Law Enforcement Legal Defense Fund

Analysis

Law Enforcement Legal Defense Fund is a registered charity in United States, based in Alexandria, VA. It received its IRS tax-exemption ruling in January 1980, 46 years ago. 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, Law Enforcement Legal Defense Fund reported income of $4.3m and spending of $3.9m, spending 90% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from December 2019 to December 2023, income grew from $1.3m to $4.3m (+237%), an average of +36% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to December 2020, when income rose by 117%. Over the whole period it spent 99% of the income it received.

Among 72,936 United States charities whose main cause is other charitable purposes and that reported income, Law Enforcement Legal Defense Fund sits at the 91st percentile: it is larger than about 91% of them. Against every charity in United States with reported income it ranks in the 91st percentile, and in the 92nd percentile within VA. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Newark Day Center ($4.3m), New School of Lancaster ($4.3m) and Support the Enlisted Project Inc ($4.3m).

On its Form 990 for the period ending December 2023, revenue came from contributions and grants 94% of the total. Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees was $417k (11% of expenses). It paid $419k in professional fundraising fees. At year end it held assets of $5.6m against liabilities of $226k, net assets of $5.4m. It reported 2 employees.