Maine Equal Justice Partners Inc
- Assets
- $4.8m
- Revenue
- $2.7m
- Investments
- $0.0
- Employees
- 33
- Location
- Augusta, ME
- Founding
- 08/1997
- Data as of
- 12/2023
- EIN
- 04-3346273
Organization Overview
Maine Equal Justice Partners Inc is located in Augusta, ME. The organization was established in 1997. According to its NTEE Classification (I80) the organization is classified as: Legal Services, under the broad grouping of Crime & Legal-Related and related organizations. As of 12/2023, Maine Equal Justice Partners Inc employed 33 individuals. This organization is an independent organization and not affiliated with a larger national or regional group of organizations. Maine Equal Justice Partners Inc is a 501(c)(3) and as such, is described as a "Charitable or Religous organization or a private foundation" by the IRS.
For the year ending 12/2023, Maine Equal Justice Partners Inc generated $2.7m in total revenue. This represents relatively stable growth, over the past 9 years the organization has increased revenue by an average of 5.0% each year. All expenses for the organization totaled $3.7m during the year ending 12/2023. You can explore the organizations financials more deeply in the financial statements section below.
Since 2015, Maine Equal Justice Partners Inc has awarded 30 individual grants totaling $725,698. If you would like to learn more about the grant giving history of this organization, scroll down to the grant profile section of this page.
Form
990
Mission & Program ActivityExcerpts From the 990 Filing
TAX YEAR
2023
Describe the Organization's Mission:
Part 3 - Line 1
MAINE EQUAL JUSTICE IS A NONPROFIT LEGAL AID AND ECONOMIC JUSTICE ORGANIZATION WORKING TO INCREASE ECONOMIC SECURITY, OPPORTUNITY, AND EQUITY FOR PEOPLE IN MAINE.
Describe the Organization's Program Activity:
Part 3 - Line 4a
LITIGATION & OTHER ADVOCACY: MEJ REPRESENTS CLIENTS (INDIVIDUALS BELOW 200% OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL) BEFORE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCIES, THE STATE LEGISLATURE AND STATE & FEDERAL COURTS PRIMARILY TO ENSURE THAT THEY CAN MEET BASIC NEEDS, INCLUDING FOOD, HOUSING, UTILITIES, HEALTH CARE, AND TO PROTECT AND ADVANCE THEIR RIGHTS AS CONSUMERS. MEJ HANDLED 644 INDIVIDUAL CASES IN 2023, AS WELL AS 40 SYSTEMIC CASES AND RULEMAKINGS AFFECTING PROGRAMS THAT SERVE OVER 345,000 PEOPLE, AND OUR 15 TRAININGS REACHED 773 PEOPLE. INDIVIDUAL AND SYSTEMIC CASES FOCUSED ON HEALTH CARE (PRIMARILY MEDICAID RELATED), FOOD ASSISTANCE AND INCOME SUPPORTS, EMPLOYMENT ISSUES, HOUSING AND UTILITY MATTERS, CONSUMER PROTECTIONS, AND EDUCATION OR FAMILY ISSUES.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN 2023 INCLUDE POLICY CHANGES: TO INCREASE TANF MONTHLY BENEFIT BY 20% AND TO INCREASE THE ASSET LIMIT FOR PARTICIPANTS; TO CREATE A RENT RELIEF PILOT PROGRAM FUNDED BY $18 MILLION IN STATE FUNDS; TO ELIMINATE APPLICATION FEES FOR RENTAL HOUSING AND TO PROVIDE OTHER PROTECTIONS FOR RENTERS; AND TO PROHIBIT DEBT COLLECTORS FROM SUING LOW-INCOME CONSUMERS FOR MEDICAL DEBT.
HEALTH CARE: MEJ PERFORMS LEGAL RESEARCH, PUBLIC POLICY ANALYSIS, AND DEVELOPS STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE FOR PEOPLE WITH LOW INCOME AT THE STATE LEVEL. SPECIFIC STATE ACTIVITIES INCLUDED PROVIDING EDUCATION ON THE BENEFITS OF MEDICAID AND HOW TO ACCESS HEALTH COVERAGE AS PANDEMIC-ERA BENEFITS END, AND ADVOCATING TO PRESERVE AND INCREASE ACCESS TO MEDICAID TO CLOSE GAPS IN HEALTH CARE COVERAGE FOR PEOPLE WITH LOW INCOME.
INCREASING OPPORTUNITY/INCOME SUPPORT: MEJ PERFORMS LEGAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC POLICY ANALYSIS, AND DEVELOPS STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES (TANF) AND OTHER ANTI-POVERTY PROGRAMS THAT PROVIDE INCOME SUPPORT TO LOW-INCOME FAMILIES. ACTIVITIES INCLUDE IMPROVING ADMINISTRATIVE PROCESSES, INCREASING ACCESS TO ECONOMIC SUPPORT PROGRAMS AND PROVIDING SUPPORT TO QUALIFYING HOUSEHOLDS THROUGH OUR BUILD HOPE PROGRAM AND NEXT STEP PROJECTS. MEJ IS ALSO A PARTNER IN THE PEER WORKFORCE NAVIGATOR PILOT PROGRAM.
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Board, Officers & Key Employees
| Name (title) | Role | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
Lauren Wille President | OfficerTrustee | 1 | $0 |
Lisa Black Vice President | OfficerTrustee | 1 | $0 |
Ben Grant Treasurer | OfficerTrustee | 1 | $0 |
Charlie Dingman Secretary | OfficerTrustee | 1 | $0 |
Shanna Cox Board Member | Trustee | 0.5 | $0 |
Sara Gideon Board Member | Trustee | 0.5 | $0 |
Financial Statements
| Statement of Revenue | |
|---|---|
| Federated campaigns | $77,362 |
| Membership dues | $0 |
| Fundraising events | $0 |
| Related organizations | $0 |
| Government grants | $0 |
| All other contributions, gifts, grants, and similar amounts not included above | $2,503,443 |
| Noncash contributions included in lines 1a–1f | $5,338 |
| Total Revenue from Contributions, Gifts, Grants & Similar | $2,580,805 |
| Total Program Service Revenue | $0 |
| Investment income | $129,414 |
| Tax Exempt Bond Proceeds | $0 |
| Royalties | $0 |
| Net Rental Income | $0 |
| Net Gain/Loss on Asset Sales | $0 |
| Net Income from Fundraising Events | $0 |
| Net Income from Gaming Activities | $0 |
| Net Income from Sales of Inventory | $0 |
| Miscellaneous Revenue | $0 |
| Total Revenue | $2,714,077 |
| Statement of Expenses | |
|---|---|
| Grants and other assistance to domestic organizations and domestic governments. | $92,940 |
| Grants and other assistance to domestic individuals. | $918,078 |
| Grants and other assistance to Foreign Orgs/Individuals | $0 |
| Benefits paid to or for members | $0 |
| Compensation of current officers, directors, key employees. | $214,522 |
| Compensation of current officers, directors, key employees. | $26,579 |
| Compensation to disqualified persons | $0 |
| Other salaries and wages | $1,629,263 |
| Pension plan accruals and contributions | $36,157 |
| Other employee benefits | $222,411 |
| Payroll taxes | $143,697 |
| Fees for services: Management | $0 |
| Fees for services: Legal | $1,566 |
| Fees for services: Accounting | $25,323 |
| Fees for services: Lobbying | $21,723 |
| Fees for services: Fundraising | $0 |
| Fees for services: Investment Management | $18,403 |
| Fees for services: Other | $73,627 |
| Advertising and promotion | $7,022 |
| Office expenses | $60,112 |
| Information technology | $97,366 |
| Royalties | $0 |
| Occupancy | $24,543 |
| Travel | $6,821 |
| Payments of travel or entertainment expenses for any federal, state, or local public officials | $0 |
| Conferences, conventions, and meetings | $84,613 |
| Interest | $0 |
| Payments to affiliates | $0 |
| Depreciation, depletion, and amortization | $14,070 |
| Insurance | $16,304 |
| All other expenses | $0 |
| Total functional expenses | $3,745,709 |
| Balance Sheet | |
|---|---|
| Cash—non-interest-bearing | $562,376 |
| Savings and temporary cash investments | $391,142 |
| Pledges and grants receivable | $440,902 |
| Accounts receivable, net | $0 |
| Loans from Officers, Directors, or Controlling Persons | $0 |
| Loans from Disqualified Persons | $0 |
| Notes and loans receivable | $0 |
| Inventories for sale or use | $0 |
| Prepaid expenses and deferred charges | $458 |
| Net Land, buildings, and equipment | $178,690 |
| Investments—publicly traded securities | $3,202,056 |
| Investments—other securities | $0 |
| Investments—program-related | $0 |
| Intangible assets | $0 |
| Other assets | $0 |
| Total assets | $4,775,624 |
| Accounts payable and accrued expenses | $184,302 |
| Grants payable | $0 |
| Deferred revenue | $0 |
| Tax-exempt bond liabilities | $0 |
| Escrow or custodial account liability | $0 |
| Loans and other payables to any current Officer, Director, or Controlling Person | $0 |
| Secured mortgages and notes payable | $0 |
| Unsecured mortgages and notes payable | $0 |
| Other liabilities | $0 |
| Total liabilities | $184,302 |
| Net assets without donor restrictions | $2,134,543 |
| Net assets with donor restrictions | $2,456,779 |
| Capital stock or trust principal, or current funds | $0 |
| Paid-in or capital surplus, or land, building, or equipment fund | $0 |
| Retained earnings, endowment, accumulated income, or other funds | $0 |
| Total liabilities and net assets/fund balances | $4,775,624 |
Grants Awarded
Over the last fiscal year, Maine Equal Justice Partners Inc has awarded $86,030 in support to 3 organizations.
| Grant Recipient | Amount |
|---|---|
MAINE PEOPLE'S RESOURCE CENTER PURPOSE: Subgrant from Economic Security Project Grant for income solutions | $33,333 |
MAINE CENTER FOR ECONOMIC POLICY PURPOSE: Subgrant from Economic Security Project Grant for income solutions | $40,000 |
MAINE AFL - CIO PURPOSE: Subgrant from Families and Workers Fund grant for PeerWorkforce Navigators | $12,697 |
Peer Organizations
| Organization Name | Assets | Revenue |
|---|---|---|
Pine Tree Legal Assistance Inc Portland, ME | $7,490,454 | $9,659,038 |
New Hampshire Legal Assistance Concord, NH | $6,017,860 | $6,091,238 |
Disability Rights Center Of Maine Augusta, ME | $2,795,340 | $4,462,480 |
Maine Pretrial Services Inc Portland, ME | $1,107,589 | $3,780,427 |
Maine Equal Justice Partners Inc Augusta, ME | $4,775,624 | $2,714,077 |
Legal Services For The Elderly Inc Augusta, ME | $1,820,829 | $2,846,172 |
Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project Portland, ME | $2,092,994 | $1,679,774 |
Maine Justice Foundation Augusta, ME | $6,199,980 | $2,674,498 |
Maine Equal Justice Project Augusta, ME | $29,620 | $1,871,568 |
603 Legal Aid Concord, NH | $1,425,791 | $1,835,221 |
New Hampshire Bar Foundation Concord, NH | $3,436,999 | $1,501,147 |
New Hampshire Pro Bono Referral System Concord, NH | $0 | $868,745 |
Vlp Inc Portland, ME | $595,144 | $535,921 |
Muskie Fund For Legal Services Portland, ME | $13,638 | $0 |
New Hampshire Brazilian Council Limited Nashua, NH | $19,302 | $0 |
Childrens Law Center Of New Hampshire Portsmouth, NH | $50,184 | $0 |