named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Democracy Program
Advances voting rights, campaign finance reform, redistricting integrity, and fair courts through legal strategy, policy development, and public communications
Fellows Program
Engages experts from government, academia, and law to contribute research, writing, and public dialogue on constitutional democracy and justice issues
Justice Program
Works to end mass incarceration through data-driven legal reforms, empirical research, and policy solutions that address racial disparities and systemic incentives
Liberty & National Security Program
Advocates for national security policies that uphold constitutional values, including reform of emergency powers, AI oversight, and protection of First and Fourth Amendment rights
Strategic Advocacy
Advances the organization’s policy goals in Washington, DC, and through media engagement to shape public opinion and legislative outcomes
activities · 4 groups
What they do
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Criminal Justice Policy Advocacy 2 activities
- Criminal Justice and Public Safety ReformDevelops data-driven legal reforms and policy solutions to end mass incarceration and improve public safety, including creating funding incentives for state policies that reduce prison populations while maintaining community safety.
- Legal and Policy ResearchConducts rigorous empirical research and analysis to identify systemic problems and develop transformative legal and policy solutions in democracy and criminal justice reform. Produces policy papers such as "Nine Solutions for Corruption in America" and supports advocacy with data-driven insights.
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Leadership Development Programs 1 activity
- Capacity Building and Institutional DevelopmentOperates a legal and policy institution with over 180 staff and a $62 million annual budget, with offices in New York City and Washington, D.C. Hosts a Fellows Program that convenes experts from government, academia, journalism, and law enforcement, and trains NYU Law students through the Public Policy Advocacy Clinic.
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Civic Engagement and Voter Mobilization 1 activity
- Democracy Reform AdvocacyAdvocates for fair elections, campaign finance reform, voting rights protection, redistricting integrity, and citizen-centered First Amendment jurisprudence through engagement in legislative, judicial, and public arenas. Works to end partisan gerrymandering and strengthen democratic institutions at state and national levels.
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Leadership & Policy Dialogue Forums 1 activity
- Public Education and EngagementProvides in-depth educational resources on democracy-related issues and hosts virtual and in-person events, including symposia, panel discussions, and book talks, featuring thought leaders on constitutional issues, justice, and race.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$73.82M
Contributions & grants$59.85M81%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$14.24M19%
Other revenue$-272K
expenses
Total expenses$58.14M
Program expenses72%
Admin / overhead20%
Fundraising9%
Salaries & benefits$35.19M
Grants paid out$121K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$348.77M
Cash$39.69M
Investments$241.77M
Liabilities$56.47M
Net assets$292.30M
Liquid reserves58.1 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +27.4%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 13
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MICHAEL WALDMAN | PRESIDENT | 40 | $701K |
| MELISSA ESTOK | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $469K |
| JOHN ANTHONY BUTLER | VP/COO | 40 | $428K |
| JOHN KOWAL | VP, PROGRAMS | 40 | $423K |
| WENDY WEISER | VP, DEMOCRACY PROGRAM | 40 | $414K |
| JEANINE CHIRLIN | CHIEF OF STAFF | 40 | $413K |
| JAEMIN KIM | VP, DEVELOPMENT | 40 | $410K |
| REBECCA WEITZMAN | VP, COMMUNICATIONS & STRAT | 40 | $384K |
| LARRY NORDEN | VP, ELECTIONS & COMMUNICATION | 40 | $353K |
| KAREEM CRAYTON | VP, WASHINTON D.C. | 40 | $330K |
| ELISA MILLER | SECRETARY / GENERAL COUNSEL | 32 | $318K |
| LAUREN-BROOKE EISEN | SR. DIR., JUSTICE PROGRAM | 40 | $312K |
| CHRISTINE MELLAMPE | CHIEF HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICER | 40 | $199K |
board members · 12
- ADAM B COX — BOARD MEMBER
- ADAM WINKLER — BOARD MEMBER
- CHRISTINE VARNEY — BOARD CO-CHAIR
- DANIEL KOLB — BOARD MEMBER
- DANIELLE GRAY — BOARD MEMBER
- DAVID SUSSMAN — BOARD MEMBER
- EMILY SPITZER — BOARD MEMBER
- FRANZ PAASCHE — BOARD MEMBER
- GERAD TORRES — BOARD MEMBER
- HELEN HERSHKOFF — BOARD MEMBER
- KENJI YOSHINO — BOARD MEMBER
- KIMBERLEY HARRIS — BOARD CO-CHAIR
relationships · 7
Who they work with
- Lake Research Partners Partner — Collaborates with the Brennan Center through joint events featuring Celinda Lake of Lake Research Partners.
- NYU School of Law Government — Hosts the Brennan Center for Justice as a research and policy institute.
- NYU School of Law Partner — Collaborates on public policy advocacy, hosts joint educational programs, and provides faculty and student engagement opportunities.
- advocacy organizations Partner — Partners with advocacy organizations to advance legal and policy reforms.
- grassroots groups Partner — Collaborates with grassroots groups on democracy reform efforts.
- pro bono partners Partner — Provides legal assistance and advice to expand the Brennan Center's project capacity.
- reform-minded government officials Partner — Collaborates with reform-minded government officials on democracy and justice initiatives.
strategies · 3
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.
- Academic Partnership Modelmethodology: academic-partnership_modelBy being embedded within a leading law school, we strengthen advocacy and research credibility because academic rigor, independence, and institutional resources enhance the legitimacy and impact of policy and legal reform efforts.
- Integrated Research, Advocacy, and Communications Modelmethodology: integrated_research_advocacy_communicationsBy combining rigorous research, legal advocacy, strategic communications, and grassroots collaboration, we produce policy and legal change because this multi-method approach amplifies impact and ensures reforms are both evidence-based and publicly resonant.
- Winning the Court of Public Opinionmethodology: court_of_public_opinionBy shaping public understanding and opinion through strategic communications and education, we produce durable legal and policy change because public support creates the political will necessary for systemic reform.