What The Gathering for Justice does

The Gathering for Justice is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit social justice organization headquartered in New York City and founded in 2005 by Harry Belafonte in response to the arrest of a 5-year-old Black girl in a Florida classroom. Its stated mission is to end child incarceration, dismantle racial inequities in the criminal legal system, and advance civil rights through four operating pillars: direct actions and rapid response, arts and cultural organizing, education and leadership training, and advocacy. The organization's work is grounded in the Six Principles of Kingian Nonviolence from Dr. Martin Luther King's "A Pilgrimage to Nonviolence," which functions as its organizing methodology rather than a technology stack.

The organization operates a portfolio of programs rather than a technology platform. Programs include Justice League NYC (state-level task force established 2014) and Justice League California (established 2017), which together comprise rapid-response direct action coalitions of juvenile justice experts, artists, educators, and formerly incarcerated individuals. Additional programs include the Youth Organizers United (YOU) Program (civic engagement and career pathway training for ages 13-25), Justice University (organizer/advocate training), the Latinx Police Accountability Network (LPAN), Radical Readz (book series), Revolutionary Reels (film series), and the MLK Freedom & Unity Weekend. Programs are delivered through field offices in New York, Oxnard, Stockton, and Los Angeles, and via coalition partnerships with organizations including 1199SEIU, Innocence Project, Reform Alliance, United We Dream, and Campaign to Close Rikers.

The business model is donation-funded and event-driven. The organization does not charge fees for programmatic services; revenue derives from individual donations (processed via the GiveLively platform), corporate and foundation grants, and special events including an annual Gala. Quantified financial signals include cumulative fundraising of "over $15 million since 2005," a $71,000 Community Relief Fund distributed in 2022, and high-visibility events (e.g., 2017 Women's March at 5M+ attendees, 2015 March2Justice 250-mile march, 2015 Justice Or Else at 500K+ attendees). Headcount is 1-10 employees. Carmen Perez-Jordan, who led the organization since 2010 and co-founded the 2017 Women's March, transitioned from President & CEO effective May 8, 2026, continuing as President Emerita.

Name

The Gathering for Justice

Legal name

The Gathering for Justice

Website

https://gatheringforjustice.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Gathering for Justice is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2005 by Harry Belafonte that advances criminal, racial, and social justice through community organizing, youth leadership training, arts and cultural organizing, and policy advocacy via programs such as Justice League NYC/CA and Youth Organizers United.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Social Justice Advocacy

NAICS

Human Rights Organizations (813311), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Racial & Ethnic Justice Organizations (BPAGAFAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Criminal Justice Reform & Legal System Advocacy (BPAGAFAI), Youth Justice, At-Risk Youth & Violence Prevention Nonprofits (BPAGADAM), Human Rights & Anti-Discrimination Organizations (BPAGAFAB), Civil Liberties & Constitutional Rights Advocacy (BPAGAFAA)

Keywords

• Criminal justice reform
• Social justice advocacy
• Youth leadership training
• Community organizing services
• Nonprofit policy advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Accepts donations through GiveLively platform for general operations and specific campaigns
2. Corporate and Foundation Grants: Receives funding from corporate funders and foundations including those shown on website (funders logos section)
3. Special Events Revenue: Annual Gala events, tribute celebrations, and community events that serve as fundraising mechanisms

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The Gathering for Justice is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that advances criminal justice reform, racial equity, and civil rights through community organizing, rapid-response direct action, policy advocacy, youth leadership development, and cultural organizing via arts and literature. Its core deliverables include the Justice League NYC and Justice League California task forces, the Youth Organizers United (YOU) Program, Justice University training, Radical Readz book series, and Revolutionary Reels film programming, all delivered free of charge to impacted communities.

Product overview

The Gathering for Justice is a nonprofit social justice organization that operates as a unified movement-building entity rather than a technology platform. The organization offers a portfolio of advocacy programs including Radical Readz (book series), Revolutionary Reels (film series), MLK Freedom & Unity Weekend (intergenerational event), Justice League NYC|CA (direct action task forces), Youth Organizers United (youth leadership program), Justice University (training program), and the Latinx Police Accountability Network (LPAN) initiative. These programs connect art, policy, and collective imagination to shape public consciousness and advance criminal justice reform, racial equity, and civil rights.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Justice League NYC: Multi-disciplinary task force of juvenile and criminal justice experts, artists, educators, direct service providers, activists, and formerly incarcerated individuals operating under the auspices of The Gathering for Justice in New York City.
• Justice League California
• Youth Organizers United (YOU) Program
• Justice University
• Radical Readz
• Revolutionary Reels
• MLK Freedom & Unity Weekend

Products and services

• Justice League NYC A New York City-based direct action task force of juvenile and criminal justice experts, artists, educators, direct service providers, activists, and formerly incarcerated individuals, driving policy change and rapid response to incidents of injustice.
• Justice League California A California-based state task force bringing together juvenile and criminal justice experts, advocates, artists, and individuals impacted by incarceration to serve as a beacon for immediate responses to racial and social injustices.
• Youth Organizers United (YOU) Program A youth-focused program cultivating young leaders equipped to fight for justice through training for civic engagement, connecting youth to career pathways, nurturing advocacy skills, and empowering action. Operates in Oxnard, Stockton, and Los Angeles.
• Justice University A training program that teaches people how to become effective organizers and advocates for criminal justice reform, equipping participants with knowledge, skills, and tools to make a difference in their communities.
• Radical Readz A book series inspired by Harry Belafonte's vision of a 'movement book club' that inspires and educates readers about the history of social justice movements and ways to get involved.
• Revolutionary Reels A film series screening films exploring the intersection of film and social justice, covering topics including police brutality, mass incarceration, and the school-to-prison pipeline.
• Latinx Police Accountability Network (LPAN)
• MLK Freedom & Unity Weekend

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $15 million secured for communities since 2005
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Roc NationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Sponsors and supports The Gathering's work; CEO Desiree Perez received Harry Belafonte Social Justice Award at 20th Anniversary Gala
• Southern Black Girls and Women's ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Partnership for Women's March on Washington and subsequent campaigns supporting women and anti-violence causes including Megan Thee Stallion solidarity events
• Justice For Flint Concert PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Co-produced Justice For Flint Concert headlined by Stevie Wonder and Janelle Monae with coalition building in Flint community
• Justice Or Else CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Co-led 20th Anniversary of Million Man March on National Mall with over 500,000 attendees
• 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers EastcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2011Partnership launched Purple Gold young worker's program serving 75,000 members under age 35 in 5 regions. 1199SEIU opened its doors as convening space for The Gathering's work and organized joint advocacy for ending child incarceration linked to broader labor movement.
• 2nd CallminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered for Megan Thee Stallion courthouse support and anti-violence initiatives
• Homies UnidosminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered for Megan Thee Stallion courthouse support in Los Angeles
• Take Charge, Inc.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered for Megan Thee Stallion courthouse support in Los Angeles
• COMMUNITYx, Inc.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered for Megan Thee Stallion courthouse support in Los Angeles
• TimeDoneminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered for Megan Thee Stallion courthouse support in Los Angeles
• Ella Baker Center for Human RightscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-hosted 'West to East: Legacy and Chicana Leadership' event honoring Ella Baker and Harry Belafonte legacies
• Bronx ConnectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-hosted phone banking day for #Right2RemainSilent campaign resulting in 100+ calls to NYS legislature and legislator commitments to co-sponsor
• Live NationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGala sponsor for 20th Anniversary celebration
• Universal Music GroupcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGala sponsor for 20th Anniversary celebration
• NFL FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGala sponsor for 20th Anniversary celebration
• Reform AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGala sponsor; shared mission in criminal justice reform advocacy
• Innocence ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Moms for Melissa campaign to save Melissa Lucio from execution
• United We DreamcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-signed letter calling on Biden Administration to apologize to immigrant communities
• Campaign to Close RikerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition member advocating for closure of Rikers Island jails by 2026
• Change Now - End Qualified Immunity NY CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition championing End Qualified Immunity legislation S.182/A.710
• 100+ Community Organizations (Right2RemainSilent)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition supporting S.1009/A.8923 legislation for youth Miranda rights

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• JustLeadershipUSA: National nonprofit leading the movement to cut the U.S. prison population in half, led by directly impacted people. Focused on criminal justice reform, decarceration, and elevating formerly incarcerated leaders — direct overlap with The Gathering's mission.
• Color of Change: Online racial justice organization that mobilizes Black Americans and allies to drive progressive change through campaigns, advocacy, and direct action. Operates in a similar community-organizing and policy-advocacy space.
• Equal Justice Initiative: Founded by Bryan Stevenson, EJI focuses on racial justice, criminal justice reform, and challenging excessive punishment. Like The Gathering, it combines litigation, advocacy, and public education to end mass incarceration and racial inequality.
• Reform Alliance: Criminal justice reform advocacy organization co-founded by Jay-Z and Meek Mill focused on probation and parole reform. The Gathering's collaboration with Reform Alliance (Gala sponsor) and shared criminal justice reform mission makes it a strong comparable.
• Vera Institute of Justice: Research and policy organization working to end mass incarceration and expand justice system reform. Comparable as a values-aligned criminal justice reform nonprofit focused on research-driven policy change.
• Brennan Center for Justice: Nonpartisan law and policy institute at NYU focused on democracy, justice, and criminal justice reform. Comparable as a similar advocacy think-and-do tank combining research, litigation, and policy advocacy.
• The Sentencing Project: Research and advocacy organization focused on criminal justice reform, reducing incarceration, and addressing racial disparities. Shares a policy-advocacy and research-driven approach to criminal justice issues.
• Innocence Project: Legal nonprofit that works to exonerate wrongfully convicted individuals and reform criminal justice. The Gathering's partnership with Innocence Project (Moms for Melissa campaign) places both in the criminal justice reform advocacy space.

Broad incumbents

• NAACP: One of the largest and oldest civil rights organizations in the U.S., with broad advocacy across racial justice, criminal justice, voting rights, and more. Operates as a broader incumbent; Justice League NYC received the NAACP Chairman's Award in 2016.
• ACLU: Large national civil liberties organization with constitutional rights litigation, advocacy, and public education across a much broader scope than The Gathering. Comparable as a broader incumbent in the civil rights advocacy space.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/gather4justice

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Gathering for Justice