National Employment Law Project
The National Employment Law Project (NELP) is a public charity based in New York, New York. Founded in 1969, it is a nonprofit advocacy organization working with local, state, and national partners to build a just and inclusive economy where workers have expansive rights and thrive in good jobs. Its work includes legal and policy solutions, research, capacity-building, and communications.
National Employment Law Project at a glance
In short: National Employment Law Project gave $695K across 23 grants in 2024 (avg $30K), top state Maryland. 17% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $695,000
- -74.6% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 23
- -42.5% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $30,217
- -55.8% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $25,000
- Total assets
- $19,712,826
- -24.7% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 17% first-time grantees (4 of 23, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Maryland (22% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to National Employment Law Project
- Contact
Mailing address: 90 Broad Street 1100, New York, NY 10004
Phone: (212) 285-3025
Website: https://nelp.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who National Employment Law Project funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Business for a Fair Minimum Wage Inc ($130K). Together the top 10 received $435K.
Grant Size Distribution
178 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 73 grants of 178 (41%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
NELP describes its work as taking place at the federal, state, and local levels. Among its 2024 grant dollars, the largest recipient-state shares were Maryland (22%), Illinois (11%), Minnesota (9%), Washington (8%), and Colorado (8%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 23 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is National Employment Law Project open to new grantees?
17%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 4 of 23 grantees (17%) were first-time recipients. With only 23 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 4 points. First grants averaged $28K; repeat grants $31K. How we count
Medians: $27K first-time, $25K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $695K (2024) to $6.0M (2022). In 2024 it made 23 grants totaling $695K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Business for a Fair Minimum Wage Inc Silver Springs, MD | Advancing Nelp's Mission Through Partners | $130,000 |
| Minnesota Uberlyft Drivers Assn Minneapolis, MN | Advancing Nelp's Mission Through Partners | $40,750 |
| People's Lobby Education Institute Chicago, IL | Advancing Nelp's Mission Through Partners | $40,750 |
| Cincinnati Interfaith Workers Center Cincinnati, OH | Advancing Nelp's Mission Through Partners | $33,000 |
| Fair Work Center Seattle, WA | Advancing Nelp's Mission Through Partners | $33,000 |
| Grassroots Law and Organizing for Workers Chicago, IL | Advancing Nelp's Mission Through Partners | $33,000 |
| Pilipino Workers Center Los Angeles, CA | Advancing Nelp's Mission Through Partners | $33,000 |
| Workers Defense Project Austin, TX | Advancing Nelp's Mission Through Partners | $33,000 |
| New Era Colorado Action Fund Denver, CO | Advancing Nelp's Mission Through Partners | $30,000 |
| Align the Alliance for a Greater New York New York, NY | Advancing Nelp's Mission Through Partners | $28,500 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $19,712,826 | $6,874,119 | $13,263,163 | $695,000 | 23 | $602,606 |
| 2023 | $26,189,376 | $11,662,874 | $15,524,881 | $2,733,200 | 40 | $284,050 |
| 2022 | $29,461,910 | $8,303,395 | $17,262,542 | $6,015,050 | 45 | $91,087 |
| 2021 | $36,945,539 | $28,468,776 | $15,029,059 | $5,347,626 | 40 | $365,223 |
| 2020 | $21,903,952 | $12,286,184 | $11,311,489 | $2,732,961 | 30 | $99,627 |
| 2019 | $20,496,208 | $10,610,851 | $10,193,900 | $1,500,000 | 19 | $185,227 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
NELP’s mission is “to build a just and inclusive economy where all workers have expansive rights and thrive in good jobs.” Its stated priorities include workplace discrimination, climate justice at work, contracted workers’ rights and employer accountability, corporate accountability, workplace safety and health, living wages, unemployment insurance, and building workers’ collective power. NELP also champions Black workers, immigrant workers, and other workers of color.
Examples of organizations receiving 2024 grants illustrate the range of partners supported. Business for a Fair Minimum Wage describes its mission as educating about the business case for a higher minimum wage and organizing business support for higher wages and other fair employment policies. Workers Defense Project says it organizes Latine immigrant workers in Texas to fight for dignity and respect. Fair Work Center describes its work as building worker power through education, organizing, and enforcement to improve workplace conditions and uphold standards. These are the grantees’ descriptions of their own missions.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, NELP reported 23 grants totaling $695,000. Grants ranged from $10,000 to $130,000, with a median of $25,000. The stated purpose for the listed grants was “advancing NELP’s mission through partners.”
The largest grant was $130,000 to Business for a Fair Minimum Wage Inc. Other notable grants included $40,750 each to Minnesota UberLyft Drivers Association and People’s Lobby Education Institute; $33,000 each to Cincinnati Interfaith Workers Center, Fair Work Center, Grassroots Law and Organizing for Workers, Pilipino Workers Center, and Workers Defense Project; and $30,000 to New Era Colorado Action Fund.
NELP states that it selects organizations for re-granting based on its knowledge of and research into an organization’s past work, reputation, and capacity to meet current project needs. Budgets are required before payment, and reports must be submitted after project completion.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Amy Morris as vice chair, Amy Sugimori as secretary, Elissa McBride as treasurer, and Rajesh Nayak, Matt Morrison, and Jenniger Epps as directors. It also lists Connie Razza, Dorian T. Warren, and Naomi Walker as outgoing, and Lola Adekokun as deceased. Rebecca Dixon is identified by NELP as president and chief executive officer.
National Employment Law Project is led by Rebecca Dixon, President & CEO since 2023 (on filings since 2019); 7 of 19 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Rebecca Dixon
President & CEO
Chief Program Officer → Executive Director, 2020
Executive Director → President & CEO, 2023
On filings since 2019
35 hrs/week
$153K (2019) → $347K (2024)
Connie Razza
Chair
Director → Chair, 2022
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rajesh Nayak
Director
Deputy Executive Director → Director, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
$145K (2019) → $0 (2024)
Dorian T. Warren
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Naomi Walker
Director
Treasurer → Director, 2021
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Yona Rozen
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lola Adekokun
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Matt Morrison
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rakeen Mabud
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jenniger Epps
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Catherine Ruckelshaus
General Counsel
On filings since 2019
35 hrs/week
$143K (2019) → $248K (2024)
Heather McGrew
Chief Operating Officer
On filings since 2019
35 hrs/week
$157K (2019) → $250K (2024)
Michelle Rodriguez
Chief of Programs
Deputy Chief of Program → Chief of Programs, 2024
On filings since 2019
35 hrs/week
$144K (2019) → $220K (2024)
Caitlin Connolly
Chief of Strategy
Deputy Chief of Programs → Chief of Strategy, 2024
On filings since 2020
35 hrs/week
$144K (2020) → $216K (2024)
Melissa Matos
Chief of Staff
On filings since 2022
35 hrs/week
$165K (2022) → $220K (2024)
Xin Xin
Chief of Development
On filings since 2022
35 hrs/week
$153K (2022) → $104K (2024)
Amy Morris
Vice Chair
Interim Board Chair → Director, 2022
Director → Vice Chair, 2023
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Amy Sugimori
Secretary
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Elissa McBride
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2021
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (12)
- Former: Jules Bernstein (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Cecilia Estolano (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Wendy Chun-Hoon (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Anna Levine Fink (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Jared Bernstein (2019–2021) — Chair
- Former: Lynn Rhinehart (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Rebecca Smith (2019–2021) — Director of Work Structures
- Former: Sharon Block (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Thomas Weeks Esq. (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Judith Conti (2020–2021) — Govt Affairs Director
- Former: Christine Owens (2019–2020) — Executive Director
- Former: Lilia Garcia-Brower (2019) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $347K, to Rebecca Dixon (President & CEO). 7 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about National Employment Law Project
How much does National Employment Law Project give each year?
National Employment Law Project gave $695K across 23 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $2.7M across 40 grants.
What is National Employment Law Project's typical grant size?
National Employment Law Project's median grant in 2024 was $25,000, and its average grant was $30,217, across 23 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from National Employment Law Project that year got $28K on average.
Where does National Employment Law Project give grants?
National Employment Law Project's top state is Maryland, with 22% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Illinois (11%) and Minnesota (9%). The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (2 grants), Minneapolis, MN (2 grants) and Seattle, WA (2 grants).
Does National Employment Law Project give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 23 grants with a stated purpose on National Employment Law Project's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Advancing Nelp's Mission Through Partners" (23 grants).
Who are National Employment Law Project's largest grantees?
National Employment Law Project's largest 2024 grantees include Business for a Fair Minimum Wage Inc ($130,000), Minnesota Uberlyft Drivers Assn ($40,750) and People's Lobby Education Institute ($40,750), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 30% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is National Employment Law Project?
National Employment Law Project reported $19.7M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $6.9M.
What does National Employment Law Project fund?
NELP’s mission is “to build a just and inclusive economy where all workers have expansive rights and thrive in good jobs.” See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from National Employment Law Project?
National Employment Law Project has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check nelp.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is National Employment Law Project's EIN?
National Employment Law Project's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-2758558. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS November 16, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 4, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). National Employment Law Project funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 22, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/national-employment-law-project-morg_81c6630a357446b1b4f936c04811a752
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_132758558_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{National Employment Law Project funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/national-employment-law-project-morg_81c6630a357446b1b4f936c04811a752},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-22. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from National Employment Law Project's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
National Employment Law Project down — hundreds of funders to go?