Wisconsin Equal Justice Fund, Inc.

aka WI Equal Justice Fund (WEJF) | Madison, WI | www.wejf.org

GuideStar Charity Check

EIN: 39-1904737

Contributions tax deductible
as of May 2023

IRS BMF 509(a)(1)
as of May 08, 2023

View summary

Charity Check report

Mission

WI Equal Justice Fund (WEJF) was founded in 1996 in response to the critical drop in federal funding for civil legal services for low-income individuals and families. WEJF now facilitates an annual appeal and on-going educational efforts on the civil legal services needs of Wisconsin's poor. WEJF is committed to raising money and awareness of civil legal services as a social issue.

Ruling year info

1997

Executive Director

Ms. Aly Lynch

Main address

PO Box 46103

Madison, WI 53744-6103 USA

Show more contact info

Formerly known as

Equal Justice Coalition

EIN

39-1904737

Subject area info

Legal services

Public affairs

Human rights

Antidiscrimination

Population served info

Ethnic and racial groups

Low-income people

NTEE code info

Fund Raising and/or Fund Distribution (R12)

Fund Raising and/or Fund Distribution (W12)

IRS subsection

501(c)(3) Public Charity

IRS filing requirement

This organization is required to file an IRS Form 990 or 990-EZ.

Tax forms

Show Forms 990

Communication

Programs and results

What we aim to solve

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

WEJF seeks to provide private funding for civil legal aid services in Wisconsin to help ensure everyone has access to attorney assistance, regardless of their finances. Current funding does not allow for everyone in need to get that help.

Our programs

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?

Pro Bono Civil Legal Services

Wisconsin Equal Justice Fund, Inc. is the private fundraising agency of Wisconsin's three largest legal service providers: Legal Action of Wisconsin, Judicare Legal Aid, and Disability Rights Wisconsin.

Population(s) Served

Ethnic and racial groups

Economically disadvantaged people

Where we work

External reviews

Our results

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.

Total dollars received in contributions

Totals By Year

Population(s) Served

Related Program

Type of Metric

Input - describing resources we use

Direction of Success

Increasing

Context Notes

Our Sustainable Development Goals

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.

Goals & Strategy

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.

Charting impact

Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.

What is the organization aiming to accomplish?

We envision a world where everyone has access to attorney assistance when they need it, regardless of their financial situation.

What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?

WEJF works to close the justice gap for low-income Wisconsinites by providing private funding to offset some of the lags in government funding for civil legal aid services.

What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?

What have they accomplished so far and what's next?

Financials

Wisconsin Equal Justice Fund, Inc.

Fiscal year: Apr 01 - Mar 31

Financial documents

Yes, financials were audited by an independent accountant.

Revenue vs. expenses: breakdown

SOURCE: IRS Form 990

NET GAIN/LOSS: in

Note: When component data are not available, the graph displays the total Revenue and/or Expense values.

Liquidity in 2021

SOURCE: IRS Form 990

1.56

Average of 17.65 over 10 years

Months of cash in 2021

SOURCE: IRS Form 990

11

Average of 8.5 over 10 years

Fringe rate in 2021

SOURCE: IRS Form 990

7%

Average of 7% over 10 years

Funding sources

Source: IRS Form 990

Assets & liabilities

Source: IRS Form 990

Financial data

Source: IRS Form 990

Digitizing IRS form 990 data

Wisconsin Equal Justice Fund, Inc.

Revenue & expenses

Fiscal Year: Apr 01 - Mar 31

SOURCE: IRS Form 990

Fiscal year ending: Download Data

Revenue
Contributions	$252,787
Program Services	$0
Investments	$821
Special Events	$4,831
Sales	$0
Other	$0
Total Revenue	$258,439

Expenses
Grants	$156,335
Salaries & Employee Benefits	$34,607
Professional Fees	$16,218
Occupancy	$0
Printing, Publications, Postage, etc.	$21,190
Other Expenses	$13,319
Total Expenses	$241,669
Net Gain/Loss	$16,770

Revenue
Contributions	$268,464
Program Services	$0
Investments	$614
Special Events	$1,219
Sales	$0
Other	$0
Total Revenue	$270,297

Expenses
Grants	$123,000
Salaries & Employee Benefits	$35,535
Professional Fees	$6,219
Occupancy	$0
Printing, Publications, Postage, etc.	$20,913
Other Expenses	$14,050
Total Expenses	$199,717
Net Gain/Loss	$70,580

Revenue
Contributions	$162,817
Government Grants	$0
Program Services	$0
Investments	$619
Special Events	$92,449
Sales	$0
Other	$0
Total Revenue	$255,885

Expenses
Program Services	$144,622
Administration	$31,952
Fundraising	$44,790
Total Expenses	$221,364
Net Gain/Loss	$34,521

Functional expenses
Accounting Fees	$5,749
Advertising & Promotion	$0
Information Technology Expenses	$2,039
Insurance Expenses	$0
Interest Expenses	$0
Investment Management Fees	$0
Legal Fees	$0
Pension Plan Contributions	$0
Professional Fundraising Expenses	$0

Revenue
Contributions	$166,939
Government Grants	$0
Program Services	$0
Investments	$172
Special Events	$86,946
Sales	$0
Other	$0
Total Revenue	$254,057

Expenses
Program Services	$150,600
Administration	$33,196
Fundraising	$45,461
Total Expenses	$229,257
Net Gain/Loss	$24,800

Functional expenses
Accounting Fees	$5,650
Advertising & Promotion	$0
Information Technology Expenses	$2,039
Insurance Expenses	$541
Interest Expenses	$0
Investment Management Fees	$0
Legal Fees	$0
Pension Plan Contributions	$0
Professional Fundraising Expenses	$0

Revenue
Contributions	$161,926
Government Grants	$0
Program Services	$0
Investments	$159
Special Events	$72,044
Sales	$0
Other	$0
Total Revenue	$234,129

Expenses
Program Services	$129,000
Administration	$32,127
Fundraising	$43,101
Total Expenses	$204,228
Net Gain/Loss	$29,901

Functional expenses
Accounting Fees	$6,468
Advertising & Promotion	$0
Information Technology Expenses	$2,249
Insurance Expenses	$543
Interest Expenses	$0
Investment Management Fees	$0
Legal Fees	$0
Pension Plan Contributions	$0
Professional Fundraising Expenses	$0

Revenue
Contributions	$241,002
Government Grants	$0
Program Services	$0
Investments	$94
Special Events	($9,699)
Sales	$0
Other	$0
Total Revenue	$231,397

Expenses
Program Services	$115,600
Administration	$34,653
Fundraising	$41,947
Total Expenses	$192,200
Net Gain/Loss	$39,197

Functional expenses
Accounting Fees	$7,204
Advertising & Promotion	$0
Information Technology Expenses	$0
Insurance Expenses	$0
Interest Expenses	$0
Investment Management Fees	$0
Legal Fees	$0
Pension Plan Contributions	$0
Professional Fundraising Expenses	$0

Revenue
Contributions	$245,428
Government Grants	$0
Program Services	$0
Investments	$91
Special Events	($10,258)
Sales	$0
Other	$0
Total Revenue	$235,261

Expenses
Program Services	$120,000
Administration	$30,501
Fundraising	$44,916
Total Expenses	$195,417
Net Gain/Loss	$39,844

Functional expenses
Accounting Fees	$5,274
Advertising & Promotion	$0
Information Technology Expenses	$2,214
Insurance Expenses	$0
Interest Expenses	$0
Investment Management Fees	$0
Legal Fees	$0
Pension Plan Contributions	$0
Professional Fundraising Expenses	$0

Revenue
Contributions	$251,042
Government Grants	$0
Program Services	$0
Investments	$75
Special Events	($10,285)
Sales	$0
Other	$0
Total Revenue	$240,832

Expenses
Program Services	$120,000
Administration	$36,343
Fundraising	$48,331
Total Expenses	$204,674
Net Gain/Loss	$36,158

Functional expenses
Accounting Fees	$8,780
Advertising & Promotion	$0
Information Technology Expenses	$3,529
Insurance Expenses	$0
Interest Expenses	$0
Investment Management Fees	$0
Legal Fees	$0
Pension Plan Contributions	$0
Professional Fundraising Expenses	$0

Revenue
Contributions	$274,684
Government Grants	$0
Program Services	$0
Investments	$70
Special Events	($12,400)
Sales	$0
Other	$0
Total Revenue	$262,354

Expenses
Program Services	$131,500
Administration	$37,410
Fundraising	$47,025
Total Expenses	$215,935
Net Gain/Loss	$46,419

Functional expenses
Accounting Fees	$7,605
Advertising & Promotion	$0
Information Technology Expenses	$2,920
Insurance Expenses	$897
Interest Expenses	$0
Investment Management Fees	$0
Legal Fees	$0
Pension Plan Contributions	$0
Professional Fundraising Expenses	$0

Revenue
Contributions	$286,898
Government Grants	$0
Program Services	$0
Investments	$86
Special Events	($10,550)
Sales	$0
Other	$0
Total Revenue	$276,434

Expenses
Program Services	$0
Administration	$35,751
Fundraising	$47,508
Total Expenses	$83,259
Net Gain/Loss	$193,175

Functional expenses
Accounting Fees	$8,505
Advertising & Promotion	$0
Information Technology Expenses	$2,731
Insurance Expenses	$419
Interest Expenses	$0
Investment Management Fees	$0
Legal Fees	$0
Pension Plan Contributions	$0
Professional Fundraising Expenses	$0

Revenue
Contributions	$305,049
Government Grants	$0
Program Services	$0
Investments	$220
Special Events	($6,660)
Sales	$0
Other	$533
Total Revenue	$299,142

Expenses
Program Services	$314,000
Administration	$38,920
Fundraising	$50,884
Total Expenses	$403,804
Net Gain/Loss	($104,662)

Functional expenses
Accounting Fees	$9,023
Advertising & Promotion	$0
Information Technology Expenses	$3,222
Insurance Expenses	$1,299
Interest Expenses	$0
Investment Management Fees	$0
Legal Fees	$0
Pension Plan Contributions	$0
Professional Fundraising Expenses	$0

Revenue
Contributions	$320,169
Government Grants	$0
Program Services	$0
Investments	$160
Special Events	$5,757
Sales	$0
Other	$0
Total Revenue	$326,086

Expenses
Program Services	$173,047
Administration	$35,146
Fundraising	$51,538
Total Expenses	$259,731
Net Gain/Loss	$66,355

Functional expenses
Accounting Fees	$10,023
Advertising & Promotion	$0
Information Technology Expenses	$0
Insurance Expenses	$0
Interest Expenses	$0
Investment Management Fees	$0
Legal Fees	$0
Pension Plan Contributions	$0
Professional Fundraising Expenses	$0

Revenue
Contributions	$354,754
Government Grants	$0
Program Services	$0
Investments	$25
Special Events	$0
Sales	$0
Other	$0
Total Revenue	$354,779

Expenses
Program Services	$185,608
Administration	$34,458
Fundraising	$57,844
Total Expenses	$277,910
Net Gain/Loss	$76,869

Functional expenses
Accounting Fees	$10,423
Advertising & Promotion	$0
Information Technology Expenses	$0
Insurance Expenses	$0
Interest Expenses	$0
Investment Management Fees	$0
Legal Fees	$0
Pension Plan Contributions	$0
Professional Fundraising Expenses	$0

Wisconsin Equal Justice Fund, Inc.

Balance sheet

Fiscal Year: Apr 01 - Mar 31

SOURCE: IRS Form 990

The balance sheet gives a snapshot of the financial health of an organization at a particular point in time. An organization's total assets should generally exceed its total liabilities, or it cannot survive long, but the types of assets and liabilities must also be considered. For instance, an organization's current assets (cash, receivables, securities, etc.) should be sufficient to cover its current liabilities (payables, deferred revenue, current year loan, and note payments). Otherwise, the organization may face solvency problems. On the other hand, an organization whose cash and equivalents greatly exceed its current liabilities might not be putting its money to best use.

Fiscal year ending: Download Data

Assets	Jan 01, 2008	Dec 31, 2008	Change
Contributions	$252,787
Cash & Equivalents	$437,882	$292,815	($145,067)
Fixed Assets (LBE - Depreciation)	$0	$0	$0
Other	$26,000	$119,010	$93,010
Total Assets	$463,882	$411,825	($52,057)

Liabilities	Jan 01, 2008	Dec 31, 2008	Change
Total Liabilities	$3,758	$325	($3,433)

Fund balance	Jan 01, 2008	Dec 31, 2008	Change
Net Assets	$460,124	$411,500	($48,624)

Assets	Jan 01, 2009	Dec 31, 2009	Change
Contributions	$268,464
Cash & Equivalents	$292,815	$492,936	$200,121
Fixed Assets (LBE - Depreciation)	$0	$0	$0
Other	$119,010	$43,207	($75,803)
Total Assets	$411,825	$536,143	$124,318

Liabilities	Jan 01, 2009	Dec 31, 2009	Change
Total Liabilities	$325	$2,290	$1,965

Fund balance	Jan 01, 2009	Dec 31, 2009	Change
Net Assets	$411,500	$533,853	$122,353

Assets	Jan 01, 2010	Dec 31, 2010	Change
Contributions	$162,817
Cash & Equivalents	$203,939	$208,665	$4,726
Accounts Receivable	$557	$0	($557)
Pledges & Grants Receivable	$42,650	$27,000	($15,650)
Receivable, Other	$0	$0	$0
Inventories for Sale or Use	$0	$0	$0
Investment, Securities	$0	$0	$0
Investment, Other	$0	$0	$0
Fixed Assets (LBE - Depreciation)	$0	$0	$0
Other	$288,997	$376,844	$87,847
Total Assets	$536,143	$612,509	$76,366

Liabilities	Jan 01, 2010	Dec 31, 2010	Change
Accounts Payable	$2,290	$4,496	$2,206
Grants Payable	$0	$0	$0
Deferred Revenue	$0	$0	$0
Loans and Notes	$0	$0	$0
Tax-Exempt Bond Liabilities	$0	$0	$0
Other	$0	$0	$0
Total Liabilities	$2,290	$4,496	$2,206

Fund balance	Jan 01, 2010	Dec 31, 2010	Change
Temporarily Restricted Net Assets	$0	$0	$0
Permanently Restricted Net Assets	$0	$0	$0
Total Restricted Net Assets	$0	$0	$0
Unrestricted Net Assets	$533,853	$608,013	$74,160
Net Assets	$533,853	$608,013	$74,160

Assets	Jan 01, 2011	Dec 31, 2011	Change
Contributions	$166,939
Cash & Equivalents	$208,665	$174,343	($34,322)
Accounts Receivable	$0	$313	$313
Pledges & Grants Receivable	$27,000	$39,000	$12,000
Receivable, Other	$0	$0	$0
Inventories for Sale or Use	$0	$0	$0
Investment, Securities	$0	$0	$0
Investment, Other	$0	$0	$0
Fixed Assets (LBE - Depreciation)	$0	$0	$0
Other	$376,844	$421,991	$45,147
Total Assets	$612,509	$635,647	$23,138

Liabilities	Jan 01, 2011	Dec 31, 2011	Change
Accounts Payable	$4,496	$7,887	$3,391
Grants Payable	$0	$0	$0
Deferred Revenue	$0	$0	$0
Loans and Notes	$0	$0	$0
Tax-Exempt Bond Liabilities	$0	$0	$0
Other	$0	$0	$0
Total Liabilities	$4,496	$7,887	$3,391

Fund balance	Jan 01, 2011	Dec 31, 2011	Change
Temporarily Restricted Net Assets	$0	$0	$0
Permanently Restricted Net Assets	$0	$0	$0
Total Restricted Net Assets	$0	$0	$0
Unrestricted Net Assets	$608,013	$627,760	$19,747
Net Assets	$608,013	$627,760	$19,747

Assets	Jan 01, 2012	Dec 31, 2012	Change
Contributions	$161,926
Cash & Equivalents	$174,343	$191,170	$16,827
Accounts Receivable	$313	$0	($313)
Pledges & Grants Receivable	$39,000	$0	($39,000)
Receivable, Other	$0	$0	$0
Inventories for Sale or Use	$0	$0	$0
Investment, Securities	$0	$0	$0
Investment, Other	$0	$0	$0
Fixed Assets (LBE - Depreciation)	$0	$0	$0
Other	$421,991	$519,030	$97,039
Total Assets	$635,647	$710,200	$74,553

Wisconsin Equal Justice Fund, Inc.

Financial trends analysis Glossary & formula definitions

Fiscal Year: Apr 01 - Mar 31

SOURCE: IRS Form 990

This snapshot of Wisconsin Equal Justice Fund, Inc.’s financial trends applies Nonprofit Finance Fund® analysis to data hosted by GuideStar. While it highlights the data that matter most, remember that context is key – numbers only tell part of any story.

Created in partnership with

Fiscal year: Apr 01 - Mar 31 View full report Download data

Business model indicators

Profitability	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021
Unrestricted surplus (deficit) before depreciation	$144,045	$307,595	-$88,737	$30,556	$433,924
As % of expenses	66.7%	369.4%	-22.0%	11.8%	156.1%
Unrestricted surplus (deficit) after depreciation	$144,045	$307,595	-$88,737	$30,556	$433,924
As % of expenses	66.7%	369.4%	-22.0%	11.8%	156.1%

Revenue composition
Total revenue (unrestricted & restricted)	$262,354	$276,434	$299,142	$326,086	$354,779
Total revenue, % change over prior year	8.9%	5.4%	8.2%	9.0%	8.8%
Program services revenue	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%
Membership dues	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%
Investment income	0.0%	0.0%	0.1%	0.0%	0.0%
Government grants	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%
All other grants and contributions	100.0%	100.0%	99.7%	100.0%	100.0%
Other revenue	0.0%	0.0%	0.2%	0.0%	0.0%

Expense composition
Total expenses before depreciation	$215,935	$83,259	$403,804	$259,731	$277,910
Total expenses, % change over prior year	5.5%	-61.4%	385.0%	-35.7%	7.0%
Personnel	22.3%	58.4%	12.9%	22.6%	23.8%
Professional fees	3.6%	10.2%	2.5%	3.9%	3.8%
Occupancy	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.4%
Interest	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%
Pass-through	60.9%	0.0%	77.8%	62.0%	62.0%
All other expenses	13.3%	31.3%	6.8%	11.6%	10.0%

Full cost components (estimated)	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021
Total expenses (after depreciation)	$215,935	$83,259	$403,804	$259,731	$277,910
One month of savings	$17,995	$6,938	$33,650	$21,644	$23,159
Debt principal payment	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0
Fixed asset additions	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0
Total full costs (estimated)	$233,930	$90,197	$437,454	$281,375	$301,069

Capital structure indicators

Liquidity	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021
Months of cash	2.4	34.3	7.4	11.3	11.0
Months of cash and investments	2.4	34.3	7.4	11.3	11.0
Months of estimated liquid unrestricted net assets	53.8	183.9	35.3	56.3	71.3

Balance sheet composition	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021
Cash	$43,359	$237,894	$249,349	$243,709	$254,060
Investments	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0
Receivables	$0	$0	$0	$10,000	$20,000
Gross land, buildings, equipment (LBE)	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0
Accumulated depreciation (as a % of LBE)	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%
Liabilities (as a % of assets)	0.2%	0.3%	12.4%	11.8%	9.0%
Unrestricted net assets	$968,636	$1,276,231	$1,187,494	$1,218,050	$1,651,974
Temporarily restricted net assets	$0	$0	$0	N/A	N/A
Permanently restricted net assets	$0	$0	$0	N/A	N/A
Total restricted net assets	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0
Total net assets	$968,636	$1,276,231	$1,187,494	$1,218,050	$1,651,974

Key data checks

Key data checks	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021
Material data errors	No	No	No	No	No

Operations

The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.

Documents

Letter of Determination

Form 1023/1024 is not available for this organization

Executive Director

Ms. Aly Lynch

LinkedIn profile

Number of employees

Source: IRS Form 990

Wisconsin Equal Justice Fund, Inc.

Officers, directors, trustees, and key employees

SOURCE: IRS Form 990

Compensation

Other

Show data for fiscal year

Compensation data

Download up to 5 most recent years of officer and director compensation data for this organization

There are no highest paid employees recorded for this organization.

Wisconsin Equal Justice Fund, Inc.

Board of directors
as of 02/23/2023

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Board of directors data

Download the most recent year of board of directors data for this organization

Board chair

Anza D'Antonio

Fiskars Group

Term: 2022 - 2022

Board leadership practices

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.

Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? No
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? No
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? No
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? No
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? No

Organizational demographics

SOURCE: Self-reported; last updated 5/31/2022

Candid has made improvements to the race and ethnicity options.

Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.

Leadership

No data

Race & ethnicity

Gender identity

Sexual orientation

No data

Disability

No data

Equity strategies

Last updated: 06/29/2021

GuideStar partnered with Equity in the Center - an organization that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems to increase racial equity - to create this section. Learn more

Policies and processes

We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization.
We help senior leadership understand how to be inclusive leaders with learning approaches that emphasize reflection, iteration, and adaptability.
We engage everyone, from the board to staff levels of the organization, in race equity work and ensure that individuals understand their roles in creating culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.

Wisconsin Equal Justice Fund, Inc.

Mission

Is this your nonprofit?

Programs and results

What we aim to solve

Our programs

Pro Bono Civil Legal Services

Where we work

Our results

Evaluation documents

Total dollars received in contributions

Totals By Year

Population(s) Served

Related Program

Type of Metric

Direction of Success

Context Notes

Our Sustainable Development Goals

Goals & Strategy

Charting impact

What is the organization aiming to accomplish?

What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?

What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?

What have they accomplished so far and what's next?

Financials

Financial documents

Revenue vs. expenses: breakdown

Liquidity in 2021 info

1.56

Months of cash in 2021 info

11

Fringe rate in 2021 info

7%

Funding sources info

Assets & liabilities info

Financial data

Digitizing IRS form 990 data

Wisconsin Equal Justice Fund, Inc.

Wisconsin Equal Justice Fund, Inc.

Wisconsin Equal Justice Fund, Inc.

Business model indicators

Capital structure indicators

Key data checks

Operations

Documents

Executive Director

Ms. Aly Lynch

Number of employees

Wisconsin Equal Justice Fund, Inc.

Compensation data

Wisconsin Equal Justice Fund, Inc.

Board of directors data

Anza D'Antonio

Board leadership practices

Board orientation and education

CEO oversight

Ethics and transparency

Board composition

Board performance

Organizational demographics

Leadership

Race & ethnicity

Gender identity

Sexual orientation

Disability

Equity strategies

Liquidity in 2021

Months of cash in 2021

Fringe rate in 2021

Funding sources

Assets & liabilities