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THE LEGAL DEFENSE FUND (LDF) IS AMERICA'S PREMIER LEGAL ORGANIZATION FIGHTING FOR RACIAL JUSTICE.
Source: IRS Form 990 (Tax Year 2024)
Source: IRS e-Filed Form 990 (from the IRS e-File system), Tax Year 2023
Total Revenue
▼$75.7M
Program Spending
69%
of total expenses go to program services
Total Contributions
$56.3M
Total Expenses
▼$58.5M
Total Assets
$426.1M
Total Liabilities
▼$11M
Net Assets
$415.2M
Officer Compensation
→$2.8M
Other Salaries
$22.9M
Investment Income
$18.1M
Fundraising
▼$206.8K
Tax Year 2023 · Source: IRS Form 990, Schedule I (Grants and Other Assistance)
Total grants awarded: $708K
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Type | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
ORGANIZING BLACK INC92-1236559 | BALTIMORE, MD | $65K | Cash | TO FURTHER SUPPORT COMMUNITY ORGANIZERS IN GRASSROOTS ACTIVISM |
JUSTICE UNITY & SOCIAL86-2447718 | COLUMBUS, OH | $60K | Cash | TO FURTHER SUPPORT COMMUNITY SERVICE EVENTS |
KENTUCKY CIVIC ENGAGEMENT - BLACK GRANT83-2413836 | LEXINGTON, KY | $60K | Cash | TO FURTHER SUPPORT COMMUNITY ORGANIZING AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT IN KENTUCKY |
COMMON COUNSEL FOUNDATION94-3214166 | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $50K | Cash | TO FURTHER SUPPORT CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM |
SNCC LEGACY27-3057586 | WASHINGTON, DC | $40K | Cash | TO FURTHER SUPPORT COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT CONFERENCE |
GEORGIA EDUCATORS FOR EQUITY86-3294081 | ATLANTA, GA | $40K | Cash | TO PROVIDE GENERAL SUPPORT |
FLORIDA RISING TOGETHER INC45-3956785 | MIAMI, FL | $40K | Cash | TO FURTHER SUPPORT PUBLIC EDUCATION AND OTHER CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
TULSA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION73-1554474 | TULSA, OK | $40K | Cash | TO FURTHER SUPPORT GENERAL OPERATIONS |
CHARLESTON AREA JUSTICE MINISTRIES46-1758506 | NORTH CHARLESTON, SC | $40K | Cash | TO FURTHER SUPPORT RESTORATIVE PRACTICES IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND SOCIAL JUSTICE AREAS |
SOUTHERN CENTER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS62-1025326 | ATLANTA, GA | $40K | Cash | TO FURTHER SUPPORT PROTESTER DEFENSE AND GENERAL OPERATIONS |
EQUITY AND TRANSFORMATION83-4701430 | CHICAGO, IL | $35K | Cash | TO PROVIDE GENERAL SUPPORT |
FUSION PARTNERSHIPS52-2148413 | BALTIMORE, MD | $30K | Cash | TO FURTHER SUPPORT CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM |
COMMUNITY PARTNERS95-4302067 | LOS ANGELES, CA | $25K | Cash | TO FURTHER SUPPORT WARRANT CLINIC EVENTS |
KENTUCKY CIVIC ENGAGEMENT - KCET GRANT83-2413836 | LEXINGTON, KY | $25K | Cash | TO FURTHER SUPPORT CIVIC PARTICIPATION PROGRAM |
RED HOOK INITIATIVE20-3904662 | BROOKLYN, NY | $25K | Cash | TO FURTHER SUPPORT THE FREEDOM SCHOOLS PROGRAM |
SOUTHERN VISION ALLIANCE61-1639641 | DURHAM, NC | $25K | Cash | TO FURTHER SUPPORT CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROGRAM |
HOUSING JUSTICE LEAGUE46-1271164 | ATLANTA, GA | $25K | Cash | TO FURTHER SUPPORT BUILDING COMMUNITY POWER PROGRAM |
MISSISSIPPI VOTES82-1014316 | JACKSON, MS | $10K | Cash | TO FURTHER SUPPORT COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT CONVENING |
TERENCE CRUTCHER FOUNDATION FUND73-1554474 | TULSA, OK | $10K | Cash | TO FURTHER SUPPORT HUMAN SERVICES, EDUCATION, ARTS, CULTURE TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE ACROSS OKLAHOMA. |
| NORTH MIAMI, FL | $8,000 | Cash | TO FURTHER SUPPORT BOLD LAND AND STEWARDSHIP GRANT | |
| LONG ISLAND CITY, NY | $7,500 | Cash | TO SUPPORT SUMMER INTERN (POLLAK SUMMER INTERNSHIP PROGRAM) | |
HOWARD UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW53-0204707 | WASHINGTON, DC | $7,500 | Cash | TO SUPPORT SUMMER INTERN (POLLAK SUMMER INTERNSHIP PROGRAM) |
| Total | $708K | |||
BALTIMORE, MD
$65K
COLUMBUS, OH
$60K
LEXINGTON, KY
$60K
SAN FRANCISCO, CA
$50K
WASHINGTON, DC
$40K
ATLANTA, GA
$40K
MIAMI, FL
$40K
TULSA, OK
$40K
NORTH CHARLESTON, SC
$40K
ATLANTA, GA
$40K
CHICAGO, IL
$35K
BALTIMORE, MD
$30K
LOS ANGELES, CA
$25K
LEXINGTON, KY
$25K
BROOKLYN, NY
$25K
DURHAM, NC
$25K
ATLANTA, GA
$25K
JACKSON, MS
$10K
TULSA, OK
$10K
NORTH MIAMI, FL
$8,000
LONG ISLAND CITY, NY
$7,500
WASHINGTON, DC
$7,500
Source: USAspending.gov
No federal awards found for this organization.
USAspending.gov tracks federal grants, cooperative agreements, and other financial assistance. Not all nonprofits receive federal funding.
Source: Federal Audit Clearinghouse (fac.gov)
No federal single audit records found for this organization.
Single audits are required for entities expending $750,000+ in federal awards annually.
Tax Year 2023 · Source: IRS e-Filed Form 990Schedule J available
Individuals serving as officers, directors, or trustees of the organization.
| Name | Title | Hrs/Wk | Compensation | Related Orgs | Other |
|---|
Source: IRS Publication 78, Auto-Revocation List & e-Postcard Data
Tax-deductible contributions: Yes
Deductibility code: PC
Sources: IRS e-Filed Form 990 (XML) & ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer
Scroll →
| Year | Revenue | Contributions | Expenses | Assets | Net Assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023IRS e-File | $75.7M | $56.3M | $58.5M | $426.1M | $415.2M |
| 2022IRS e-File | $29.5M | $54.5M | $51.7M | $393.4M | $384.2M |
| 2021 | $174.2M | $169.5M | $42.5M | $346.9M | $341.1M |
| 2020 | $150M |
Sources: ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer & IRS e-File Index
| Tax Year | Form Type | Source | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 990 | IRS e-File | |
| 2023 | 990 | DataIRS e-File | PDF not yet published by IRSView Filing → |
| 2022 | 990 | DataIRS e-File |
Financial data: IRS e-Filed Form 990 (Tax Year 2023)
Leadership & compensation: IRS e-Filed Form 990, Part VII (Tax Year 2023)
Organization info: IRS Business Master File
Tax-deductibility: IRS Publication 78
| Total |
|---|
| Janai Nelson | President And Director-counsel | 59 | $533.7K | $0 | $89.8K | $623.4K |
| Tona Boyd | Assoc. Dir. Counsel | 40 | $342.8K | $0 | $57.6K | $400.4K |
| Claude Johnson | Chief Development Officer | 40 | $351.7K | $0 | $40.8K | $392.5K |
| Kevin Thomson | Chief Financial Officer | 39.5 | $270.2K | $0 | $79.4K | $349.6K |
| Elisabeth North | Chief Operating Officer | 39.5 | $263.4K | $0 | $35.2K | $298.6K |
| James E Castillo | Treasurer | 4 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Kim Koopersmith | Co-chairman Of The Board | 8 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Steven B Pfeiffer | Secretary | 4 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Janai Nelson
President And Director-counsel
$623.4K
Hrs/Wk
59
Compensation
$533.7K
Related Orgs
$0
Other
$89.8K
Tona Boyd
Assoc. Dir. Counsel
$400.4K
Hrs/Wk
40
Compensation
$342.8K
Related Orgs
$0
Other
$57.6K
Claude Johnson
Chief Development Officer
$392.5K
Hrs/Wk
40
Compensation
$351.7K
Related Orgs
$0
Other
$40.8K
Kevin Thomson
Chief Financial Officer
$349.6K
Hrs/Wk
39.5
Compensation
$270.2K
Related Orgs
$0
Other
$79.4K
Elisabeth North
Chief Operating Officer
$298.6K
Hrs/Wk
39.5
Compensation
$263.4K
Related Orgs
$0
Other
$35.2K
James E Castillo
Treasurer
$0
Hrs/Wk
4
Compensation
$0
Related Orgs
$0
Other
$0
Kim Koopersmith
Co-chairman Of The Board
$0
Hrs/Wk
8
Compensation
$0
Related Orgs
$0
Other
$0
Steven B Pfeiffer
Secretary
$0
Hrs/Wk
4
Compensation
$0
Related Orgs
$0
Other
$0
Highest compensated employees who are not officers or directors.
| Name | Title | Hrs/Wk | Compensation | Related Orgs | Other | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samuel Spital | Director Of Litigation | 40 | $281.8K | $0 | $88.7K | $370.5K |
| Jin Hee Lee | Dir. Of Strategic Int. | 40 | $242.6K | $0 | $95.8K | $338.4K |
| Raymond Audain | Senior Counsel | 40 | $196.9K | $0 | $57.6K |
Samuel Spital
Director Of Litigation
$370.5K
Hrs/Wk
40
Compensation
$281.8K
Related Orgs
$0
Other
$88.7K
Jin Hee Lee
Dir. Of Strategic Int.
$338.4K
Hrs/Wk
40
Compensation
$242.6K
Related Orgs
$0
Other
$95.8K
Raymond Audain
Senior Counsel
$254.5K
Hrs/Wk
40
Compensation
$196.9K
Related Orgs
$0
Other
$57.6K
Members of the governing board. Board members often serve without compensation.
| Name | Title | Hrs/Wk | Compensation | Related Orgs | Other | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Angela Vallot | Co-chairman Of The Board | 8 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Ann Claire Williams | Board Member | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Anne K Small | Board Member | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Cecilia L Marshall | Board Member | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Colleen Foster | Board Member | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Cynthia Patton | Board Member |
Angela Vallot
Co-chairman Of The Board
$0
Hrs/Wk
8
Compensation
$0
Related Orgs
$0
Other
$0
Ann Claire Williams
Board Member
$0
Hrs/Wk
2
Compensation
$0
Related Orgs
$0
Other
$0
Anne K Small
Board Member
$0
Hrs/Wk
2
Compensation
$0
Related Orgs
$0
Other
$0
| $148.3M |
| $26.8M |
| $209.6M |
| $202.6M |
| 2019 | $37.3M | $34.2M | $23.2M | $85.5M | $80.5M |
| 2018 | $22.4M | $20.8M | $18.8M | $70.7M | $66M |
| 2017 | $33.9M | $31M | $17M | $69.9M | $60.8M |
| 2016 | $12.1M | $11.5M | $15.2M | $52.3M | $42.7M |
| 2015 | $18.5M | $15.7M | $14.9M | $54.3M | $47M |
| 2014 | $12.9M | $9.6M | $13.1M | $52M | $45.1M |
| 2013 | $24.2M | $7.5M | $15.4M | $51.1M | $42.4M |
| 2012 | $16.9M | $14.1M | $15.5M | $35.1M | $31.3M |
| 2011 | $14.1M | $10.9M | $13M | $34.2M | $31.8M |
| 2021 | 990 | Data |
| 2020 | 990 | Data |
| 2019 | 990 | Data |
| 2018 | 990 | Data |
| 2017 | 990 | Data |
| 2016 | 990 | Data |
| 2015 | 990 | Data |
| 2014 | 990 | Data |
| 2013 | 990 | Data |
| 2012 | 990 | Data |
| 2011 | 990 | Data |
| 2010 | 990 | — |
| 2009 | 990 | — |
| 2008 | 990 | — |
| 2007 | 990 | — |
| 2006 | 990 | — |
| 2005 | 990 | — |
| 2004 | 990 | — |
| 2003 | 990 | — |
| 2002 | 990 | — |
| 2001 | 990 | — |
| $254.5K |
| Stuart Naifeh | Manager, Redistricting Project | 40 | $198.7K | $0 | $51.9K | $250.6K |
| Laura Fino | Exe. Dir. Instit Giving | 40 | $197.3K | $0 | $50.7K | $248K |
| Rudolph Gary Spencer | Senior Counsel | 40 | $211.6K | $0 | $31.2K | $242.8K |
| Victor Genecin | Of Counsel | 40 | $207.8K | $0 | $16K | $223.8K |
Stuart Naifeh
Manager, Redistricting Project
$250.6K
Hrs/Wk
40
Compensation
$198.7K
Related Orgs
$0
Other
$51.9K
Laura Fino
Exe. Dir. Instit Giving
$248K
Hrs/Wk
40
Compensation
$197.3K
Related Orgs
$0
Other
$50.7K
Rudolph Gary Spencer
Senior Counsel
$242.8K
Hrs/Wk
40
Compensation
$211.6K
Related Orgs
$0
Other
$31.2K
Victor Genecin
Of Counsel
$223.8K
Hrs/Wk
40
Compensation
$207.8K
Related Orgs
$0
Other
$16K
| 2 |
| $0 |
| $0 |
| $0 |
| $0 |
| David E Kendall | Board Member | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Gregory H Evans | Board Member | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| John R Stephens | Board Member | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Jonathan Soros | Board Member | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Kenji Yoshino | Board Member | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Leslie Cornfield | Board Member | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Lisa Gilford | Board Member | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Luis R Penalver | Board Member | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Michael R Klein | Board Member | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Robyn Coles | Board Member | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Ron Wilson | Board Member | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Ronald Kirk | Board Member | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Tony West | Board Member | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| William E Lighten | Board Member | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| William J Bynum | Board Member | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Cecilia L Marshall
Board Member
$0
Hrs/Wk
2
Compensation
$0
Related Orgs
$0
Other
$0
Colleen Foster
Board Member
$0
Hrs/Wk
2
Compensation
$0
Related Orgs
$0
Other
$0
Cynthia Patton
Board Member
$0
Hrs/Wk
2
Compensation
$0
Related Orgs
$0
Other
$0
David E Kendall
Board Member
$0
Hrs/Wk
2
Compensation
$0
Related Orgs
$0
Other
$0
Gregory H Evans
Board Member
$0
Hrs/Wk
2
Compensation
$0
Related Orgs
$0
Other
$0
John R Stephens
Board Member
$0
Hrs/Wk
2
Compensation
$0
Related Orgs
$0
Other
$0
Jonathan Soros
Board Member
$0
Hrs/Wk
2
Compensation
$0
Related Orgs
$0
Other
$0
Kenji Yoshino
Board Member
$0
Hrs/Wk
2
Compensation
$0
Related Orgs
$0
Other
$0
Leslie Cornfield
Board Member
$0
Hrs/Wk
2
Compensation
$0
Related Orgs
$0
Other
$0
Lisa Gilford
Board Member
$0
Hrs/Wk
2
Compensation
$0
Related Orgs
$0
Other
$0
Luis R Penalver
Board Member
$0
Hrs/Wk
2
Compensation
$0
Related Orgs
$0
Other
$0
Michael R Klein
Board Member
$0
Hrs/Wk
2
Compensation
$0
Related Orgs
$0
Other
$0
Robyn Coles
Board Member
$0
Hrs/Wk
2
Compensation
$0
Related Orgs
$0
Other
$0
Ron Wilson
Board Member
$0
Hrs/Wk
2
Compensation
$0
Related Orgs
$0
Other
$0
Ronald Kirk
Board Member
$0
Hrs/Wk
2
Compensation
$0
Related Orgs
$0
Other
$0
Tony West
Board Member
$0
Hrs/Wk
2
Compensation
$0
Related Orgs
$0
Other
$0
William E Lighten
Board Member
$0
Hrs/Wk
2
Compensation
$0
Related Orgs
$0
Other
$0
William J Bynum
Board Member
$0
Hrs/Wk
2
Compensation
$0
Related Orgs
$0
Other
$0