RISING FOR JUSTICE INC

As filed

Subsection

03

Classification

1000

Street

901 4TH STREET NW 6000

These codes are the IRS's own and are shown exactly as filed. What each one means is in the Business Master File documentation (opens in a new tab).

Mission and programs · 2025

• HOUSING PROGRAM: RISING FOR JUSTICE (RFJ) ADVANCES HOUSING STABILITY AND PREVENTS EVICTION THROUGH ITS HOUSING ADVOCACY AND LITIGATION CLINIC (HALC), STABILIZING COMMUNITIES (STABCOMM) PROGRAM, AND TENANT JUSTICE PROGRAM (TJP). TOGETHER, THESE INITIATIVES PROVIDE CRITICAL LEGAL REPRESENTATION AND SOCIAL-WORK SUPPORT TO LOW-INCOME DC RESIDENTS FACING EVICTION, UNSAFE HOUSING CONDITIONS, OR BARRIERS TO STABLE HOUSING. DC'S ONGOING HOUSING CRISIS, MARKED BY SOARING RENTS, LOSS OF AFFORDABLE UNITS, AND WIDENING RACIAL DISPARITIES, HAS LEFT MANY TENANTS VULNERABLE TO DISPLACEMENT AND HOMELESSNESS.RFJ'S UNIQUE POSITION AS THE SOLE LEGAL SERVICES PROVIDER IN DC OFFERING IMMEDIATE LEGAL ADVICE AND EVICTION DEFENSE IN THE LANDLORD AND TENANT BRANCH OF DC SUPERIOR COURT UNDERSCORES THE URGENCY AND SIGNIFICANCE OF ITS WORK. ATTORNEYS, LAW STUDENTS, AND SOCIAL WORKERS CONDUCT IN-PERSON INTAKE AT THE COURTHOUSE, ASSESS EACH TENANT'S LEGAL AND SOCIAL NEEDS, AND PROVIDE ADVICE, BRIEF SERVICES, OR EXTENDED REPRESENTATION. RFJ'S INTERDISCIPLINARY MODEL COMBINES COURTROOM ADVOCACY WITH HOLISTIC CASE MANAGEMENT, CONNECTING CLIENTS TO RENTAL ASSISTANCE, FOOD SECURITY PROGRAMS, MENTAL-HEALTH CARE, AND OTHER SUPPORTS THAT STRENGTHEN LONG-TERM STABILITY.IN FY 2025, RFJ AND ITS PARTNERS REPRESENTED THOUSANDS OF TENANTS CITYWIDE, HELPING FAMILIES AVOID EVICTION, NEGOTIATE FAIR SETTLEMENTS, AND REMAIN SAFELY HOUSED. THROUGH OUTREACH, SYSTEMIC ADVOCACY, AND LITIGATION, THESE PROGRAMS ADDRESS BOTH INDIVIDUAL CRISES AND THE STRUCTURAL INEQUITIES DRIVING DC'S HOUSING EMERGENCY. BY PAIRING LEGAL DEFENSE WITH SOCIAL WORK INTERVENTION, RFJ ENSURES THAT DC'S MOST VULNERABLE RESIDENTS HAVE A FAIR CHANCE TO PRESERVE THEIR HOMES AND REBUILD STABILITY.

  Expenses $88,003 · Revenue $96,119

• EXPUNGEMENT & RECORD SEALING: RISING FOR JUSTICE (RFJ) PROVIDES LEGAL REPRESENTATION AND HOLISTIC SUPPORT TO DC RESIDENTS SEEKING TO SEAL OR EXPUNGE CRIMINAL RECORDS. NEARLY 68,000 DC RESIDENTS, DISPROPORTIONATELY PEOPLE OF COLOR, LIVE WITH CRIMINAL RECORDS THAT RESTRICT ACCESS TO EMPLOYMENT, HOUSING, AND EDUCATION. BLACK RESIDENTS MAKE UP 43% OF THE CITY'S POPULATION BUT 86% OF ARRESTS, A DISPARITY THAT PERPETUATES CYCLES OF POVERTY AND EXCLUSION.THROUGH ITS CRIMINAL RECORD SEALING PROGRAM, RFJ ASSISTS CLIENTS IN NAVIGATING COMPLEX ELIGIBILITY AND FILING REQUIREMENTS, DRAFTING MOTIONS, COLLECTING DOCUMENTATION, AND PREPARING EVIDENCE OF REHABILITATION AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT. THE PROGRAM INTEGRATES LEGAL AND SOCIAL WORK SERVICES, ENSURING THAT EVERY CLIENT NOT ONLY SECURES RECORD RELIEF BUT ALSO CONNECTS WITH EMPLOYMENT, HOUSING, AND EDUCATION RESOURCES TO SUSTAIN LONG-TERM STABILITY. BY COMBINING LEGAL EXPERTISE AND WRAPAROUND SUPPORT, RFJ HELPS CLIENTS OBTAIN LIFE-CHANGING RELIEF. ONCE RECORDS ARE SEALED, INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCE MEASURABLE GAINS IN EMPLOYMENT AND INCOME, WITH STUDIES SHOWING AVERAGE WAGE INCREASES OF 22% WITHIN 1 YEAR. THE PROGRAM RESTORES OPPORTUNITY, DIGNITY, AND ECONOMIC MOBILITY FOR DC RESIDENTS REBUILDING THEIR LIVES AFTER INVOLVEMENT WITH THE JUSTICE SYSTEM.

  Expenses $230,503

• RESPONDENT REPRESENTATION: RISING FOR JUSTICE (RFJ) OPERATES THE RESPONDENT REPRESENTATION PROGRAM (RRP) TO ENSURE DUE PROCESS AND EQUITY IN CIVIL PROTECTION ORDER (CPO) AND ANTI-STALKING ORDER (ASO) CASES IN DC. EACH YEAR, OVER 6,000 OF THESE CASES ARE FILED IN THE DC SUPERIOR COURT. PETITIONERS OFTEN RECEIVE LEGAL ASSISTANCE, WHILE RESPONDENTS, WHO FACE SERIOUS RISKS TO HOUSING, EMPLOYMENT, AND FAMILY STABILITY, ARE ALMOST ALWAYS UNREPRESENTED. LAUNCHED IN 2018 AT THE REQUEST OF THE DC SUPERIOR COURT, THE RRP ADDRESSES ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT GAPS IN THE CITY'S CIVIL JUSTICE SYSTEM. JUDGES, ATTORNEY-NEGOTIATORS, AND COURT STAFF CONSISTENTLY AFFIRM THAT WHEN RESPONDENTS HAVE COUNSEL, CASES PROCEED MORE EFFICIENTLY, OUTCOMES ARE FAIRER, AND COMPLIANCE WITH COURT ORDERS IMPROVES, ENHANCING SAFETY FOR ALL PARTIES.RFJ'S SOCIAL WORK PROGRAM SUPPORTS THE PROGRAM AND HAS A PROFOUND IMPACT, PROMOTING FAIRNESS, STABILIZING FAMILIES, PREVENTING HOMELESSNESS, AND STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY SAFETY. THE RRP CONTINUES TO STAND AS ONE OF DC'S FEW REMAINING PATHWAYS TO EQUAL JUSTICE, ENSURING THAT BOTH SIDES IN PROTECTION-ORDER CASES HAVE ACCESS TO COMPETENT REPRESENTATION.

  Expenses $2,333,578

As filed on the 2025 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Officers and directors · 2025

As listed in Part VII of the 2025 return, in the order the filer printed them. Each return names its own; this is not a roster the organization keeps with us.

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. Earlier years are each on their own filing page.

Filings

• 2025

  Revenue

  $2,976,518

  Expenses

  $3,054,901

  Contributions

  $2,774,429

  Grants paid

  $0

• 2024

  Revenue

  $1,732,327

  Expenses

  $3,598,359

  Contributions

  $1,420,738

  Grants paid

  $299,479

• 2023

  Revenue

  $3,038,660

  Expenses

  $3,993,147

  Contributions

  $2,627,350

  Grants paid

  $293,729

• 2023

  Revenue

  $3,028,660

  Expenses

  $4,146,292

  Contributions

  $2,617,350

  Grants paid

  $270,002

• 2022

  Revenue

  $5,656,447

  Expenses

  $3,386,860

  Contributions

  $5,152,735

  Grants paid

  $202,650

The four totals the IRS asks for on Part I of the Form 990, as filed. A dash means the figure was not present on the return — not that it was zero.

Other returns filed

• 2021 · 990

  Revenue

  $2,589,358

  Expenses

  $1,316,427

  Assets (EOY)

  $3,588,736

• 2020 · 990

  Revenue

  $2,460,318

  Expenses

  $2,633,714

  Assets (EOY)

  $2,707,888

• 2019 · 990

  Revenue

  $2,958,064

  Expenses

  $2,782,357

  Assets (EOY)

  $2,340,215

• 2017 · 990

  Revenue

  $1,242,131

  Expenses

  $1,309,788

  Assets (EOY)

  $1,677,669

• 2016 · 990

  Revenue

  $1,052,548

  Expenses

  $1,090,900

  Assets (EOY)

  $1,657,247

• 2015 · 990

  Revenue

  $861,625

  Expenses

  $1,163,468

  Assets (EOY)

  $1,771,254

• 2014 · 990

  Revenue

  $908,295

  Expenses

  $908,980

  Assets (EOY)

  $1,892,313

• 2014 · 990

  Revenue

  $908,295

  Expenses

  $908,980

  Assets (EOY)

  $1,892,313

• 2013 · 990

  Revenue

  $910,167

  Expenses

  $1,070,666

  Assets (EOY)

  $2,082,724

• 2012 · 990

  Revenue

  — not reported

  Expenses

  $1,205,021

  Assets (EOY)

  $1,949,793

Nonprofiteer parses Forms 990, 990-EZ and 990-PF, in a window of recent tax years. These returns are recorded from the IRS e-file index, so their figures were extracted by that index rather than read from the return here — treat them as a different source from the filings above, not as more of the same record. A dash means the index carries no figure; Form 990-T listings carry none at all. Showing the 10 most recent; the API carries the rest.

Grants made

• EMPOWER DC

  $160,000

  2024 · CONDUCT ON-THE-GROUND OUTREACH TO IDENTIFY LOW-INCOME DC TENANTS AT RISK OF EVICTION OR DISPLACEMENT AND PROVIDE THEM WITH INFORMATION ON LEGAL AND SOCIAL SERVICES.

• LATINO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CTR - LEDC

  $139,479

  2024 · CONDUCT ON-THE-GROUND OUTREACH TO IDENTIFY LOW-INCOME DC TENANTS AT RISK OF EVICTION OR DISPLACEMENT AND PROVIDE THEM WITH INFORMATION ON LEGAL AND SOCIAL SERVICES.

• EMPOWER DC

  $120,000

  2023 · CONDUCT ON-THE-GROUND OUTREACH TO IDENTIFY LOW-INCOME DC TENANTS AT RISK OF EVICTION OR DISPLACEMENT AND PROVIDE THEM WITH INFORMATION ON LEGAL AND SOCIAL SERVICES.

• EMPOWER DC

  $120,000

  2022 · CONDUCT ON-THE-GROUND OUTREACH TO IDENTIFY LOW-INCOME DC TENANTS AT RISK OF EVICTION OR DISPLACEMENT AND PROVIDE THEM WITH INFORMATION ON LEGAL AND SOCIAL SERVICES.

• LATINO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CTR - LEDC

  $82,650

  2023 · CONDUCT ON-THE-GROUND OUTREACH TO IDENTIFY LOW-INCOME DC TENANTS AT RISK OF EVICTION OR DISPLACEMENT AND PROVIDE THEM WITH INFORMATION ON LEGAL AND SOCIAL SERVICES.

• LATINO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CTR - LEDC

  $82,650

  2022 · CONDUCT ON-THE-GROUND OUTREACH TO IDENTIFY LOW-INCOME DC TENANTS AT RISK OF EVICTION OR DISPLACEMENT AND PROVIDE THEM WITH INFORMATION ON LEGAL AND SOCIAL SERVICES.

Where these grants went next →

Grants received

• THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA BAR FOUNDATION

  $2,273,671

  2022 · FY23 CLCPP GRANTS

• THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA BAR FOUNDATION

  $1,467,878

  2024 · FY25 CLCPP GRANTS

• THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA BAR FOUNDATION

  $1,316,528

  2022 · FY23 ATJ GRANTS

• THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA BAR FOUNDATION

  $1,063,145

  2023 · FY24 ATJ GRANTS

• THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA BAR FOUNDATION

  $831,694

  2024 · FY25 ATJ GRANTS

• THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA BAR FOUNDATION

  $800,000

  2023 · FY24 CLCPP GRANTS

• GREATER WASHINGTON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

  $405,000

  2022 · General Support

• GREATER WASHINGTON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

  $405,000

  2024 · GENERAL SUPPORT

• THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA BAR FOUNDATION

  $75,000

  2024 · FY25 PRIVATE GRANTS PROGRAM

• THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA BAR FOUNDATION

  $75,000

  2023 · FY24 PRIVATE GRANTS PROGRAM

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

Other IRS files