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National Consumer Law Center Inc

EIN 04-2488502 · Boston, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE NATIONAL CONSUMER LAW CENTER WORKS FOR CONSUMER JUSTICE AND ECONOMIC SECURITY FOR LOW-INCOME AND OTHER DISADVANTAGED PEOPLE IN THE U.S. THROUGH ITS EXPERTISE IN POLICY ANALYSIS AND ADVOCACY, PUBLICATIONS, LITIGATION, EXPERT WITNESS SERVICES, AND TRAINING.

Income
$21.6 million
Spending
$14.6 million
Spent on programs
78%
Reserves
31.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 58%
Employees
79
Volunteers
12
Highest pay
$327,425, 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 89% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 31.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 6% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 32% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 10% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    78% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 15 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 30% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 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 (3)
  1. $4.9 million spent. PROMOTING ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE WITH LOW-INCOMES BY INCREASING ACCESS TO SUSTAINABLE HOUSING AND HOMEOWNERSHIP, UTILITIES, AND CAR OWNERSHIP.TO REDUCE THE OBSTACLES PEOPLE WITH LOW INCOMES ENCOUNTER IN OBTAINING SAFE HOUSING AND ESSENTIAL TRANSPORTATION, NCLC DEVELOPS AND ADVOCATES REFORMS TO PROMOTE ACCESS TO FAIR LENDING AND HOUSING LAWS, FORECLOSURE AVOIDANCE PROGRAMS, AND AFFORDABLE ACCESS TO UTILITIES. CARS ARE ESSENTIAL FOR MANY FAMILIES TO ACHIEVE ECONOMIC MOBILITY, SO NCLC ALSO PROMOTES EFFECTIVE CAR OWNERSHIP PROGRAMS AND COMBATS MISLEADING AND DISCRIMINATORY SALES AND LENDING PRACTICES. A FOCUS ON ADVANCING EQUITY AND RACIAL JUSTICE IS INTEGRAL TO THIS ADVOCACY, AS SYSTEMIC RACISM IN HOUSING, MORTGAGE AND AUTO LENDING THAT LEADS TO HIGHER RATES OF POVERTY, LACK OF HOUSING, A PERSISTENT WEALTH GAP, AND COMMUNITY DISINVESTMENT.
  2. $3.2 million spent. PROTECTING LOW-INCOME PEOPLE, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITIES FROM PREDATORY LENDING, RISKY FINANCIAL PRODUCTS, ABUSIVE CREDIT REPORTING AND DEBT COLLECTION, AND OTHER FORMS OF ECONOMIC EXPLOITATION. NCLC PURSUES REFORMS TO FEDERAL AND STATE POLICY, REGULATION, AND LEGISLATION TO HELP PEOPLE WITH LOW INCOMES, PEOPLE OF COLOR, JUSTICE-INVOLVED INDIVIDUALS, AND PEOPLE WITH LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENCY HAVE ACCESS TO SECURE BANK ACCOUNTS; SAFE ACCESS TO CREDIT WITH INTEREST RATE CAPS; AND A PATH TO PURSUE A FRESH START THROUGH A REASONABLE BANKRUPTCY PROCESS. NCLC ADVANCES POLICY SOLUTIONS TO COMBAT: PREDATORY LENDING; ABUSIVE OVERDRAFT FEES AND INTEREST RATES; SCAM ROBOCALLS AND TEXTS; IRRESPONSIBLE CREDIT REPORTING; CRIPPLING MEDICAL DEBT; FORCED ARBITRATION; JUNK FEES; EXCESSIVE STUDENT LOAN DEBT; AND UNFAIR AND DECEPTIVE DEBT COLLECTION PRACTICES.
  3. $3.3 million spent. EDUCATING FRONT-LINE LEGAL SERVICES AND NON-PROFIT LAWYERS, PRIVATE ATTORNEYS, FEDERAL AND STATE POLICYMAKERS, REGULATORY AND ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS, AND COURTS ABOUT SUBSTANTIVE CONSUMER LAW ISSUES THROUGH CONFERENCES AND TRAININGS, EXPERT WITNESS SERVICES, AND IN-DEPTH TREATISES, REPORTS AND ISSUE BRIEFS. NCLC PROVIDES TRAINING AND EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES TO CONSUMER LAW ATTORNEYS AND ADVOCATES. NCLC PUBLISHES 21 CONSUMER LAW TREATISES ON EVERY ASPECT OF CONSUMER LAW. NCLC ADVOCATES UPDATE ITS DIGITAL LIBRARY REGULARLY AND PROVIDE SAMPLE PLEADINGS, ARTICLES, TRIAL TIPS, AND STRATEGIES. NCLC PRODUCES THREE ANNUAL CONFERENCES, WHICH IN 2024 PROVIDED HIGH-LEVEL TRAINING TO MORE THAN 1,600 LAWYERS. AT CONFERENCES AND IN ONLINE TRAININGS, NCLC TRAINED MORE THAN 11,135 ADVOCATES IN 2024. NCLC LITIGATES CONSUMER LAW CASES ON BEHALF OF ITS LOW-INCOME CLIENTS, AND PROVIDES EXPERT WITNESS SERVICES AND CONSULTING ON CONSUMER LAW AND UTILITY ISSUES.

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 December 1973.

    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.