Northwest Justice Project
Northwest Justice Project (NJP) is a Seattle-based 501(c)(3) public charity and Washington’s largest publicly funded legal aid program. It provides free civil legal assistance and representation to eligible low-income people, addressing needs such as housing, family safety, income security, health care, and education.
Northwest Justice Project at a glance
In short: Northwest Justice Project gave $5.2M across 10 grants in 2024 (avg $520K), mostly in Washington. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $5,202,122
- +49.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 10
- +900.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $520,212
- -85.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $111,569
- Total assets
- $37,657,849
- +3.3% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Washington (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
How to apply to Northwest Justice Project
- Contact
Mailing address: 401 Second Ave S 407, Seattle, WA 98104
Phone: (206) 464-1519
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Northwest Justice Project funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Legal Foundation of WA ($4.1M). Together the top 10 received $5.2M.
Grant Size Distribution
14 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $1–5M range: 5 grants of 14 (36%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
NJP describes its legal services as statewide, serving people in locations across Washington. Its 2024 itemized grants were primarily to Washington organizations; the list also includes a $25,000 grant to Kinds in Need of Defense in Washington, DC.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 10 itemized grants.
Cities
How Northwest Justice Project gives
- Giving grew 34% from 2021 to 2024. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $3.1M (2020) to $5.2M (2024). In 2024 it made 10 grants totaling $5.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Legal Foundation of WA Seattle, WA | Lawyer Programs | $4,069,034 |
| Team Child Seattle, WA | Civil Legal Aid Support & Outreach | $385,584 |
| Living With Conviction Seattle, WA | Civil Legal Aid Support & Outreach | $197,169 |
| Northwest Health Law Advocate Seattle, WA | Civil Legal Aid Support & Outreach | $171,399 |
| Crisis Connections Seattle, WA | Enhanced Screening & Referral | $150,000 |
| WA Autism Alliance Kirkland, WA | Civil Legal Aid Support & Outreach | $73,137 |
| Skagit Domestic Violence SAS Mt Vernon, WA | Civil Legal Aid Support & Outreach | $69,025 |
| Disability Rights Washington Seattle, WA | Civil Legal Aid Support & Outreach | $43,001 |
| Kinds in Need of Defense Washington, DC | Civil Legal Aid Support & Outreach | $25,000 |
| Solid Ground Washington Seattle, WA | Civil Legal Aid Support & Outreach | $18,773 |
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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 | $37,657,849 | $54,112,564 | $53,691,668 | $5,202,122 | 10 | $792,899 |
| 2023 | $36,453,705 | $55,768,328 | $47,936,053 | $3,481,523 | 1 | $329,552 |
| 2022 | $27,390,501 | $48,019,592 | $47,382,621 | $3,451,500 | 1 | $24,695 |
| 2021 | $11,743,865 | $42,312,264 | $42,380,096 | $3,868,207 | 1 | $658 |
| 2020 | $11,784,826 | $36,418,724 | $35,613,287 | $3,120,306 | 1 | $16,491 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
NJP’s mission is “Combating Injustice, strengthening communities and protecting human dignity.” Its stated vision is justice for all low-income people in Washington. NJP provides legal advice and representation, community education, and self-help resources. Its work includes civil legal issues involving domestic violence, housing, employment, public benefits, health care, education, consumer matters, and access to courts. Its board sets general case-service priorities, which can vary by location and program.
NJP’s 2024 filing reports that 30,050 people, including clients and their families, benefited from direct legal advocacy, while 1.3 million people accessed legal resources through Washington Law Help. The filing also reports that NJP protected $50.12 million in home equity, eliminated $2.4 million in unfair debt, and secured $1.54 million in veterans’ benefits through its advocacy.
Grantmaking
NJP reported 10 grants totaling $5,202,122 in filing year 2024. Grant amounts ranged from $18,773 to $4,069,034, with a median of $111,568. The largest grants included:
Other 2024 recipients included WA Autism Alliance ($73,137), Skagit Domestic Violence SAS ($69,025), Disability Rights Washington ($43,001), Kinds in Need of Defense ($25,000), and Solid Ground Washington ($18,773).
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists the following officers and directors: Cesar Torres, Executive Dir.; Abigail Daquiz and Hickory Gateless, Interim E.D.; Michelle Besso, Steve Robins, John Purbaugh, Eva Wescott, and Luanne Serafin, Managing Attorneys; and Kris Breton and Steven Pelletier, Directors of Finance.
Northwest Justice Project is led by Cesar Torres, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; 10 of 24 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Cesar Torres
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
35 hrs/week
$169K (2020) → $289K (2024)
Hickory Gateless
Interim Executive Director
Deputy Director → Interim Executive Director, 2024
On filings since 2021
35 hrs/week
$136K (2021) → $172K (2024)
Abigail Daquiz
Interim Executive Director
Director of Advocacy → Interim Executive Director, 2024
On filings since 2022
35 hrs/week
$141K (2022) → $167K (2024)
Toni Hood
President
Board Member → Vice President, 2023
Vice President → President, 2024
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Steven Pelletier
Director of Finance
On filings since 2020
35 hrs/week
$145K (2020) → $90K (2024)
Kris Breton
Director of Finance
New on the 2024 filing
35 hrs/week
$135K (2024)
Carolyn Estrada
Director
Treasurer → Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sean Waite
Director
Vice President → President, 2023
President → Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Zach Pekelis
Director
Board Member → Director, 2024
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Carmen Pacheco-Jones
Director
Board Member → Director, 2024
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Danielle Bargala
Director
Board Member → Director, 2024
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jordan Landry
Director
Board Member → Director, 2024
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Robert J Ault
Director
Board Member → Director, 2024
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Alexandro Kirgin
Director
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brennan Schreibman
Director
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Laura Lewis
Director
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John Purbaugh
Managing Attorney
On filings since 2020
35 hrs/week
$148K (2020) → $164K (2024)
Michelle Besso
Managing Attorney
On filings since 2020
35 hrs/week
$135K (2020) → $158K (2024)
Steve Robins
Managing Attorney
On filings since 2020
35 hrs/week
$130K (2020) → $144K (2024)
Luanne Serafin
Managing Attorney
Senior Managing Attorney → Managing Attorney, 2024
On filings since 2023
35 hrs/week
$142K (2023) → $148K (2024)
Eva Wescott
Managing Attorney
New on the 2024 filing
35 hrs/week
$144K (2024)
Richard J Harrison
Treasurer
Board Member → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Catherine West
Vice President
Board Member → Vice President, 2024
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Daniel Hsieh
Secretary
Board Member → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (20)
- Former: Brendan Donckers (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Hannah Stearns (2021–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Natasha Hill (2021–2023) — Secretary
- Former: Carmen Pacheco Jones (2020–2022) — President
- Former: Chiedza Nziramasanga (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Judith A. Lurie (2020–2022) — Attorney
- Former: Raul Martinez (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Vicente Omar Barraza (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: David Lasarte-Meeks (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Elizabeth Neidzwski (2020–2021) — Vice President
- Former: Kelly Owen (2020–2021) — Managing Attorney
- Former: Maggie Kennedy (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Marsha Chien (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Robert Roche (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Jhovona Duggins (2021) — Board Member
- Former: Keith Howard (2021) — Managing Attorney
- Former: Vanessa Arno Martinez (2021) — Board Member
- Former: James Corning (2020) — Board Member
- Former: Richard White (2020) — Board Member
- Former: Russell Speidel (2020) — Board Member
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "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 $289K, to Cesar Torres (Executive Dir.). 10 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Northwest Justice Project
How much does Northwest Justice Project give each year?
Northwest Justice Project gave $5.2M across 10 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $3.5M across 1 grant.
What is Northwest Justice Project's typical grant size?
Northwest Justice Project's median grant in 2024 was $111,569, and its average grant was $520,212, across 10 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does Northwest Justice Project give grants?
Northwest Justice Project gives mostly in Washington: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Seattle, WA (7 grants).
Does Northwest Justice Project give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 10 grants with a stated purpose on Northwest Justice Project's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Civil Legal Aid Support & Outreach" (8 grants).
Who are Northwest Justice Project's largest grantees?
Northwest Justice Project's largest 2024 grantees include Legal Foundation of WA ($4,069,034), Team Child ($385,584) and Living With Conviction ($197,169), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 89% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Northwest Justice Project?
Northwest Justice Project reported $37.7M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $54.1M.
What does Northwest Justice Project fund?
NJP’s mission is “Combating Injustice, strengthening communities and protecting human dignity.” Its stated vision is justice for all low-income people in Washington. NJP provides legal advice and representation, community education, and self-help resources. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Northwest Justice Project?
Northwest Justice Project has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Northwest Justice Project's EIN?
Northwest Justice Project's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 91-1687791. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 2, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 14, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 30, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 11, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 14, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Northwest Justice Project funds
Crime & Legal Related Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Northwest Justice Project's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Legal Foundation of Washington
Seattle, WA
The Legal Foundation of Washington funds civil legal aid, impact litigation, policy reform, and systemic advocacy benefiting low-income people across Washington State. Its 2024 grants had a median amount of $60,000 and ranged from about $12,700 to $675,000. It accepts applications through its online portal for available grant opportunities, but the information provided does not say whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
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Total Given
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Fales Foundation Trust
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The foundation funds Seattle arts programs and programs serving people experiencing homelessness, with recent awards ranging from $5,000–$10,000 in 2023 to a single grant of $360,000 in 2026. Its geographic focus is unclear across filings: 2023 grants went to Washington organizations, while the 2026 filing reports all grant dollars went to Minnesota recipients. It does not restrict giving to preselected organizations; contact U.S. Bank N.A. for an application, which is provided in response to qualified inquiries.
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Total Given
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Lamb Weston Charitable Foundation
Eagle, ID
The foundation funds 501(c)(3) community programs, employee matching gifts, and scholarships for employees’ children, with recent grants supporting food banks and hunger relief. In 2024, grants ranged from $5,000 to $795,172, with a median of $40,565, and supported communities where Lamb Weston operates and employees live and work, including Idaho, Minnesota, Washington, and Oregon. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
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11
Total Given
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NW Childrens Foundation
Seattle, WA
NW Children’s Foundation funds prevention, early intervention, and treatment programs addressing child abuse, neglect, and trauma, including services for children in foster care and families experiencing homelessness or domestic violence. It focuses on children, youth through age 24, and families in Western Washington; grants are typically $5,000–$20,000. It accepts unsolicited requests through a Letter of Inquiry, with selected applicants invited to submit a full application.
Assets
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Total Given
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Glaser Foundation Inc
Milwaukee, WI
The foundation supports direct services, primarily for children and older adults, including health care, disability services, education and job training, and support for disadvantaged families and at-risk youth. Its website says grants typically range from $500 to $50,000, for eligible organizations serving Western Washington, especially King County and nearby areas. It accepts unsolicited applications from qualifying 501(c)(3) public charities.
Assets
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Total Given
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United Way of King County
Seattle, WA
United Way of King County funds community organizations working on housing, food security, education, financial stability, racial equity, and systems change, primarily in King County, Washington. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,000 to $1,674,650, with a median of about $47,836. It lists an open Food System Stability Fund for anti-hunger organizations, but does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$54.9M
Grants
196
Total Given
$24.7M
More similar funders
More Funders in Washington
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Northwest Justice Project funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved November 9, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/northwest-justice-project-morg_e61e89ab7b20404dafe40e278de68278
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_911687791_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Northwest Justice Project funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/northwest-justice-project-morg_e61e89ab7b20404dafe40e278de68278},
note = {Accessed 2026-11-09. 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 Northwest Justice 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.
Northwest Justice Project down — hundreds of funders to go?