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WORLD LIBERTY CONGRESS INC
NEW YORK, NY · EIN 931671068 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE R60 · Civil Rights & Advocacy · Medium ($1M-$10M) · worldlibertycongress.org
revenue
$1.3M
expenses
$1.3M
net assets
$192K
employees
0
volunteers
5
program ratio
42%
mission · from form 990

TO UNITE PEOPLE FROM AROUND THE WORLD TO FIGHT FOR DEMOCRACY AND FREEDOM. WE BUILD NETWORKS OF POLITICAL DISSIDENTS TO SHARE INTELLIGENCE AND STRATEGICALLY GROW PRO-DEMOCRACY MOVEMENTS, SPEAK OUT AGAINST ABUSE, AND SUPPORT THOSE SUFFERING INJUSTICE. WE ARE BUILDING A WORLD OF HOPE, FREEDOM, AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

profile · synthesized from sources

World Liberty Congress Inc. is a global advocacy network uniting pro-democracy activists, dissidents, and political prisoners' families to resist autocracy and advance freedom. The organization builds transnational coalitions, provides nonviolent resistance training, and amplifies voices from oppressed communities. It operates through regional networks, youth leadership programs, and targeted campaigns supporting political prisoners and exiled activists.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024

What they reported doing

  1. #1 primary $163K
    POLITICAL PRISONERS SUPPORT NETWORK: WITH AN ESTIMATED ONE MILLION POLITICAL PRISONERS IN THE WORLD, THE NEED TO OFFER SUPPORT AND RESOURCES TO THEM AND THEIR FAMILIES IS URGENT. OUR POLITICAL PRISONER GUIDE HELPS PRISONERS AND THEIR FAMILIES NAVIGATE THESE MOST DIFFICULT SITUATIONS. IT IS A UNIQUE GUIDE WRITTEN BY PEOPLE WITH DIRECT EXPERIENCE IN CAMPAIGNING FOR UNLAWFULLY DETAINED FAMILY MEMBERS. THE GOAL OF THE YEAR 2024 WAS TO LAUNCH THE HANDBOOK: PATHWAY TO FREEDOM: HANDBOOK FOR THE LIBERATION OF POLITICAL PRISONERS. THE HANDBOOK WAS PRINTED IN ENGLISH, SPANISH AND FRENCH AND IS PUBLISHED ON THE WEB PAGE TO BE USED BY THE POLITICAL PRISONERS AND THEIR FAMILIES.
  2. #2 $59K
    YOUTH LIBERTY CONGRESS: THE YLC BRINGS TOGETHER STUDENT LEADERS DEMOCRATS ACROSS THE WORLD. THEY ORGANIZED THE TEAM AND ELECTED THE YOUTH MEMBERS TO REPRESENT THEM IN THE LEADERSHIP COUNCIL OF THE WLC, IN VILNIUS IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ATTENDING 45 YOUNG LEADERS FROM UNIVERSITIES AROUND THE WORLD.
named programs · 9 · from sources

What they call their work

General Assembly
Annual gathering of pro-democracy delegations to strategize, create action plans, and elect WLC leadership
Office of Freedom Affairs
Unit advocating globally on political prisoners, anti-kleptocracy, sanctions, and exiled activists
Political Prisoners Support Team
Initiative connecting families and advocates of political prisoners to provide resources and support
Regional Networks
Coordination platform for pro-democracy movements across national and regional levels
Tech for Freedom
Program educating members on using technologies like Bitcoin and AI for resistance and security
United Against Gender Apartheid
Support initiative for women's rights movements in Iran and Afghanistan led by activists like Masih Alinejad
World Liberty Congress Academy
Training program providing activists with nonviolent resistance strategies and tools
World Liberty Congress Awards
Recognition program honoring individuals demonstrating exceptional dedication to democracy and human rights
Youth Liberty Congress
Network of student leaders from autocratic regimes organizing for democratic change
activities · 11 groups

What they do

  • Human Rights Advocacy & Accountability 5 activities
    • Advocacy and awareness campaigns on Tunisia
      Raises awareness about the political crisis in Tunisia, supports campaigns for the release of political prisoners, and advocates against international cooperation with repressive regimes in the context of migration control policies.
    • Coordination of global democracy leader network
      Coordinates a network of democracy leaders and activists from 55 countries to defend human rights, facilitate cross-border collaboration, and support democratic transitions in autocratic countries.
    • Global advocacy on political prisoners and anti-kleptocracy
      Advances global advocacy on political imprisonment, anti-kleptocracy efforts, international sanctions policy, and support for exiled activists through high-level engagement and public campaigns.
    • Non-violent civil resistance training
      Provides training and strategic resources on non-violent civil resistance to pro-democracy activists globally.
    • Support for women-led freedom movements in Iran and Afghanistan
      Supports the women-led movement for freedom in Iran and Afghanistan, notably through collaboration with activist Masih Alinejad.
  • Leadership & Policy Dialogue Forums 1 activity
    • Convening of global freedom movement delegates
      Convenes delegates and leadership councils from global freedom movements to define collective strategy, set actionable goals, and elect organizational leadership.
  • Conflict and Geopolitical Research Analysis 1 activity
    • Country-specific reporting and analysis
      Produces and publishes on-the-ground reporting, country updates, and conflict analysis on South Sudan, Syria, and Burma authored by members and leadership council participants.
  • Academic Research Dissemination 1 activity
    • Dissemination of allied organizations' reports
      Shares a curated selection of reports and publications from allied organizations to inform and support the broader pro-democracy network.
  • Political Leadership Training for Underrepresented Groups 1 activity
    • Freedom Academy training programs for activists
      Conducted multiple 5-day Freedom Academy trainings for activists from Africa, Latin America, and other regions, focusing on non-violent resistance and democratic organizing, with participation from over 100 activists across multiple cohorts.
  • Support for Families Impacted by Incarceration 1 activity
    • Political Prisoners Support Team (PPST)
      Provides direct support to families and advocates of political prisoners through the Political Prisoners Support Team, including resources and coordination to strengthen collective advocacy.
  • Human Rights Advocacy and Public Education 1 activity
    • Publication and distribution of the "Pathway to Freedom" handbook
      Published and distributed the "Pathway to Freedom: Handbook for the Liberation of Political Prisoners" in English, Spanish, and French, making it available online for political prisoners and their families.
  • Recognition and Awards Programs 1 activity
    • Recognition of democracy and human rights defenders
      Recognizes individuals for exceptional dedication, innovation, and resilience in advancing democracy, human rights, and justice globally.
  • Digital Literacy Training and Technology Access 1 activity
    • Tech for Freedom program
      Empowers activists with digital technology through the Tech for Freedom program, providing training and resources on blockchain, artificial intelligence, digital privacy tools, and Bitcoin for pro-democracy efforts.
  • Student-Led Civic Engagement Support 1 activity
    • Youth Liberty Congress general assembly
      Organized the Youth Liberty Congress general assembly in Vilnius, bringing together 45 student leaders from universities worldwide to advance pro-democracy initiatives.
  • Youth Leadership Development Programs 1 activity
    • Youth leadership development network
      Operates a network of student leaders and young activists from autocratic regimes to nurture emerging pro-democracy leadership and support action-oriented activities.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$1.31M
Contributions & grants$1.31M100%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$1.33M
Program expenses42%
Admin / overhead39%
Fundraising19%
Salaries & benefits$167K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineProfessional Fees
balance sheet
Total assets$192K
Cash$189K
Investments$0
Liabilities$0
Net assets$192K
Liquid reserves1.7 mo
2 years on record · 2023–2024 · YoY revenue -14.5%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 2
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
LEOPOLDO LOPEZ MENDOZA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 34 $127K
CARMEN ELISA HERNANDEZ CFO/TREASURER 34 $40K
board members · 4
  • ALVARO SALAS — DIRECTOR
  • GARRY KASPAROV — DIRECTOR
  • JAVIER EL-HAGE — CHAIRMAN/SECRETARY
  • MASIH ALINEJAD — PRESIDENT
relationships · 19

Who they work with

  • AU Coalition — Engages with the African Union in efforts to pressure South Sudan to implement peace agreements.
  • EU Government — References EU condemnation of rights violations in South Sudan as part of international advocacy context.
  • Freedom Academy Partner — Program under which activists are trained in non-violent resistance; used as a named initiative for capacity-building events.
  • Human Rights Watch Partner — Cited as a source of authoritative analysis on the human rights situation in Tunisia.
  • IGAD Coalition — Engages with IGAD in regional peace and reform advocacy in South Sudan.
  • Masih Alinejad Partner — Supports the women's freedom movement in Iran and Afghanistan led by Masih Alinejad.
  • Syrian Network for Human Rights Partner — Cited as a source for civilian death toll estimates in post-Assad Syria.
  • U.S. Government — References U.S. condemnation of rights violations in South Sudan as part of international advocacy context.
  • UN Coalition — Engages with the United Nations in efforts to pressure South Sudan to implement peace agreements.
  • WLC Leadership Council Network — Leadership Council includes members who author policy analyses for the organization.
  • Youth Liberty Congress Network — Sub-network within World Liberty Congress focused on young leaders from autocratic regions.
  • Zoya Phan Partner — WLC member who authored a country update on Burma.
  • civil society Partner — Works with civil society to expose oppressive practices and provide platforms for persecuted voices.
  • democracy leaders and activists from 55 countries Network — Network of political activists collaborating to defend human rights and democratic transition
  • governments Partner — Partners with governments to expose and combat oppressive practices and support persecuted individuals.
  • human rights advocates Partner — Trusted ally providing reports and publications shared by World Liberty Congress
  • international organizations Partner — Collaborates with international organizations to advance human rights and democracy.
  • international organizations Partner — Trusted ally providing reports and publications shared by World Liberty Congress
  • research institutions Partner — Trusted ally providing reports and publications shared by World Liberty Congress
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.

  • Amplification of Local Voices to Drive International Pressure
    methodology: amplification-of-local-voices
    By amplifying local voices and sharing reports from frontline organizations, the organization fosters international awareness and action because visibility generates political will, accountability, and public engagement in support of democratic movements.
  • Collective Action Through Cross-Movement Convening
    methodology: activist capacity building through convening
    By convening pro-democracy activists to build shared knowledge, tools, and organizational structures, the organization strengthens movements because collective strategy and solidarity enhance resilience, coordination, and long-term impact.
  • Lived-Experience-Led Resource Development
    methodology: lived-experience-led resource development
    By developing resources authored by individuals with direct experience advocating for unlawfully detained loved ones, the organization improves the relevance and effectiveness of support for political prisoners and their families, because lived experience ensures cultural and contextual accuracy in advocacy tools.
  • Non-Violent Civil Resistance as Core Change Mechanism
    methodology: non-violent civil resistance
    By providing training and strategic resources in non-violent civil resistance, the organization enables democratic change because disciplined non-violence increases movement legitimacy, broadens participation, and undermines authoritarian repression.
  • Targeted Advocacy Against International Complicity
    methodology: anti-complicity-advocacy
    By advocating for the withdrawal of diplomatic and economic support to repressive regimes, the organization pressures authoritarian governments because reducing external legitimacy and funding weakens their capacity to maintain control.