2026-08-19T16:26:29-05:00 2025-12-31 333303535 EFPR ADVISORY LLC 6390 MAIN STREET SUITE 200 WILLIAMSVILLE NY 14221 990 2025-01-01 161487925 EMPIRE JUSTICE CENTER EMPI 5854544060 1 WEST MAIN STREET 200 ROCHESTER NY 14614 KRISTIN LILLEY BROWN PRESIDENT & CEO 5854544060 2026-08-17 1 DAVID A URBAN CPA P00630018 7166340700 2026-08-17 2025 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z KRISTIN LILLEY BROWN 1 WEST MAIN STREET 200 ROCHESTER NY 14614 12571184 0 X WWW.EMPIREJUSTICE.ORG X 1995 NY THE EMPIRE JUSTICE CENTER IS A STATEWIDE MULTI-ISSUE, MULTI-STRATEGYORGANIZATION FOCUSED ON CHANGING THE SYSTEMS WITHIN WHICH POOR AND LOWINCOME FAMILIES LIVE. EMPIRE JUSTICE PROVIDES LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO THOSEIN NEED, OFFERS TRAINING AND SUPPORT TO COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS,AND WORKS TO IMPROVE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES FOR THOSE IN NEED. 15 15 96 127 0 0 759396 778948 10548903 11702779 42051 28646 32941 60811 11383291 12571184 0 0 0 0 7949284 8570220 0 0 0 3498600 3982864 11447884 12553084 -64593 18100 4541215 5310237 1901192 2652114 2640023 2658123 X 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. 0 0 1881496 1786140 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. 3021385 3182329 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. 1748338 1685410 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. 429953 424738 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. 5000016 4624162 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. 5429969 5048900 12081188 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 34 0 1 96 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 15 15 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 NY X KRISTIN LILLEY (BROWN) 5854544060 1 WEST MAIN STREET NO 200 ROCHESTER NY 14614 EMILY E WHALEN ESQ CHAIR 1.00 X X 0 0 0 JUNIOR DILLION MA LMHC PHD VICE CHAIR 1.00 X X 0 0 0 KRISTEN M CLARK CPA FHFMA TREASURER 1.00 X X 0 0 0 JOHN S HO ESQ SECRETARY 1.00 X X 0 0 0 PETER ELKOWITZ JR MEMBER 0.50 X 0 0 0 LOLA W BRABHAM MEMBER (TILL OCT. 2025) 0.50 X 0 0 0 VANESSA E GONZALEZ MEMBER (TILL APRIL 2025) 0.50 X 0 0 0 ERIN E ELMOUJI ESQ MEMBER 0.50 X 0 0 0 RAMON PEGUERO ESQ MEMBER 0.50 X 0 0 0 TINA M FOSTER MEMBER 0.50 X 0 0 0 MEGAN SHERMAN ESQ MEMBER 0.50 X 0 0 0 KEVIN SPENCER BECKFORD MEMBER 0.50 X 0 0 0 DARCIE A FALSIONI ESQ MEMBER 0.50 X 0 0 0 HILARY L MOREIRA ESQ MEMBER 0.50 X 0 0 0 KACIE SWITZER LMHC MEMBER 0.50 X 0 0 0 CAITLIN A ANDERSON ESQ MEMBER 0.50 X 0 0 0 KRISTIN LILLEY BROWN PRESIDENT AND CEO 35.00 X 211214 0 31219 KRISTIN HUGHES COO 35.00 X 161359 0 46241 MAGGIE R ROBB SENIOR ATTORNEY DIRECTOR 35.00 X 160648 0 46132 AMY ELISE SCHWARTZ-WALLACE UNIT DIRECTOR/DIRECTOR OF TRAINING 35.00 X 134944 0 45119 LINDA ANN BENNETT-RODRIGUEZ SENIOR STAFF ATTORNEY 35.00 X 129373 0 45075 MELINDA L FITHEN LITIGATION DIRECTOR 35.00 X 126818 0 44596 SUSAN C ANTOS SENIOR STAFF ATTORNEY 35.00 X 142217 0 19840 1066573 0 278222 19 0 1 0 BONADIO & CO LLP 171 SULLYS TRAIL PITTSFORD NY 14534 FINANCIAL SERVICES 314961 BOND SCHOENECK & KING PLLC PO BOX 11607 SYRACUSE MN 13218 LEGAL SERVICES 172936 2 219271 559677 778948 OTHER 541100 9703133 9703133 CRIME VICTIM AND DV 541100 1786140 1786140 LEGAL FEES 541100 192783 192783 RENTAL 541100 20723 20723 11702779 28646 28646 DEVELOPMENT REVENUE 900099 60811 60811 60811 12571184 11702779 0 89457 X 372573 365122 7451 5905950 5787831 118119 210952 206733 4219 1612785 1580530 32255 467960 458601 9359 217830 163373 54457 1968697 1904450 64247 41975 41136 839 242049 237208 4841 506433 496305 10128 5218 5218 11388 11388 64014 62734 1280 ORGANIZATION AND STAFF 356225 294012 62213 PROGRAM EXP 233030 228370 4660 EQUIPMENT 221628 142693 78935 REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE 84524 82834 1690 29853 29256 597 12553084 12081188 471896 0 13668 12242 1287802 607362 2833495 3237811 78567 76691 470768 408186 22530 62582 305153 1313549 4541215 5310237 1625493 1357606 1363 943 274336 1293565 1901192 2652114 X 2446122 2279623 193901 378500 2640023 2658123 4541215 5310237 18100 0 X X 0 1 X 1 1 1 X 2456025 788113 698916 759396 778948 5481398 2456025 788113 698916 759396 778948 5481398 5481398 652 1542 7397 42051 28646 80288 32941 60811 93752 5655438 49196718 0.96920 0.98650 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 118 6871 6989 12546095 12553084 777654 194414 0 0 628384 678636 722394 777654 2807068 4210602 6339 13690 11909 6989 38927 157096 169659 180599 194414 701768 1052652 1372 2260 274 118 4024 0 1 X 121219 72351 48868 58851 58851 0 290698 276984 13714 62582 ESCROW DEPOSITS 943 RESTRICTED CASH 32054 RIGHT-OF-USE OPERATING LEASES 1280552 1313549 RIGHT-OF-USE OPERATING LEASES 1293565 1293565 X 12571184 0 12571184 0 12571184 12553084 0 12553084 0 12553084 PART IV, LINE 2B: CLIENT ESCROW FUNDS ARE HELD IN A SEPARATE, INTEREST-BEARING CHECKING ACCOUNT. PART X, LINE 2: THE ORGANIZATION IS EXEMPT FROM INCOME TAXES UNDER SECTION 501(C)(3) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE (THE CODE); THEREFORE, NO PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES IS REFLECTED IN THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. THE ORGANIZATION HAS BEEN CLASSIFIED AS A PUBLICLY SUPPORTED ORGANIZATION THAT IS NOT A PRIVATE FOUNDATION UNDER SECTION 509(A) OF THE CODE. THE ORGANIZATION PRESENTLY DISCLOSES OR RECOGNIZES INCOME TAX POSITIONS BASED ON MANAGEMENT'S ESTIMATE OF WHETHER IT IS REASONABLY POSSIBLE OR PROBABLE THAT A LIABILITY HAS BEEN INCURRED FOR UNRECOGNIZED INCOME TAXES. MANAGEMENT HAS CONCLUDED THAT THE ORGANIZATION HAS TAKEN NO UNCERTAIN TAX POSITIONS THAT REQUIRE ADJUSTMENT IN ITS FINANCIAL ATTEMPTS. U.S. FORMS 990 FILED BY THE ORGANIZATION ARE SUBJECT TO TAX EXAMINATION BY TAXING AUTHORITIES. X X X 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 KRISTIN LILLEY BROWN PRESIDENT AND CEO 211214 0 0 0 0 0 2207 0 29012 0 242433 0 0 0 KRISTIN HUGHES COO 161359 0 0 0 0 0 1721 0 44520 0 207600 0 0 0 MAGGIE R ROBB SENIOR ATTORNEY DIRECTOR 160648 0 0 0 0 0 1729 0 44403 0 206780 0 0 0 AMY ELISE SCHWARTZ-WALLACE UNIT DIRECTOR/DIRECTOR OF TRAINING 134944 0 0 0 0 0 1435 0 43684 0 180063 0 0 0 LINDA ANN BENNETT-RODRIGUEZ SENIOR STAFF ATTORNEY 129373 0 0 0 0 0 1366 0 43709 0 174448 0 0 0 MELINDA L FITHEN LITIGATION DIRECTOR 126818 0 0 0 0 0 1375 0 43221 0 171414 0 0 0 SUSAN C ANTOS SENIOR STAFF ATTORNEY 142217 0 0 0 0 0 1525 0 18315 0 162057 0 0 0 FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11B THE FORM 990 SHALL BE REVIEWED BY THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND TREASURER AND THEN PRESENTED TO ALL BOARD MEMBERS EITHER ELECTRONICALLY OR BY PAPER COPY PRIOR TO ITS SIGNING AND SUBSEQUENT FILING WITH THE IRS. AT THE NEXT BOARD MEETING, THE TREASURER AND TAX PREPARER, IF APPROPRIATE, WILL REVIEW THE FORM 990 WITH THE BOARD. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C ON AN ANNUAL BASIS, THE AUDIT COMMITTEE MAINTAINS CONFLICT OF INTEREST DECLARATIONS FOR ALL MEMBERS OF THE BOARD FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15 THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ACTING AS A WHOLE WILL HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY TO SET CEO COMPENSATION AND CONDUCT AN ANNUAL REVIEW OF CEO PERFORMANCE. IT WILL SET COMPENSATION IN A MANNER CONSISTENT WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF SECTION 4953 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE: INCLUDING: AN INDEPENDENT COMPENSATION SETTING PROCESS WHICH IS BASED ON RELIABLE INFORMATION, WITH CONTEMPORANEOUS DOCUMENTATION, AND THAT SEEKS TO PROVIDE COMPENSATION THAT IS REASONABLE COMPARED TO THE COMPENSATION PROVIDED TO CEO'S PROVIDING LIKE SERVICES, IN SIMILAR ORGANIZATIONS, UNDER SIMILAR CIRCUMSTANCES. IN SETTING CEO COMPENSATION, THE BOARD WILL PERIODICALLY OBTAIN AND REVIEW INFORMATION ON COMPENSATION IN COMPARABLE ORGANIZATIONS. IN THE INTERVENING YEARS THE BOARD MAY RELY ON THE LAST PREVIOUS DATA COLLECTIONS AND TREND IT FORWARD TO THE CURRENT YEAR. THE PROCESS FOR DETERMINING COMPENSATION OF THE ORGANIZATION'S OFFICERS OR KEY EMPLOYEES INCLUDES THE USE OF COMPARABILITY DATA AS WELL. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 THE FORM 1023 APPLICATION WHICH WAS FORWARDED TO THE IRS AND FORM 990 FOR THE PREVIOUS THREE YEARS SHALL BE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION BY THE PUBLIC DURING NORMAL OFFICE HOURS. THE NAMES AND ADDRESSES OF CONTRIBUTORS ON SCHEDULE B SHALL BE REDACTED IN THE FORM 990'S THAT ARE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC. COPIES WILL BE PROVIDED FOR A FEE OF $1.00 PER PAGE PLUS POSTAGE IF ANY. OTHER CORPORATE DOCUMENTS SUCH AS BYLAWS, MINUTES, FINANCIALS AND POLICIES AND PROCEDURES SHALL BE MAINTAINED AS INTERNAL DOCUMENTS AND SHALL NOT BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC, UNLESS FOR A BUSINESS REASON AS DETERMINED BY THE CHEIF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. FORM 990, PART IX, LINE 11G SUBCONTRACTED LEGAL SERVICES: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES 1,404,635. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 54,046. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 0. TOTAL EXPENSES 1,458,681. AUDIT: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES 22,050. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 450. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 0. TOTAL EXPENSES 22,500. PROFESSIONAL FEES: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES 460,933. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 9,407. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 0. TOTAL EXPENSES 470,340. INTERNS: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES 16,832. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 344. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 0. TOTAL EXPENSES 17,176. FORM 990, PART XII, LINE 12C: NO CHANGES TO AUDIT PROCESS OR OVERSIGHT DURING THE CURRENT YEAR.