Pacific Legal Foundation

Analysis

Pacific Legal Foundation is a registered charity in United States, based in Sacramento, CA. It received its IRS tax-exemption ruling in June 1973, 53 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 2024, Pacific Legal Foundation reported income of $47.9m and spending of $27.0m, leaving 44% of income unspent that year. Across the 5 years on record, from June 2020 to June 2024, income grew from $16.6m to $47.9m (+190%), an average of +30% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to June 2024, when income rose by 91%. 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, Pacific Legal Foundation 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 99th percentile, and in the 99th percentile within CA. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Legal Foundation of Washington ($46.8m), Institute for Justice ($49.9m) and Centro Legal de LA Raza Inc ($46.2m).

On its Form 990 for the period ending June 2024, revenue came from contributions and grants 92% and program service revenue 0.5% of the total. Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees was $3.2m (12% of expenses). Other salaries and wages came to $12.7m. At year end it held assets of $113.6m against liabilities of $7.1m, net assets of $106.5m. It reported 136 employees.