS SIGNED INTO LAW ON APRIL 21, 2023. MCJS WIN ENSURED THAT THERE IS NO LONGER A LACK OF A RIGHT TO APPEAL IN A NEWLY CREATED INFERIOR COURT, AND STOPPED THE UNCONSTITUTIONAL APPOINTMENT OF JUDGES WHICH WOULD HAVE STRIPPED JACKSON RESIDENTS OF THEIR ABILITY TO ELECT JUDGES AS SET FORTH IN THE MISSISSIPPI CONSTITUTION.MCJ FILED A LAWSUIT AND WON A PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION IN FEDERAL COURT AGAINST AN UNCONSTITUTIONAL PORTION OF SB2343 THAT WOULD HAVE LIMITED THE RIGHT TO PROTEST AND ORGANIZE IN JACKSON. MCJ WAS ALSO PART OF A TEAM CHALLENGING SB 2358, DEFEATING A LAW THAT ATTEMPTED TO LIMIT THE UNIVERSE OF THOSE WHO CAN HELP DISABLED VOTERS CAST ABSENTEE BALLOTS. MCJ RELEASED AN EXTENSIVE REPORT ANALYZING THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON 12 PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN MISSISSIPPI. IN THE REPORT, MCJ FOUND THAT THE ENORMOUS CHALLENGES OF THE PANDEMIC COMPOUNDED MANY PRE-EXISTING INEQUITIES IN STATE FUNDING THAT DRASTICALLY WORSENED EDUCATION OUTCOMES SUCH AS TEST SCORES AND OTHER INDICATORS FOR STUDENTS IN RURAL, HIGH-NEED DISTRICTS.MISSISSIPPI'S EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY GAP IS RANKED 15TH IN THE NATION.MCJ HELPED MISSISSIPPIANS EXPUNGE THEIR CRIMINAL RECORDS, THEREBY UNLOCKING NEW EMPLOYMENT AND HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES. SINCE THE START OF 2022, MCJ HELPED GENERATE OVER 350 PETITIONS/ORDERS FOR EXPUNGEMENTS.

    Expenses $2,738,268 · Grants $59,599

As filed on the 2023 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Listed in Part VII

  • BILL RAY

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • DAVID LIPMAN

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • DONALD VERRILLI

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • GORDON GREENWOOD

    VICE CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • IVY PARKER SNIDER

    SECRETARY/TREASURER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • JUDITH LICHTMAN

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • MARTHA BERGMARK

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • MATTHEW BERGMAN

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • MIKE ESPY

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • WALTER BOON

    CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • KIMBERLY JONES MERCHANGT

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • JONATHAN LEE

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • DAVID BARIA

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • VANGELA M WADE

    PRESIDENT/CEO

    Total calculated
    $265,743
    From this org
    $250,000
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $15,743
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $250,000
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $7,500
    Nontaxable benefits
    $8,243
    Filer's total
    $265,743

  • STACEY BUCHANAN

    DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS/GENERAL COUNSEL

    Total calculated
    $141,986
    From this org
    $136,937
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $5,049
    Hours/week
    40

  • TONYA F ADAMS

    DIRECTOR OF FINANCE AND ACCOUNTING

    Total calculated
    $71,788
    From this org
    $66,789
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $4,999
    Hours/week
    40

  • ROBERT MCDUFF

    DIRECTOR, GEORGE RILEY IMPACT LITIGATION INITIATIV

    Total calculated
    $202,225
    From this org
    $188,551
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $13,674
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $188,551
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $5,800
    Nontaxable benefits
    $7,874
    Filer's total
    $202,225

  • JOHN JOPLING

    HOUSING CAMPAIGN DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $177,177
    From this org
    $164,031
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $13,146
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $164,031
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $4,921
    Nontaxable benefits
    $8,225
    Filer's total
    $177,177

Compensation is as filed in Part VII: reportable pay from this organization and from related organizations, other compensation, and hours per week. The total, marked calculated, is our sum of the three dollar columns, with a blank column counted as $0; the form itself has no total. On a Form 990-EZ the columns are Part IV's instead, and on a Form 990-PF Part VIII's — compensation, contributions to benefit plans, and expense account — and the total sums those. A Schedule J breakdown is as filed: base pay, bonus, other, deferred compensation and nontaxable benefits from this organization, with any from related organizations beside each, and the filer's own total. It is shown with the Part VII listing of the same name on the same return. The form gives no key between the two, so that pairing is ours, and is marked matched by us.

Schedule J

Answered yes

  • 3 · Compensation committee
  • 3 · Independent compensation consultant
  • 3 · Form 990 of other organizations
  • 3 · Written employment contract
  • 3 · Compensation survey or study
  • 3 · Approval by the board or compensation committee

Answered no

  • 4a · Severance or change-of-control payment
  • 4b · Supplemental nonqualified retirement plan
  • 4c · Equity-based compensation arrangement
  • 5a · Pay contingent on this organization's revenues
  • 5b · Pay contingent on a related organization's revenues
  • 6a · Pay contingent on this organization's net earnings
  • 6b · Pay contingent on a related organization's net earnings
  • 7 · Other non-fixed payments
  • 8 · Paid under the initial-contract exception

The filer's explanations (Part III)

PART I, LINE 3
THE AUDIT COMMITTEE'S SUBCOMMITTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION PERIODICALLY REVIEWS THE COMPENSATION OF THE PRESIDENT & CEO AND OPERATIONS DIRECTOR AS PART OF THE BUDGET-SETTING PROCESS AT THE ANNUAL MEETING. THE BOARD REVIEWS COMPENSATION OF OTHER SAME-SIZE ORGANIZATIONS AND TO INSURE THAT COMPENSATION IS REASONABLE.

Part I's answers as filed. A line not listed was left unanswered; on lines 1a and 3 that means the box was not checked.

Grants on this return

Provenance

Return type
form_990
Tax year
2023
Filed
4 November 2024
IRS schema version
2023v5.1
Source object
202423099349302122

Check it against the return as filed: the GivingTuesday Data Lake hosts a public copy of the original XML.

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