My Nonprofit Reviews

I wish I could give 10 stars.

As an attorney active in politics in Washington, D.C. I am often asked to donate to political and charitable causes. The number of "asks" far exceed the amount I am able to contribute. Hence, I perform a significant amount of due diligence into a non-profit before contributing (and the number of non-profits to which I consider contributing is fairly small to begin with). International Justice Mission (IJM) has impressed me greatly. In fact, it's mission, it's accountability structure, it's transparency, and it's success in its mission is incredible and is better than anything I've seen anywhere else in the United States non-profit world (with the possible exception of CRS, which is an equal in impressiveness but totally different type of organization).

I've visited IJM's offices. I've sat in their morning staff meeting. I've toured their offices. I've interviewed their HQ and Field Office workers, and they are a stellar group of people. This organization uses its funds so efficiently. I've examined their financials and believe that their employees are working for a 15-50% discount (depending on the position) of what they could earn at other non-profits and massive (sometimes 500-700%) discounts on what they could (or did) earn in the private sector or government. Their job is a labor of love and it shows.

Let me provide an illustration of why IJM is great and of the support it gets (which isn't enough, by the way, IJM needs more funds to do more work)-- A top, liberal law firm in DC (Covington & Burling) has donated to IJM, had its employees attend IJM fundraisers, and has at least 4 alumni attorneys (partners and associates) who left Covington and now work at IJM. This is but one example of how IJM is neither conservative or liberal, but rather a true human rights organization with no goal other than justice.

IJM is a Christian organization and it serves mostly non-Christians. It also derives significant support from non-Christians. It is truly a "service" organization. it is also professional to its core. Excellence, efficiency, and a focus on success are core values of this organization.

I have been a donor to this organization in the past, and as an attorney who is an expert in this field, I cannot give a higher recommendation to IJM.

A gift to IJM has a significant chance of actually saving a person from slavery, forced prostitution, trafficking, or death. There are few places where one can give money and know that their gift has a high probability of achieving those goals. And those are but a few of the good things that IJM uses it's donations to help achieve. I don't work for IJM so I couldn't possibly list the many ways a donation helps but I can point you to their website-- www.IJM.org -- and I can give it my absolute highest recommendation.

If you have any doubt, read their website and read their IRS Form 990. Then compare the IRS 990 with another non-profit to which you are considering donating. I am sure you'll see a difference immediately. Now imagine that this difference applies across the board. Then realize that IJM saves children from forced prostitution and provides aftercare to give them a new life. IJM saves families from slavery and provides education so they can go on and be productive members of society.

IJM doesn't simply sweep in and empty a brother full of children and trafficked women. It stops the brothel. It puts the pimp in jail. It warns the punters that they will be prosecuted. It prosecutes them. It sends a warning to other brothels, pimps, punters, and traffickers that they will be caught. It helps the children and women saved through counseling and education. And it STICKS WITH THE VICTIMS FOR YEARS!!!! Helping them get well and helping them give back to society and work against oppression.

This organization is truly amazing and it has been an honor to donate to them and an honor to see them work. I've even considered working for them even though this would be a massive pay cut. They are truly that good, and what they achieve and work for is truly that important.

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