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PREPARE GRADUATES FOR THE LEGAL PROFESSION WITH PRACTICAL LEGAL EDUCATION AS ITS GUIDING PRINCIPLE AND FOCUS.
Source: IRS Form 990 (Tax Year 2024)
Source: IRS e-Filed Form 990 (from the IRS e-File system), Tax Year 2023
Total Revenue
▼$33.1M
Program Spending
84%
of total expenses go to program services
Total Contributions
$1M
Total Expenses
▼$32.7M
Total Assets
$72.7M
Total Liabilities
▼$28.6M
Net Assets
$44.1M
Officer Compensation
→$1.8M
Other Salaries
$9.5M
Investment Income
$11.8M
Fundraising
▼$7,750
Source: USAspending.gov · Searched by organization name
Total Federal Funding
$3.2M
Awards Found
6
Department of Education
$1.1M
INSTITUTIONAL PORTION OF THE HIGHER EDUCATION EMERGENCY RELIEF FUND
Department of Education
$929.7K
CERTIFICATION AND AGREEMENT - COMPLETED
Department of Justice
$600K
THE THOMAS COOLEY LAW SCHOOL INNOCENCE PROJECTS (CIP) STATEWIDE WRONGFUL CONVICTION PROJECT HAS BEEN A LEADING EXPERT IN FORENSIC CASE REVIEW. WITH THE CREATION OF THE WAYNE COUNTY CONVICTION INTEGRITY AND THE MICHIGAN ATTORNEY GENERAL CONVICTION INTEGRITY UNIT, THE WAY INNOCENCE CLAIMS ARE HANDLED HAS CHANGED DRASTICALLY. SINCE THE INCEPTION OF THESE UNITS, CIP HAS BEEN A COLLABORATIVE PARTNER BY ASSISTING WITH CASE SCREENING AND REPRESENTATION IN PROMISING CASES. CIP ASSISTS CLIENTS TO MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS ABOUT WORKING WITH A CONVICTION INTEGRITY UNIT (CIU) AND PROTECTS THE CLIENTS RIGHTS. CIPS STATEWIDE WRONGFUL CONVICTION PROJECT WILL ALLOW CIP TO CONTINUE ITS CURRENT CIU PARTNERSHIPS AND DEVELOP NEW PARTNERSHIPS WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS AND PROVIDE ALL MICHIGAN PRISONERS WITH ACCESS TO FORENSIC CASE REVIEW. IN ADDITION TO THE EXISTING PARTNERSHIPS, CIP WILL EXPAND ITS COLLABORATION ON CASES WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS IN THE STATE, INCLUDING THE STATE APPELLATE DEFENDER OFFICE AND OTHER COUNTY BASED CIUS. FUNDING WILL ALLOW THE CIP TO CONTINUE TO REVIEW AND INVESTIGATE INNOCENCE CLAIMS INVOLVING UNRELIABLE FORENSIC PRACTICES UNIFORMLY AND EFFICIENTLY FOR ALL OF MICHIGANS IN 83 COUNTIES. CIP WILL REVIEW 200 CASES UNDER THIS PROPOSAL. FUNDING WILL ALSO ALLOW CIP TO EXPAND ITS COMMUNITY EDUCATION AND OUTREACH EFFORTS TO INFORM AND EDUCATE THOSE THROUGHOUT THE STATE ON THE ISSUE OF WRONGFUL CONVICTIONS, WITH A FOCUS TOWARDS UNDERSERVED AND HISTORICALLY DISADVANTAGED AREAS. COMMUNITY EDUCATION AND OUTREACH PROGRAMMING IN THESE AREAS WILL LEAD TO OTHERS WORKING INTENTIONALLY TO COMBAT WRONGFUL CONVICTIONS, ESPECIALLY THOSE AREAS DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACTED BY CRIME, VIOLENCE, AND VICTIMIZATION. THIS PROJECT WILL BENEFIT THE STATES CIUS, OTHER ORGANIZATIONS, UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES, AND DEFENDANTS WHOSE CLAIM OF INNOCENCE INVOLVES FORENSIC ISSUES. IT WILL BENEFIT MICHIGANS CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AS A WHOLE.
Department of Justice
$271K
WMU-COOLEY LAW SCHOOL INNOCENCE PROJECT CONVICTION INTEGRITY PROGRAM
Source: Federal Audit Clearinghouse (fac.gov)
Total Audits
10
Clean Audits
9
Material Weakness
No
Noncompliance Issues
No
| Year | Status | Financial Report | Federal Expenditure | Low Risk | Accepted |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Clean | Unmodified (Clean) | $19.4M | No | 2026-01-06 |
| 2024 | Material Weakness | Unmodified (Clean) | $21.9M | Yes | 2025-02-28 |
| 2023 | Clean | Unmodified (Clean) | $20.6M | Yes | 2024-01-07 |
| 2022 | Clean | Unmodified (Clean) | $22.5M | Yes | 2023-03-09 |
| 2021 | Clean | Unmodified (Clean) | $29.6M | No | 2022-02-02 |
| 2020 | Clean | Unmodified (Clean) | $49M | Yes | 2020-12-22 |
| 2019 | Clean | Unmodified (Clean) | $64.8M | Yes | 2020-02-24 |
| 2018 | Clean | Unmodified (Clean) | $60.7M | Yes | 2018-11-15 |
| 2017 | Clean | Unmodified (Clean) | $60.8M | Yes | 2017-11-20 |
| 2016 | Clean | Unmodified (Clean) | $58M | Yes | 2017-05-30 |
Financial Report
Unmodified (Clean)
Federal Expenditure
$19.4M
Financial Report
Unmodified (Clean)
Federal Expenditure
$21.9M
Financial Report
Unmodified (Clean)
Federal Expenditure
$20.6M
Financial Report
Unmodified (Clean)
Federal Expenditure
$22.5M
Financial Report
Unmodified (Clean)
Federal Expenditure
$29.6M
Financial Report
Unmodified (Clean)
Federal Expenditure
$49M
Financial Report
Unmodified (Clean)
Federal Expenditure
$64.8M
Financial Report
Unmodified (Clean)
Federal Expenditure
$60.7M
Financial Report
Unmodified (Clean)
Federal Expenditure
$60.8M
Financial Report
Unmodified (Clean)
Federal Expenditure
$58M
Tax Year 2024 · Source: IRS e-Filed Form 990
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 | $33.1M | $1M | $32.7M | $72.7M | $44.1M |
| 2022 | $26.6M | $1.7M | $39.6M | $124.9M | $58.3M |
| 2021 | $35.8M | $847.1K | $50.6M | $152.4M | $79.9M |
| 2020 | $56.4M | $673.5K | $59.6M |
Sources: ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer & IRS e-File Index
| Tax Year | Form Type | Source | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 990 | IRS e-File | PDF not yet published by IRSView Filing → |
| 2023 | 990 | DataIRS e-File | |
| 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 2024)
Federal grants: USAspending.gov (live)
Organization info: IRS Business Master File
Tax-deductibility: IRS Publication 78
| Total |
|---|
| James Mcgrath | President & Dean | 60 | $385.3K | $0 | $51.4K | $436.6K |
| Kathleen Conklin | Treasurer/sr VP Of Ops & Finance | 50 | $175.2K | $0 | $34.8K | $210K |
| William Arnold | Sec./dir. Of Advancement | 40 | $90.8K | $0 | $7,306 | $98.1K |
| Hon Louise Alderson | Chairman Of The Board | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
James Mcgrath
President & Dean
$436.6K
Hrs/Wk
60
Compensation
$385.3K
Related Orgs
$0
Other
$51.4K
Kathleen Conklin
Treasurer/sr VP Of Ops & Finance
$210K
Hrs/Wk
50
Compensation
$175.2K
Related Orgs
$0
Other
$34.8K
William Arnold
Sec./dir. Of Advancement
$98.1K
Hrs/Wk
40
Compensation
$90.8K
Related Orgs
$0
Other
$7,306
Hon Louise Alderson
Chairman Of The Board
$0
Hrs/Wk
1
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tonya Krause-Phelan | Associate Dean & Tenured Professor | 50 | $180.4K | $0 | $38.3K | $218.7K |
| Paul Zelenski | Sr VP & Assoc Dean Of Enrollment | 50 | $181.9K | $0 | $35.5K | $217.4K |
| Michael Molitor | Tenured Prof., Acting Legal Counsel | 40 | $178.2K | $0 | $37.8K | $216K |
| Dustin Foster | Tenured Professor | 50 | $175.7K | $0 | $38.8K | $214.5K |
| Tracey Brame | Associate Dean & Tenured Professor | 50 | $175.2K | $0 | $37.9K | $213.1K |
Tonya Krause-Phelan
Associate Dean & Tenured Professor
$218.7K
Hrs/Wk
50
Compensation
$180.4K
Related Orgs
$0
Other
$38.3K
Paul Zelenski
Sr VP & Assoc Dean Of Enrollment
$217.4K
Hrs/Wk
50
Compensation
$181.9K
Related Orgs
$0
Other
$35.5K
Michael Molitor
Tenured Prof., Acting Legal Counsel
$216K
Hrs/Wk
40
Compensation
$178.2K
Related Orgs
$0
Other
$37.8K
Members of the governing board. Board members often serve without compensation.
| Name | Title | Hrs/Wk | Compensation | Related Orgs | Other | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aaron Burrell | Board Member | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Christina Corl | Board Member | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Hon Bart Stupak | Board Member | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Hon Jane Markey | Board Member | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Hon Michael Hatty | Board Member | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| John Dunn | Board Member |
Aaron Burrell
Board Member
$0
Hrs/Wk
1
Compensation
$0
Related Orgs
$0
Other
$0
Christina Corl
Board Member
$0
Hrs/Wk
1
Compensation
$0
Related Orgs
$0
Other
$0
Hon Bart Stupak
Board Member
$0
Hrs/Wk
1
Compensation
$0
Related Orgs
$0
Other
$0
| $171.8M |
| $94M |
| 2019 | $61.5M | $299.4K | $59.6M | $183M | $102.7M |
| 2018 | $58.3M | $286.2K | $58.6M | $194.5M | $114.4M |
| 2017 | $56.8M | $499.2K | $54.7M | $192.8M | $112.3M |
| 2016 | $57.5M | $343.6K | $57.3M | $193M | $108.7M |
| 2015 | $65.6M | $220.9K | $68M | $204M | $109.6M |
| 2014 | $83M | $438.8K | $101.3M | $224.7M | $114.7M |
| 2013 | $104.7M | $719.7K | $102.2M | $249.6M | $132.8M |
| 2012 | $121.1M | $835K | $108.5M | $268.1M | $118.6M |
| 2011 | $123.2M | $511.9K | $105M | $260.8M | $111M |
| 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 | — |
| Monica Nuckolls |
| Tenured Professor |
| 55 |
| $172.5K |
| $0 |
| $37.1K |
| $209.7K |
| Tammy Asher | Tenured Professor | 50 | $171.3K | $0 | $33.3K | $204.6K |
| Duane Strojny | Associate Dean & Tenured Professor | 40 | $159.9K | $0 | $39.1K | $199K |
| Amy Timmer | Associate Dean & Tenured Professor | 40 | $175.2K | $0 | $17.4K | $192.6K |
| Michael Mcdaniel | Tenured Professor | 40 | $159.9K | $0 | $32.6K | $192.5K |
Dustin Foster
Tenured Professor
$214.5K
Hrs/Wk
50
Compensation
$175.7K
Related Orgs
$0
Other
$38.8K
Tracey Brame
Associate Dean & Tenured Professor
$213.1K
Hrs/Wk
50
Compensation
$175.2K
Related Orgs
$0
Other
$37.9K
Monica Nuckolls
Tenured Professor
$209.7K
Hrs/Wk
55
Compensation
$172.5K
Related Orgs
$0
Other
$37.1K
Tammy Asher
Tenured Professor
$204.6K
Hrs/Wk
50
Compensation
$171.3K
Related Orgs
$0
Other
$33.3K
Duane Strojny
Associate Dean & Tenured Professor
$199K
Hrs/Wk
40
Compensation
$159.9K
Related Orgs
$0
Other
$39.1K
Amy Timmer
Associate Dean & Tenured Professor
$192.6K
Hrs/Wk
40
Compensation
$175.2K
Related Orgs
$0
Other
$17.4K
Michael Mcdaniel
Tenured Professor
$192.5K
Hrs/Wk
40
Compensation
$159.9K
Related Orgs
$0
Other
$32.6K
| 1 |
| $0 |
| $0 |
| $0 |
| $0 |
| Jordan Sutton | Board Member | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Kenneth Miller | Board Member | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Lawrence Nolan | Board Member | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Mitchell Zajac | Board Member | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Mustafa Ameen | Board Member/adjunct Professor | 6 | $11K | $0 | $0 | $11K |
| Thomas Cranmer | Board Member | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Hon Jane Markey
Board Member
$0
Hrs/Wk
1
Compensation
$0
Related Orgs
$0
Other
$0
Hon Michael Hatty
Board Member
$0
Hrs/Wk
1
Compensation
$0
Related Orgs
$0
Other
$0
John Dunn
Board Member
$0
Hrs/Wk
1
Compensation
$0
Related Orgs
$0
Other
$0
Jordan Sutton
Board Member
$0
Hrs/Wk
1
Compensation
$0
Related Orgs
$0
Other
$0
Kenneth Miller
Board Member
$0
Hrs/Wk
1
Compensation
$0
Related Orgs
$0
Other
$0
Lawrence Nolan
Board Member
$0
Hrs/Wk
1
Compensation
$0
Related Orgs
$0
Other
$0
Mitchell Zajac
Board Member
$0
Hrs/Wk
1
Compensation
$0
Related Orgs
$0
Other
$0
Mustafa Ameen
Board Member/adjunct Professor
$11K
Hrs/Wk
6
Compensation
$11K
Related Orgs
$0
Other
$0
Thomas Cranmer
Board Member
$0
Hrs/Wk
1
Compensation
$0
Related Orgs
$0
Other
$0