The Sentencing Project
Works for effective and humane criminal justice responses to crime through research, advocacy, and reform initiatives.
At a glance
Rating and filings checked Oct 12, 2026. Sources: Charity Navigator, IRS Form 990 via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. How we check
Is The Sentencing Project a good charity?
The Sentencing Project holds Charity Navigator's highest rating: 4 out of 4 stars, with an overall score of 96%. Its 2023 Form 990 reports $4.1M in revenue, up 164% from $1.6M in 2019, and $5.5M in expenses. Rating checked Oct 12, 2026.
Finances
From The Sentencing Project's annual IRS Form 990 filings (filed as The Sentencing Project).
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Net assets | Officer & key staff pay | Filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $4.1M | $5.5M | $6.7M | $381K | 990 PDF |
| 2022 | $4.9M | $3.7M | $7.7M | $208K | 990 PDF |
| 2021 | $5.3M | $2.8M | $7.3M | $199K | 990 PDF |
| 2020 | $3.6M | $1.8M | $4.9M | $194K | |
| 2019 | $1.6M | $1.6M | $3.0M | $169K | 990 PDF |
A newer filing for 2024 is out but not yet summarized: read the 2024 Form 990 (PDF).
Officer & key staff pay is the 990's total for current officers, directors, trustees and key employees, not one salary.
What charities in criminal justice reform do
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.
How to judge charities in this area
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.
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:
Frequently asked
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