By Rachel McCarthy
At The Milestone Foundation, everything we do begins with a simple but powerful idea: plaintiff funding should be a resource and a benefit, not a harm, to plaintiffs. That belief is the reason we chose to be a nonprofit organization—and it continues to guide how we serve the legal community every day.
What It Means to Be a Nonprofit
The Milestone Foundation is a 501c3 public charity, incorporated in New York State. We are the only nonprofit in the consumer litigation funding industry.
Being a nonprofit means that our organization exists to advance a mission rather than generate profits for owners or shareholders. Any funds we receive—whether through repaid advances, donations, grants, or partnerships—are reinvested directly into our programs, services, and initiatives.
For The Milestone Foundation, this structure ensures that every dollar supports the people we care about most: plaintiffs. It creates accountability, transparency, and a deep sense of responsibility to the communities we serve.
Why We Chose the Nonprofit Path
The decision to become a nonprofit wasn’t just a legal or financial one—it was a reflection of our values.
We recognized early on that the consumer litigation funding industry is not plaintiff friendly. Traditional funding companies charge high interest rates that can leave a plaintiff depleted once they finally receive their settlement. The priority of the traditional pre-settlement funding industry is making money, not helping to keep plaintiffs stable while they go through litigation.
But our origination was also designed as an experiment: can a nonprofit organization make it in the consumer litigation funding industry? Is it possible to provide plaintiff funding at low-cost? Is there an appetite for this among the civil justice community? Would trial lawyers show up and support this type of nonprofit?
Ten years later, the answer to these questions is YES.
The challenges we aim to address require long-term commitment, trust, and collaboration. A nonprofit model allows us to:
- Focus entirely on impact rather than revenue generation
- Build trust with donors, partners, plaintiffs, and the legal community
- Access funding opportunities like grants and charitable contributions
- Operate with transparency, ensuring stakeholders know how resources are used
Most importantly, it keeps us aligned with our mission of fair funding.
How The Milestone Foundation Operates as a Nonprofit
Running a nonprofit involves more than just having a mission—it requires structure, governance, and accountability.
Here’s how we put those principles into action:
- Mission-Driven
Everything we do is designed to create measurable, meaningful impact for plaintiffs struggling to cover basic living expenses. We continually evaluate our operations to ensure they are effective and aligned with our goals.
- Responsible Financial Stewardship
We carefully manage our resources, prioritizing efficiency and sustainability. Funds are allocated thoughtfully to maximize the benefit to those we serve.
- Community and Donor Support
Our work is made possible by the generosity of donors and partners. Their support allows us to expand our reach and deepen our impact.
- Governance and Accountability
We are guided by a board and leadership team committed to ethical decision-making and organizational integrity. Regular reporting and transparency help ensure we remain accountable to our supporters and community.
Why It Matters
Choosing to be a nonprofit shapes everything about The Milestone Foundation—from how we make decisions to how we measure success.
It means:
- Putting people before profit
- Staying committed to long-term industry change
- Building relationships rooted in trust
- Being a leader in the consumer litigation funding industry
- Ensuring that impact, not income, defines our success
Looking Ahead
As we continue to grow, our nonprofit identity will remain at the heart of everything we do. It’s not just a designation—it’s a commitment to serve with integrity, compassion, and purpose.
The Milestone Foundation is proud to be a nonprofit organization, and we are grateful for everyone who helps make our mission possible.