85TH ANNIVERSARY IMPACT REPORT
WE WERE
BUILT
FOR THIS
For over eight decades, the Legal Defense Fund (LDF) has fought in courthouses and communities across the nation to realize the dream of racial justice, equality, and an inclusive society. And none of this would be possible without you. See how we’re making an impact, together.
The Work Continues
Since our founding in 1940, LDF has remained at the forefront of nearly every multi-generational effort to secure the full rights and dignity of Black people. We know that the victories we fight for may take years — sometimes lifetimes — to achieve. These are generational battles that demand persistence, courage, and a resilient commitment to justice. And yet we continue, driven by the belief that every action we take now, with your support, bends the long arc of history closer to justice for all.
Janai Nelson
President and Director-Counsel
PARTICIPATION
Through litigation, policy advocacy, and voter protection work, LDF promotes the full, equal, and active participation of Black people in America's democracy.
POLITICAL
EQUITY
Public education is under attack in America. As the organization that litigated and won Brown v. Board of Education, LDF is defending every student’s right to a free, high-quality education.
EDUCATIONAL
JUSTICE
To realize the dream of a truly equitable society, LDF advocates for fair housing and works to ensure Black people can access critical services, like high-quality health care and clean water.
ECONOMIC
CRIMINAL
From law enforcement violence and militarization to the death penalty, LDF fights abuses in the criminal legal system and works to establish a public safety system that protects Black people's lives and dignity.
JUSTICE
See LDF’s Impact Across America
A Year of Impact
330+
voting sites protected
Visited and monitored voting in 330+ polling sites across the South to help ensure voting rights were protected.
140+
stories of action and hope
We launched our Substack in 2025 and have published over 140 original stories.
31+
community campaigns
LDF organized, led, or supported more than 31 local campaigns across 17 states.
13K+
historical documents
More than 13,000 archival documents are publicly available on the Thurgood Marshall Institute’s “Recollection” digital platform.
142
future litigators supported
LDF invested in the next generation of civil rights champions by supporting 142 scholars and fellows in 2025.
9K+
new donors
We welcomed more than 9,000 new donors to join the fight for racial equality.
The Thurgood
Through exhaustive research, razor-sharp analysis, and detailed archiving, the Thurgood Marshall Institute (TMI) supports LDF’s legacy of building a fair and equitable society.
The expert team of social scientists and archivists behind this think tank and archival repository have used research to protect truth amidst recent attacks and preserved history. Learn how TMI is defending democracy in our impact report.
Involved
Receive our weekly Substack newsletter, featuring original opinions and insights from LDF staff.
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