Nonprofit · EIN 52-1472546
THE SENTENCING PROJECT
Tax-exempt · WASHINGTON, DC 20036
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2025 | 990 | $4,801,699 | $4,809,745 | -$8,046 | $10,334,995 | $394,439 | $9,940,556 |
| December 31, 2024 | 990 | $8,346,667 | $5,599,399 | $2,747,268 | $10,401,671 | $578,202 | $9,823,469 |
| December 31, 2023 | 990 | $4,149,060 | $5,505,348 | -$1,356,288 | $7,274,373 | $529,217 | $6,745,156 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $4,640,875
- Program service revenue
- $14,690
- Investment income
- $136,695
- Royalties
- $939
- Net gain from sales of assets
- -$98,504
- Other revenue
- $9,439
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $95,513
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $226,983
- Other salaries and wages
- $1,806,283
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $2,524,787
- Professional fundraising fees
- $141,680
- Legal fees
- $20,655
- Accounting fees
- $95,216
- Occupancy
- $115,619
- Travel
- $64,388
- Depreciation
- $72,705
- Program services (functional)
- $3,565,480
- Management and general (functional)
- $607,062
- Fundraising (functional)
- $637,203
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $10,401,671
- Total assets, end of year
- $10,334,995
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $394,439
- Net assets, end of year
- $9,940,556
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $21,554
- Publicly traded securities
- $4,471,467
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $5,741,295
- Net assets with donor restrictions
- $4,199,261
- Gross receipts
- $6,445,752
- Employees
- 28
- Volunteers
- 13
- Year formed
- 1986
- State of legal domicile
- DC
From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.
Officers, directors and key employees
As listed on the 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KARA GOTSCH | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Officer | 40 | $199,500 | $27,483 |
| DANIEL BARASH | DIRECTOR OF FINANCE AND OPERATIONS Highest-paid employee | 40 | $143,367 | $29,206 |
| NICOLE PORTER | SENIOR DIRECTOR OF ADVOCACY Highest-paid employee | 40 | $144,883 | $22,326 |
| NAZGOL GHANDNOOSH | RESEARCH DIRECTOR Highest-paid employee | 40 | $139,017 | $22,350 |
| JOSH ROVNER | DIRECTOR OF YOUTH JUSTICE Highest-paid employee | 40 | $124,822 | $23,198 |
| MORGAN MCLEOD | DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS Highest-paid employee | 40 | $120,000 | $17,693 |
| MARC MAUER | PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 0.7 | $0 | $0 |
| OLINDA MOYD | VICE-PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 0.7 | $0 | $0 |
| MARK MACDOUGALL | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 0.7 | $0 | $0 |
| TERRY NIXON | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 0.7 | $0 | $0 |
| HENDERSON HILL | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.7 | $0 | $0 |
| MARC HOWARD | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.7 | $0 | $0 |
| ANGELA DAVIS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.7 | $0 | $0 |
| JASON HERNANDEZ | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.7 | $0 | $0 |
| JAMES FORMAN JR | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.7 | $0 | $0 |
4 more people on this return
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASHLEY MCSWAIN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.7 | $0 |
| JAKE SUSSMAN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.7 | $0 |
| SANTHA SONENBERG | DIRECTOR - TERM ENDED IN 2025 Trustee or director | 0.7 | $0 |
| CYNTHIA JONES | DIRECTOR - TERM ENDED IN 2025 Trustee or director | 0.7 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2024: 16 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KARA GOTSCH | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Officer | 40 | $195,000 | $26,207 |
| DANIEL BARASH | DIRECTOR OF FINANCE AND OPERATIONS Highest-paid employee | 40 | $136,643 | $33,353 |
| ASHLEY NELLIS | CO-DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH Highest-paid employee | 40 | $142,061 | $20,975 |
| NICOLE PORTER | DIRECTOR OF ADVOCACY Highest-paid employee | 40 | $137,580 | $20,973 |
| NAZGOL GHANDNOOSH | CO-DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH Highest-paid employee | 40 | $134,442 | $14,359 |
| JOSH ROVNER | DIRECTOR OF YOUTH JUSTICE Highest-paid employee | 40 | $120,007 | $21,861 |
| HENDERSON HILL | PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 0.7 | $0 | $0 |
| SANTHA SONENBERG | VICE-PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 0.7 | $0 | $0 |
| MARK MACDOUGALL | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 0.7 | $0 | $0 |
| ASHLEY MCSWAIN | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 0.7 | $0 | $0 |
| MARC M HOWARD | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.7 | $0 | $0 |
| ANGELA J DAVIS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.7 | $0 | $0 |
| CYNTHIA JONES | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.7 | $0 | $0 |
| MARC MAUER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.7 | $0 | $0 |
| EBONY UNDERWOOD | DIRECTOR -SERVED FROM 1/24-4/24 Trustee or director | 0.7 | $0 | $0 |
| JASON HERNANDEZ | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.7 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2023: 18 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KARA GOTSCH | INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Officer | 40 | $167,759 | $30,022 |
| AMY FETTIG | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 01/01/23-06/30/23 Officer | 40 | $174,708 | $15,547 |
| NICOLE PORTER | DIRECTOR OF ADVOCACY Highest-paid employee | 40 | $130,363 | $20,835 |
| ASHLEY NELLIS | CO-DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH Highest-paid employee | 40 | $130,832 | $20,325 |
| HEATHER KOSLOV | DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR Highest-paid employee | 40 | $132,034 | $10,723 |
| JOSH ROVNER | DIRECTOR OF YOUTH JUSTICE Highest-paid employee | 40 | $115,330 | $21,072 |
| NAZGOL GHANDNOOSH | CO-DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH Highest-paid employee | 40 | $119,578 | $11,001 |
| HENDERSON HILL | PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 0.7 | $0 | $0 |
| SANTHA SONENBERG | VICE-PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 0.7 | $0 | $0 |
| MARK MACDOUGALL | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 0.7 | $0 | $0 |
| ASHLEY MCSWAIN | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 0.7 | $0 | $0 |
| MARC M HOWARD | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.7 | $0 | $0 |
| ANGELA J DAVIS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.7 | $0 | $0 |
| CYNTHIA JONES | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.7 | $0 | $0 |
| MARC MAUER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.7 | $0 | $0 |
| EBONY UNDERWOOD | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.7 | $0 | $0 |
| JASON HERNANDEZ | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.7 | $0 | $0 |
| MICHAEL BLAKE | DIRECTOR, SERVED 1/23-9/23 Trustee or director | 0.7 | $0 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 1150 CONNECTICUT AVE NW STE 601, WASHINGTON, DC 20036-4161
- Principal officer (990 for 2025)
- KARA GOTSCH, 1150 CONNECTICUT AVE NW 601, WASHINGTON, DC 20036
- Signed the 990
- KARA GOTSCH, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
- Phone
- (202) 628-0871
- Website
- WWW.SENTENCINGPROJECT.ORG
- Return prepared by
- COUNCILOR BUCHANAN & MITCHELL PC
Mission
RESEARCH AND EDUCATION ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE POLICY ISSUES, AND ADVOCACY FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM.
Program accomplishments
- EXTREME SENTENCING: THE ORGANIZATION PLAYS A LEADERSHIP ROLE IN SENTENCING REFORM ACTIVITIES: PUBLISHING RESEARCH, EDUCATING MEDIA, LAWMAKERS, AND THE PUBLIC, AND ADVOCATING FOR CHANGE TO ADDRESS THE SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE IN THE PRISON POPULATION OVER THE LAST 50 YEARS. THE ORGANIZATION HAS PRIORITIZED THE STUDY OF LIFE IMPRISONMENT IN THE UNITED STATES AND UNDERSTANDING ITS IMPACT ON PRISON POPULATION INCREASES, AGING BEHIND BARS, AND THE CONSEQUENCES OF LIFELONG IMPRISONMENT ON YOUNG PEOPLE AND EMERGING ADULTS. THE ORGANIZATION WORKS IN COALITION WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS TO PROMOTE ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR SENTENCE REDUCTION TO ADDRESS UNFAIRNESS IN THE SYSTEM. IN RESPONSE TO THE EVOLVING SECOND LOOK MOVEMENT, THE ORGANIZATION LAUNCHED THE SECOND LOOK NETWORK (THE NETWORK) IN MARCH 2023.Expenses $1,758,785 · grants $60,000 · revenue $3,805
- YOUTH JUSTICE: THE ORGANIZATION WORKS TO SAFEGUARD YOUTH FROM THE RAVAGES OF THE ADULT CRIMINAL LEGAL SYSTEM AND EXPLORE ALTERNATIVES TO YOUTH INVOLVEMENT IN BOTH THE JUVENILE AND ADULT JUSTICE SYSTEM. THE ORGANIZATION PUBLISHES REPORTS ON THE NUMBERS OF YOUTH IMPACTED BY THE CRIMINAL LEGAL SYSTEM AND ON BEST PRACTICES FOR DIVERTING YOUTH FROM FUTURE ENGAGEMENT IN THE JUSTICE SYSTEM. THE ORGANIZATION ADVOCATES FOR POLICIES TO PROTECT YOUTH IN THE JUSTICE SYSTEM AND SPEAKS AT CONFERENCES AND WITH THE MEDIA TO EDUCATE AUDIENCES ABOUT THE NEED FOR REFORM.Expenses $857,897 · grants $25,513
- VOTING RIGHTS: THE ORGANIZATION IS A LEADER IN NATIONAL EFFORTS TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE DISENFRANCHISEMENT OF JUSTICE-INVOLVED PEOPLE, THE RACIALLY DISPARATE IMPACTS OF CURRENT FELONY DISENFRANCHISEMENT LAWS AND JAIL PRACTICES, AND THE NEED TO IMPLEMENT UNIVERSAL SUFFRAGE FOR ALL CITIZENS IN ORDER TO END THE ROLE OF THE CRIMINAL LEGAL SYSTEM IN MEDIATING THE CENTRAL RIGHT OF VOTING IN A DEMOCRACY. THE ORGANIZATION PUBLISHES AND DISTRIBUTES RESEARCH ESTIMATING THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY STATE FELONY DISENFRANCHISEMENT LAWS AND OTHER RELATED TOPICS, HOSTS AN ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF NATIONAL ADVOCATES, AND IT WORKS TO ADVOCATE FOR FULL VOTING RIGHTS FOR INDIVIDUALS IN JAIL, PRISON, AND THE COMMUNITY REGARDLESS OF CONVICTION STATUS.Expenses $857,527 · grants $10,000 · revenue $10,885
- RESEARCH AND PUBLIC EDUCATION: THE ORGANIZATION MONITORS THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND PRODUCES RESEARCH AND POLICY ANALYSES TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE IMPACT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE LAWS, POLICIES, AND PRACTICES. FINDINGS ARE SHARED THROUGH HIGHLY VISIBLE PUBLIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGNS THAT INCLUDE EARNED MEDIA, WEBINARS, NEWSLETTERS, ACTION ALERTS, AND SOCIAL MEDIA. POLICY PRIORITIES INCLUDE EXTREME SENTENCING, VOTING RIGHTS, YOUTH JUSTICE, AND RACIAL AND ETHNIC DISPARITIES.Expenses $63,656
- POLICY REFORM ADVOCACY: THE ORGANIZATION ADVOCATES AT THE FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL LEVEL FOR REDUCING THE USE OF INCARCERATION TO ADDRESS CRIME, DECREASING THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN PRISON IN FAVOR OF MORE COMMUNITY-BASED SOLUTIONS, REFORMING SENTENCING POLICIES THAT PRODUCE MASS INCARCERATION AND RACIAL, GENDER OR ECONOMIC INJUSTICE, EXPANDING AND RESTORING VOTING RIGHTS TO AMERICANS WITH CONVICTIONS, AND PROTECTING YOUTH FROM THE ADULT CRIMINAL LEGAL SYSTEM.Expenses $27,615
What it must file and when
IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in December, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.
| Tax year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | December 31, 2025 | May 15, 2026 | 990 on file |
| 2024 | December 31, 2024 | May 15, 2025 | 990 on file |
| 2023 | December 31, 2023 | May 15, 2024 | 990 on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 52-1472546
- Tax-exempt status
- 501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
- Foundation status
- Publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(A)(vi))
- Donations deductible (Pub 78)
- Public charity, 50% deduction limit
- Exempt since
- 1987
- Accounting year ends
- December
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $10,334,995
- Income (IRS master file)
- $6,445,752
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | December 2025 | $4,801,699 | $4,809,745 | $10,334,995 | XML |
| 990 | December 2024 | $8,346,667 | $5,599,399 | $10,401,671 | XML |
| 990 | December 2023 | $4,149,060 | $5,505,348 | $7,274,373 | XML |
| 990 | December 2022 | $4,900,239 | $3,722,016 | $8,351,605 | IRS |
| 990 | December 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2018 | – | – | – | IRS |
990-N: the IRS bulk file holds only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years come from archived copies of that file since 2020 and can have gaps (the IRS e-Postcard search lists every one). 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS (search EIN 52-1472546).
Questions about THE SENTENCING PROJECT
- What is the EIN of THE SENTENCING PROJECT?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of THE SENTENCING PROJECT is 52-1472546.
- Is THE SENTENCING PROJECT tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1987.
- Are donations to THE SENTENCING PROJECT tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does THE SENTENCING PROJECT file?
- Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.
- When is the next return of THE SENTENCING PROJECT due?
- The return for tax year 2026 (the year ending December 31, 2026) is due May 17, 2027. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did THE SENTENCING PROJECT last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended December 2025.
- Who is the principal officer of THE SENTENCING PROJECT?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 names KARA GOTSCH.
- Who are the officers and directors of THE SENTENCING PROJECT?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 lists 19 people; 6 received compensation from the organization, the highest $199,500 (KARA GOTSCH, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR).
- How much revenue does THE SENTENCING PROJECT have?
- On its 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 it reported revenue of $4,801,699, expenses of $4,809,745 and total assets of $10,334,995 at year end.
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