Legal Aid Society

Analysis

Legal Aid Society is a registered charity in United States, based in New York, NY. It received its IRS tax-exemption ruling in November 1943, 83 years ago. Its declared purposes cover crime and legal-related, which this site groups under human rights and equality. The IRS classifies it as a publicly supported organisation (donations from the general public) under section 501(c)(3), and contributions to it are listed as tax-deductible.

In the financial year ending June 2023, Legal Aid Society reported income of $376.6m and spending of $377.2m, spending 100% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from June 2019 to June 2023, income grew from $304.6m to $376.6m (+24%), an average of +5.4% a year. Over the whole period it spent 100% of the income it received.

Among 9,611 United States charities whose main cause is human rights and equality and that reported income, Legal Aid Society sits at the 100th percentile: it is one of the largest 1% in its cause. Against every charity in United States with reported income it ranks in the 100th percentile, and in the 100th percentile within NY. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Caring People Alliance ($312.6m), Legal Services Corporation ($595.8m) and Vera Institute of Justice Inc ($263.2m).

On its Form 990 for the period ending June 2023, revenue came from contributions and grants 98% and program service revenue 0.0% of the total. Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees was $2.1m (0.6% of expenses). Other salaries and wages came to $208.5m. It paid $106k in professional fundraising fees. At year end it held assets of $486.0m against liabilities of $476.8m, net assets of $9.2m. It reported 2,411 employees.

Data notes from the register: Spending has exceeded income in each of the last three reported years, so the charity has been drawing on reserves or other funds.