The Just Trust For Education is a 501(c)(3) grantmaking organization based in Durham, North Carolina. Launched in January 2021, it serves as the nonprofit arm of The Just Trust, an organization dedicated to dramatically improving systems of safety and justice in the United States. The organization was founded by Ana Zamora with a $350 million seed investment from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$66.9M
+94.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$25.7M
Grant Count
151
Avg Grant Size
$170K
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: To ensure that the next chapter of justice reform in America is nimble, adaptable, well-funded, and able to make progress through the shifting tides of politics and culture. By connecting diverse groups of donors with smart investments at the local, state, and national level, the organization seeks to steward a generations-long effort for justice and safety into lasting solutions communities want and deserve.
Vision: Safe, thriving communities in every corner of the country, strengthened by the existence of a smaller, more humane justice system that prevents crime, centers safety, and fosters real accountability, rehabilitation, and healing.
Primary Focus Areas:
- Criminal justice reform advocacy and educational work
- Justice reform as a tool to unlock pathways to growth, stability, and prosperity for individuals and communities
- Building advocacy infrastructure for criminal justice reform across all 50 states
- Complementary national strategy efforts
- Public opinion and narrative change initiatives
Grantmaking
The organization is currently not accepting unsolicited applications. A rolling inquiry form is available for potential partners. Partnership inquiries can be directed to partnerships@thejusttrust.org.
Grant Range
$102,000
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Just Trust For Education has a national focus across the United States, with particular emphasis on building advocacy infrastructure for criminal justice reform in all 50 states.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total assets: $34,406,062
- Total revenues: $45,424,094
- Total expenses: $34,274,270
- Net assets: $12,732,319
- Annual giving: $29.3 million
Financial Sustainability Assessment: The organization demonstrates moderate financial vulnerability based on key indicators. It maintains healthy operating sustainability (24.5%) and adequate equity deficiency levels. However, the organization shows high revenue concentration (0.92) and operates with minimal administrative flexibility (0% room to cut), indicating reliance on concentrated funding sources and lean operational structures.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $66,897,589 | $34,406,062 | $1,583,840 |
| Revenue | $41,430,950 | $45,424,094 | $1,583,870 |
| Expenses | $32,440,909 | $34,274,270 | $1,375 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $3,250,908 | $1,802,838 | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
50 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Alliance for Safety and Justice ($1,000,000), Families Against Mandatory Minimums Foundation ($1,000,000), Equal Justice Usa ($500,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| A BEAUTIFUL HEART MINISTRIES JAMAICA ESTATES, NY | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $15,000 |
| AGILE PLANNING SOLUTIONS INC BATON ROUGE, LA | PROJECT SUPPORT FOR BATON ROUGE COMMUNITY STREET TEAM | $100,000 |
| ALABAMA APPLESEED CENTER FOR LAW & JUSTICE MONTGOMERY, AL | PROJECT SUPPORT | $150,000 |
| ALABAMA APPLESEED CENTER FOR LAW & JUSTICE MONTGOMERY, AL | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $20,000 |
| ALABAMA APPLESEED CENTER FOR LAW & JUSTICE MONTGOMERY, AL | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $26,000 |
| ALABAMA ARISE MONTGOMERY, AL | PROJECT SUPPORT | $50,000 |
| ALABAMA JUSTICE INITIATIVE BIRMINGHAM, AL | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $100,000 |
| ALLIANCE FOR SAFETY AND JUSTICE OAKLAND, CA | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $1,000,000 |
| ALLIANCE FOR SAFETY AND JUSTICE OAKLAND, CA | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $25,000 |
| AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION FOUNDATION OF LOUISIANA NEW ORLEANS, LA | PROJECT SUPPORT | $200,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Founder & Chief Executive Officer: Ana Zamora
Staff Size: 13 employees (as of 2023)
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| LARRY MILLER | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| BRIAN HOOKS | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| PRISCILLA CHAN | BOARD CHAIR | 1 | — |
| ANA ZAMORA | CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER | 40 | $373,750 |
| ERSLYNN ANNETTE HOLMES | CHIEF FINANCE & OPERATIONS OFFICER | 40 | $264,857 |
| JOLENE FORMAN | CHIEF PROGRAM OFFICER | 40 | $280,167 |
| KENNETH OLIVER | CHIEF INNOVATION OFFICER | 40 | $271,040 |
| KYLE CORNFORTH | CHIEF OF STAFF | 40 | $257,775 |
| JENNA LEDOUX | CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER | 40 | $253,500 |
| JAMES GORE | SENIOR PROGRAM OFFICER | 40 | $178,256 |
| NEHA RAVAL | SENIOR PROGRAM OFFICER | 40 | $166,109 |
| REBECCA GREENBERG | SENIOR PROGRAM OFFICER | 40 | $156,893 |
| HEATHER BROWN MOORE | DIRECTOR OF GRANTS MANAGEMENT | 40 | $144,036 |
| SILAS HORST | PROGRAM MANAGER | 40 | $134,031 |
| JAY'LEN K A BOONE | MARKETING & COMMS MANAGER | 40 | $121,775 |
| MATTHEW BOITANO | INVESTMENT & PARTNERSHIPS MANAGER | 40 | $150,614 |
| ELENIE MARTINEZ LOPEZ | OPERATIONS ASSOCIATE | 40 | $100,860 |
Recent Activity
Recent developments and announcements
Since launching its first wave of grantmaking in March 2022, The Just Trust For Education has distributed $77.69 million through its 501(c)(3) arm as part of the broader Just Trust's $127.9 million total movement to criminal justice reform work.
The organization is transitioning into a criminal justice funding intermediary as it spends down its initial seed capital while actively fundraising for additional investors.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Just Trust for Education fund?
**Mission:** To ensure that the next chapter of justice reform in America is nimble, adaptable, well-funded, and able to make progress through the shifting tides of politics and culture. By connecting diverse groups of donors with smart investments at the local, state, and national level, the organization seeks to steward a generations-long effort for justice and safety into lasting solutions communities want and deserve. **Vision:** Safe, thriving communities in every corner of the country, st…
How do I apply for a grant from The Just Trust for Education?
**Grant Activity:** • Annual giving: $29.3 million (2024) • Total grants awarded: 147 grants in 2024 • Median grant size: $102,000 • Grant range: $8,000 - $5,000,000 (typical range: $60,000 - $650,000) • Total moved to field: $127.9 million since March 2022 **Recent Grant Examples (2023):** • Recidiviz: $2,500,000 (Project Support) • Families Against Mandatory Minimum (FAMM): $1,000,000 (General Operating Support) • Criminal Justice Reform Foundation: $1,000,000 (Project Support) **Application …
Where does The Just Trust for Education make grants?
The Just Trust For Education has a national focus across the United States, with particular emphasis on building advocacy infrastructure for criminal justice reform in all 50 states.
What size grants does The Just Trust for Education award?
In 2024, The Just Trust for Education awarded 151 grants totaling $25.7M — an average of about $170K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
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.
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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