irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $100KCAMERAS: SEE SCHEDULE OMODERN COURTS CONTINUED ITS CAMERAS IN THE COURTS PROJECT IN 2024 WHICH IS DESIGNED TO DETERMINE THE FEASIBILITY OF PERMITTING BOTH MEDIA COVERAGE AND LIVE STREAMING OF COURT PROCEEDINGS WHICH IS CURRENTLY PROHIBITED BY NYS LAW. THE PROJECT ENTAILS CONDUCTING A 50-STATE SURVEY OF THE USE OF CAMERAS IN THE COURTS OF OTHER JURISDICTIONS AND A REVIEW OF THE PRIOR NYS 10-YEAR EXPERIMENT ALLOWING CAMERAS IN THE COURTS AND CONDUCTING INTERVIEWS WITH THOSE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCE WITH CAMERAS IN THE COURTS. THE GOAL OF THE PROJECT IS TO CREATE AN EDUCATIONAL "WHITE PAPER" THAT WOULD ANALYZE THE MERITS OF ALLOWING CAMERAS IN THE NYS COURTS AND MAKE SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS ABOUT HOW NYS SHOULD MOVE FORWARD FOR THE PURPOSE OF MAKING THE COURT PROCESSES MORE TRANSPARENT AND ACCOUNTABLE.
- #2 $100KIMMIGRATION: SEE SCHEDULE O MODERN COURTS IMPROVED AND UPDATED A SERIES OF ON-LINE TRAINING MODULES TO DEMONSTRATE THE INTERSECTION OF FAMILY LAW AND IMMIGRATION AND THE OFTEN-ADVERSE CONSEQUENCES FOR IMMIGRANTS IN FAMILY COURT IN NYS. THIS WAS DONE IN COLLABORATION WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS SPECILIZING IN IMMIGRATION AND PROVIDING DIRECT SERVICE TO IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES. A SERIES OF TRAININGS ARE ONGOING THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF LAWYERS, COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND JUDGES.MODERN COURTS FURTHERED ITS WORK BY (I) EDUCATIONAL EFFORTS ADDRESSING THE NEED TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF SUPREME COURT JUSTICES; (II) IMPROVING DATA COLLECTION IN TOWN AND VILLAGE COURTS AND EXPANDING ACCESS TO JUSTICE THROUGH VIRTUAL ARRAIGNMENTS; AND (III) RECOGNIZING OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP IN THE LEGAL COMMUNITY BY PRESENTING PROGRAMS AND SPEECHES ON IMPORTANT CURRENT ISSUES IN IMPROVING THE LEGAL SYSTEM AT EVENTS ATTENDED BY HUNDREDS OF MEMBERS OF THE LEGAL COMMUNITY.
named programs · 8 · from sources
What they call their work
Cameras in the Courts Project
Research initiative assessing the feasibility of allowing media coverage and live streaming of court proceedings in New York State, including a 50-state survey and analysis of prior experiments, aimed at increasing court transparency.
Court Simplification Project
Ongoing research and advocacy effort to streamline the structure of New York State’s court system, making it more understandable and accessible to the public, supported by reports, position papers, and public outreach.
Cyrus R. Vance Tribute
Annual tribute honoring public figures who have advanced fairness and accessibility in the New York State court system.
Fern Schair Public Service Award
Honors individuals for outstanding public service in improving the court system, particularly for vulnerable populations.
Hugh Jones Memorial Lecture
Annual lecture series honoring the legacy of Judge Hugh R. Jones, featuring prominent speakers on judicial and legal reform topics.
Immigration and Family Law Training
Development and delivery of online training modules on the intersection of family law and immigration, in collaboration with legal and immigrant-serving organizations, for lawyers, judges, and community members.
Robert M. Kaufman Award
Annual award recognizing leadership and contributions to improving the justice system, presented at a public event attended by members of the legal community.
Samuel J. Duboff Memorial Award
Recognizes non-lawyers who have made significant contributions to improving the quality of justice in New York State.
activities · 5 groups
What they do
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Criminal Justice Policy Advocacy 2 activities
- Conducting research to improve court administration and access to justiceProduces reports, white papers, and position papers on structural reform, transparency, and operational improvements in New York State courts, including a 50-state survey on media coverage in courtrooms and analysis of court system complexity to inform policy recommendations.
- Organizing public forums and panel discussions on court-related issuesHosts and co-hosts public educational events on topics such as immigrants in state courts, juvenile justice reform, and the "Raise the Age" initiative to inform the public and influence policy discourse around court reform in New York.
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Recognition and Awards Programs 1 activity
- Administering awards to recognize contributions to justice and public servicePresents the Robert M. Kaufman Memorial Award, Fern Schair Public Service Award, Samuel J. Duboff Memorial Award, and Cyrus R. Vance Tribute to honor individuals for leadership, public service, and contributions to improving the court system in New York State.
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Policy Advocacy & Research 1 activity
- Advocating for judicial independence and court reform through policy and legislationLobbies for legislative and policy changes to strengthen judicial independence, fairness, and efficiency in New York courts, including advocating for cameras in courtrooms, increased Family Court resources, merit-based judicial appointments, and appropriate judicial salaries.
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Professional Certification and Continuing Education 1 activity
- Providing training on family law and immigration intersectionsDevelops and delivers online training modules for lawyers, judges, and community members across New York State on how family law decisions can adversely affect immigrants, with ongoing education efforts to improve court practices.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Operating the Citizen Court Monitoring programRuns a statewide initiative that recruits non-lawyer volunteers to observe court proceedings, documents findings, and publishes recommendations to improve court operations, facilities, and public understanding; has conducted this monitoring for over forty years.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$458K
Contributions & grants$454K99%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$4K1%
Other revenue$4
expenses
Total expenses$380K
Program expenses78%
Admin / overhead16%
Fundraising6%
Salaries & benefits$259K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$620K
Cash$542K
Investments$0
Liabilities$687
Net assets$619K
Liquid reserves17.1 mo
4 years on record · 2021–2024 · YoY revenue +16.9%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DENISE KRONSTADT | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $158K |
board members · 24
- ABBE R GLUCK — VICE CHAIR
- AMY BARASCH — BOARD MEMBER
- BARRY A BOHRER — BOARD MEMBER
- CAROLINE J HELLER — BOARD MEMBER
- CATHY CRAMER — BOARD MEMBER
- CELESTE LM KOELEVELD — BOARD MEMBER
- CYRUS E DUGGER — BOARD MEMBER
- DANIEL CONNOLLY — BOARD MEMBER
- DANIEL M KUMMER — BOARD MEMBER
- DANIEL M PERRY — BOARD MEMBER
- DANIEL R ALONSO — BOARD MEMBER
- DANIEL R MURDOCK — BOARD MEMBER
- DARREN LAVERNE — BOARD MEMBER
- DAVID A BARRETT — SECRETARY
- DAVID B ANDERS — BOARD MEMBER
- DAVID J MOLTON — BOARD MEMBER
- DEAN HOWARD A GLICKSTEIN LEFT 824 — BOARD MEMBER
- DOUGLAS YATTER — BOARD MEMBER
- ELLEN V HOLLOMON — BOARD MEMBER
- HON CARMEN BEAUCHAMP CIPARICK — BOARD MEMBER
- HON JUANITA BING NEWTON — BOARD MEMBER
- HON ROLANDO ACOSTA — BOARD MEMBER
- JAMES HALLOWELL — BOARD MEMBER
- JEREMY M CREELAN — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 37
Who they work with
- Advisory Council on Immigrants and State Courts Government — Denise Kronstadt serves as counsel to the council
- American Arbitration Association Partner — Organization where past Chair Fern Schair served as Senior Vice President.
- American Judicature Society Partner — National organization led by past chairs Robert M. Kaufman and Robert MacCrate.
- Apollo Global Management Partner — Represented on the event committee by Whitney Chatterjee.
- Association of the Bar of the City of New York Partner — Bar association where multiple past chairs held leadership roles, including Michael A. Cardozo, Robert M. Kaufman, and John D. Feerick.
- Bar associations Partner — Collaborates with bar associations to advance practical court reform.
- Charles River Associates Partner — Represented on the event committee by Raja Chatterjee.
- Chief Judge’s Commission on Access to Justice Government — Denise Kronstadt serves on the commission
- Citizens Union Partner — Organization with which multiple past chairs have held leadership roles, including John D. Feerick and Edwin F. Chinlund.
- Citizens’ Committee for Children Partner — Co-presented a forum on the "Raise the Age" initiative in March 2015.
- Civic organizations Partner — Partners with civic organizations to promote access to justice and court reform.
- Clifford Chance Partner — Represented on the event committee by Celeste Koeleveld.
- Coalition for Courts Simplification Coalition — Organized and supported a coalition of nonprofits, bar associations, and business organizations to discuss court simplification reforms in New York State.
- Committee for Modern Courts Coalition — Collaborates with The Fund for Modern Courts on advocacy initiatives including family court reform, civil legal services, judicial compensation, and court simplification.
- Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP Partner — Represented on the event committee by Michael P. Addis and Scott B. Reents.
- Davis, Wright, Tremaine, LLP Partner — Firm of past Chair Victor A. Kovner.
- Debevoise & Plimpton LLP Partner — Represented on the event committee by Zachary H. Saltzman.
- Fordham University School of Law Partner — Institution where past Chair John D. Feerick served as Professor and former Dean.
- Foundations Funder — Receives support from foundations for its court reform initiatives.
- Hecker Fink LLP Partner — Represented on the event committee by Damaris Hernández.
- Law firms Partner — Engages law firms as partners in advancing court reform.
- Legal services providers Partner — Works with legal services providers to improve the administration of justice.
- Milbank, Tweed, Hope, Hadley & McCloy Partner — Firm affiliation of past Chair John J. McCloy.
- Mintz Partner — Current firm of past Chair Barry A. Bohrer.
- New York City Bar Association Partner — Collaborates with and advocates for the inclusion of the New York City Bar Association in the judicial appointment review process as an independent evaluator of candidates.
- New York City Bar Association Partner — Michael A. Cardozo served as president of the New York City Bar Association and was a leader in the court reform movement alongside his work with The Fund for Modern Courts.
- Office of the Chief Administrative Judge of the New York State Courts Partner — Collaborates with the Office of the Chief Administrative Judge to support the implementation of criminal case management innovations.
- Organizations specializing in immigration and providing direct service to immigrant communities Partner — Collaborated with immigration-focused organizations to develop and deliver training modules on family law and immigration intersections in New York State courts.
- Permanent Judicial Commission on Justice For Children Partner — Co-presented a forum on the "Raise the Age" initiative in March 2015.
- Prosakauer Rose LLP Partner — Represented on the event committee by William C. Silverman.
+ 7 more
strategies · 5
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Citizen Monitoring for Accountabilitymethodology: citizen_monitoringBy deploying non-lawyer citizen volunteers to observe and evaluate court proceedings, the organization enhances transparency and public accountability in the judiciary, because layperson perspectives reveal operational inefficiencies and accessibility gaps that experts may overlook.
- Judicial Diversity and Public Trustmethodology: judicial_diversityBy promoting a judiciary that reflects the state’s demographic diversity, the organization strengthens public confidence in the justice system, because representation enhances perceived fairness and legitimacy.
- Merit-Based Judicial Selectionmethodology: merit_selectionBy advocating for commission-based, nonpartisan judicial appointments and independent review processes, the organization strengthens judicial quality and insulates appointments from political influence, because structured evaluation ensures greater impartiality and competence.
- Public Participation in Judicial Improvementmethodology: public-participation-in-reformBy incorporating feedback from court users and broad civic engagement, the organization improves the equity and effectiveness of court reforms, because direct input from the public ensures reforms address real-world experiences and needs.
- Research-Driven Judicial Reformmethodology: research_to_practice_bridgeBy producing rigorous legal research and evidence-based policy recommendations, the organization influences judicial reform and strengthens democratic institutions, because data-informed advocacy leads to more credible and actionable reforms.