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Criminal Justice Reform

The Sentencing Project

Works for effective and humane criminal justice responses to crime through research, advocacy, and reform initiatives.

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Founded 1986 40 years of work
Focus United States
Rating 97/100 Charity Navigator

A score of 97 out of 100 from Charity Navigator places The Sentencing Project among the most accountable, transparent, and operationally sound nonprofits in the United States.

What this charity does

Criminal-justice reform organizations work across litigation (innocence projects), policy advocacy (sentencing reform, bail reform), direct services (reentry support, family support), and research. The most impactful combine impact litigation with policy work — winning a court ruling matters more when paired with the legislative changes that prevent the same harm from recurring. Funding supports attorneys, investigators, lobbyists, researchers, and direct-service staff.

Why it matters

Look for concrete outcomes: convictions overturned, laws changed, individuals supported through reentry. The Innocence Project and Equal Justice Initiative publish detailed annual reports — use those as benchmarks. Be cautious of "awareness" organizations without measurable wins.

Common programs in this space

The Sentencing Project works within criminal justice reform. These are the kinds of programs typically run in this space — visit their site for current specifics.

  • ✓ Innocence-project work investigating and overturning wrongful convictions
  • ✓ Sentencing-reform and bail-reform advocacy at state and federal levels
  • ✓ Reentry support for formerly incarcerated individuals: housing, employment, healthcare
  • ✓ Family-impact programs supporting children of incarcerated parents
  • ✓ Research on the causes and consequences of mass incarceration

How to support beyond a one-time gift

  • + Unrestricted, multi-year gifts are particularly valuable — litigation and policy work span years
  • + Volunteer with reentry programs, mentoring, or transportation support
  • + Advocate for sentencing and bail reform in your state legislature
  • + Hire formerly incarcerated individuals if you run a business — employment dramatically reduces recidivism
  • + Vote for prosecutors and district attorneys who support reform

Verify before you give

A few minutes of independent verification pays off — especially for larger gifts. These resources let you confirm the details on The Sentencing Project:

IRS Tax Exempt Search Confirm 501(c)(3) status ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer Read Form 990 filings Charity Navigator profile Ratings methodology sentencingproject.org Annual reports and updates

Frequently asked

Is The Sentencing Project a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit?
The Sentencing Project operates as a registered nonprofit organization. You can verify their current 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status using the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search tool. We recommend confirming directly on the IRS website before making any large donation.
What percentage of donations to The Sentencing Project goes to programs?
Program-expense ratios change year to year and are published in The Sentencing Project's annual Form 990 filing. You can read the most recent filings on ProPublica's Nonprofit Explorer or Candid (formerly GuideStar). Charity Navigator has rated The Sentencing Project at 97/100, reflecting its overall financial health and accountability.
How does The Sentencing Project measure its impact?
The Sentencing Project publishes impact reporting through its annual report, program-specific updates on its website, and the rating analysis from Charity Navigator. Look for concrete outcomes: convictions overturned, laws changed, individuals supported through reentry. The Innocence Project and Equal Justice Initiative publish detailed annual reports — use those as benchmarks. Be cautious of "awareness" organizations without measurable wins.
What's the most effective way to donate to The Sentencing Project?
Most charities — including The Sentencing Project — get the most use out of unrestricted, recurring monthly donations. Recurring gifts let the organization plan staffing and program commitments. You can also donate appreciated stock to avoid capital-gains tax, leave a planned gift in your will, or take advantage of employer-matching programs.
How can I support The Sentencing Project without donating money?
Unrestricted, multi-year gifts are particularly valuable — litigation and policy work span years Volunteer with reentry programs, mentoring, or transportation support Advocate for sentencing and bail reform in your state legislature Visit the official website at sentencingproject.org for current volunteer and advocacy opportunities.

More in Criminal Justice Reform

Innocence Project 100/100 Prison Fellowship 96/100