Boston Bar Association
Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.
What it says it does
TO ADVANCE THE HIGHEST STANDARDS OF EXCELLENCE FOR THE LEGAL PROFESSION, TO FACILITATE ACCESS TO JUSTICE, AND TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE. IN SUPPORT OF THIS MISSION, THE ASSOCIATION WILL STRIVE TO 1) FOSTER AN INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY OF LAWYERS BY IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF LAWYERS AS PEOPLE, AS MEMBERS OF A PROFESSION WITH LONGSTANDING VALUES AND TRADITIONS, AND AS CITIZEN-LAWYERS, 2) SERVE INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS AND PROVIDE THEM WITH THE TOOLS, RELATIONSHIPS, OPPORTUNITIES AND RESOURCES TO DEVELOP SUCCESSFUL CAREERS AND PRACTICES, 3) SERVE LAW FIRMS, IN-HOUSE LAW DEPARTMENTS, NON-PROFITS AND PUBLIC AGENCIES IN AND CLOSELY CONNECTED TO THE LEGAL PROFESSION, 4) INCREASE ACCESS TO JUSTICE FOR ALL, PROVIDE FOR THE FAIR AND EFFICIENT ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE, AND ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF THE LAW, 5) ENSURE THAT THE GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE, CAPACITY AND OPERATIONS OF THE ASSOCIATION ARE DYNAMIC AND SUITED TO THE TASK OF ACCOMPLISHING THE ASSOCIATION'S GOALS AND OBJECTIVES.
- Income
- $5.4 million
- Spending
- $5.5 million
- Employees
- 33
- Volunteers
- 1,200
- Highest pay
- $440,850, asst. sec. & exec. dir.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Governance
This return does not answer enough of the governance questions to score.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. 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 (7)
- PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: THE BOSTON BAR ASSOCIATION PROVIDES A ROBUST ARRAY OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR LEGAL PROFESSIONALS AT EVERY STAGE OF THEIR CAREERS. THROUGH CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION (CLE), INDUSTRY CONFERENCES, SUBSTANTIVE LAW SECTION MEETINGS, LEADERSHIP TRAINING, AND SKILLS-BASED PROGRAMMING, THE BBA EQUIPS LAWYERS WITH THE KNOWLEDGE, TOOLS, AND SUPPORT THEY NEED TO GROW AND SUCCEED IN THEIR PRACTICE. SPECIALIZED INITIATIVES PROMOTE LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, LAWYER WELL-BEING, AND INCLUSION, AND BELONGING WITHIN THE PROFESSION. THESE OFFERINGS ARE DESIGNED TO FOSTER EXCELLENCE IN LEGAL PRACTICE WHILE SUPPORTING A THRIVING, INCLUSIVE LEGAL COMMUNITY.
- EVENTS: THE BBA HOSTS A WIDE VARIETY OF EVENTS DESIGNED TO BRING MEMBERS OF THE LEGAL COMMUNITY TOGETHER FOR NETWORKING, CELEBRATION, COLLABORATION, AND SERVICE. THESE EVENTS INCLUDE LARGE ANNUAL GATHERINGS THAT HONOR OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE PROFESSION AND THE COMMUNITY, AS WELL AS SMALLER RECEPTIONS, MEMBER-FOCUSED NETWORKING, AND CELEBRATORY PROGRAMS. EVENTS ARE HELD THROUGHOUT THE YEAR AND SERVE TO STRENGTHEN THE PROFESSIONAL COMMUNITY, SPOTLIGHT IMPORTANT ISSUES, WELCOME NEW LAWYERS AND LAW STUDENTS, AND RECOGNIZE LEADERS IN PUBLIC SERVICE AND THE PROFESSION. TOGETHER, THESE EVENTS FOSTER MEANINGFUL CONNECTION, PROFESSIONAL CAMARADERIE, AND A SHARED COMMITMENT TO OUR MISSION.
- COMMUNICATIONS AND GOVERNMENT RELATIONS: THE BBA ENGAGES IN PUBLIC POLICY WORK AND STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS TO ADVANCE THE RULE OF LAW, PROMOTE ACCESS TO JUSTICE, AND REPRESENT THE INTERESTS OF THE LEGAL PROFESSION. THROUGH PUBLIC STATEMENTS, POLICY ADVOCACY, PARTICIPATION IN THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS, AND CONVENING THOUGHT LEADERS, THE BBA ADDRESSES ISSUES OF LEGAL SIGNIFICANCE AT THE LOCAL, STATE, AND NATIONAL LEVELS. ITS COMMUNICATIONS CHANNELS PROVIDE TIMELY UPDATES ON LEGAL DEVELOPMENTS, COURT NEWS, AND POLICY ISSUES. A RANGE OF NEWSLETTERS, PUBLICATIONS, AND DIGITAL CONTENT INFORMS AND ENGAGES MEMBERS, AMPLIFIES VOICES FROM ACROSS THE LEGAL COMMUNITY, AND HIGHLIGHTS THE PROFESSION'S IMPACT ON SOCIETY.
- SECTIONS - THE BOSTON BAR ASSOCIATION HELD APPROXIMATELY 205 BROWN BAG MEETINGS IN A VARIETY OF PRACTICE AREAS. THESE 1 TO 1.5 HOUR PROGRAMS FEATURE ONE OR TWO EXPERT SPEAKERS. PROGRAMS VARY IN STRUCTURE AND SUBSTANCE TO REACH THE DESIRED TARGET AUDIENCE, WHICH CAN BE EITHER NOVICE OR VERY EXPERIENCED. BROWN BAG MEETINGS CAN BE PLANNED QUICKLY, CREATING AN IDEAL FORUM TO DISCUSS VERY CURRENT 'HOT TOPICS AND LEGISLATION.
- CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION: THE BOSTON BAR ASSOCIATION HELD APPROXIMATELY 30 CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS AND CONFERENCES IN A VARIETY OF PRACTICE AREAS. THESE SEMINARS AND CONFERENCES COVER IN-DEPTH SUBJECTS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE PRACTITIONERS A COMPREHENSIVE OVERVIEW ON SPECIFIC AREAS OF LAW AND OFTEN INCLUDE A NETWORKING COMPONENT. CLE PROGRAMS ARE ALWAYS ACCOMPANIED BY WRITTEN MATERIALS. CLE PROGRAMS ARE ALWAYS AVAILABLE TO NON-BBA MEMBERS AND ARE PROVIDED TO MEMBERS AT A DISCOUNTED PRICE. BBA CLE PROGRAMS WELCOME OVER 1,500 ATTENDEES AT THE LIVE PROGRAMS, AND ARE VIEWED BY ANOTHER 1,155 PEOPLE ONLINE VIA LEARN ONLINE. THE MAIN OBJECTIVE OF THE BBA CLE PROGRAM IS TO FULFILL PART OF THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION TO ADVANCE THE HIGHEST STANDARDS OF EXCELLENCE FOR THE LEGAL PROFESSION BY PROVIDING MEMBERS WITH THE TOOLS, RELATIONSHIPS, OPPORTUNITIES AND RESOURCES TO DEVELOP SUCCESSFUL CAREERS AND PRACTICES. CLE DOES THIS THROUGH EDUCATION. OUR CLE PROGRAMS ARE ALSO A GREAT PLATFORM TO ALLOW OUR MEMBERS TO SPEAK OR PRESENT ON A SPECIFIC TOPIC.
- EVENTS - THE BBA AND BBF EVENTS BRING TOGETHER NOT ONLY THE BOSTON LEGAL COMMUNITY, BUT ALSO OUR BUSINESS COMMUNITIES, LEGISLATORS AND JUDGES IN A CONGENIAL ATMOSPHERE. THEY PROVIDE A FORUM FOR HONORING LAWYERS, LEGISLATORS, JUDGES, LAW FIRMS AND CORPORATIONS WHOSE PUBLIC SERVICE CONTRIBUTIONS ARE EXCEPTIONAL.
- LAWYER REFERRAL SERVICE - THE BOSTON BAR ASSOCIATION LAWYER REFERRAL SERVICE (LRS) HELPS CLIENTS WITH SPECIFIC LEGAL PROBLEMS FIND THE RIGHT LEGAL RESOURCE TO ADDRESS THEIR UNIQUE NEEDS. THE LRS RECEIVED APPROXIMATELY 3,500 CALLS FROM PEOPLE SEEKING LEGAL ASSISTANCE. THE OBJECTIVE OF THE LRS IS TO HELP MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC FIND THE APPROPRIATE RESOURCES AVAILABLE WHETHER IT BE AN ATTORNEY WHO SPECIALIZES IN THEIR LEGAL NEEDS, OR AN ATTORNEY WHO WILL HELP LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS WITH REDUCED FEE OR PRO BONO ASSISTANCE.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. 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)(6) business league.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Caution.
The IRS master file records contributions to this 501(c)(6) business league as not deductible.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending August 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since August 1945.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 21, 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.