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Non-profit

Public Counsel

Website:

publiccounsel.org/
Location:

Los Angeles, CA
Tax ID:

23-7105149
Tax-Exempt Status:

501(c)(3)

Budget (2021):

Revenue: $22,640,331
Expenses: $15,480,138
Assets: $30,574,529
Type:

Legal Advisory Organization
Formation:

1970
Interim President:

Kristen Jackson
Budget (2022):

Revenue:                          $17,516,532

Expenses:                        $16,405,380

Assets:                             $$30,704,764 1

References

  1. “Public Counsel.” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990). 2021. Part I. https://pdf.guidestar.org/PDF_Images/2022/237/105/2022-237105149-202331889349301153-9.pdf?_gl=1*ha3jld*_gcl_aw*R0NMLjE3MDA5MzUwODcuQ2p3S0NBaUEwNGFyQmhBa0Vpd0F1Tk9zSWh2ckpibHV2Ykh3WjZZcF8xTjd1ZnV4b1I5SC1NTnZhZmZBSzRtUVJMWUVhMzF2UlJNMTJCb0NBSDhRQXZEX0J3RQ..*_gcl_au*MTQ4MDM3NDAxMS4xNzAzNDI5MDM1*_ga*MTE3NzM2Nzg1OC4xNjkwMjUzMDQw*_ga_5W8PXYYGBX*MTcwNjAxMTg5Ny40Mi4xLjE3MDYwMTI1MTIuNDIuMC4w.

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Public Counsel is a left-of-center law firm that focuses on civil rights and immigration-related services under critical race theory-influenced concepts of racial justice and economic justice. The organization uses a pro bono model based to assist its clients and advance policy advocacy priorities. 1

History and Leadership

Public Counsel was founded as the Beverly Hills Bar Association Law Foundation in 1970 by Beverly Hills Bar Association president and Committee on the Future of the Bar chairman Fred Nicholas. Nicholas formed the pro bono law firm after attending a speech by left-of-center environmentalist activist and future presidential candidate Ralph Nader in 1968. 2

Public Counsel received nonprofit status from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in 1971. 3 In 1975, the Los Angeles County Bar Association joined the Beverly Hills Bar Association to co-sponsor the organization, and it changed its name to Public Counsel. 4

Kristen Jackson has been Public Counsel’s interim president and chief executive officer since November 2023. While at Public Counsel, Jackson led the organization’s Immigrants’ Rights Project and the Audrey Irmas Project for Women and Girls’ Rights. She has advocated supporting asylum seekers with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, an agency within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. 5

Activities and Funding

As of January 2024, Public Counsel has more than 140 staff and works with thousands of volunteers to provide free legal services to tens of thousands of people, small businesses, and nonprofit organizations. 6

Public Counsel’s three main objectives are representing immigrants, fostering the critical race theory-influenced concept of economic justice, 7 and supporting the legal rights of disadvantaged children. 8 In support of these objectives, the organization conducts coordinated advocacy and outreach efforts in addition to mobilizing volunteers in support of its policy priorities. 9

Public Counsel supports legal activism and aims to align its efforts with grassroots left-of-center legal activism. 10 In 2021, Public Counsel spent $13,218,836 on its programs. These expenditures included $2,653,365 on the Immigrants’ Rights Project; $2,524,344 on the Children’s Rights Project; $1,995,107 on the Homelessness Prevention Law Project; $1,810,719 on Community Development Project; $1,633,727 on the Consumer Rights and Economic Project; $1,311,530 on Opportunity Under Law; $718,530 on Audrey Irmas Project for Women and Girls’ Rights; and $571,523 on Center for Veterans Advancement. 11

In 2023, Public Counsel’s policy agenda included supporting the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s controversial Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) mandate, opposing a rule that would prevent foreign nationals from claiming asylum and gaining a pathway to citizenship in the United States, and rescinding Trump administration-enacted entry and transit bans in their entirety. 12

In 2021, the group filed a lawsuit with IntegrateNYC against New York State and New York City to assert children’s supposed right to a far-left “antiracist education.” 13

Public Counsel’s 2024 award dinner will present an honor to former U.S. Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi (D-CA). 14

Funding

Public Counsel receives funding from individual contributions, 15 grants, and program service revenue. 16 In 2021, the organization reported revenue of $17,516,532 and expenses of $16,405,380. 17 In 2020, Public Counsel reported revenue of $22,640,331 and expenses of $15,480,138. 18

In January 2024, Public Counsel received a $3 million gift from Yield Giving, which is a project MacKenzie Scott, the former wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, to focus on critical race theory-influenced economic justice and racial justice issues. 19

In 2022, Public Counsel received $31,250 from the Amalgamated Charitable Foundation. 20 Public Counsel received $1,147,642 from the left-of-center Vera Institute of Justice (VIJ) 21 and $374,000 from the left-of-center California Endowment in 2021. 22 Public Counsel received $225,000 from the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation 23 and $150,000 from the left-of-center Smidt Family Foundation in 2019 24 and $1,055,700 from the California Community Foundation in 2017. 25

The organization has also received grants from left-of-center organizations including Liberty Hill Foundation, 26 PayPal Charitable Giving Fund, 27 Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust, 28 Pasadena Community Foundation, 29 Greater Kansas City Community Foundation, 30 Jewish Community Foundation of the Jewish Federation Council of Greater Los Angeles, 31 Kirkland and Ellis Foundation, 32 Perkins Coie, 33 Silicon Valley Community Foundation, 34 Borealis Philanthropy, 35 Local Initiatives Support Corporation, 36 Hispanics in Philanthropy, 37 NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, 38 Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County, 39 Aspen Community Foundation, and others. 40 41 42 43

References

  1. “Public Counsel.” Candid GuideStar Organizational Profile. Accessed January 23, 2024. https://www.guidestar.org/profile/23-7105149.
  2. History.” Public Counsel. Accessed January 23, 2024. https://publiccounsel.org/history/.
  3.  “Public Counsel.” Candid GuideStar Organizational Profile. Accessed January 23, 2024. https://www.guidestar.org/profile/23-7105149.
  4.  History.” Public Counsel. Accessed January 23, 2024. https://publiccounsel.org/history/.
  5. “Our People.” Public Counsel. Accessed January 23, 2024. https://publiccounsel.org/staff/kristen-jackson/.
  6. History.” Public Counsel. Accessed January 23, 2024. https://publiccounsel.org/history/.
  7. “Mission, Vision, Values.” Public Counsel. Accessed January 24, 2024. https://publiccounsel.org/mission-vision-values/.
  8. “Public Counsel.” Candid GuideStar Organizational Profile. Accessed January 23, 2024. https://www.guidestar.org/profile/23-7105149.
  9. “Mission.” Public Counsel. Accessed January 28, 2024. https://publiccounsel.org/mission-vision-values/.
  10. “About Us.” Public Counsel. Accessed January 23, 2024. https://publiccounsel.org/mission-vision-values/.
  11. “Public Counsel.” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990). 2021. Schedule I. Part III. https://pdf.guidestar.org/PDF_Images/2022/237/105/2022-237105149-202331889349301153-9.pdf?_gl=1*ha3jld*_gcl_aw*R0NMLjE3MDA5MzUwODcuQ2p3S0NBaUEwNGFyQmhBa0Vpd0F1Tk9zSWh2ckpibHV2Ykh3WjZZcF8xTjd1ZnV4b1I5SC1NTnZhZmZBSzRtUVJMWUVhMzF2UlJNMTJCb0NBSDhRQXZEX0J3RQ..*_gcl_au*MTQ4MDM3NDAxMS4xNzAzNDI5MDM1*_ga*MTE3NzM2Nzg1OC4xNjkwMjUzMDQw*_ga_5W8PXYYGBX*MTcwNjAxMTg5Ny40Mi4xLjE3MDYwMTI1MTIuNDIuMC4w.
  12. “Public Counsel’s 2023 Policy Agenda.” Public Counsel. Accessed January 28, 2024. https://publiccounsel.org/2023-policy-agenda/#federal-agenda.
  13. “IntegrateNYC v. New York.” Public Counsel. Accessed January 28, 2024. https://publiccounsel.org/our-cases/integratenyc-v-new-york/.
  14. ”William O. Douglas Award Dinner.” Public Counsel. Accessed January 28, 2024. https://publiccounsel.org/award-dinner/2023/.
  15. “Donate.” Public Counsel. Accessed January 289, 2024. https://publiccounsel.org/donate/.
  16. “Public Counsel.” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990). 2021. Part I. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/237105149/202331889349301153/full.
  17. “Public Counsel.” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990). 2021. Part I. https://pdf.guidestar.org/PDF_Images/2022/237/105/2022-237105149-202331889349301153-9.pdf?_gl=1*ha3jld*_gcl_aw*R0NMLjE3MDA5MzUwODcuQ2p3S0NBaUEwNGFyQmhBa0Vpd0F1Tk9zSWh2ckpibHV2Ykh3WjZZcF8xTjd1ZnV4b1I5SC1NTnZhZmZBSzRtUVJMWUVhMzF2UlJNMTJCb0NBSDhRQXZEX0J3RQ..*_gcl_au*MTQ4MDM3NDAxMS4xNzAzNDI5MDM1*_ga*MTE3NzM2Nzg1OC4xNjkwMjUzMDQw*_ga_5W8PXYYGBX*MTcwNjAxMTg5Ny40Mi4xLjE3MDYwMTI1MTIuNDIuMC4w.
  18. “Public Counsel.” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990). 2021. Part I. https://pdf.guidestar.org/PDF_Images/2022/237/105/2022-237105149-202331889349301153-9.pdf?_gl=1*ha3jld*_gcl_aw*R0NMLjE3MDA5MzUwODcuQ2p3S0NBaUEwNGFyQmhBa0Vpd0F1Tk9zSWh2ckpibHV2Ykh3WjZZcF8xTjd1ZnV4b1I5SC1NTnZhZmZBSzRtUVJMWUVhMzF2UlJNMTJCb0NBSDhRQXZEX0J3RQ..*_gcl_au*MTQ4MDM3NDAxMS4xNzAzNDI5MDM1*_ga*MTE3NzM2Nzg1OC4xNjkwMjUzMDQw*_ga_5W8PXYYGBX*MTcwNjAxMTg5Ny40Mi4xLjE3MDYwMTI1MTIuNDIuMC4w
  19. “Public Counsel Receives Monumental $3 Million Gift from MacKenzie Scott.” Public Counsel. January 10, 2024. Accessed January 28, 2024. https://publiccounsel.org/public-counsel-receives-monumental-3-million-gift-from-mackenzie-scott/.
  20. “Amalgamated Charitable Foundation Inc.” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990). 2022. Schedule I. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/821517696/202302999349302215/IRS990ScheduleI.
  21. “Vera Institute of Justice Inc.” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990). 2021. Schedule I. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/131941627/202331359349319408/full.
  22. “The California Endowment.” Return of Private Foundation. (Form 990-PF). 2021. Part XIV. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/954523232/202300459349100400/full.
  23. “Conrad N. Hilton Foundation.” Return of Private Foundation. (Form 990-PF). 2019. Part XIV. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/943100217/202013189349102141/full.
  24. “The Smidt Foundation.” Return of Private Foundation. (Form 990-PF). 2019. Part XIV. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/814631478/202043219349106029/full.
  25. “California Community Foundation.” Return of Organization Exempt Form Income Tax. (Form 990). 2017. Schedule I. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/953510055/201901359349300410/IRS990ScheduleI.
  26. “Liberty Hill Foundation.” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990). 2018. Schedule I. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/510181191/202022279349302817/full.
  27. “PayPal Charitable Giving Fund.” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990). 2017. Schedule I. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/450931286/201841449349300334/IRS990ScheduleI.
  28. “Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust.” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990). 2014. Schedule I. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/527082731/201433219349310288/IRS990ScheduleI.
  29. “Pasadena Community Foundation.” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990). 2018. Schedule I . https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/200253310/201921719349301032/full.
  30. “Greater Kansas City Community Foundation.” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990). 2013. Schedule I. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/431152398/201443179349301289/full.
  31. “Jewish Community Foundation of the Jewish Federation Council of Greater Los Angeles.” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990). 2016. Schedule I. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/956111928/201723189349303732/full.
  32. “Kirkland & Ellis Foundation.” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990). 2015. Schedule I. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/363160355/201622229349301057/full.
  33. “Perkins Coie Foundation.” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990). 2019. Schedule I. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/204824430/202032889349301308/full.
  34. “Silicon Valley Community Foundation.” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990). 2016. Schedule I. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/205205488/201743199349312944/IRS990ScheduleI.
  35. “Borealis Philanthropy.” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990). 2018. Schedule I. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/464598642/201921519349300627/full.
  36. “Local Initiatives Support Corporation.” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990). 2015. Schedule I. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/133030229/201633139349300528/IRS990ScheduleI.
  37. “Hispanics in Philanthropy.” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990). 2014. Schedule I. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/943040607/201531219349301218/full.
  38. “NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund.” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990). 2014. Schedule I. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/131655255/201600439349301260/full.
  39. “Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County.” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990). 2016. Schedule I. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/952408642/201732969349301168/full.
  40. “Aspen Community Foundation.” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990). 2017. Schedule I. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/840829226/201802329349301205/full.
  41. “California Community Foundation.” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990). 2014. Schedule I. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/953510055/201631239349300738/full.
  42. “Lucile Packard Foundation For Childrens Health.” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990). 2018. Schedule I. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/770440090/202001889349301975/full.
  43. “Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County.” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990). 2015. Schedule I. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/952408642/201633159349302123/full.
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Nonprofit Information

  • Accounting Period: August - July
  • Tax Exemption Received: June 1, 1971

    • Available Filings

    Period Form Type Total revenue Total functional expenses Total assets (EOY) Total liabilities (EOY) Unrelated business income? Total contributions Program service revenue Investment income Comp. of current officers, directors, etc. Form 990
    2021 Aug Form 990 $22,640,331 $15,480,138 $30,574,529 $6,086,313 N $20,765,191 $1,747,528 $29,426 $987,432
    2020 Aug Form 990 $14,051,677 $14,118,434 $23,813,314 $7,114,880 N $11,924,971 $1,794,583 $137,561 $1,039,866 PDF
    2019 Aug Form 990 $14,381,029 $14,040,298 $18,941,000 $1,344,461 N $11,669,156 $2,514,640 $154,962 $941,629 PDF
    2018 Aug Form 990 $14,132,608 $12,757,853 $18,550,646 $1,244,131 Y $12,097,611 $1,867,979 $103,100 $1,175,703 PDF
    2017 Aug Form 990 $12,844,546 $12,248,093 $16,602,635 $908,191 N $10,879,976 $1,947,339 $90,377 $838,221 PDF
    2016 Aug Form 990 $14,003,400 $11,825,386 $15,848,669 $1,052,326 N $11,275,889 $2,977,688 $90,410 $726,409 PDF
    2015 Aug Form 990 $12,205,651 $11,417,404 $13,420,424 $961,090 N $10,447,264 $1,275,297 $101,150 $283,203 PDF
    2014 Aug Form 990 $9,863,968 $10,261,449 $13,087,314 $695,283 N $8,797,035 $1,133,420 $160,028 $372,436 PDF
    2013 Aug Form 990 $10,867,691 $10,021,645 $13,438,220 $1,070,844 N $8,451,671 $718,791 $350,417 $362,110 PDF
    2012 Aug Form 990 $10,069,672 $9,503,120 $13,061,092 $2,377,849 N $9,300,993 $691,123 $365,067 $364,489 PDF
    2011 Aug Form 990 $8,401,647 $8,342,455 $12,067,108 $2,104,963 N $6,405,319 $1,827,165 $390,657 $321,219 PDF

    Additional Filings (PDFs)

    Public Counsel

    610 S. Ardmore Avenue
    Los Angeles, CA 90005-2322