The Just Trust for Education
The Just Trust for Education is a public charity based in Durham, North Carolina, that supports criminal justice reform advocacy and public safety innovation across the country. It works through grantmaking and other field support, including donor alignment, network building, and narrative change.
The Just Trust for Education at a glance
In short: The Just Trust for Education gave $25.7M across 151 grants in 2024 (avg $170K), top state New York. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $25,699,093
- -12.1% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 151
- +2.7% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $170,193
- -14.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $100,000
- Total assets
- $66,897,589
- +94.4% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- New York (19% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to The Just Trust for Education
- How to Apply
-
The website provides a rolling grant inquiry form for organizations to describe their work and be considered for future funding opportunities. The organization says it supports criminal justice reform advocacy organizations and does not provide legal advice or assistance or engage on individual cases. Its filing describes an internal review process, possible board approval and notification, monitoring of grants, and narrative and financial progress reports from grantees.
- Contact
Mailing address: 2530 Meridian Parkway 300, Durham, NC 27713
Phone: (984) 263-9039
Website: https://thejusttrust.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Just Trust for Education funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Texas Public Policy Foundation ($1.6M across 3 grants). Together the top 10 received $9.3M.
Grant Size Distribution
298 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 115 grants of 298 (39%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The organization describes its work as national and says its State by State initiative aims to build criminal justice reform advocacy infrastructure in all 50 states. In 2024, grant dollars went to recipients in multiple states; the largest reported shares by recipient state were New York (19%), Washington, DC (14%), California (12%), Louisiana (9%), and Massachusetts (7%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 151 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The Just Trust for Education gives
- 70% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (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 2023 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $25.7M (2024) to $29.3M (2023). In 2024 it made 151 grants totaling $25.7M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Public Policy Foundation Austin, TX | Project Support for Right on Crime | $1,500,000 |
| Alliance for Safety and Justice Oakland, CA | General Operating Support | $1,000,000 |
| Families Against Mandatory Minimums Foundation Washington, DC | General Operating Support | $1,000,000 |
| The Marshall Project New York, NY | General Operating Support | $875,000 |
| Justleadershipusa New York, NY | General Operating Support | $850,000 |
| The National Council for Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Women and G Roxbury, MA | General Operating Support | $850,000 |
| For the People Oakland, CA | General Operating Support | $600,000 |
| Equal Justice USA Brooklyn, NY | Project Support | $500,000 |
| Prison Fellowship Ministries Lansdowne, VA | General Operating Support | $500,000 |
| The Better Angels Society Washington, DC | Project Support | $500,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Just Trust for Education?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The organization’s filing type is Form 990 (a public charity).
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $66,897,589 | $41,430,950 | $32,440,909 | $25,699,093 | 151 | $3,250,908 |
| 2023 | $34,406,062 | $45,424,094 | $34,274,270 | $29,251,106 | 147 | $1,802,838 |
| 2022 | $1,583,840 | $1,583,870 | $1,375 | — | — | — |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s stated mission is to accelerate momentum for justice reform and public safety innovation in every corner of the country. It says it works to build stronger, more resilient state and national advocacy and public education ecosystems.
Its stated focus areas include advocacy infrastructure, community safety solutions, campaign moments, media and narrative projects, partnership and coordination, and rapid response. It provides stable, largely multi-year general operating support to criminal justice reform advocacy organizations; for multi-issue organizations, it provides project support for criminal justice reform advocacy work.
The 2024 grantees illustrate a range of supported work. The Alliance for Safety and Justice describes its mission as educating the public about communities most affected by crime, violence, and incarceration and promoting safety solutions. The Marshall Project describes itself as a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization covering criminal justice. JustLeadershipUSA says it amplifies the power of people directly impacted by the criminal legal system. The National Council for Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Women and Girls says its mission is to end the incarceration of women and girls. These are the grantees’ descriptions of their own missions.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the organization reported 151 grants totaling $25,699,093. Grant amounts ranged from $7,500 to $1,500,000, with a median of $100,000. In 2023, it reported 147 grants totaling $29,251,106. Its 2024 filing, the latest on this page, reports 151 grants totaling $25.7 million.
Among the largest 2024 grants were $1,500,000 to the Texas Public Policy Foundation for project support for Right on Crime; $1,000,000 each to the Alliance for Safety and Justice and Families Against Mandatory Minimums Foundation for general operating support; and $875,000 to The Marshall Project and $850,000 to JustLeadershipUSA, both for general operating support. Other large grants included $850,000 to the National Council for Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Women and Girls for general operating support and $600,000 to For the People for general operating support.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Priscilla Chan as board chair, Ana Zamora as chief executive officer, Larry Miller as treasurer, and Brian Hooks as secretary. It also lists Erslynn Annette Holmes as chief finance and operations officer, Jolene Forman as chief program officer, Kenneth Oliver as chief innovation officer, Kyle Cornforth as chief of staff, Jenna Ledoux as chief marketing officer, and James Gore as senior program officer.
The Just Trust for Education is led by Ana Zamora, Chief Executive Officer since 2023 (on filings since 2022); 14 of 17 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Ana Zamora
Chief Executive Officer
CEO → Chief Executive Officer, 2023
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$325K (2023) → $374K (2024)
Priscilla Chan
Board Chair
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Heather Brown Moore
Director of Grants Management
Grants Manager → Director of Grants Management, 2024
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$153K (2023) → $144K (2024)
Erslynn Annette Holmes
Chief Finance & Operations Officer
Vice President, Finance & Operations → Chief Finance & Operations Officer, 2024
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$207K (2023) → $265K (2024)
James Gore
Senior Program Officer
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$160K (2023) → $178K (2024)
Jenna Ledoux
Chief Marketing Officer
Vice President, Marketing & Communications → Chief Marketing Officer, 2024
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$224K (2023) → $254K (2024)
Jolene Forman
Chief Program Officer
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$256K (2023) → $280K (2024)
Kyle Cornforth
Chief of Staff
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$221K (2023) → $258K (2024)
Matthew Stoller Boitano
Investment & Partnerships Manager
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$146K (2023) → $151K (2024)
Neha J. Raval
Senior Program Officer
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$146K (2023) → $166K (2024)
Rebecca A. Greenberg
Senior Program Officer
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$138K (2023) → $157K (2024)
Silas A. Horst
Program Manager
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$117K (2023) → $134K (2024)
Elenie Martinez Lopez
Operations Associate
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$101K (2024)
Jay'len K. A. Boone
Marketing & Comms Manager
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$122K (2024)
Kenneth Oliver
Chief Innovation Officer
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$271K (2024)
Brian Hooks
Secretary
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Larry Miller
Treasurer
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Candice Jones (2022–2023) — Treasurer
- Former: Nicole Boucher (2023) — Chief Strategy Officer
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2022–2024. "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 $374K, to Ana Zamora (Chief Executive Officer). 14 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Just Trust for Education
How much does The Just Trust for Education give each year?
The Just Trust for Education gave $25.7M across 151 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $29.3M across 147 grants.
What is The Just Trust for Education's typical grant size?
The Just Trust for Education's median grant in 2024 was $100,000, and its average grant was $170,193, across 151 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does The Just Trust for Education give grants?
The Just Trust for Education's top state is New York, with 19% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were District of Columbia (14%) and California (12%). The most frequent recipient cities were Washington, DC (16 grants), New Orleans, LA (13 grants), New York, NY (12 grants) and Oakland, CA (9 grants).
Does The Just Trust for Education give general operating support?
Yes: 41% of The Just Trust for Education's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (62 of 151) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990. Recurring purposes include "Project Support" (65 grants).
Who are The Just Trust for Education's largest grantees?
The Just Trust for Education's largest 2024 grantees include Texas Public Policy Foundation ($1,620,000 across 3 grants), The Marshall Project ($1,075,000 across 2 grants) and Alliance for Safety and Justice ($1,025,000 across 2 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 14% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Just Trust for Education?
The Just Trust for Education reported $66.9M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $41.4M.
What does The Just Trust for Education fund?
The organization’s stated mission is to accelerate momentum for justice reform and public safety innovation in every corner of the country. It says it works to build stronger, more resilient state and national advocacy and public education ecosystems. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Just Trust for Education?
The website provides a rolling grant inquiry form for organizations to describe their work and be considered for future funding opportunities. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Just Trust for Education's EIN?
The Just Trust for Education's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 88-3436668. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2022–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(3)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- 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 17, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2022–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Just Trust for Education's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Silicon Valley Community Foundation
Mountain View, CA
Silicon Valley Community Foundation funds work in areas such as housing, economic security, education, health, the environment, arts and culture, and civic engagement, with Community Action Grants supporting local, community-led organizations in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. Its 2024 grants had a median of $51,716, though amounts varied widely; applications depend on the program, and SVCF states that it does not accept unsolicited proposals for advised funds.
Assets
$12.3B
Grants
3,576
Total Given
$3.2B
The Ford Foundation
New York, NY
The Ford Foundation funds organizations and initiatives working to reduce inequality and advance social justice, including work on civic engagement, civil rights, climate justice, disability rights, and technology and society. In 2024, its grants ranged from $45 to $15 million, with a median of $100,000, supporting work in the U.S. and internationally. It says most grants are identified by the foundation and it does not accept unsolicited proposals by mail, email, or phone; limited opportunities may be offered separately.
Assets
$17.5B
Grants
4,007
Total Given
$844.7M
Annie E Casey Foundation Inc
Baltimore, MD
The Annie E. Casey Foundation funds U.S. nonprofits and other partners working to improve outcomes for children and young people, including family strengthening, child welfare, education, employment, community development and juvenile justice. In 2024, grants ranged from $50 to $1,185,000, with a median of $40,000. Grants are by invitation only; it does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$2.3B
Grants
1,462
Total Given
$93.1M
Public Welfare Foundation Inc
Washington, DC
Public Welfare Foundation funds U.S. nonprofits working on systemic adult and youth justice reform, including policy advocacy, organizing, leadership development, and community-led alternatives to incarceration; it generally does not fund direct services. Its 2025 grants ranged from $100 to $500,000, with a median of $138,500, and support focused on communities across the United States, including named priority locations such as Louisiana, Michigan, Georgia, and Washington, DC. It is not accepting Letters of Inquiry now; its grant portal is closed, and it asks applicants to check back in Fall 2026.
Assets
$614.7M
Grants
164
Total Given
$25.8M
Laura and John Arnold Foundation
Houston, TX
Arnold Ventures funds evidence-based research, policy analysis, and reforms in areas including criminal justice, health care, education, higher education, public finance, and infrastructure, with a focus on improving outcomes for Americans. Its 2024 grants ranged from $685 to $12.5 million, with a median of $122,776. It does not accept unsolicited requests; most proposals come through direct outreach, with periodic RFPs.
Assets
$4.8B
Grants
789
Total Given
$193.3M
Foundation to Promote Open Society
New York, NY
The Foundation to Promote Open Society funds organizations advancing human rights, civil society, democratic practice, equity, research, and education, with grants spanning the United States and six global regions. In 2024, its grants ranged from $5,000 to $44.9 million, with a median of $257,214. It funds only preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$10.8B
Grants
738
Total Given
$481.5M
More similar funders
More Funders in North Carolina
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Just Trust for Education funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-just-trust-for-education-morg_b1b93a007611474e8b6007a9ed85e73c
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_883436668_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Just Trust for Education funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-just-trust-for-education-morg_b1b93a007611474e8b6007a9ed85e73c},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-16. 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 The Just Trust for Education'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.
The Just Trust for Education down — hundreds of funders to go?