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Nonprofiteer
← SOUTHERN POVERTY LAW CENTER INC

Form 990 for tax year 2023

Filed by SOUTHERN POVERTY LAW CENTER INC.

Totals

Total revenue
$129,063,290
Total expenses
$128,982,970
Contributions and grants received
$106,479,020
Grants paid
$1,925,577
Program service revenue
$19,444
Investment income
$22,235,604
Other revenue
$329,222
Total assets, end of year
$822,198,315
Total liabilities, end of year
$35,430,069
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$786,768,246
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$93,892,335
Management and general expenses
$17,456,271
Fundraising expenses
$17,634,364
Program service expenses (Part III)
$93,892,335

Program services were 72.8% 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.

  • 1a · Federated campaigns

    $321,766

  • 1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

    $106,157,254

  • 1g · Noncash contributions included above

    $2,198,238

  • 2a · Program service revenue: COURT AWARDS

    total $13,245 · related or exempt $13,245

  • 2b · Program service revenue: SCHOOL DISTRICT TRAINI

    total $6,199 · related or exempt $6,199

  • 3 · Investment income

    total $6,225,129 · excluded $6,225,129

  • 6a · Gross rents

    real property $168,868 · personal property $163,482

  • 6b · Less rental expenses

    real property $28,728 · personal property $0

  • 6c · Rental income or loss

    real property $140,140 · personal property $163,482

  • 6d · Net rental income or loss

    total $303,622 · excluded $303,622

  • 7a · Gross sales of assets other than inventory

    securities $226,142,104

  • 7b · Less cost or other basis and sales expenses

    securities $210,127,240 · other assets $4,389

  • 7c · Gain or loss

    securities $16,014,864 · other assets -$4,389

  • 7d · Net gain or loss

    total $16,010,475 · excluded $16,010,475

  • 10a · Gross sales of inventory

    $96,155

  • 10b · Cost of goods sold

    $83,656

  • 10c · Net income from sales of inventory

    total $12,499 · related or exempt $12,499

  • 11a · Other revenue: MISC OTHER INCOME

    total $13,101 · excluded $13,101

  • 11e · Other revenue, total

    $13,101

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 1 · Grants to domestic organizations and governments

    total $1,925,577 · program services $1,925,577

  • 5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

    total $4,176,198 · program services $2,414,338 · management and general $1,336,726 · fundraising $425,134

  • 7 · Other salaries and wages

    total $43,036,070 · program services $33,449,421 · management and general $4,918,488 · fundraising $4,668,161

  • 8 · Pension plan contributions

    total $3,572,943 · program services $2,777,040 · management and general $408,343 · fundraising $387,560

  • 9 · Other employee benefits

    total $9,446,522 · program services $7,247,984 · management and general $1,184,883 · fundraising $1,013,655

  • 10 · Payroll taxes

    total $3,357,845 · program services $2,609,857 · management and general $383,760 · fundraising $364,228

  • 11b · Fees: legal

    total $947,109 · management and general $947,109

  • 11c · Fees: accounting

    total $185,968 · management and general $185,968

  • 11d · Fees: lobbying

    total $3,375,000 · program services $3,375,000

  • 11e · Fees: professional fundraising services

    total $1,230,003 · fundraising $1,230,003

  • 11f · Fees: investment management

    total $1,300,281 · management and general $1,300,281

  • 11g · Fees: other

    total $3,457,231 · program services $1,324,899 · management and general $1,435,220 · fundraising $697,112

  • 12 · Advertising and promotion

    total $932,324 · program services $932,324

  • 13 · Office expenses

    total $470,488 · program services $344,677 · management and general $62,447 · fundraising $63,364

  • 14 · Information technology

    total $268,606 · program services $190,109 · management and general $54,320 · fundraising $24,177

  • 16 · Occupancy

    total $3,564,657 · program services $2,784,676 · management and general $434,068 · fundraising $345,913

  • 17 · Travel

    total $434,632 · program services $329,121 · management and general $70,235 · fundraising $35,276

  • 19 · Conferences, conventions and meetings

    total $1,646,238 · program services $1,229,850 · management and general $269,628 · fundraising $146,760

  • 20 · Interest

    total $542,284 · management and general $542,284

  • 22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    total $1,986,682 · program services $1,508,279 · management and general $248,291 · fundraising $230,112

  • 23 · Insurance

    total $1,279,311 · program services $583,155 · management and general $584,896 · fundraising $111,260

  • 24a · Other expenses: IMPACT INITIATIVES

    total $14,238,500 · program services $14,238,500

  • 24b · Other expenses: POSTAGE, PRINTING, LETT

    total $12,380,445 · program services $4,854,469 · management and general $2,980,109 · fundraising $4,545,867

  • 24c · Other expenses: EDUCATIONAL PROJECTS

    total $9,261,627 · program services $8,586,849 · fundraising $674,778

  • 24d · Other expenses: ALL OTHER EXPENSE

    total $5,966,429 · program services $3,186,210 · management and general $109,215 · fundraising $2,671,004

  • 26 · Joint costs (an allocation of the lines above)

    total $12,494,686 · program services $5,784,364 · management and general $3,402,766 · fundraising $3,307,556

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing

    beginning of year $1,716,431 · end of year $1,112,541

  • 2 · Savings and temporary cash investments

    end of year $3,184,534

  • 3 · Pledges and grants receivable

    beginning of year $4,310,103 · end of year $5,198,193

  • 4 · Accounts receivable

    beginning of year $867,492 · end of year $1,345,960

  • 8 · Inventories for sale or use

    beginning of year $106,212 · end of year $64,640

  • 9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

    beginning of year $3,528,094 · end of year $3,872,706

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

    $56,306,040

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

    $26,951,858

  • 10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

    beginning of year $16,757,603 · end of year $29,354,182

  • 11 · Investments: publicly traded securities

    beginning of year $31,721,185 · end of year $22,667,370

  • 12 · Investments: other securities

    beginning of year $681,627,807 · end of year $747,925,246

  • 15 · Other assets

    beginning of year $8,448,871 · end of year $7,472,943

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $6,821,916 · end of year $6,717,723

  • 20 · Tax-exempt bond liabilities

    beginning of year $15,000,000 · end of year $15,000,000

  • 21 · Escrow or custodial account liability

    beginning of year $36,881 · end of year $15,800

  • 24 · Unsecured notes and loans payable

    beginning of year $362,069 · end of year $41,204

  • 25 · Other liabilities

    beginning of year $15,529,628 · end of year $13,655,342

  • 27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

    beginning of year $704,281,809 · end of year $780,312,615

  • 28 · Net assets with donor restrictions

    beginning of year $7,051,495 · end of year $6,455,631

Mission and programs · 2023

Mission

THE SOUTHERN POVERTY LAW CENTER IS A CATALYST FOR RACIAL JUSTICE IN THE SOUTH AND BEYOND, WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH COMMUNITIES TO DISMANTLE WHITE SUPREMACY, STRENGTHEN INTERSECTIONAL MOVEMENTS, AND ADVANCE THE HUMAN RIGHTS OF ALL PEOPLE.

Activities or mission (Part I)

THE SOUTHERN POVERTY LAW CENTER IS A CATALYST FOR RACIAL JUSTICE IN THE SOUTH AND BEYOND, WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH COMMUNITIES TO DISMANTLE WHITE SUPREMACY. STRENGTHEN INTERSECTIONAL MOVEMENTS, AND ADVANCE THE HUMAN RIGHTS OF ALL PEOPLE.

  • LEGAL - THE SOUTHERN POVERTY LAW CENTER (SPLC) SEEKS JUSTICE BY SUPPORTING VICTIMS OF CIVIL RIGHTS ABUSES AND HATE CRIMES AND PROMOTING THE CIVIL AND HUMAN RIGHTS OF GROUPS MOST AFFECTED BY BIAS AND DISCRIMINATION IN OUR SOCIETY: COMMUNITIES OF COLOR, IMMIGRANTS, GUEST WORKERS, CHILDREN, THE POOR, AND THE LGBT COMMUNITY - BOTH IN THE DEEP SOUTH AND NATIONWIDE. ITS CASE DOCKET FOCUSES ON HOLDING HATE GROUPS ACCOUNTABLE FOR MURDERS AND OTHER VIOLENT ACTS COMMITTED BY THEIR MEMBERS; ENDING WORKPLACE EXPLOITATION OF IMMIGRANTS; CHALLENGING UNCONSTITUTIONAL OR DISCRIMINATORY LAWS AND POLICIES AFFECTING IMMIGRANTS, COMMUNITIES OF COLOR AND THE LGBT COMMUNITY; IN ADDITION TO WORKING TO REFORM JUVENILE JUSTICE, MENTAL HEALTH, AND EDUCATION SYSTEMS THAT FAIL CHILDREN AND ROUTINELY PUSH STUDENTS OUT OF CLASSROOMS AND INTO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, DISPROPORTIONATELY HARMING AFRICAN-AMERICAN AND LATINO STUDENTS LIVING IN POVERTY. THE SPLC ATTORNEYS FOCUS ON THESE CRITICAL CIVIL RIGHTS ISSUES FROM FIVE SPLC OFFICES IN THE DEEP SOUTH. THE CENTER HAS IDENTIFIED FOUR AREAS OF WORK THAT POSE THE GREATEST OPPORTUNITIES TO ACHIEVING ITS MISSION. THE CENTER HAS PRIORITIZED THESE AREAS OF WORK IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE MAXIMUM IMPACT ON ITS GOALS, INCLUDING ERADICATING POVERTY AND RACIAL INCOME INEQUALITY, ENDING OVER-CRIMINALIZATION AND MASS INCARCERATION, STRENGTHENING DEMOCRACY, AND COUNTERING WHITE SUPREMANCY.

    Expenses $42,558,419 · Revenue $13,245

  • PUBLIC INFORMATION -THE SPLC'S PUBLIC INFORMATION AND EDUCATION EFFORTS SEEK TO COMBAT HATE AND BIAS IN OUR SOCIETY, EXPOSE EXTREMISM, AND REDUCE DISCRIMINATION AND INJUSTICE. THE SPLC PROVIDES INFORMATION ABOUT HATE GROUPS AND OTHER EXTREMISTS, THEIR ACTIVITIES AND THEIR CRIMES TO THE PUBLIC, LAW ENFORCEMENT, POLICYMAKERS, HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS, AND THE MEDIA WITH THE GOAL OF PREVENTING HATE AND EXTREMISM FROM ENTERING THE MAINSTREAM. THE SPLC ALSO SEEKS TO FOSTER EQUALITY IN THE CLASSROOM AND SUPPORT TOLERANCE EDUCATION BY PROVIDING AWARD-WINNING, ANTI-BIAS MATERIALS TO MORE THAN 200,000 TEACHERS AND SCHOOLS NATIONWIDE. THE SPLC EDUCATES THE PUBLIC ON THE STRUCTURAL CAUSES, AND IMPACTS, OF INEQUALITY AND USES A MULTIFACETED APPROACH OF COMMUNITY EDUCATION, MOBILIZATION, MEDIA AND LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY TO COMBAT BIAS AND DISCRIMINATION AGAINST MINORITIES, IMMIGRANTS, THE POOR, THE LGBT COMMUNITY AND OTHER VULNERABLE MEMBERS OF SOCIETY. ALL OF THE SPLC'S WORK IS PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE.

    Expenses $51,333,916 · Grants $1,925,577 · Revenue $18,698

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

Listed in Part VII

  • KAREN BAYNES-DUNNING

    CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0

  • JOSH BEKENSTEIN

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0

  • ROBERT FOX

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0

  • PAM HOROWITZ

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0

  • JAMES HUGHES JR

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0

  • JINI KOH

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0

  • ISABEL RUBIO

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0

  • MINJON THOLEN

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0

  • CHARLES V TAYLOR JR

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0

  • VERNA WILLIAMS

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0

  • CLEVELAND CHRISTOPHE

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0

  • KATHERYN RUSSELL-BROWN

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0

  • EMERY WRIGHT

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0

  • MARGARET HUANG

    PRESIDENT/CEO

    Total calculated
    $522,740
    From this org
    $466,934
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $55,806
    Hours/week
    40 + 2 related

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $466,934
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $33,000
    Nontaxable benefits
    $22,806
    Filer's total
    $522,740

  • ERIKA MITCHELL

    TREASURER/CFO

    Total calculated
    $270,678
    From this org
    $225,020
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $45,658
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $224,975
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $45
    Deferred
    $22,497
    Nontaxable benefits
    $23,161
    Filer's total
    $270,678

  • KIMBERLY BALLARD

    SECRETARY/GENERAL COUNSEL

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    40

  • ANN BEESON

    CHIEF PROGRAM OFFICER

    Total calculated
    $296,710
    From this org
    $249,191
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $47,519
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $246,323
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $2,868
    Deferred
    $22,887
    Nontaxable benefits
    $24,632
    Filer's total
    $296,710

  • DERWYN BUNTON

    CHIEF LEGAL OFFICER

    Total calculated
    $302,078
    From this org
    $264,277
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $37,801
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $258,688
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $5,589
    Deferred
    $25,869
    Nontaxable benefits
    $11,932
    Filer's total
    $302,078

  • SHANNON FARLEY

    INTERIM CHIEF OF STAFF

    Total calculated
    $253,818
    From this org
    $210,108
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $43,710
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $210,108
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $21,069
    Nontaxable benefits
    $22,641
    Filer's total
    $253,818

  • CHERRY GAMBLE

    CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER/INTERIM CHIEF OF STAFF

    Total calculated
    $287,929
    From this org
    $240,721
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $47,208
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $240,721
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $24,333
    Nontaxable benefits
    $22,875
    Filer's total
    $287,929

  • SYBIL HADLEY

    GENERAL COUNSEL

    Total calculated
    $289,958
    From this org
    $242,869
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $47,089
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $242,100
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $769
    Deferred
    $24,210
    Nontaxable benefits
    $22,879
    Filer's total
    $289,958

  • ARUN KANDEL

    CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER

    Total calculated
    $286,818
    From this org
    $239,894
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $46,924
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $239,894
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $24,210
    Nontaxable benefits
    $22,714
    Filer's total
    $286,818

  • SETH LEVI

    CHIEF PROGRAM STRATEGY OFFICER

    Total calculated
    $287,896
    From this org
    $251,745
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $36,151
    Hours/week
    40 + 2 related

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $251,608
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $137
    Deferred
    $25,161
    Nontaxable benefits
    $10,990
    Filer's total
    $287,896

  • LASHAWN WARREN

    CHIEF POLICY OFFICER

    Total calculated
    $293,626
    From this org
    $256,191
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $37,435
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $256,191
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $25,703
    Nontaxable benefits
    $11,732
    Filer's total
    $293,626

  • TWYLA WILLIAMS

    CHIEF HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICER

    Total calculated
    $285,366
    From this org
    $237,861
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $47,505
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $237,861
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $24,437
    Nontaxable benefits
    $23,068
    Filer's total
    $285,366

  • JULIAN TEIXEIRA

    CHIEF COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER

    Total calculated
    $219,446
    From this org
    $190,894
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $28,552
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $189,592
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $1,302
    Deferred
    $18,959
    Nontaxable benefits
    $9,593
    Filer's total
    $219,446

  • REBECCA LATIN

    INTERIM CHIEF OF STAFF

    Total calculated
    $197,997
    From this org
    $161,050
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $36,947
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $161,050
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $14,524
    Nontaxable benefits
    $22,423
    Filer's total
    $197,997

  • SUSAN CORKE

    DIRECTOR OF INTELLIGENCE PROJECT

    Total calculated
    $257,376
    From this org
    $213,394
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $43,982
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $213,207
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $187
    Deferred
    $21,321
    Nontaxable benefits
    $22,661
    Filer's total
    $257,376

  • BACARDI JACKSON

    DEPUTY LEGAL DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $264,974
    From this org
    $219,895
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $45,079
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $218,950
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $945
    Deferred
    $21,895
    Nontaxable benefits
    $23,184
    Filer's total
    $264,974

  • SCOTT MCCOY

    DEPUTY LEGAL DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $250,521
    From this org
    $218,237
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $32,284
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $213,390
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $4,847
    Deferred
    $21,339
    Nontaxable benefits
    $10,945
    Filer's total
    $250,521

  • NATALIE KELLY

    DIRECTOR OF LEGAL MANAGEMENT

    Total calculated
    $261,023
    From this org
    $216,696
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $44,327
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $215,895
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $801
    Deferred
    $21,589
    Nontaxable benefits
    $22,738
    Filer's total
    $261,023

  • JALAYA LILES

    DIRECTOR OF LEARNING FOR JUSTICE

    Total calculated
    $235,141
    From this org
    $211,977
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $23,164
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $202,530
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $9,447
    Deferred
    $20,253
    Nontaxable benefits
    $2,911
    Filer's total
    $235,141

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

  • 1a · Health or social club dues or initiation fees
  • 1b · Written policy on the line-1a expenses
  • 2 · Substantiation required before reimbursing expenses
  • 3 · Compensation committee
  • 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 1A
THE ORGANIZATION PAYS 1/2 THE COST OF MEMBERSHIP FEES TO A HEALTH CLUB FOR EVERY EMPLOYEE WHO CHOOSES TO PARTICIPATE IN THE HEALTH PROGRAM. THE AMOUNT IS INCLUDED IN EACH EMPLOYEE'S COMPENSATION.

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

The 10 largest by cash amount. The API serves every itemized grant.

Related organizations on this return

Schedule R Part II: tax-exempt organizations related to the filer by control. It does not record shared board members or money.

Taxable family on this return

Schedule R Parts I, III and IV, as filed. These record ownership and control, not shared board members or money moved.

Disregarded entities

Part I: entities that legally are the filer and file no return of their own.

  • SPLC ATLANTA OFFICE

    RENTAL · AL · income $140,140 · assets $11,665,668

    Directly controlled by SOUTHERN POVERTY LAW CENTER INC

Provenance

Return type
form_990
Tax year
2023
Filed
22 January 2025
IRS schema version
2023v6.0
Source object
202511199349300716

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

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