Juvenile Justice Initiative
The Juvenile Justice Initiative is an Illinois-based nonprofit advocacy organization that conducts legislative advocacy, coalition building, and policy research to advance juvenile justice reform, serving children and young adults in conflict with the law in Illinois.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2000
- HeadquartersEvanston, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Juvenile Justice Initiative does
The Juvenile Justice Initiative (JJI) is an Illinois-based nonprofit advocacy organization that works to ensure justice, racial equity, and human rights for children and young adults in conflict with the law. Headquartered in Evanston, Illinois, JJI has been active in juvenile justice reform for at least 14 years, with its advocacy grounded in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and comparative international models such as Northern Ireland's Child First system. The organization does not sell products or services and operates as a donation-funded nonprofit, generating revenue through events such as its annual fundraiser luncheon, direct donations, and an email mailing list.
JJI's core output is legislative advocacy, coalition building, and policy research. Its primary products are research reports and publications, the Illinois Data Trends Dashboard (a data visualization tool tracking prosecution, sentencing, and detention center populations), and educational resources supporting implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child in Illinois. The organization distributes its work through a website (jjustice.org), a YouTube channel featuring summit content, email communications, earned media coverage in outlets such as Public News Service, and direct engagement with Illinois state legislators. Its go-to-market is relationship-based policy advocacy rather than commercial sales.
JJI's most significant recent achievements include championing Public Act 104-0449 (2025), which gradually raises the minimum age of juvenile detention from 10 to 13, and advancing HB4639, HB4640, and SB2973, which promote restorative justice alternatives and mandatory legal representation for minors during custodial interrogation. The organization is led by founder and Interim Executive Director Elizabeth (Betsy) Clarke, Director of Policy and Operations Patrick Whalen, and Community Outreach Director Annazette Collins, with a board chaired by Herschella G. Conyers and including former judges, legislators, and community organization leaders.
Juvenile Justice Initiative firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Juvenile Justice Initiative
- Legal name
- Juvenile Justice Initiative
- Website
- https://jjustice.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2000
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- The Juvenile Justice Initiative is an Illinois-based nonprofit advocacy organization that conducts legislative advocacy, coalition building, and policy research to advance juvenile justice reform, serving children and young adults in conflict with the law in Illinois.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Juvenile Justice Initiative industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Juvenile Justice Advocacy
- NAICS
- Human Rights Organizations (813311), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Criminal Justice Reform & Legal System Advocacy (BPAGAFAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Youth Justice, At-Risk Youth & Violence Prevention Nonprofits (BPAGADAM), Child Rights & Protection (BPADAGAG)
Keywords
Where Juvenile Justice Initiative is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Evanston
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Juvenile Justice Initiative business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Fundraising: The organization raises funds through events such as annual fundraiser luncheons and direct donations. The 2026 Fundraiser Luncheon is scheduled for September 16th at Maggiano's in Chicago with ticket and sponsorship options available.
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
Juvenile Justice Initiative product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Juvenile Justice Initiative advocates for juvenile justice reform in Illinois by combining legislative advocacy, policy research, and coalition building to protect children from harm caused by the justice system. It produces reports, policy briefs, and educational resources, including the Illinois Data Trends Dashboard and Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) materials, distributed through its website and partner networks. The organization engages directly with state legislators and partners with impacted communities and allied nonprofits to advance reforms such as raising the age of juvenile court jurisdiction.
Product overview
The Juvenile Justice Initiative is a non-profit advocacy organization (not a technology product company) focused on juvenile justice reform in Illinois. The organization does not offer software products but provides advocacy resources including published research reports, data visualization tools for tracking Illinois juvenile justice trends, and educational materials on the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Their core work involves legislative advocacy, coalition building, and publishing policy briefs and reports on issues such as detention reform, restorative justice, and children's rights in the justice system.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- JJI Reports and Policy Publications Published reports and policy briefs that document juvenile justice conditions in Illinois and present evidence-based recommendations to legislators and partner organizations. Targeted at Illinois state legislators, policymakers, advocates, and partner nonprofits working on juvenile justice reform.
- Illinois Data Trends Dashboard An interactive data visualization dashboard hosted on the JJI website that presents trends in Illinois juvenile justice data, intended to inform legislators, researchers, advocates, and members of the public.
- Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) Educational Resources Educational materials and resources that apply the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child framework to juvenile justice advocacy in Illinois, intended for legislators, educators, advocates, and community members.
Quantifiable outcome
- Successfully advocated for Public Act 104-0449 raising minimum detention age from 10 to 12 by July 2026, and to 13 by July 2027
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Juvenile Justice Initiative
Customer profileSegments1 record
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Juvenile Justice Initiative technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Juvenile Justice Initiative partnerships and signals
Strategic signalRecent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Juvenile Justice Initiative competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat4 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Juvenile Justice Initiative social profiles
Digital presenceJuvenile Justice Initiative financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Juvenile Justice Initiative leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Juvenile Justice Initiative funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Juvenile Justice Initiative M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Juvenile Justice Initiative
What does Juvenile Justice Initiative do?
The Juvenile Justice Initiative advocates for juvenile justice reform in Illinois by combining legislative advocacy, policy research, and coalition building to protect children from harm caused by the justice system. It produces reports, policy briefs, and educational resources, including the Illinois Data Trends Dashboard and Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) materials, distributed through its website and partner networks. The organization engages directly with state legislators and partners with impacted communities and allied nonprofits to advance reforms such as raising the age of juvenile court jurisdiction.
Is Juvenile Justice Initiative a public or private company?
Juvenile Justice Initiative is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Juvenile Justice Initiative founded?
Juvenile Justice Initiative was founded in 2000. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Juvenile Justice Initiative based?
Juvenile Justice Initiative is headquartered in Evanston, United States, in the North America region.
How does Juvenile Justice Initiative make money?
One revenue line is on record: donations and Fundraising.
Does Juvenile Justice Initiative have an API?
No public API is recorded for Juvenile Justice Initiative.
What industry is Juvenile Justice Initiative in?
Juvenile Justice Initiative's product category is Juvenile Justice Advocacy. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAFAI, Criminal Justice Reform & Legal System Advocacy, with a secondary code of BPAGADAM, Youth Justice, At-Risk Youth & Violence Prevention Nonprofits. Its NAICS code is 813311 and its SIC code is 8300.