Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund Inc

Analysis

Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund Inc is a registered charity in United States, based in New York, NY. It received its IRS tax-exemption ruling in July 1974, 52 years ago. Its declared purposes cover civil rights, social action and advocacy, 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 December 2023, Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund Inc reported income of $35.4m and spending of $25.7m, leaving 27% of income unspent that year. Across the 5 years on record, from December 2019 to December 2023, income grew from $16.8m to $35.4m (+111%), an average of +20% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to December 2021, when income rose by 64%. Over the whole period it spent 78% of the income it received.

Among 9,611 United States charities whose main cause is human rights and equality and that reported income, Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund Inc sits at the 99th percentile: it is one of the largest 1% in its cause. Against every charity in United States with reported income it ranks in the 98th percentile, and in the 97th percentile within NY. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Mothers Against Drunk Driving ($34.5m), Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada Inc ($35.6m) and The 1791 Foundation Inc ($34.2m).

On its Form 990 for the period ending December 2023, revenue came from contributions and grants 89% and program service revenue 0.4% of the total. Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees was $2.6m (10% of expenses). Other salaries and wages came to $9.3m. It paid $787k in professional fundraising fees. At year end it held assets of $54.0m against liabilities of $9.6m, net assets of $44.4m. It reported 150 employees.