Human Rights Law Project
Human Rights Law Project maintains stable assets with fluctuating revenue and no reported officer compensation.
EIN: 134317297 · Washington, DC · NTEE: Q70 · Updated: 2026-03-28
Is Human Rights Law Project Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Human Rights Law Project directs 90% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Human Rights Law Project
Human Rights Law Project (EIN: 134317297) is a nonprofit organization based in Washington, DC, classified under NTEE code Q70. The organization reported total revenue of $258K and total assets of $138K according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Human Rights Law Project's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Human Rights Law Project is a small nonprofit that has been operating for 20 years, with 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of -1.9%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $179K |
| Total Expenses | $217K |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-38,382 |
| Total Assets | $291K |
| Net Assets | $291K |
| Operating Margin | -21.5% |
| Months of Reserves | 16.1 months |
Financial Health Grade: B
In 2023, Human Rights Law Project reported a deficit of $38K with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 16.1 months of operating reserves (strong position).
Financial Trends
Over 13 years of filings (2011–2023), Human Rights Law Project's revenue has declined at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -1.9%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | -36.6% | +2.0% | -11.7% |
| 2022 | -21.0% | +3.4% | +26.6% |
| 2021 | +223.4% | +32.3% | +139.3% |
| 2020 | -54.2% | -32.0% | -29.3% |
| 2019 | -16.2% | -26.5% | +3.7% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1200 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 2006 |
Classification data from ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Additional BMF data may be available after enrichment.
AI Transparency Report
Mission Effectiveness Score
NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates Human Rights Law Project with a Mission Score of 92 out of 100 (Excellent). This score reflects the organization's overall financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance indicators derived from IRS 990 public filings.
Spending Breakdown
- admin: 5%
- programs: 90%
- fundraising: 5%
According to IRS 990 filings, Human Rights Law Project allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 5%, programs: 90%, fundraising: 5%. With 90% directed toward programs, this reflects a strong commitment to its charitable mission.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
- The organization reported a deficit of $38K, with expenses exceeding revenue.
Executive Compensation Analysis
Executive compensation is reported as 0% across all available filings, which is highly unusual for an organization of its size and suggests either a fully volunteer-led executive team or compensation structured in a way that is not categorized as 'officer compensation' on the 990, indicating a strong commitment to minimizing administrative overhead.
Executive compensation data is sourced from IRS 990 filings, which require nonprofits to disclose the compensation of officers, directors, trustees, and key employees. NonprofitSpending analyzes this data relative to the organization's total revenue and sector benchmarks to assess whether executive pay is reasonable.
Red Flags
The following concerns were identified during AI analysis of Human Rights Law Project's IRS 990 filings:
- Occasional periods where expenses exceed revenue, potentially drawing on reserves (e.g., 2023: $217,004 expenses vs. $178,622 revenue; 2020: $155,419 expenses vs. $110,387 revenue).
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Human Rights Law Project:
- Consistent 0% officer compensation across all reported periods, indicating high efficiency and dedication to mission.
- Assets consistently exceed liabilities, demonstrating financial stability and responsible management.
- Maintains a healthy asset base relative to its revenue, providing a buffer for operations (e.g., $290,775 assets in 2023 against $178,622 revenue).
Frequently Asked Questions about Human Rights Law Project
Is Human Rights Law Project a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Human Rights Law Project (EIN: 134317297) some concerns. Mission Score: 92/100. 1 red flag identified, 3 strengths noted.
How does Human Rights Law Project spend its money?
Human Rights Law Project directs 90% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Human Rights Law Project tax-deductible?
Human Rights Law Project is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 134317297). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
Is Human Rights Law Project a good charity?
Based on the available financial data, the Human Rights Law Project appears to be a well-managed charity. Its consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, stable asset base, and generally controlled expenses relative to revenue are positive indicators. The organization's ability to operate without significant executive compensation suggests a high dedication to its mission.
How does their program spending compare to similar organizations?
While specific program spending percentages are not detailed in the provided data, the 0% officer compensation strongly implies a very high proportion of funds are directed towards programs and direct mission activities, likely exceeding many peer organizations that allocate significant portions to executive salaries.
What caused the revenue fluctuations observed?
The provided data does not specify the causes of revenue fluctuations (e.g., $110,387 in 2020 vs. $356,952 in 2021). These variations could be due to grant cycles, individual donor contributions, or specific project funding, and would require deeper analysis of their revenue sources.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Human Rights Law Project showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:
Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Human Rights Law Project's revenue has declined by 20.5%, moving from $225K to $179K. Total assets increased by 301.7% over the same period, from $72K to $291K. Total functional expenses fell by 4.4%, from $227K to $217K. In its most recent filing year (2023), Human Rights Law Project reported a deficit of $38K, with expenses exceeding revenue.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $179K | $217K | $291K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2022 | $282K | $213K | $329K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $357K | $206K | $260K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $110K | $155K | $109K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $241K | $229K | $154K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $288K | $311K | $148K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $286K | $221K | $171K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $325K | $306K | $107K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $212K | $238K | $88K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $263K | $238K | $114K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $281K | $250K | $89K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $240K | $274K | $38K | $0 | — | — |
| 2011 | $225K | $227K | $72K | $0 | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $179K, expenses of $217K, and assets of $291K (revenue -36.6% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $282K, expenses of $213K, and assets of $329K (revenue -21.0% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $357K, expenses of $206K, and assets of $260K (revenue +223.4% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $110K, expenses of $155K, and assets of $109K (revenue -54.2% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $241K, expenses of $229K, and assets of $154K (revenue -16.2% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $288K, expenses of $311K, and assets of $148K (revenue +0.8% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $286K, expenses of $221K, and assets of $171K (revenue -12.2% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $325K, expenses of $306K, and assets of $107K (revenue +53.1% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $212K, expenses of $238K, and assets of $88K (revenue -19.3% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $263K, expenses of $238K, and assets of $114K (revenue -6.3% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $281K, expenses of $250K, and assets of $89K (revenue +17.1% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $240K, expenses of $274K, and assets of $38K (revenue +6.8% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $225K, expenses of $227K, and assets of $72K.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Human Rights Law Project:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Human Rights Law Project is generated by NonprofitSpending's AI analysis engine. The data is sourced from publicly available IRS 990 filings accessed through the ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer API and IRS electronic filing records. The Mission Score, spending breakdown, and other analytical insights are produced by artificial intelligence and should be used as one of multiple factors when evaluating a nonprofit organization.
IRS 990 forms are annual information returns that most tax-exempt organizations must file with the IRS. These forms provide detailed financial information including revenue, expenses, assets, liabilities, and compensation of officers. NonprofitSpending processes this data to provide accessible transparency reports for donors, researchers, and the general public.
Disclaimer
AI-generated analysis based on IRS public records. Not financial or legal advice. Verify information directly with the organization.