Nonprofit · EIN 16-1487925
EMPIRE JUSTICE CENTER
Tax-exempt · ROCHESTER, NY 14614
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2025 | 990 | $12,571,184 | $12,553,084 | $18,100 | $5,310,237 | $2,652,114 | $2,658,123 |
| December 31, 2024 | 990 | $11,383,291 | $11,447,884 | -$64,593 | $4,541,215 | $1,901,192 | $2,640,023 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $778,948
- Program service revenue
- $11,702,779
- Investment income
- $28,646
- Other revenue
- $60,811
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $0
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $372,573
- Other salaries and wages
- $5,905,950
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $8,570,220
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Legal fees
- $217,830
- Occupancy
- $506,433
- Depreciation
- $11,388
- Program services (functional)
- $12,081,188
- Management and general (functional)
- $471,896
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $4,541,215
- Total assets, end of year
- $5,310,237
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $2,652,114
- Net assets, end of year
- $2,658,123
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $62,582
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $2,279,623
- Net assets with donor restrictions
- $378,500
- Gross receipts
- $12,571,184
- Employees
- 96
- Volunteers
- 127
- Year formed
- 1995
- State of legal domicile
- NY
From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.
Officers, directors and key employees
As listed on the 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KRISTIN LILLEY BROWN | PRESIDENT AND CEO Officer | 35 | $211,214 | $31,219 |
| KRISTIN HUGHES | COO Officer | 35 | $161,359 | $46,241 |
| MAGGIE R ROBB | SENIOR ATTORNEY DIRECTOR Highest-paid employee | 35 | $160,648 | $46,132 |
| AMY ELISE SCHWARTZ-WALLACE | UNIT DIRECTOR/DIRECTOR OF TRAINING Highest-paid employee | 35 | $134,944 | $45,119 |
| LINDA ANN BENNETT-RODRIGUEZ | SENIOR STAFF ATTORNEY Highest-paid employee | 35 | $129,373 | $45,075 |
| MELINDA L FITHEN | LITIGATION DIRECTOR Highest-paid employee | 35 | $126,818 | $44,596 |
| SUSAN C ANTOS | SENIOR STAFF ATTORNEY Highest-paid employee | 35 | $142,217 | $19,840 |
| EMILY E WHALEN ESQ | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JUNIOR DILLION MA LMHC PHD | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KRISTEN M CLARK CPA FHFMA | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JOHN S HO ESQ | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| PETER ELKOWITZ JR | MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| LOLA W BRABHAM | MEMBER (TILL OCT. 2025) Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| VANESSA E GONZALEZ | MEMBER (TILL APRIL 2025) Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| ERIN E ELMOUJI ESQ | MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
8 more people on this return
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| RAMON PEGUERO ESQ | MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 |
| TINA M FOSTER | MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 |
| MEGAN SHERMAN ESQ | MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 |
| KEVIN SPENCER BECKFORD | MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 |
| DARCIE A FALSIONI ESQ | MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 |
| HILARY L MOREIRA ESQ | MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 |
| KACIE SWITZER LMHC | MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 |
| CAITLIN A ANDERSON ESQ | MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2024: 22 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KRISTIN LILLEY BROWN | PRESIDENT AND CEO Officer | 35 | $167,452 | $27,102 |
| KRISTIN HUGHES | COO Officer | 35 | $140,949 | $40,796 |
| MAGGIE R ROBB | SENIOR ATTORNEY DIRECTOR Highest-paid employee | 35 | $131,783 | $40,092 |
| SUSAN C ANTOS | SENIOR STAFF ATTORNEY Highest-paid employee | 35 | $136,246 | $17,808 |
| LINDA ANN BENNETT-RODRIGUEZ | SENIOR STAFF ATTORNEY Highest-paid employee | 35 | $113,748 | $39,473 |
| REMLA PARTHASARATHY | PROJECT DIRECTOR - SENIOR ATTORNEY Highest-paid employee | 35 | $115,459 | $25,436 |
| ROBERT I CISNEROS | SUPERVISING ATTORNEY Highest-paid employee | 35 | $123,510 | $17,115 |
| EMILY WHALEN ESQ | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JUNIOR DILLION MA LMHC | MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KRISTEN CLARK CPA FHFMA | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| PETER ELKOWITZ JR | MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JOHN S HO ESQ | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DEBORAH P AMORY PHD | MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| LOLA W BRABHAM | MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| ERIN E ELMOUJI ESQ | MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| RAMON PEGUERO ESQ | MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| TINA M FOSTER | MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| VANESSA GONZALEZ | MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| MEGAN SHERMAN ESQ | MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| KEVIN SPENCER BECKFORD | MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| DARCIE FALSIONI ESQ | MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| HILARY MOREIRA ESQ | MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 1 W MAIN ST STE 200, ROCHESTER, NY 14614-1403
- Principal officer (990 for 2025)
- KRISTIN LILLEY BROWN, 1 WEST MAIN STREET 200, ROCHESTER, NY 14614
- Signed the 990
- KRISTIN LILLEY BROWN, PRESIDENT & CEO
- Phone
- (585) 454-4060
- Return prepared by
- EFPR ADVISORY LLC
Mission
TO PROTECT AND STRENGTHEN THE LEGAL RIGHTS OF PEOPLE IN NEW YORK STATE WHO ARE POOR, DISABLED OR DISENFRANCHISED THROUGH: SYSTEMS CHANGE ADVOCACY, TRAINING AND SUPPORT TO OTHER ADVOCATES AND ORGANIZATIONS, AND HIGH QUALITY DIRECT CIVIL LEGAL REPRESENTATION.
Program accomplishments
- CRIME VICTIMS AND DV (SEE SCHEDULE O):EMPIRE JUSTICE LEADS THE NEW YORK CRIME VICTIMS LEGAL NETWORK, A PARTNERSHIP OF CIVIL LEGAL ORGANIZATIONS AND VICTIM ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS THAT CONNECTS VICTIMS OF CRIME WITH INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE THROUGH ITS MULTIFACETED ONLINE TOOL (NY CRIME VICTIMS LEGAL HELP). IN 2025, OVER 33,335 PEOPLE USED THIS TOOL TO ACCESS KNOW-YOUR-RIGHTS RESOURCES AND CONNECT WITH AGENCIES WHO COULD HELP THEM. IN ADDITION TO LEADING THE NETWORK, EMPIRE JUSTICE IS ALSO A DIRECT SERVICES PARTNER, PROVIDING LEGAL SERVICES TO MORE THAN 400 CRIME VICTIMS IN MONROE COUNTY, THE HUDSON VALLEY AND ON LONG ISLAND. AN EXPERIENCED DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ATTORNEY PROVIDES TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING TO LEGAL SERVICES AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ADVOCATES STATEWIDE THROUGH STATE FUNDING, REACHING ALMOST 700 ADVOCATES IN 2025.Expenses $1,881,496 · revenue $1,786,140
- HOUSING AND TENANT ADVOCACY (SEE SCHEDULE O):SINCE 2012 EMPIRE JUSTICE HAS MANAGED MORE THAN 60 CONTRACTS WITH LEGAL SERVICES AND HOUSING COUNSELING AGENCIES WORKING IN FORECLOSURE PREVENTION OUTSIDE OF NYC, IN ADDITION TO PROVIDING EXTENSIVE TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, AS PART OF THE NYS OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S HOMEOWNERSHIP PROTECTION PROGRAM (HOPP). AS A DIRECT SERVICES PROVIDER WORKING IN FORECLOSURE WITH FUNDING THROUGH HOPP, UNITED WAY AND THE CITY OF ROCHESTER, EMPIRE JUSTICE HELPED MORE THAN 80 MONROE COUNTY FAMILIES FACING FORECLOSURE, AVOIDING OR DELAYING LOSS OF THE HOME IN ALMOST HALF OF ALL CASES. WITH STATE FUNDING, HOUSING ADVOCATES IN ROCHESTER WORK UNDER THE TENANT DEFENSE PROJECT TO IDENTIFY AND IMPLEMENT SYSTEMIC SOLUTIONS FOR TENANTS FACING EVICTION WITH TELESCA CENTER FOR JUSTICE PARTNERS, THE LEGAL AID SOCIETY OF ROCHESTER, LAWNY AND JUSTCAUSE. ON LONG ISLAND, ADVOCATES HELPED MORE THAN 160 FAMILIES FACING EVICTION IN 2025 WITH EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FUNDING THROUGH THE OFFICE OF TEMPORARY AND DISABILITY ASSISTANCE (OTDA), THROUGH A SUBCONTRACT WITH LEGAL SERVICES OF LONG ISLAND. EMPIRE JUSTICE IS ALSO CONTRACTED BY THE COMMUNITY SERVICE SOCIETY TO BRING THE EDUCATION DEBT CONSUMER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EDCAP) TO THE CAPITAL REGION, ENGAGING IN EXTENSIVE OUTREACH AND PROVIDING TAILORED ASSISTANCE TO ALMOST 90 CLIENTS ON THEIR STUDENT LOAN REPAYMENT OPTIONS IN 2025.Expenses $3,021,385 · revenue $3,182,329
- PUBLIC BENEFITS AND DAP (SEE SCHEDULE O):EMPIRE JUSTICE CONTRACTS WITH NEW YORK STATE TO PROVIDE TRAINING, SUPPORT AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO DISABILITY ADVOCACY PROGRAM (DAP) GRANTEES, DELIVERING 18 TRAININGS AND EDUCATING MORE THAN 730 STATEWIDE DAP ADVOCATES IN 2025. AS A DAP GRANTEE, EMPIRE JUSTICE PROVIDES LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO PEOPLE IN WESTERN NEW YORK WHO HAVE BEEN INAPPROPRIATELY DENIED OR TERMINATED FROM FEDERAL DISABILITY AND SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME PROGRAMS, HELPING CLIENTS OBTAIN MORE THAN $1.28 MILLION IN WRONGFULLY DENIED SSI/SSD BENEFITS, AND SECURING $68,584 IN MONTHLY SSI/SSD BENEFITS IN 2025. PUBLIC BENEFITS ADVOCATES HELP NEW YORK FAMILIES ACCESS FOOD STAMPS AND CASH ASSISTANCE AND NAVIGATE THE FAIR HEARING PROCESS TO CHALLENGE DECISIONS ABOUT THEIR BENEFITS. EMPIRE JUSTICE IS WORKING TO PROTECT EACH OF THE 50,000 RECIPIENTS OF TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE AND SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) BENEFITS THROUGH ONGOING LEGAL ACTION. ITS AIM IS TO UPHOLD THE RIGHTS OF APPLICANTS AND RECIPIENTS OF TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE BENEFITS TO RECEIVE TIMELY FAIR HEARING DECISIONS. STATE AND FEDERAL REGULATIONS AS WELL AS PRINCIPLES OF DUE PROCESS REQUIRE THAT OTDA ISSUE FAIR HEARING DECISIONS PROMPTLY - 60 DAYS FROM REQUEST FOR SNAP BENEFITS AND 90 DAYS FROM REQUEST FOR TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE. OTDA DATA REVEALS THAT TENS OF THOUSANDS OF FAIR HEARINGS WERE OVERDUE FOR A DECISION.Expenses $1,748,338 · revenue $1,685,410
- CIVIL RIGHTS AND HEALTH: EMPIRE JUSTICE PROTECTS THE CIVIL RIGHTS OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, D/DEAF AND HARD-OF-HEARING COMMUNITIES, AND PEOPLE WHO IDENTIFY AS LGBTQ+, LEVERAGING THE LAW TO COMBAT DISCRIMINATION AND ASSISTING MORE THAN 270 PEOPLE IN 2025. EMPIRE JUSTICE ALSO WORKED WITH NEARLY 180 NEW YORKERS TO NAVIGATE AND MAXIMIZE THEIR HEALTH INSURANCE BENEFITS IN 2025.Expenses $429,953 · revenue $424,738
- OTHER/GENERAL: THIS CONSISTS OF VARIOUS GRANTS AND CONTRACTS, FEES, AND PROGRAM INCOME THAT ARE USED TO PROVIDE A RANGE OF SERVICES AND UNDERTAKE VARIOUS ACTIVITIES RELATED TO THE PROVISION OF LEGAL SERVICES, ADVOCACY, TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.Expenses $5,000,016 · revenue $4,624,162
What it must file and when
IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in December, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.
| Tax year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | December 31, 2025 | May 15, 2026 | 990 on file |
| 2024 | December 31, 2024 | May 15, 2025 | 990 on file |
| 2023 | December 31, 2023 | May 15, 2024 | 990 on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 16-1487925
- Tax-exempt status
- 501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
- Foundation status
- Publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(A)(vi))
- Donations deductible (Pub 78)
- Public charity, 50% deduction limit
- Exempt since
- 2007
- Accounting year ends
- December
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Crime and legal-related (I80)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $5,310,237
- Income (IRS master file)
- $12,571,184
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | December 2025 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2024 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2023 | $11,314,403 | $10,572,721 | $4,647,278 | IRS |
| 990 | December 2022 | $9,213,262 | $9,567,671 | $4,215,907 | IRS |
| 990 | December 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2018 | – | – | – | IRS |
990-N: the IRS publishes only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years appear here as 990.tax collects the monthly files. 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS.
Questions about EMPIRE JUSTICE CENTER
- What is the EIN of EMPIRE JUSTICE CENTER?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of EMPIRE JUSTICE CENTER is 16-1487925.
- Is EMPIRE JUSTICE CENTER tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 2007.
- Are donations to EMPIRE JUSTICE CENTER tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does EMPIRE JUSTICE CENTER file?
- Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.
- When is the next return of EMPIRE JUSTICE CENTER due?
- The return for tax year 2026 (the year ending December 31, 2026) is due May 17, 2027. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did EMPIRE JUSTICE CENTER last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended December 2025.
- Who is the principal officer of EMPIRE JUSTICE CENTER?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 names KRISTIN LILLEY BROWN.
- Who are the officers and directors of EMPIRE JUSTICE CENTER?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 lists 23 people; 7 received compensation from the organization, the highest $211,214 (KRISTIN LILLEY BROWN, PRESIDENT AND CEO).
- How much revenue does EMPIRE JUSTICE CENTER have?
- On its 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 it reported revenue of $12,571,184, expenses of $12,553,084 and total assets of $5,310,237 at year end.
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All nonprofits in ROCHESTER · New York · Crime and legal-related