Washington Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs Inc

What it reported doing in 2024

WLC engages in litigation, public policy advocacy, client counseling and community education to address racial and other forms of discrimination. The Committee works on matters that affect the District of Columbia and the surrounding region and on cases outside of the region that may have an impact on local residents. We work closely with the private bar to expand the capacity of our staff and rely heavily on firm pro bono partners. Our project priorities include:(1) Creating Equal Opportunity to Economic Stability for Individuals and Families; People of color, women, children and persons with disabilities who are disproportionately forced to live in poverty. The inequities in the social and legal systems have created circumstances in which social mobility is extremely limited and the gap between rich and poor is expanding. Inequality and immobility is significantly worse in communities of color. Poverty has become as much an inheritance as wealth. Work has become a key element of reducing poverty since welfare "reform," making access to employment, fair wages and stability in work critical.(2) Challenging the Conditions that Force Racial and Economic Segregation and that Limit Options for Safe, Decent and Affordable Housing Based on Race and National Origin; Housing segregation is itself inherently unequal and contributes to diminished opportunities for education, work and recreation. Racial segregation in housing is increasing in the District and the region driven by economic development, the effects of discrimination in the criminal legal system and other structural and economic factors. The forces of segregation in the District have deprived low income and many communities of color access to safe, decent and affordable housing.(3) Reducing Barriers to Public Services and Public Accommodations; The ability to access public services or participate in the economy are essential to be full members of society. Everyone, regardless of race, gender, disability or language should be free from discrimination in civic participation, economic activity and social engagement.(4) Creating Equal Opportunity for an Education; One of the great unfinished projects of the civil rights movement is addressing inequality in education. Schools are increasingly segregated, separate and unequal. Children of color, with disabilities and English language learners are much more frequently denied the opportunity to thrive and achieve their aspirations. Education reform in the District and in the region, has had some effect, but it is limited.(5) Reducing the Impact of an Unfair Criminal System; The criminal system is a prime driver of inequality. Work to address these issues will include:(A) A continued strong emphasis on addressing conditions of incarceration. Persons confined to prisons, jails, immigration detention and other criminal system institutions are confronted with a unique and particularly cruel form of state power. As long as mass incarceration is a fact, the need for prisoners rights advocacy will be essential.(B) Strategies to reduce unnecessary and discriminatory contact with the criminal justice system and that reduces the effects of such contact. Race bias is deeply imbedded in each criminal system component, including the writing of laws, police, prosecutors, courts, prisons and the effects of collateral consequences. These effects are significant whether they result in long-term incarceration, crushing court imposed financial obligations (debtors prisons) or barriers to employment, education or housing after a period of incarceration.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 78.2%; rating input score 78
• Program expense ratio: 62.6%; rating input score 63
• Fundraising efficiency: $4.02 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 13; 13th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 93.8%; rating input score 94; 20th percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 2 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 33
  • Compensation committee: Missing
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Missing
  • Written employment contract: Missing
  • Compensation survey or study: Pass
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: Limited
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 9 of 9 controls in place; rating input score 100
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: Pass
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: -24.2%; rating input score 5; 5th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 0.86; rating input score 32; 32nd percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.42; rating input score 25; 25th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 24.9%; rating input score 8; 8th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 5.7% per year; rating input score 100; 43rd percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 2.8% per year; rating input score 100; 25th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 10.6% per year; rating input score 100; 61st percentile among comparable filings