irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $720KADVOCACY REGARDING PUBLIC ENTITLEMENTS: USING AMBITIOUS LITIGATION AND CREATIVE LEGAL STRATEGIES, NCLEJ PROTECTS ACCESS TO ALL PUBLIC ENTITLEMENTS PROGRAMS. THE CENTER PROTECTS THE RIGHTS OF LOW-INCOME PERSONS TO APPLY FOR CRITICAL ASSISTANCE, PROTECTS FAMILIES FROM UNLAWFUL TERMINATION OF BENEFITS, AND FIGHTS TO ENSURE FUNDAMENTAL FAIRNESS IN THE OPERATION OF FOOD STAMPS, CASH ASSISTANCE, CHILDCARE, AND MEDICAID PROGRAMS. WORKING WITH ADVOCATES ACROSS THE COUNTRY, NCLEJ ALSO WORKS TO ENFORCE LEGAL PROTECTIONS AND PROMOTE ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE FOR LOW-INCOME FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS. OUR ADVOCACY HAS PROMOTED MEDICAID, STATE CHILDREN'S HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAMS AND SIMILAR BENEFITS FOR HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE.
- #2 $467KSUPPORT FOR LOW-WAGE WORKERS: NCLEJ ADVOCATES FOR DECENT WAGES AND SAFE AND FAIR WORKPLACES ON BEHALF OF LOW-WAGE WORKERS, THE MOST VULNERABLE WORKERS IN OUR COUNTRY. LITIGATION AND PROJECTS INCLUDE COMBATTING GENDER PAY DISPARITY, PREGNANCY DISCRIMINATION, AND WAGE THEFT, AND CHALLENGING EXEMPTIONS TO WAGE AND HOUR PROTECTIONS FOR, E.G., HOME HEALTH CARE, AGRICULTURAL AND RESTAURANT WORKERS. THE CENTER WORKS IN SUPPORT OF GRASSROOTS WORKER CENTERS AND OTHER ORGANIZERS AND HAS BEEN IN THE VANGUARD OF THE WORKER-DRIVEN SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY (WSR) MOVEMENT.
named programs · 2 · from sources
What they call their work
Advocacy Regarding Public Entitlements
Uses litigation and legal strategies to protect access to food stamps, cash assistance, childcare, and Medicaid programs for low-income individuals and families. Works to ensure fairness in program operations and enforcement of legal protections.
Support for Low-Wage Workers
Advocates for decent wages and fair workplaces through litigation targeting gender pay disparity, pregnancy discrimination, wage theft, and exemptions from wage protections for home health, agricultural, and restaurant workers.
activities · 6 groups
What they do
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Constitutional and Government Accountability Litigation 1 activity
- Challenging discriminatory federal policies and securing government transparencyFiles lawsuits to compel disclosure of federal communications and decision-making related to proposed cuts and restrictions on childcare and family assistance funding, particularly where such actions target immigrant communities or rely on false fraud allegations, such as those involving Somali childcare providers or influencer-driven policy shifts.
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Disability Rights Advocacy & Self-Advocacy Empowerment 1 activity
- Disability rights litigation and advocacyUses disability rights laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act, to secure access to public benefits, housing, medical coverage, and community-based services for people with disabilities. Litigation efforts include pursuing deinstitutionalization, eliminating toxic mold in public housing, and ensuring non-carceral support systems.
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Worker Rights Advocacy & Wage Protection 1 activity
- Legal advocacy for low-wage and marginalized workersAdvances labor rights through litigation and advocacy to combat wage theft, gender pay disparity, pregnancy discrimination, sub-minimum wage practices, and exclusion from wage protections, particularly for workers in home health care, agriculture, and restaurant sectors. Also champions the rights of incarcerated workers and challenges exploitative labor practices justified under the 13th Amendment.
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Civil Rights Advocacy & Litigation 1 activity
- Policy advocacy for economic and racial justiceConducts policy advocacy at the federal, state, and local levels to advance economic justice, racial equity, and systemic reform in public benefit systems, labor standards, and disability rights.
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Flexible Grants to Grassroots Organizations 1 activity
- Support for grassroots organizing and movement buildingProvides support to grassroots organizations working on economic and racial justice issues, including through strategic partnerships such as the 2023 collaboration with the Coalition of Immokalee Workers to advance human rights in global supply chains.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Impact litigation to protect access to public benefitsConducts impact litigation to defend and expand access to public entitlements such as SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, and childcare assistance for low-income individuals and families, challenging unlawful restrictions and ensuring fair administration of safety net programs. Achieved legal victories including halting USDA approval of SNAP food restriction waivers and addressing SNAP benefit processing delays in Alaska.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$2.59M
Contributions & grants$2.00M77%
Program service revenue$730K28%
Investment income$260%
Other revenue$-142K
expenses
Total expenses$3.30M
Program expenses72%
Admin / overhead17%
Fundraising12%
Salaries & benefits$2.38M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$3.84M
Cash$309K
Investments$0
Liabilities$3.59M
Net assets$251K
Liquid reserves1.1 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -32.8%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 6
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DENNIS D PARKER | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 35 | $273K |
| CLAUDIA WILNER | DIRECTOR OF LITIGATION & ADVOCACY | 35 | $183K |
| CARMELA HUANG | SENIOR ATTORNEY | 35 | $156K |
| ANJANA MALHOTRA | SENIOR ATTORNEY | 35 | $147K |
| LEAH LOTTO | SR. ATTORNEY/ASSOCIATE DIR. OF TRAINING & SUPER | 35 | $129K |
| SAIMA AKHTAR | SENIOR ATTORNEY | 35 | $126K |
board members · 19
- ALEXANDRA WALD — SECRETARY
- ANGELIQUE SHINGLER — DIRECTOR
- BRUCE RABB — DIRECTOR
- CASSANDRA BARHAM — VICE CHAIR
- DANIEL SLIFKIN — DIRECTOR
- DAVID S LESSER — DIRECTOR
- DEBORAH N ARCHER — DIRECTOR
- DOUGLAS F CURTIS — VICE CHAIR
- EDWARD P KRUGMAN — DIRECTOR
- HENRY FREEDMAN — DIRECTOR
- JEFFREY SHINDER — TREASURER
- JULIE E COHEN — DIRECTOR
- MARY E GERISCH — DIRECTOR
- OSCAR SHINE — DIRECTOR
- PAUL M DODYK — DIRECTOR
- RAY LOPEZ — DIRECTOR
- REV PHIL TOM — DIRECTOR
- SANDRA D HAUSER — CHAIR
- STEPHEN L KASS — DIRECTOR
relationships · 37
Who they work with
- ACLU of Colorado Partner — Co-filed a lawsuit with the National Center for Law and Economic Justice against HHS over child care funding restrictions.
- ACLU of Colorado Partner — Co-litigant in a lawsuit against the Trump administration over childcare funding restrictions.
- ACLU of Illinois Partner — Co-filed a lawsuit with the National Center for Law and Economic Justice against HHS over child care funding restrictions.
- ACLU of Illinois Partner — Co-litigant in a lawsuit against the Trump administration over childcare funding restrictions.
- Alston & Bird Partner — Partnered with NCLEJ to ensure low-income individuals, families, and communities secure justice
- American Civil Liberties Union Partner — Co-filed a lawsuit with the National Center for Law and Economic Justice against HHS over child care funding restrictions.
- American Civil Liberties Union Partner — Co-led a lawsuit with the National Center for Law and Economic Justice against the Trump administration's attempted childcare funding cuts.
- American Civil Liberties Union Partner — Co-litigant in a lawsuit against the Trump administration over childcare funding restrictions.
- Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP Partner — Partnered with NCLEJ to ensure low-income individuals, families, and communities secure justice
- Baker & McKenzie LLP Partner — Partnered with NCLEJ to ensure low-income individuals, families, and communities secure justice
- Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP Partner — Partnered with NCLEJ to ensure low-income individuals, families, and communities secure justice
- Carter Ledyard & Milburn LLP Partner — Partnered with NCLEJ to ensure low-income individuals, families, and communities secure justice
- Coalition of Immokalee Workers Partner — Partnered with NCLEJ in 2023 to advance human rights protections in global supply chains.
- Cohen & Gresser LLP Partner — Partnered with NCLEJ to ensure low-income individuals, families, and communities secure justice
- Covington & Burling LLP Partner — Partnered with NCLEJ to ensure low-income individuals, families, and communities secure justice
- Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP Partner — Partnered with NCLEJ to ensure low-income individuals, families, and communities secure justice
- Dentons US LLP Partner — Partnered with NCLEJ to ensure low-income individuals, families, and communities secure justice
- Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP Partner — Partnered with NCLEJ to ensure low-income individuals, families, and communities secure justice
- Fidelity Partner — DAF provider through which donors can make gifts to NCLEJ.
- Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP Partner — Partnered with NCLEJ to ensure low-income individuals, families, and communities secure justice
- Grassroots Worker Centers Partner — Works in support of grassroots worker centers to advance labor rights and protections for low-wage workers.
- Hogan Lovells LLP Partner — Partnered with NCLEJ to ensure low-income individuals, families, and communities secure justice
- Kirkland & Ellis LLP Partner — Partnered with NCLEJ to ensure low-income individuals, families, and communities secure justice
- National Consumer Law Center Network — Hosts NCLEJ's Federal Practice Manual in its library, indicating a professional affiliation.
- National Women’s Law Center Partner — Co-filed a lawsuit with the National Center for Law and Economic Justice against HHS over child care funding restrictions.
- National Women’s Law Center Partner — Co-led a lawsuit with the National Center for Law and Economic Justice against the Trump administration's attempted childcare funding cuts.
- National Women’s Law Center Partner — Co-litigant in a lawsuit against the Trump administration over childcare funding restrictions.
- Northern Justice Project Partner — Co-counsel with NCLEJ in filing a class action lawsuit and notice of appeal regarding SNAP processing delays in Alaska.
- Proskauer Partner — Partnered with NCLEJ to ensure low-income individuals, families, and communities secure justice
- Quinn Emanuel Partner — Partnered with NCLEJ to ensure low-income individuals, families, and communities secure justice
+ 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.
- Administrative Accountability Through Legal Challengemethodology: administrative-law-challengeBy using administrative law to demand transparency and procedural compliance from federal agencies, the organization ensures accountability in policy decisions affecting low-income families because adherence to rulemaking requirements prevents arbitrary or politically motivated harm.
- Grassroots-Integrated Legal Advocacymethodology: collaborative_legal_advocacyBy leading or co-counseling litigation in partnership with local advocates, worker centers, and public interest networks, the organization amplifies legal impact because community-embedded cases are more likely to reflect lived experience and generate sustainable reform.
- Impact Litigation as Systemic Change Toolmethodology: impact_litigationBy using high-impact legal cases, the organization exposes structural inequities and holds government and private actors accountable, because landmark rulings can shift public discourse, set binding precedents, and catalyze broader advocacy campaigns.
- Integrated Systemic Advocacymethodology: integrated advocacyBy combining impact litigation, policy advocacy, and grassroots organizing, the organization drives systemic change in racial and economic justice because multi-pronged pressure addresses both legal and political dimensions of structural inequity.
- Legal Defense of Public Benefits Accessmethodology: benefits-access-as-economic-securityBy challenging policy changes and administrative actions that restrict access to public benefits—especially those based on unsubstantiated fraud claims or racial bias—the organization protects economic security for marginalized communities because benefit access is foundational to reducing poverty and inequality.