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Nonprofiteer
← VERA INSTITUTE OF JUSTICE INC

Form 990 for tax year 2023

Filed by VERA INSTITUTE OF JUSTICE INC.

Totals

Total revenue
$142,283,899
Total expenses
$151,205,102
Contributions and grants received
$139,049,389
Grants paid
$9,493,388
Program service revenue
$0
Investment income
$2,476,525
Other revenue
$757,985
Total assets, end of year
$167,541,428
Total liabilities, end of year
$41,740,351
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$125,801,077
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$136,442,304
Management and general expenses
$11,082,978
Fundraising expenses
$3,679,820
Program service expenses (Part III)
$136,442,304

Program services were 90.2% 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

    $1,363,007

  • 1e · Government grants (contributions)

    $105,703,754

  • 1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

    $31,982,628

  • 1g · Noncash contributions included above

    $184,227

  • 3 · Investment income

    total $2,481,149 · excluded $2,481,149

  • 7a · Gross sales of assets other than inventory

    securities $40,332,257

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

    securities $40,336,881

  • 7c · Gain or loss

    securities -$4,624

  • 7d · Net gain or loss

    total -$4,624 · excluded -$4,624

  • 8a · Fundraising events: gross income

    $111,731

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

    $1,363,007

  • 8b · Fundraising events: direct expenses

    $302,766

  • 8c · Net income from fundraising events

    total -$191,035 · excluded -$191,035

  • 10a · Gross sales of inventory

    $2,771

  • 10b · Cost of goods sold

    $2,000

  • 10c · Net income from sales of inventory

    total $771 · related or exempt $771

  • 11a · Other revenue: SHARED SERVICES

    total $890,227 · excluded $890,227

  • 11b · Other revenue: PUBLICATION SALES

    total $43,361 · excluded $43,361

  • 11c · Other revenue: MISCELLANEOUS INCOME

    total $14,661 · excluded $14,661

  • 11e · Other revenue, total

    $948,249

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 1 · Grants to domestic organizations and governments

    total $9,493,388 · program services $9,493,388

  • 5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

    total $3,445,067 · program services $1,404,359 · management and general $1,502,463 · fundraising $538,245

  • 7 · Other salaries and wages

    total $27,627,645 · program services $21,888,406 · management and general $4,139,287 · fundraising $1,599,952

  • 8 · Pension plan contributions

    total $1,111,820 · program services $933,836 · management and general $115,284 · fundraising $62,700

  • 9 · Other employee benefits

    total $3,846,391 · program services $3,063,272 · management and general $551,916 · fundraising $231,203

  • 10 · Payroll taxes

    total $2,386,319 · program services $1,857,307 · management and general $377,961 · fundraising $151,051

  • 11b · Fees: legal

    total $15,856 · program services $7,105 · management and general $8,660 · fundraising $91

  • 11c · Fees: accounting

    total $184,536 · program services $82,696 · management and general $100,784 · fundraising $1,056

  • 11d · Fees: lobbying

    total $376,250 · program services $168,609 · management and general $205,488 · fundraising $2,153

  • 11f · Fees: investment management

    total $290,290 · management and general $290,290

  • 11g · Fees: other

    total $94,769,403 · program services $93,051,786 · management and general $986,043 · fundraising $731,574

  • 13 · Office expenses

    total $1,954,918 · program services $450,596 · management and general $1,393,745 · fundraising $110,577

  • 14 · Information technology

    total $263,500 · program services $116,632 · management and general $144,721 · fundraising $2,147

  • 16 · Occupancy

    total $1,949,593 · program services $1,496,404 · management and general $334,447 · fundraising $118,742

  • 17 · Travel

    total $1,312,640 · program services $1,126,838 · management and general $148,830 · fundraising $36,972

  • 19 · Conferences, conventions and meetings

    total $323,583 · program services $277,780 · management and general $36,689 · fundraising $9,114

  • 20 · Interest

    total $365,615 · program services $280,627 · management and general $62,720 · fundraising $22,268

  • 22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    total $574,393 · program services $440,874 · management and general $98,535 · fundraising $34,984

  • 23 · Insurance

    total $171,806 · management and general $171,806

  • 24a · Other expenses: MISCELLANEOUS EXPENSES

    total $518,871 · program services $168,506 · management and general $333,796 · fundraising $16,569

  • 24b · Other expenses: REPAIRS & MAINTENANCE

    total $185,822 · program services $132,121 · management and general $43,279 · fundraising $10,422

  • 24c · Other expenses: TRAINING

    total $37,396 · program services $1,162 · management and general $36,234

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing

    beginning of year $4,014,648 · end of year $1,036,970

  • 2 · Savings and temporary cash investments

    beginning of year $9,055,763 · end of year $5,052,993

  • 3 · Pledges and grants receivable

    beginning of year $96,947,088 · end of year $31,559,820

  • 9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

    beginning of year $209,014 · end of year $103,976

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

    $9,706,914

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

    $5,223,952

  • 10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

    beginning of year $4,861,397 · end of year $4,482,962

  • 11 · Investments: publicly traded securities

    beginning of year $85,379,589 · end of year $84,871,572

  • 12 · Investments: other securities

    beginning of year $4,538,026 · end of year $5,692,421

  • 15 · Other assets

    beginning of year $51,282,001 · end of year $34,740,714

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $77,372,845 · end of year $5,572,563

  • 25 · Other liabilities

    beginning of year $50,835,946 · end of year $36,167,788

  • 27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

    beginning of year $93,562,527 · end of year $86,616,041

  • 28 · Net assets with donor restrictions

    beginning of year $34,516,208 · end of year $39,185,036

Mission and programs · 2023

Mission

VERA IS A NATIONAL ORGANIZATION THAT PARTNERS WITH IMPACTED COMMUNITIES AND GOVERNMENT LEADERS TO TRANSFORM THE CRIMINAL, LEGAL, AND IMMIGRATION SYSTEMS. USING POLICY, RESEARCH, AND COMMUNICATION EXPERTISE, VERA WORKS TO END THE OVERCRIMINALIZATION AND MASS INCARCERATION OF PEOPLE OF COLOR, IMMIGRANTS, AND PEOPLE EXPERIENCING POVERTY.

Activities or mission (Part I)

TO END THE OVERCRIMINALIZATION AND MASS INCARCERATION OF PEOPLE OF COLOR, IMMIGRANTS, AND PEOPLE EXPERIENCING POVERTY.

  • UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN PROGRAMUNACCOMPANIED MINORS PROGRAM PROVIDES LEGAL SERVICES TO UNACCOMPANIED MINORS UNDER CARE WITH HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. AS OF DECEMBER 1, 2023, THE PROGRAM WAS TRANSITIONED TO THE ACACIA CENTER FOR JUSTICE.

    Expenses $96,852,352 · Grants $9,493,388

  • ADVANCING UNIVERSAL REPRESENTATION:THE ADVANCING UNIVERSAL REPRESENTATION INITIATIVE IS DRIVING A NATIONAL MOVEMENT FOR UNIVERSAL REPRESENTATION. OUR GOAL IS TO ESTABLISH A FEDERAL RIGHT TO REPRESENTATION FOR ALL IMMIGRANTS FACING DEPORTATION. BY FIGHTING FOR UNIVERSAL REPRESENTATION, THE INITIATIVE AND ITS PARTNERS ARE KEEPING FAMILIES TOGETHER; DISRUPTING THE CRIMINALIZATION AND DEPORTATION OF IMMIGRANTS AND THEIR FAMILIES; AND PROTECTING PEOPLE FROM THE DEPLORABLE CONDITIONS OF IMMIGRATION DETENTION.

    Expenses $3,378,572

  • RESTORING PROMISERESTORING PROMISE IS AN INITIATIVE OF THE VERA INSTITUTE OF JUSTICE THAT SEEKS TO TRANSFORM PRISON CULTURES, CLIMATES, AND SPACES BY PARTNERING WITH CORRECTIONAL LEADERS TO REIMAGINE HOUSING UNITS FOR YOUNG ADULTS AND REALIGN CORRECTIONS POLICIES AND PRACTICES WITH A COMMITMENT TO HUMAN DIGNITY.

    Expenses $3,329,647

  • OTHER PROGRAMSRESHAPING PROSECUTION, UNLOCKING POTENTIAL, BEYOND JAILS, ENDING GIRLS' INCARCERATION, REDEFINING PUBLIC SAFETY, GREATER JUSTICE NEW YORK, ACTIVATING CHANGE (FORMERLY VERA'S CENTER ON VICTIMIZATION AND SAFETY), VERA LOUISIANA, VERA CALIFORNIA, TRUE LINE, OPENING DOORS, FINES AND FEES, NEW INITIATIVES, ECONOMIC IMPACTS OF INCARCERATION.

    Expenses $32,881,733 · Revenue $771

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

Listed in Part VII

  • Damien Dwin

    CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Debo P Adegbile

    VICE CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Evan C Guillemin

    TREASURER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 1 related
  • Caron Butler

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Nelson O Fitts

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Helam Gebremariam

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • John Gleeson

    TRUSTEE, THRU 12/31/2023

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • David Klafter

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Lili Lynton

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • John Madsen

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Bari Mattes

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 1 related
  • Khalil Gibran Muhammad

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Danya Perry

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Justin Tuck

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Lola Velazquez-Aguilu

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Anilu Vazquez-Ubarri

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Tali Farhadian Weinstein

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Nicholas R Turner

    PRESIDENT AND DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $673,326
    From this org
    $612,139
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $61,187
    Hours/week
    40 + 3 related

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $549,817
    Bonus
    $37,500
    Other
    $24,822
    Deferred
    $16,500
    Nontaxable benefits
    $44,687
    Filer's total
    $673,326
  • Edward Kwangyoon Chung

    VP, INITIATIVES

    Total calculated
    $379,514
    From this org
    $323,759
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $55,755
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $300,463
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $23,296
    Deferred
    $15,788
    Nontaxable benefits
    $39,967
    Filer's total
    $379,514
  • Insha Rahman

    VP, ADVOCACY & PARTNERSHIP

    Total calculated
    $325,541
    From this org
    $299,184
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $26,357
    Hours/week
    40 + 9 related

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $276,212
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $22,972
    Deferred
    $12,606
    Nontaxable benefits
    $13,751
    Filer's total
    $325,541
  • Theresa Raffaele Jefferson

    VP, COMMS. & EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

    Total calculated
    $305,403
    From this org
    $276,258
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $29,145
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $252,761
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $23,497
    Deferred
    $13,890
    Nontaxable benefits
    $15,255
    Filer's total
    $305,403
  • Adair H Iacono

    GENERAL COUNSEL & SECRETARY

    Total calculated
    $293,631
    From this org
    $265,840
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $27,791
    Hours/week
    40 + 3 related

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $242,814
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $23,026
    Deferred
    $11,381
    Nontaxable benefits
    $16,410
    Filer's total
    $293,631
  • Stacey Strongarone

    VP, CHIEF OF STAFF

    Total calculated
    $293,465
    From this org
    $262,101
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $31,364
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $238,971
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $23,130
    Deferred
    $13,333
    Nontaxable benefits
    $18,031
    Filer's total
    $293,465
  • Gretchen Haskins Page

    VP, DEVELOPMENT

    Total calculated
    $273,669
    From this org
    $251,636
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $22,033
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $235,995
    Bonus
    $5,000
    Other
    $10,641
    Deferred
    $5,021
    Nontaxable benefits
    $17,012
    Filer's total
    $273,669
  • James Parsons Vp Research

    & MONITORING EVALUATION & LEARNING

    Total calculated
    $301,785
    From this org
    $245,986
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $55,799
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $222,567
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $23,419
    Deferred
    $12,825
    Nontaxable benefits
    $42,974
    Filer's total
    $301,785
  • Tracey Thomas-Wilmot

    VP, CHIEF PEOPLE OFFICER

    Total calculated
    $284,325
    From this org
    $230,874
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $53,451
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $230,729
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $145
    Deferred
    $11,913
    Nontaxable benefits
    $41,538
    Filer's total
    $284,325
  • Gregory M Klemm Cfo Coo

    ASSISTANT TREASURER, THRU 8/25/23

    Total calculated
    $237,601
    From this org
    $199,321
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $38,280
    Hours/week
    40 + 3 related

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $172,690
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $26,631
    Deferred
    $9,054
    Nontaxable benefits
    $29,226
    Filer's total
    $237,601
  • Margaret R Dizerega

    MANAGING DIR., INITIATIVES

    Total calculated
    $260,018
    From this org
    $224,764
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $35,254
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $224,415
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $349
    Deferred
    $11,351
    Nontaxable benefits
    $23,903
    Filer's total
    $260,018
  • Victor Osamudiame Obaseki

    MANAGING DIR., RACE, EQUITY, INCL.

    Total calculated
    $243,352
    From this org
    $217,326
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $26,026
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $216,989
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $337
    Deferred
    $11,045
    Nontaxable benefits
    $14,981
    Filer's total
    $243,352
  • Vina Morris Director

    TECHNOLOGY ADVANCEMENT & OPERATIONS

    Total calculated
    $242,472
    From this org
    $213,858
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $28,614
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $213,658
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $200
    Deferred
    $11,028
    Nontaxable benefits
    $17,586
    Filer's total
    $242,472
  • David Nidiffer

    DIRECTOR OF FINANCE

    Total calculated
    $217,451
    From this org
    $206,141
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $11,310
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $204,646
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $1,495
    Deferred
    $10,232
    Nontaxable benefits
    $1,078
    Filer's total
    $217,451
  • Nina Siulc

    DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH, INITIATIVES

    Total calculated
    $235,737
    From this org
    $199,153
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $36,584
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $188,721
    Bonus
    $10,000
    Other
    $432
    Deferred
    $10,226
    Nontaxable benefits
    $26,358
    Filer's total
    $235,737

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 · Form 990 of other organizations
  • 3 · Compensation survey or study
  • 3 · Approval by the board or compensation committee
  • 7 · Other non-fixed payments

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
  • 8 · Paid under the initial-contract exception

The filer's explanations (Part III)

PART I, LINE 7
THE ORGANIZATION PAID DISCRETIONARY BONUSES TO CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS REPORTED ON THE FORM 990, PART VII, BASED ON INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE AND WITHIN THE APPROVED BUDGET OF THE ORGANIZATION. THE BONUS AMOUNT FOR THE PRESIDENT WAS APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES. THE PRESIDENT APPROVED THE BONUS AMOUNTS FOR OTHER EMPLOYEES. ALL BONUS AMOUNTS WERE INCLUDED IN THE INDIVIDUALS' TAXABLE 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.

  • VERA ACTION INC

    501(C)(4) · ADVOCACY FOR LEGAL AND IMMIGRATION REFORM · NY · controlled entity

    Directly controlled by VERA INSTITUTE OF JUSTICE INC

  • PROJECT GUARDIANSHIP INC

    501(C)(3) · PROVIDES CARE FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES AND MENTAL ILLNESSES · NY · controlled entity

    Directly controlled by VERA INSTITUTE OF JUSTICE INC

  • ACTIVATING CHANGE INC

    501(C)(3) · ADDRESSES VIOLENCE AND OTHER INJUSTICES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES · NY · controlled entity

    Directly controlled by VERA INSTITUTE OF JUSTICE INC

Provenance

Return type
form_990
Tax year
2023
Filed
15 May 2025
IRS schema version
2023v6.0
Source object
202501359349314985

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