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ACCESS JUSTICE BROOKLYN INC

EIN 11-3155182 BROOKLYN, NY

Revenue 2024
$2,308,329
Expenses 2024
$2,448,310

Program services were 66.6% of total expenses calculated — Part IX's program-services column over total expenses, both as filed.

As filed

Subsection
03
NTEE code
I83Z
Classification
1000
Street
203 JAY STREET SUITE 300

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 · 2024

Mission

SEE SCHEDULE O

Activities or mission (Part I)

WE HELP ENSURE A MORE ACCESSIBLE LEGAL SYSTEM AND EQUITABLE BROOKLYN.

  • ECONOMIC SECURITY: IN THE PAST YEAR AJB HANDLED 4,657 CONSUMER DEBT AND BANKRUPTCY MATTERS, BENEFITING 10,370 PEOPLE. AJB'S ECONOMIC JUSTICE PROGRAM ENCOMPASSES CONSUMER ADVOCACY SERVICES - OPERATED THROUGH TWO COURT-BASED PROGRAMS IN KINGS COUNTY CIVIL COURT - AND ITS BANKRUPTCY PRACTICE, THROUGH WHICH THE ORGANIZATION OFFERS ADVICE AND REPRESENTATION TO INDIVIDUALS SEEKING TO REORDER THEIR FINANCES THROUGH CHAPTER 7 OR CHAPTER 13 BANKRUPTCY. THESE COURT-BASED PROGRAMS, THE CIVIL LEGAL ADVICE AND RESOURCE OFFICE (CLARO) CLINIC AND THE VOLUNTEER LAWYER FOR A DAY (VLFD) PROGRAM, ALLOW AJB TO ADDRESS THE SEVERE REPRESENTATION GAP IN CONSUMER CREDIT CASES, WHERE THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF CONSUMER DEFENDANTS APPEAR WITHOUT COUNSEL. AJB STAFF MANAGE THESE PROGRAMS WITH THE SUPPORT OF LAW STUDENTS AND DEDICATED PRO BONO ATTORNEYS WHO ARE LONG-TIME VOLUNTEERS WITH THESE PROGRAMS. LAST YEAR, AJB ALSO LAUNCHED A FINANCIAL LITERACY PROGRAM TO COMPLEMENT ITS EXISTING SERVICES FOCUSED ON ECONOMIC SECURITY AND TO BETTER SUPPORT INDIVIDUALS STRUGGLING WITH CONSUMER OR MORTGAGE-RELATED DEBT.

    Expenses $517,910

  • HOMEOWNER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: IN THE PAST YEAR, THE ORGANIZATION HANDLED 516 FORECLOSURE MATTERS, DEPARTMENT OF BUILDINGS VIOLATIONS, AND OTHER ISSUES IMPACTING BROOKLYN HOMEOWNERS, BENEFITING NEARLY 1,400 PEOPLE. ACCESS JUSTICE BROOKLYN'S SERVICES TO HOMEOWNERS ENCOMPASS A RANGE OF SERVICES THAT INCLUDE FORECLOSURE INTERVENTION AND PREVENTION, ASSISTANCE WITH DEED THEFT AND OTHER SCAMS, AND REPRESENTATION IN ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS THAT CONCERN DEPARTMENT OF BUILDINGS (DOB) VIOLATIONS. AJB STAFFS SEVERAL COURT-BASED PROGRAMS FOR HOMEOWNERS APPEARING IN KINGS COUNTY SUPREME COURT AND OFFERS REPRESENTATION THROUGH THE ENTIRE FORECLOSURE PROCESS, INCLUDING LOAN MODIFICATIONS, FORECLOSURE MOTION PRACTICE, GOOD FAITH HEARINGS, FORECLOSURE DEFENSE LITIGATION, AND SETTLEMENT CONFERENCES. IN ADDITION TO SUPPORT IN FORECLOSURE MATTERS, AJB ASSISTS HOMEOWNERS FACING OTHER CONCERNS SUCH AS TITLE ISSUES, DEED SCAMS, AND OTHER FORMS OF PROPERTY FRAUD.

    Expenses $396,250

  • FAMILY STABILIZATION PROGRAM: IN THE PAST YEAR, THE ORGANIZATION HANDLED 431 FAMILY LAW CASES, BENEFITING OVER 900 PEOPLE.IN KINGS COUNTY FAMILY COURT, AJB PROVIDES ADVICE, BRIEF SERVICES, AND REPRESENTATION IN CUSTODY AND VISITATION MATTERS AS WELL AS CHILD AND SPOUSAL SUPPORT CASES. FURTHER, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH LAW FIRMS, AJB MAINTAINS A PRO SE UNCONTESTED DIVORCE PROGRAM TO HELP INDIVIDUALS FILE AN UNCONTESTED DIVORCE IN KINGS COUNTY SUPREME COURT. UNIQUE AMONG MANY LEGAL SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS, AJB ALSO OFFERS ADVICE AND REPRESENTATION IN ARTICLE 17A GUARDIANSHIP PROCEEDINGS IN SURROGATE'S COURT, WHICH DESIGNATE A FAMILY MEMBER OR FRIEND TO ACT ON BEHALF OF A PERSON OVER THE AGE OF 18 WHO HAS INTELLECTUAL OR DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES - EMPLOYING MINIMALLY RESTRICTIVE OPTIONS TO GIVE MUCH-NEEDED SUPPORT TO INDIVIDUALS AND PEACE OF MIND TO THEIR FAMILIES.

    Expenses $377,270

  • SENIOR ASSISTANCE AND MISCELLANEOUS MATTERSIN THE PAST YEAR ACCESS JUSTICE BROOKLYN HANDLED 34 ELDER LAW-RELATED MATTERS SUCH AS WILLS AND PROBATE ASSISTANCE AS WELL AS OTHER MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS, AFFECTING 44 PEOPLE. AJB ADDRESSES END OF LIFE CONCERNS BY HELPING BROOKLYN RESIDENTS PREPARE AND EXECUTE WILLS, HEALTH CARE PROXIES, AND OTHER LIFE PLANNING DOCUMENTS, AS WELL AS BY HANDLING SMALL ESTATE MATTERS FOR ESTATES OF $50,000 OR LESS. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO PROVIDES ACCESSIBLE COMMUNITY LEGAL EDUCATION SPECIFICALLY FOR OLDER BROOKLYN RESIDENTS, FOCUSING ON LEGAL ISSUES OF CONCERN FOR SENIORS SUCH AS WILLS, PROBATE MATTERS, AND ESTATE PLANNING; CONSUMER DEBT; GOVERNMENT BENEFITS; AND THREATS TO HOMEOWNERSHIP. THIS PREVENTION-ORIENTED EDUCATION GIVES OLDER BROOKLYN RESIDENTS THE KNOWLEDGE AND RESOURCES TO HELP THEM RETAIN STABILITY AND AGE IN PLACE. COMMUNITY EDUCATION AND OUTREACHACCESS JUSTICE BROOKLYN OFFERS INDIVIDUAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE AND COMMUNITY LEGAL EDUCATION IN ALL ITS AREAS OF PRACTICE - ADDRESSING CURRENT LEGAL CONCERNS WHILE OFFERING PREVENTION-ORIENTED EDUCATION THAT HELPS INDIVIDUALS ACCESS LEGAL HELP BEFORE PROBLEMS CAN ESCALATE. OVER THE LAST YEAR AJB REACHED OVER 1,100 INDIVIDUALS THROUGH LEGAL EDUCATION PRESENTATIONS, WORKSHOPS, RESOURCE FAIRS, AND OTHER OUTREACH EVENTS, DELIVERING ESSENTIAL "KNOW YOUR RIGHTS" INFORMATION IN NEIGHBORHOODS THROUGHOUT BROOKLYN.CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION (CLE)CENTRAL TO AJB'S MISSION AND MODEL, THE ORGANIZATION RECRUITS AND TRAINS PRO BONO VOLUNTEERS - INCLUDING PRIVATE PRACTITIONERS, IN-HOUSE COUNSEL, AND LAW FIRMS - TO TAKE CASES FOR REPRESENTATION, FURTHERING ACCESS TO JUSTICE FOR BROOKLYN RESIDENTS. LAST YEAR, AJB ENGAGED 264 ATTORNEYS, LAW STUDENTS, AND OTHER VOLUNTEERS WHO DONATED 4,223 HOURS OF COMPASSIONATE, HIGH-QUALITY LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO BROOKLYN RESIDENTS THROUGH DIRECT ASSISTANCE, COMMUNITY EDUCATION, AND OTHER SERVICES. DURING THE SAME PERIOD, AJB DELIVERED PITCHES TO 13 LAW FIRMS; AND HOSTED OR PARTICIPATED IN A TOTAL OF NINE (9) CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION (CLE) SESSIONS FOR 353 ATTENDEES, EXPANDING THE POOL OF LEGAL PROFESSIONALS PREPARED TO DELIVER COMMUNITY LEGAL SUPPORT.

    Expenses $338,703 · Grants $1,000

As filed on the 2024 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Officers and directors · 2024

As listed in Part VII of the 2024 return, in the order the filer printed them. Each return names its own; this is not a roster the organization keeps with us.

  • HEIDI LEE HENDERSON

    PRESIDENT & CEO (TO 12/2024)

    Total calculated
    $202,495
    From this org
    $192,762
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $9,733
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $192,762
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $7,710
    Nontaxable benefits
    $2,023
    Filer's total
    $202,495

  • MELISSA A STARR

    INT. PRESIDENT & CEO (AS OF 12/2024)

    Total calculated
    $185,955
    From this org
    $168,598
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $17,357
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $168,598
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $5,058
    Nontaxable benefits
    $12,299
    Filer's total
    $185,955

  • LYNN E JUDELL

    BOARD CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • STEPHEN Z WILLIAMSON

    VICE CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • MICHAEL WATSON

    SECRETARY

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • LISA BRAUN

    TREASURER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • JACK ALDRICH

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • DANIEL ANGEL

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • ELENA BONIFACIO

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • CAROLINE CONWAY

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • AKSHAY DHIMAN

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • BRIAN FYRD

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • JEFFREY GEWIRTZ

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • ADAM B GILBERT

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • ALEXANDER KAPLAN

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • LYDIA KEANEY REYNOLDS

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • COLIN KELLY

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • MELANIE KOTLER

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • MARK LANDE

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • PATRICIA LILLEY

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • SCOTTYE LINDSEY

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • SAMUEL O MADUEGBUNA

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • THANYA POLNIO-JONES

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • LEE POPKIN

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • ADAM SHEPHERD

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

The first 25 listed. 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

  • 2024
    Revenue
    $2,308,329
    Expenses
    $2,448,310
    Contributions
    $2,181,812
    Grants paid
    $1,000
  • 2023
    Revenue
    $2,155,217
    Expenses
    $2,255,378
    Contributions
    $2,073,412
    Grants paid
    $1,000
  • 2022
    Revenue
    $1,712,976
    Expenses
    $2,072,737
    Contributions
    $1,741,066
    Grants paid
    $1,000

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

  • 2020 · 990

    Revenue
    $1,570,397
    Expenses
    $1,572,112
    Assets (EOY)
    $2,291,619

  • 2019 · 990

    Revenue
    $1,406,602
    Expenses
    $1,425,644
    Assets (EOY)
    $2,131,808

  • 2018 · 990

    Revenue
    $1,339,818
    Expenses
    $1,395,729
    Assets (EOY)
    $1,886,277

  • 2017 · 990

    Revenue
    $1,216,758
    Expenses
    $1,120,293
    Assets (EOY)
    $2,036,656

  • 2016 · 990

    Revenue
    $1,245,045
    Expenses
    $1,066,862
    Assets (EOY)
    $1,867,571

  • 2015 · 990

    Revenue
    $1,311,875
    Expenses
    $881,836
    Assets (EOY)
    $1,712,386

  • 2014 · 990

    Revenue
    $834,303
    Expenses
    $637,899
    Assets (EOY)
    $1,279,473

  • 2013 · 990

    Revenue
    $753,441
    Expenses
    $643,549
    Assets (EOY)
    $1,123,398

  • 2012 · 990

    Revenue
    not reported
    Expenses
    $469,172
    Assets (EOY)
    $1,058,497

  • 2011 · 990

    Revenue
    not reported
    Expenses
    $461,234
    Assets (EOY)
    $850,837

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

No itemized grants to organizations. Schedule I is filed only by organizations that granted more than $5,000 to a recipient, so most filers have none.

Grants received

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

Other IRS files

Auto-Revocation List

Not listed. The IRS publishes this list for organizations whose exemption was automatically revoked for failing to file for three consecutive years.

Publication 78

Listed as of 13 October 2026, under deductibility PC.

These are two separate IRS files on two separate schedules, shown as published and not reconciled with each other. Neither is a statement about whether a contribution is deductible today: 19,245 organizations appear in Publication 78 while the IRS's own revocation file lists them as currently revoked, more than half of those revoked before 2019. Absence from Publication 78 is evidence of nothing, and presence is not evidence either. Verify current status with the IRS before relying on it.

What this page reflects

The registration facts above come from the IRS Business Master File published 13 October 2026 and read 26 October 2026, for every organization at once. Returns through tax year 2024, the newest we have parsed for this organization.