irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2022
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $130KIN THE ARENA OF ADDITIONAL EVENTS FOR JUSTICE FOR KURDS: IN MARCH, JUSTICE FOR KURDS HOSTED THE PREMIERE IN CALIFORNIA OF THE FILM, SISTERS IN ARMS, BY CAROLINE FOUREST. THIS FILM HIGHLIGHTS THE FEMINIST RESISTANCE OF KURDISH FIGHTERS, AND THEIR INTERNATIONAL COMPANIONS. IN THE FICTIONAL FILM, AN ALL-FEMALE INTERNATIONAL BRIGADE LIBERATES VILLAGES FROM ISIS AND SAVES A WOMAN WHO HAS BEEN TAKEN INTO CAPTIVITY. THE FILM WAS PRESENTED AT THE AMERICAN CINEMATHEQUE IN LOS ANGELES AND WAS PRESENTED IN COLLABORATION WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AND THE FRENCH EMBASSY IN THE UNITED STATES. WITH THE SUPPORT OF JUSTICE FOR KURDS, TICKETS WERE FREE TO THE PUBLIC AND STUDENTS WERE GIVEN PRIORITY ACCESS. THE EVENT WAS FULL AND A PERFECT WAY TO CELEBRATE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY. ON MARCH 29, JUSTICE FOR KURDS SUPPORTED AND PARTICIPATED IN THE ANNUAL NEWROZ RECEPTION IN WASHINGTON DC. AT THIS EVENT, KURDISH GROUPS AND AMBASSADORS JOINED WITH LEADERS OF WASHINGTON'S INTELLECTUAL COMMUNITY TO CELEBRATE KURDISH CULTURE, THE NEW YEAR, AND THE KURDISH-AMERICAN FRIENDSHIP.JUSTICE FOR KURDS PARTICIPATED IN SUPPORTING THE SEPTEMBER EVENT AT THE COUNCIL ON FOREIGN RELATIONS WITH GENERAL MAZLOUM ABDI, COMMANDER OF THE SYRIAN DEMOCRATIC FORCES. HE GAVE A CRITICAL BRIEFING OF THE SITUATION ON THE GROUND FOR THE KURDS IN NORTHEAST SYRIA AND THE CHANGING GEOPOLITICAL SITUATION IN THE REGION, INCLUDING THE RAPPROCHEMENT BY MANY STATES WITH THE DAMASCUS REGIME, SDF'S RELATIONSHIP WITH U.S. AND THE FUTURE OF KURDS IN THE REGION. IN OCTOBER, JUSTICE FOR KURDS SUPPORTED THE KURDISH CULTURAL CENTER FILM FESTIVAL AT THE HISTORIC VILLAGE EAST BY ANGELIKA THEATER. THE FESTIVAL FEATURES FILMS PRODUCED, DIRECTED, STARRING, OR FEATURING KURDISH STORIES AND PEOPLE FROM ACROSS THE KURDISH DIASPORA. KURDISH AUTHORS, PAINTERS, MUSICIANS, AND DANCERS PERFORM THROUGHOUT THE EVENT. IN DECEMBER 2022, JUSTICE FOR KURDS PARTICIPATED AND SUPPORTED A SPECIAL PROGRAM AND DINNER EVENT IN NASHVILLE WITH THE MAYOR JOHN COOPER AND THE TENNESSEE GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS TO PROMOTE KURDISH-AMERICAN FRIENDSHIP. NASHVILLE IS HOME TO THE LARGEST COMMUNITY OF KURDS IN THE UNITED STATES. AT THIS EVENT, THE NASHVILLE METRO COUNCIL UNVEILED A HISTORICAL MARKER TO RECOGNIZE THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE KURDISH DIASPORA TO THE CITY'S HISTORY AND CULTURE. THE CEREMONY TO UNVEIL THE PLAQUE WAS ATTENDED BY MEMBERS OF THE KURDISH COMMUNITY AS WELL AS MAYOR JOHN COOPER, COUNCIL MEMBERS, AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE SISTER CITIES OF NASHVILLE, WHICH WAS IN TALKS WITH ERBIL ON A SISTER-CITY ARRANGEMENT. THIS WAS THE FIRST HISTORICAL MARKER IN NORTH AMERICA TO HIGHLIGHT KURDS WHO HAVE MADE THEIR HOME IN THE USA. SINCE THIS DINNER, ERBIL AND NASHVILLE OFFICIALLY BECAME SISTER-CITIES AND THIS EVENT WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN CEMENTING SUPPORT FOR THIS INITIATIVE.
named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Film Screenings and Cultural Events
Hosts public, free film screenings and discussions featuring Kurdish stories, including "Sisters in Arms" and "The Will to See," in partnership with institutions like the American Cinematheque, UCLA, and the French Embassy
Newroz Reception
Annual event in Washington DC celebrating Kurdish culture, the New Year, and Kurdish-American friendship, bringing together diplomats, intellectuals, and community leaders
Policy Briefings and Think Tank Events
Organizes high-level discussions with military leaders, policymakers, and academics on the geopolitical situation in Kurdish regions, including events at the Council on Foreign Relations and the U.S. Institute of Peace
Seva Zistane Community Festival
Community event educating children about Kurdish traditions and language, held during the Kurdish holiday Seva Zistane
activities · 5 groups
What they do
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Human Rights Advocacy and Public Education 2 activities
- Documenting and publicizing human rights abuses against Kurdish and minority civiliansDocuments and raises public awareness about human rights violations—including killings, torture, and forced displacement—against Kurdish, Yezidi, and Druze civilians in areas like Aleppo, particularly following shifts in regional control, to demand international accountability.
- Public education and advocacy campaigns on Kurdish history, culture, and political rightsConducts advocacy and public education campaigns to raise awareness about the Kurdish cause, including Kurdish history, culture, aspirations, and human rights abuses against Kurdish and minority communities in Syria and across Kurdistan. Activities target U.S. and international audiences and emphasize the need for global attention and accountability.
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Film Production Funding and Fiscal Sponsorship 1 activity
- Funding cultural and media initiatives that promote Kurdish narrativesFunds external organizations such as America Abroad Media and New York Kurdish Center Inc. to support events including the Fauda event and the New York Kurdish Film Festival, enabling broader public engagement with Kurdish stories through media and film.
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Film Festival and Screening Programming 1 activity
- Organizing and promoting public film screenings and cultural events to highlight Kurdish storiesHosts, supports, and promotes public film screenings and cultural events—such as premieres of "Peshmerga," "Sisters in Arms," and "The Will to See"—in collaboration with institutions like the French Embassy, Columbia University, UC, and think tanks, offering free access to the public and students to foster dialogue on Kurdish issues.
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Indigenous and Diaspora Cultural Preservation 1 activity
- Supporting Kurdish cultural celebrations and community festivalsOrganizes and supports cultural events such as the Newroz reception in Washington, DC, and Seva Zistane children’s festival, celebrating Kurdish heritage, language, and traditions through performances, educational activities, and participation by Kurdish leaders and diaspora communities.
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Uncategorized 2 activities
- Advocating for international protection of Kurdish communitiesUrges Western democracies and NATO to use diplomatic leverage—particularly Turkey’s NATO membership—to deter aggression against Kurdish populations and calls for humane treatment and international accountability for Kurds across all regions of Kurdistan, especially in the aftermath of regime changes in Syria.
- Hosting expert discussions and briefings on Kurdish geopolitical issuesFacilitates high-level discussions and briefings with military leaders, policymakers, and experts—including General Mazloum Abdi and General Sirwan Barzani—and co-hosts events with institutions like the United States Institute of Peace and Concordia Summit to inform U.S. audiences on regional security and the situation of Kurds in Syria and Iraq.
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financials · form 990PF · fy2025
revenue
Total revenue$60K
Contributions & grants$60K100%
Program service revenue——
Investment income$60%
Other revenue—
expenses
Total expenses$152K
Program expenses81%
Admin / overhead13%
Fundraising6%
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$15K
Largest expense lineProfessional Fees
balance sheet
Total assets$101K
Cash$249K
Investments$0
Liabilities$24K
Net assets$85K
Liquid reserves19.7 mo
6 years on record · 2020–2025 · YoY revenue -60.0%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2025
Who runs it
board members · 1
- DR THOMAS KAPLAN — CHAIRMAN
relationships · 21
Who they work with
- America Abroad Media Funder — Receives funding from Justice for Kurds Inc. to support the Fauda event.
- American Cinematheque Partner — Collaborated on film screenings and public conversations in Los Angeles.
- Bernard-Henri Lévy Partner — Collaborates on advocacy content and public events, including film screenings and opinion articles related to the Kurdish cause.
- Bernard-Henri Lévy Partner — President and co-founder of Justice for Kurds, contributing public advocacy and documentary work on the Kurdish struggle.
- Columbia University Institute for Peacebuilding and Human Rights Partner — Hosted joint virtual events during the pandemic featuring experts on human rights and peacebuilding.
- Concordia Summit Partner — Partnered to host an event with General Sirwan Barzani on security in the Kurdistan Region.
- Council on Foreign Relations Partner — Supported an event featuring General Mazloum Abdi on the geopolitical situation in northeast Syria.
- Dr. Thomas S. Kaplan Partner — Chairman and co-founder of Justice for Kurds, contributing leadership and advocacy.
- French Embassy in the United States Partner — Collaborated on film screenings and public discussions related to Kurdistan.
- Israel Partner — Recognizes Israel as a key ally of the Kurds in the Middle East.
- Middle East Research Institute Partner — Featured speakers from the institute in virtual events.
- New York Kurdish Center Inc Funder — Receives funding from Justice for Kurds Inc. to support the New York Kurdish Film Festival.
- Quad Cinema Partner — Collaborates to host public screenings of the film 'Peshmerga' in New York City.
- Richard Blumenthal Partner — Collaborates with Senator Richard Blumenthal in advocating for the Save the Kurds Act.
- Sens. Lindsey Graham Partner — Collaborates with Senator Lindsey Graham in advocating for the Save the Kurds Act.
- Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) Partner — Kurdish-led forces that have partnered with the United States to defeat ISIS and maintain stability in northern Syria.
- The Atlantic Magazine Partner — Co-hosted a public conversation on conflict zones such as Kurdistan.
- The Wall Street Journal Partner — Publishes opinion articles authored or promoted by Justice for Kurds.
- United States Institute of Peace Partner — Co-organized a think tank event in Washington, DC.
- University of California Partner — Co-presented the premiere of the film "Sisters in Arms" in California.
- Wilson Center Partner — Featured speakers from the Wilson Center in virtual programming.
strategies · 4
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.
- Awareness-Raising for International Supportmethodology: awareness-raising_for_international_supportBy raising awareness of the Kurdish people's history, culture, and contributions to global security through public education and media engagement, the organization aims to secure international recognition and support, because informed global publics and policymakers are more likely to advocate for just and sustained engagement.
- Empowerment Through Non-Military Supportmethodology: advocacy_for_local_capacityBy advocating for non-military U.S. support to strengthen local capacity, the organization enables Kurdish forces to sustain their own defense and achieve military success, because building indigenous capability leads to more durable and legitimate security outcomes than direct intervention.
- Moral and Strategic Framing in Advocacymethodology: moral-appealBy framing U.S. non-intervention in Kurdish struggles as both a moral failure and a strategic risk—especially in the context of great power competition—the organization seeks to shift policy positions, because such dual appeals resonate more strongly with policymakers and the public than humanitarian arguments alone.
- Principled Consistency in Human Rights Advocacymethodology: principled_consistency_in_human_rights_advocacyBy demanding consistent application of human rights principles regardless of geopolitical convenience, the organization challenges selective attention to Kurdish issues only during crises, because sustained, principle-based advocacy fosters long-term accountability and legitimacy.