Ascend Justice FY2022 filing

Tax-deductible

Chicago, IL501(c)(3)EIN 36-3647731Revenue $2.2M in FY2022

On file with the IRSascendjustice.org177 N State St, 60601-3607 · Chicago, ILTax-exempt since Feb 1994Publicly supported charity — 170(b)(1)(A)(vi)

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Empowering individuals and families impacted by gender-based violence or the child welfare system to achieve safety and stability through holistic legal advocacy and system reform.

501(c)(3) charity; gifts are tax-deductible.
82¢ of each $1 spent went to programs.
$85K paid to officers and key staff.
Mission: Form 990 Part I, line 1 · Status: IRS Pub. 78 · Programs: Part IX · Pay: Part VII

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FY2022 · Form 990Independent: from IRS data, not the org
Download 990
IRS status
501(c)(3)
not on the IRS revocation list
Looks good: listed by the IRS and not on the revocation list.
IRS BMF · Auto-Revocation List
Tax-deductible gifts
Yes
Donations are tax-deductible
Looks good: the IRS lists gifts to it as deductible.
IRS Pub. 78 · IRS BMF
Latest return
FY2025
latest Form 990
Looks good: the latest return is for FY2025, 1 tax year back; within 2 tax years.
IRS e-file · Filing history
Surplus or deficit
5 of 6
filings with a surplus
Average surplus $114K a year · 4% of revenue · last 6 filings
Fine: a surplus in 5 of the last 6 filings.
Pt I · Ln 19 · 6 filings
Spent on programs
82%
of spending
Looks good: 82% of spending went to programs; 75% or more.
Pt IX · Ln 25 · col B
Pay to officers and key staff
$85K
to officers and key staff · 4% of spending
Looks good: pay to officers and key staff is 4% of spending; 15% or less.
Pt VII · Sec A
Cash reserves
4 mo
of spending, in cash
Looks good: 4.1 months of spending in cash; 3 or more.
Pt X · Ln 1–2 · Pt I · Ln 18
Named funders
19
named funders · $1.7M
Looks good: 19 funders name it on their filings; 3 or more.
Funders’ Sch. I, 990-PF
Liabilities
$125K
10% of total assets
Looks good: liabilities are 10% of assets; 50% or less.
Pt X · Ln 26
Independent board members
13
of 13 voting members
Looks good: 13 of 13 voting members are independent, a majority.
Pt VI · Ln 1a–1b
Looks goodFineWorth a lookConcernNo data yetTap a box for the reason.
Revenue
$2.2M
+15% vs prior year
Spent
$2.1M
To programs
82%
Net assets
$1.2M
By yearFY2020–FY2025
Revenue
$2.2M
FY2022▲ +15%
Tap a bar for its year
Revenue by fiscal year
FY2020$1.8M
FY2021$1.9M
FY2022$2.2M
FY2023$3.6M
FY2024$4.2M
FY2025$5.1M
Expenses
$2.1M
FY2022▲ +20%
Tap a bar for its year
Expenses by fiscal year
FY2020$1.7M
FY2021$1.8M
FY2022$2.1M
FY2023$3.4M
FY2024$4.3M
FY2025$4.8M
Net assets
$1.2M
FY2022▲ +8%
Tap a bar for its year
Net assets by fiscal year
FY2020$896K
FY2021$1.1M
FY2022$1.2M
FY2023$1.3M
FY2024$1.2M
FY2025$1.5M

From the FY2022 Form 990 (year ending June 2022) · figures checked against the IRS filing · see the original

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You’re viewing the FY2022 filing — not the latest on file. See the latest (FY2025) →

Is it real?

Yes. Never revoked by the IRS. Latest filing on record: FY2025. IRS ruling in Feb 1994.

IRS Pub. 78 · IRS Auto-Revocation List · IRS Business Master File

Where the money goes

82 cents of each dollar spent went to programs.

Program services 82% · $1.7M Management & general 14% · $305K Fundraising 4% · $84K

Form 990 Part IX, line 25, columns B–D. Every line is in By the numbers.

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Who runs it and what they're paid

14 people listed on the 990; $85K paid to officers and key staff.

Part VII, Section A · reportable compensation · most recent filed roster (FY2021); the FY2022 filing did not itemize Part VII
Executive Director
$85,060Pt VII · Sec A
$0Pt VII · Sec A
$0Pt VII · Sec A
Director
$0Pt VII · Sec A
$0Pt VII · Sec A
$0Pt VII · Sec A
Director
$0Pt VII · Sec A
$0Pt VII · Sec A

Compensation history total reportable pay by year · 4 named individuals · Part VII

NameFY2025FY2024FY2023FY2022FY2021FY2020
Margaret Duval$134,480$133,000$117,048$85,060$104,037$101,250
Ashley Olsen$103,700$106,450————
Danielle Parisi Ruffatto$102,637$103,614————
Sara Gilloon$100,222—————

Total reportable compensation (Form 990 Part VII column D / Schedule J column E) by filing year, matched by name within this organization. The Schedule J base / bonus / deferred breakdown is not parsed into this dataset.

See Ascend Justice executive salaries →

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Questions the 990 asks

The form asks each of these directly. These are the filed answers.

  • Family or business ties among officersPt VI · Ln 2No
  • Top official's pay set by an independent reviewPt VI · Ln 15aYes

Programs and updates

Advocates for safety and stability for those affected by gender-based violence or child welfare issues.

Provided by the organization

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1 program · $1.7M · in their own filed words · FY2021
01

In our most recently completed fiscal year, ascend justice provided legal representation or advice to approximately 1000 victims of domestic violence seeking orders of protection, domestic relations cases in which they seek divorce, support or custody of their children, and immigration proceedings involving u-visa or vawa relief.

$1.7Mprogram expense

Funders

Who pays for it.

From grant filings on record. Receipts are incomplete: individual donors are never listed.

Grants

Schedule I · received and paid
Grants received · FY2024
See all 19 funders →
Grants paid · 9 grants · $254K · 2021–2022
A Safe PlaceIL · FY2022$77,400
Safer FoundationIL · FY2022$51,000
Illinois Legal Aid OnlineIL · FY2022$8,000
A Safe PlaceIL · FY2021$67,567
Remedies Renewing LivesIL · FY2021$13,610
Sarah's InnIL · FY2021$12,500
Family Rescue INCIL · FY2021$12,500

By the numbers

The FY2022 990, line by line.

1The main four
Money inPt VIII
$2.2M
Ln 12
Gifts and grantsLn 1h$2.2M
Investment incomeLn 3$9
Money outPt IX
$2.1M
Ln 25
Programscol B$1.7M
Managementcol C$305K
Fundraisingcol D$84K
Owns and owesPt X
$1.2M
net assets · Ln 32
Cash and savingsLn 1–2$727K
Total assetsLn 16$1.3M
LiabilitiesLn 26$125K
PeoplePt VI, VII
14
listed · VII A
PaidVII A1
Voting boardVI 1a13
IndependentVI 1b13
2In more detail
Revenue in detailPt VIII
Gifts and grantsLn 1h$2.2M
Government grantsLn 1e$1.2M
Fundraising eventsLn 1c$133K
Investment incomeLn 3$9
Total revenueLn 12$2.2M
Assets in detailPt X, end of year
CashLn 1$680K
SavingsLn 2$47K
Cash and savings togetherLn 1–2$727K
InvestmentsLn 11–13$4K
Land, buildings, equipmentLn 10c$26K
Total assetsLn 16$1.3M
LiabilitiesLn 26$125K
Net assetsLn 32$1.2M
OperationsPt I, VI
EmployeesI 526
VolunteersI 6125
Fiscal year endsHeaderJune
Conflict-of-interest policyVI 12aYes
Whistleblower policyVI 13Yes
Records policyVI 14Yes
3Year over year
Balance sheet, start vs end of yearPt X · col A, B
LineStart FY22End FY22
Cash and savingsLn 1–2$724K$727K
InvestmentsLn 11–13$6K$4K
Land, buildings, equipmentLn 10c$37K$26K
Total assetsLn 16$1.1M$1.3M
LiabilitiesLn 26$59K$125K
Net assetsLn 32$1.1M$1.2M
4Every line
Statement of functional expensesPt IX · every line
LineTotalProgramsManagementFundraising
Grants to domestic organizationsLn 1$117K$117K
Pay of current officers, directors and key staffLn 5$85K$69K$13K$3K
Other salaries and wagesLn 7$1.4M$1.1M$206K$57K
Other employee benefitsLn 9$145K$120K$20K$5K
Payroll taxesLn 10$111K$89K$17K$5K
Accounting feesLn 11c$22K$12K$9K$1K
Other fees for servicesLn 11g$49K$26K$20K$3K
Office expensesLn 13$13K$11K$1K$660
Information technologyLn 14$23K$19K$2K$2K
OccupancyLn 16$70K$64K$6K
TravelLn 17$3K$3K$338$154
Depreciation, depletion and amortizationLn 22$13K$11K$1K$647
InsuranceLn 23$32K$27K$4K$2K
Other expenses (24a–d)Ln 24$59K$51K$5K$3K
All other expensesLn 24e$9K$7K$387$2K
Total functional expensesLn 25$2.1M$1.7M$305K$84K

Filing history

YearMoney inMoney outIn minus outNet assetsDownload
FY2025 Latest $5.1M$4.8M$298K$1.5M 990 PDF
FY2024 $4.2M$4.3M−$115K$1.2M 990 PDF
FY2023 $3.6M$3.4M$187K$1.3M 990 PDF
FY2022 Viewing $2.2M$2.1M$90K$1.2M 990 PDF
FY2021 $1.9M$1.8M$164K$1.1M 990 PDF
FY2020 $1.8M$1.7M$61K$896K 990 PDF

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Schedules filed Part IV

III · Programs I · Grants R · Related orgs G · Fundraising L · Interested persons A · Public support F · Foreign M · Noncash
See the full FY2022 990 (6 parts)
Part I · Summary $2,228,766 revenue, 12 lines filed
I-8 Contributions and grantsPrior year $1,945,375$2,233,577
I-9 Program service revenuePrior year $0$0
I-10 Investment incomePrior year $9$9
I-11 Other revenuePrior year −$3,478−$4,820
I-12 Total revenuePrior year $1,941,906$2,228,766
I-13 Grants and similar amounts paidPrior year $0$117,338
I-14 Benefits paid to membersPrior year $0$0
I-15 Salaries and benefitsPrior year $1,539,372$1,727,960
I-16a Professional fundraising feesPrior year $0$0
I-17 Other expensesPrior year $238,045$293,500
I-18 Total expensesPrior year $1,777,417$2,138,798
I-19 Revenue less expensesPrior year $164,489$89,968
Part VI · Governance 13 of 13 board members independent, no flags
VI-1a Voting members of the governing body13
VI-1b Independent voting members13
VI-2 Family or business relationship among officers or directorsNo
VI-12a Written conflict of interest policyYes
VI-13 Written whistleblower policyYes
VI-14 Document retention and destruction policyYes
VI-15a Process for setting top official's payYes
Part VIII · Statement of revenue $2,228,766 across 8 lines filed
VIII-1c Fundraising events$132,764
VIII-1e Government grants$1,161,859
VIII-1f All other contributions, gifts and grants$938,954
VIII-1h Total contributions, gifts and grants$2,233,577
VIII-3 Investment incomeExcluded from tax $9$9
VIII-8 Net income from fundraising eventsExcluded from tax −$8,998−$8,998
VIII-11a-d Other revenue, itemized rows (sum of 11a–11d as filed)Related to mission $4,178$4,178
VIII-12 Total revenueRelated to mission $4,178 · Unrelated business $0 · Excluded from tax −$8,989$2,228,766
Part IX · Statement of functional expenses $2,138,798 across 15 lines filed
IX-1 Grants to domestic organizationsPrograms $117,338$117,338
IX-5 Pay of current officers, directors and key staffPrograms $68,934 · Management $12,636 · Fundraising $3,490$85,060
IX-7 Other salaries and wagesPrograms $1,123,374 · Management $205,915 · Fundraising $56,875$1,386,164
IX-9 Other employee benefitsPrograms $120,388 · Management $20,221 · Fundraising $4,781$145,390
IX-10 Payroll taxesPrograms $89,416 · Management $17,184 · Fundraising $4,746$111,346
IX-11c Accounting feesPrograms $11,708 · Management $9,037 · Fundraising $1,470$22,215
IX-11g Other fees for servicesPrograms $25,637 · Management $19,788 · Fundraising $3,217$48,642
IX-13 Office expensesPrograms $10,944 · Management $1,347 · Fundraising $660$12,951
IX-14 Information technologyPrograms $18,847 · Management $2,379 · Fundraising $1,967$23,193
IX-16 OccupancyPrograms $64,375 · Management $5,598$69,973
IX-17 TravelPrograms $2,584 · Management $338 · Fundraising $154$3,076
IX-22 Depreciation, depletion and amortizationPrograms $10,866 · Management $1,423 · Fundraising $647$12,936
IX-23 InsurancePrograms $27,026 · Management $3,539 · Fundraising $1,608$32,173
IX-24 Other expenses (24a–d)Programs $51,366 · Management $5,131 · Fundraising $2,753$59,250
IX-24e All other expensesPrograms $6,634 · Management $387 · Fundraising $2,070$9,091
IX-25 Total functional expensesPrograms $1,749,437 · Management $304,923 · Fundraising $84,438$2,138,798
Part X · Balance sheet $1,275,996 assets, 13 lines filed
X-1 Cash, non-interest-bearingStart of year $678,541$679,763
X-2 Savings and temporary cash investmentsStart of year $45,440$47,086
X-3 Pledges and grants receivableStart of year $337,391$499,897
X-9 Prepaid expenses and deferred chargesStart of year $16,530$19,150
X-10c Land, buildings and equipment, netStart of year $37,179$25,751
X-11 Publicly traded securitiesStart of year $5,672$4,349
X-16 Total assetsStart of year $1,120,753$1,275,996
X-17 Accounts payable and accrued expensesStart of year $58,695$125,294
X-26 Total liabilitiesStart of year $58,695$125,294
X-27 Net assets without donor restrictionsStart of year $704,458$763,202
X-28 Net assets with donor restrictionsStart of year $357,600$387,500
X-32 Total net assets or fund balancesStart of year $1,062,058$1,150,702
X-33 Total liabilities and net assetsStart of year $1,120,753$1,275,996
Part XI · Reconciliation of net assets $1,150,702 net assets at year end
XI-1 Total revenue$2,228,766
XI-2 Total expenses$2,138,798
XI-3 Revenue less expenses$89,968
XI-4 Net assets at start of year$1,062,058
XI-5 Net unrealized gains (losses) on investments−$1,324
XI-9 Other changes in net assets$0
XI-10 Net assets at end of year$1,150,702

Form 990 e-file (XML) FY2022 from the IRS · Classification, formation year and address from the IRS Business Master File

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