Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

The Gault Center

EIN 02-0620456 · Washington, DC

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood72 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROMOTE JUSTICE FOR ALL CHILDREN BY ENSURING EXCELLENCE IN YOUTH DEFENSE THROUGH THE PROVISION OF TRAINING, TECHNICAL SUPPORT, POLICY DEVELOPMENT, RESEARCH, ADVOCACY, COMMUNICATIONS, AND LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR LAWYERS WHO REPRESENT THE LEGAL RIGHTS OF CHILDREN.

Income
$2.3 million
Spending
$2.2 million
Spent on programs
97%
Reserves
2.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 44%
Employees
12
Volunteers
33
Highest pay
$173,197, executive director

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: 72 out of 100. Higher than 56% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 7% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 29% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    97% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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 74% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 7 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports 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 (4)
  1. $1.3 million spent. YOUTH DEFENSE CLEARING HOUSE - THE GAULT CENTER PROVIDES TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO STATE AND LOCAL YOUTH DEFENDER SYSTEMS; OFFERS SPECIALIZED, HIGH-QUALITY, CUTTING-EDGE TRAINING TO YOUTH DEFENSE ATTORNEYS; DEVELOPS AND DISTRIBUTES MATERIALS AND RESOURCES TO IMPROVE YOUTH DEFENSE PRACTICE; AND BUILDS AND MAINTAINS THE NATION'S FOREMOST ONLINE CLEARINGHOUSE OF INFORMATION ABOUT YOUTH DEFENSE AND CHILDREN'S CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS.
  2. $523,602 spent. YOUTH DEFENSE CONTRACTS - THE GAULT CENTER ENGAGES IN VARIOUS YOUTH DEFENSE CONTRACTS WITH STATES AND LOCALITIES TO IMPROVE THEIR YOUTH DEFENSE PRACTICE, PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE SUPPORT, IMPROVE YOUTH DEFENSE DATA COLLECTION, AS WELL AS PROVIDE SPECIALIZED TRAINING SUPPORT AND DEVELOP CURRICULUM TARGETED TO THE NEEDS OF EACH LOCALITY/STATE.
  3. $217,985 spent. YOUTH DEFENSE DE-INCARCERATION - THE GAULT CENTER WORKS TO HIGHLIGHT THE IMPORTANCE OF REDUCING THE JUVENILE LEGAL SYSTEM'S RELIANCE ON INCARCERATION BY CALLING FOR SYSTEMIC REFORM THAT CENTERS ON ALTERNATIVE-TO-INCARCERATION PROGRAMS, ADOLESCENT DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH, AND EVIDENCE-BASED APPROACHES. THIS WORK INCLUDES PROVIDING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO STATE AND LOCAL YOUTH DEFENDER SYSTEMS; HOSTING SPECIALIZED, HIGH-QUALITY, CUTTING-EDGE TRAINING TO YOUTH DEFENSE ATTORNEYS; AND COLLABORATING WITH ORGANIZATIONS AS WELL AS YOUNG PEOPLE WITH LIVED EXPERIENCE TO HIGHLIGHT AND ADVOCATE FOR SUCCESSFUL LAWS, POLICIES, AND PRACTICES FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
  4. $73,963 spent. YOUTH DEFENSE LEAD SYSTEM REFORMS - THE GAULT CENTER PARTICIPATES IN SEVERAL PROJECTS AIMED AT IMPROVING YOUTH COURT SYSTEMS. THE PROJECTS FOCUS ON: DECREASING FEES AND COSTS ASSESSED AGAINST YOUTH AND FAMILIES, IMPROVING YOUTH DEFENSE CONTRACT SYSTEMS IN STATE, IMPROVING THE ACCESS TO AND QUALITY OF YOUTH DEFENSE COUNSEL FOR YOUTH INVOLVED IN JUVENILE DELINQUENCY COURT, ELIMINATING RACIAL AND ETHNIC DISPARITIES IN YOUTH COURT, AND IMPROVING PROBATION PRACTICES.

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

  1. 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 October 13, 2026.

  2. 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 November 6, 2026.

  3. 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 October 13, 2026.

  4. 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 October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since September 2002.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. 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 November 4, 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.