irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2023
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $2.81MLITIGATIONIN FY24, OUR LITIGATION TEAM ACHIEVED SIGNIFICANT MILESTONES IN CASES THAT PROTECT AND EXPAND THE RIGHTS OF REFUGEES AND ASYLUM-SEEKERS IN THE UNITED STATES.WE TARGETED SYSTEMIC DELAYS IN THE REFUGEE FAMILY REUNIFICATION BY FILING MULTIPLE INDIVIDUAL LAWSUITS THAT WILL BUILD PRESSURE POINTS FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO TAKE ON SYSTEMIC REFORM. WE ARE USING THESE CASES TO ADVANCE IMPROVEMENTS IN ADJUDICATION OF THESE CASES AND TO DRAW ATTENTION TO FAMILY SEPARATION RESULTING FROM GOVERNMENT INACTION. IRAP FILED AN AMICUS BRIEF IN THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT RELATED TO FAMILY REUNIFICATION FOR MARRIED COUPLES. IRAP CONTINUED LITIGATION UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT AND SYSTEMIC DELAYS IN THE AFGHAN AND IRAQI SIV PROGRAMS.
- #2 $1.85MPOLICYIN FY24, IRAP CONTINUED TO ADVOCATE FOR HUMANE, TRANSPARENT, AND WELCOMING POLICIES. RECENT CAMPAIGNS HAVE YIELDED IMPORTANT GAINS FOR DISPLACED PERSONS:IRAP HAS BEEN DEEPLY ENGAGED IN ADVOCATING AND SENDING RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO REFUGEE AND LEGAL PATHWAYS INCLUDING FROM THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE AND THROUGH PRIVATE SPONSORSHIP. IN A SIGNIFICANT WIN, THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IMPLEMENTED A NEW PRIVATE SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM WHICH IRAP HAD ADVOCATED FOR THIS FOR SEVERAL MONTHS AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING THIS POLICY IMPLEMENTED. IRAP IS PROUD TO BE A CO-CONVENER OF THE GLOBAL REFUGEE COMPACT MULTI-STAKEHOLDER PLEDGE TO BRING DOZENS OF PARTNERS TOGETHER IN A CAMPAIGN TO SAFELY REUNITE AT LEAST ONE MILLION REFUGEE FAMILIES GLOBALLY BY 2030.IRAP CONTINUES TO ADVOCATE FOR AFGHAN ALLIES AND REPRESENT CLIENTS SEEKING SPECIAL IMMIGRANT VISAS AS WELL AS ADVOCARE FOR THE PROGRAM.
named programs · 3 · from sources
What they call their work
Legal Representation Program
Provides direct legal aid to refugees and displaced persons navigating resettlement, asylum, and family reunification processes
Policy Advocacy Initiative
Challenges discriminatory immigration policies and promotes systemic reform through litigation and coalition-building
Pro Bono Network
Coordinates volunteer attorneys from major law firms to support refugee legal cases worldwide
activities · 3 groups
What they do
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Legal Education and Career Pipeline Programs 1 activity
- Capacity building through law student chapters and alumni engagementBuilds capacity by training law students through IRAP chapters and profiling alumni who contribute as advocates and leaders in their fields. Includes training camp staff in refugee settings, such as in Sudan, to identify and refer eligible cases for legal support.
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Refugee and Immigrant Resettlement Services 1 activity
- Legal aid and direct legal representation for displaced peopleProvides legal assistance, including direct representation, to displaced people globally, with evidence of aid provided to over 44,000 individuals. Services include support with resettlement, family reunification, and immigration applications, delivered through offices in the U.S., Jordan, Lebanon, and Germany.
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Immigrant Rights Advocacy & Policy Reform 1 activity
- Strategic litigation and policy advocacy for refugee rightsEngages in strategic litigation and policy advocacy to advance the rights of displaced people, achieving court victories and legal precedents that benefit hundreds of thousands. For example, a German legal precedent eased passport requirements for refugee children, enabling broader access to family reunification.
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financials · form 990 · fy2023
revenue
Total revenue$23.81M
Contributions & grants$21.25M89%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$2.04M9%
Other revenue$520K
expenses
Total expenses$28.15M
Program expenses83%
Admin / overhead7%
Fundraising10%
Salaries & benefits$18.56M
Grants paid out$3.40M
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$70.35M
Cash$37.01M
Investments$0
Liabilities$11.03M
Net assets$59.33M
Liquid reserves15.8 mo
5 years on record · 2019–2023 · YoY revenue +13.1%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2023
Who runs it
paid leadership · 12
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| REBECCA HELLER | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $408K |
| KELLY GRAMP | CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER | 40 | $310K |
| AMY TAYLOR | DEPUTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF PROGRAM | 40 | $287K |
| NISHA AGARWAL | DEPUTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF IMPACT | 40 | $273K |
| SARAH MORTON | CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER | 40 | $265K |
| YELENA BAKALEVA | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER | 40 | $261K |
| MARIKO HIROSE | LITIGATION DIRECTOR | 40 | $243K |
| SUNIL VARGHESE | POLICY DIRECTOR | 40 | $226K |
| KATRIN J JELLEMA | DIRECTOR OF INSTITUTIONAL GIVING | 40 | $200K |
| SHARIF ALY | PRESIDENT | 40 | $195K |
| LAURIE BALL COOPER | U.S LEGAL SERVICES DIRECTOR | 40 | $194K |
| KATHLEEN LIST | SENIOR VP, GLOBAL LEGAL PROGRAMS | 40 | $186K |
board members · 13
- AHILAN ARULANANTHAM — DIRECTOR
- BETSY DOYLE — DIRECTOR
- CARL REISNER — VICE CHAIR
- EDWARD SHAPIRO — DIRECTOR, THRU 2/2024
- INGRID RASMUSSEN — DIRECTOR
- JOE CERRELL — DIRECTOR
- JULIET MURERIWA — DIRECTOR
- MAZEN DARWISH — DIRECTOR
- MICHAEL MADNICK — DIRECTOR
- MIKE JACOBELLIS — TREASURER
- MIRIAM BUHL — DIRECTOR
- NADIA ALLAUDIN — DIRECTOR
- NEEMA SINGH GULIANI — DIRECTOR
relationships · 29
Who they work with
- ACLU Partner — Former employer of Ahilan T. Arulanantham, where he represented Sri Lankan Tamil refugees and litigated immigrants’ rights cases in collaboration with or relevant to IRAP’s mission
- Atlantic Council Partner — Robert J. Abernethy serves on the executive committee and as Vice Chairman, indicating high-level policy engagement relevant to international refugee issues
- Brookings Institution Partner — Robert J. Abernethy is a board member, indicating alignment with research and policy institutions engaged in global issues including displacement
- Business & Human Rights Resource Centre Partner — Michael J. Hirschhorn serves on the board, indicating engagement with corporate accountability in human rights, relevant to refugee protection
- Coro New York Leadership Center Partner — Michael J. Hirschhorn previously served as Executive Director and launched civic engagement programs for immigrant leaders, indicating prior organizational collaboration in immigrant empowerment
- Council on Foreign Relations Partner — Robert J. Abernethy is a member of the chairman’s forum, indicating engagement with foreign policy networks relevant to refugee protection
- Documented Partner — Michael J. Hirschhorn serves on the board, indicating engagement with media focused on immigrant communities, relevant to IRAP’s advocacy
- Family Reunification Programs Partner — Collaborates with family reunification programs to facilitate safe passage for vulnerable refugees.
- German government Government — Engaged in legal proceedings and settlement regarding refugee family reunification applications.
- Human Rights Funders Network Partner — Michael J. Hirschhorn previously served as Executive Director, indicating deep ties to philanthropic networks supporting human rights, including refugee rights
- Human Rights Watch Partner — Robert J. Abernethy is a member, indicating organizational alignment and potential collaboration on human rights issues related to IRAP’s work
- Institute for Women’s Policy Research Partner — Nadia Allaudin serves as Board Chair, indicating alignment with gender-focused policy research relevant to refugee women
- Just Vision Partner — Michael J. Hirschhorn serves on the board, indicating support for Palestinian and Israeli civil society, aligned with IRAP’s human rights focus
- Literacy Assistance Center Partner — Michael J. Hirschhorn previously served as Executive Director, indicating leadership in adult literacy education, relevant to refugee integration services
- MADRE Partner — Nadia Allaudin serves on the board, indicating collaboration with a women’s human rights organization, relevant to IRAP’s work with vulnerable populations
- NY Immigration Coalition Partner — Michael J. Hirschhorn serves on the board, indicating collaboration with a key immigrant rights organization aligned with IRAP’s mission
- Pacific Council on International Policy Partner — Robert J. Abernethy serves on the executive committee, indicating policy-level engagement with international affairs affecting refugees
- RAND Center for Global Risk and Security Partner — Robert J. Abernethy is a board member, indicating engagement with defense and security research relevant to refugee crises
- TED Partner — Hosts The Audacious Project and featured IRAP's work through a TED Talk by Executive Director Becca Heller.
- The Audacious Project Partner — Collaborative funding initiative providing support for IRAP's expanded legal assistance programs.
- Truman National Security Project Partner — Robert J. Abernethy is a member of the Advisory Board, indicating alignment on national security and foreign policy issues affecting refugees
- U.S. Embassy Government — Client worked with U.S. Embassy and military in Afghanistan, indicating organizational connection to U.S. government entities.
- UCLA School of Law Partner — Hosts the Center for Immigration Law and Policy, co-directed by Ahilan T. Arulanantham, which collaborates with IRAP through shared leadership
- Vital Impacts Partner — Nadia Allaudin serves on the board, indicating engagement with conservation and human rights storytelling, potentially aligned with IRAP’s advocacy
- Witness Partner — Michael J. Hirschhorn serves on the board, indicating alignment with human rights documentation efforts
- YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles Partner — Robert J. Abernethy serves on the board, suggesting potential community-level partnerships in Los Angeles relevant to refugee support
- pro bono attorneys Partner — Network of pro bono attorneys supporting IRAP's legal assistance and advocacy work
- pro bono partners Partner — Collaborates with pro bono partners globally to deliver legal services
- student advocates Partner — Student advocates collaborating with IRAP on legal services and advocacy
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.
- Legal Empowerment Through Accessible Resources 16 orgsmethodology: legal_empowermentBy providing multilingual, culturally relevant legal information and virtual tools, IRAP enables displaced people to understand and act on their rights, because knowledge and accessibility increase self-advocacy and successful resettlement outcomes.shared approach: Legal Empowerment →
- Adaptive Response to Displacement Crisesmethodology: adaptive_response_modelBy rapidly adapting programming in response to emerging crises through collaboration with clients and partners, IRAP fills critical service gaps, because flexibility and local insight enable timely and context-specific interventions where formal systems fail.
- Adaptive Response to Emerging Crisesmethodology: adaptive_response_modelBy rapidly adapting programming in response to new displacement crises through collaboration with clients and partners, IRAP fills critical service gaps, because real-time feedback and partnership ensure relevance and effectiveness in dynamic environments.
- Client-Driven Systemic Changemethodology: client-driven systemic changeBy centering client and community experiences in advocacy and program design, IRAP identifies systemic gaps and drives reform, because lived experience reveals structural failures that inform more effective legal and policy interventions.
- Integrated Legal Advocacy Modelmethodology: integrated_legal_advocacyBy combining direct legal services, impact litigation, and policy advocacy, IRAP addresses both immediate client needs and systemic barriers to protection, because legal intervention at multiple levels produces more durable and scalable change for displaced populations.