Pine Tree Legal Assistance Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE MISSION OF PINE TREE LEGAL ASSISTANCE IS TO ENSURE THAT STATE AND FEDERAL LAWS AFFECTING POOR PEOPLE ARE UPHELD, WHILE ALSO ADDRESSING THE SYSTEMIC BARRIERS TO JUSTICE FACED BY MAINERS WITH LOW INCOMES. TO ACHIEVE THIS MISSION, PINE TREE PROVIDES FREE CIVIL LEGAL ASSISTANCE IN CASES WHERE IT CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN ONE'S ABILITY TO MEET ONE'S BASIC HUMAN NEEDS OR IN ENFORCING ONE'S BASIC HUMAN RIGHTS, INCLUDING ACCESS TO HOUSING, FOOD, INCOME, SAFETY, EDUCATION, AND HEALTHCARE.
- Income
- $13.1 million
- Spending
- $11.0 million
- Spent on programs
- 81%
- Reserves
- 7.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 75%
- Employees
- 105
- Volunteers
- 119
- Highest pay
- $168,509, executive di
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 89 out of 100. Higher than 77% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 7.2 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 15% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 16% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 36% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1581% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2524 of 24 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (5)
- $8.1 million spent. GENERAL AND SPECIALIZED SERVICES - PROVIDES CIVIL LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO LOW- INCOME INDIVIDUALS MEETING ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES WITHIN THE STATE OF MAINE.
- $162,609 spent. PRIVATE ATTORNEY INVOLVEMENT - OFFERS LEGAL REFERRAL SERVICES TO PROVIDE PRIVATE ATTORNEYS TO LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS MEETING ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES WITHIN THE STATE OF MAINE.
- $416,978 spent. PROVIDER NETWORK - SUPPORTS TECHNOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS AMONG VARIOUS NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS AND IS SUPPORTED WITH ANNUAL USER FEES.
- $264,298 spent. TECHNOLOGY GRANT - TO PROMOTE FULL ACCESS AND HIGH-QUALITY LEGAL REPRESENTATION THROUGH THE USE OF TECHNOLOGY EXPENSES 85,278 INCLUDING GRANTS OF 0 REVENUE 0 VETERANS CONSORTIUM - SUPPORTS THE WORK OF THE STATEWIDE LEGAL WEBSITE. EXPENSES 35,000 INCLUDING GRANTS OF 0 REVENUE 0 PRO BONO INNOVATION FUND EXPENSES 144,020 INCLUDING GRANTS OF 0 REVENUE 0
- TECHNOLOGY GRANT - TO PROMOTE FULL ACCESS AND HIGH-QUALITY LEGAL REPRESENTATION THROUGH THE USE OF TECHNOLOGY EXPENSES 85,278 INCLUDING GRANTS OF 0 REVENUE 0 VETERANS CONSORTIUM - SUPPORTS THE WORK OF THE STATEWIDE LEGAL WEBSITE. EXPENSES 35,000 INCLUDING GRANTS OF 0 REVENUE 0 PRO BONO INNOVATION FUND EXPENSES 144,020 INCLUDING GRANTS OF 0 REVENUE 0
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since November 1966.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.