Lawyers for Civil Rights Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
LAWYERS FOR CIVIL RIGHTS, INC. (THE ORGANIZATION") IS A NONPROFIT, NONPARTISAN LEGAL ORGANIZATION THAT FOSTERS EQUAL OPPORTUNITY, PROMOTES ECONOMIC JUSTICE AND FIGHTS DISCRIMINATION ON BEHALF OF LOW-INCOME PEOPLE. THE ORGANIZATION ENGAGES IN CREATIVE AND COURAGEOUS LEGAL ACTION, EDUCATION, AND ADVOCACY IN COLLABORATION WITH LAW FIRMS AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS.
- Income
- $3.5 million
- Spending
- $3.4 million
- Spent on programs
- 82%
- Reserves
- 19.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 93%
- Employees
- 14
- Volunteers
- 244
- Highest pay
- $479,219, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 19.3 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 8% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 28% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1582% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 48% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2548 of 48 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
0 of 7Reports no 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, 2025, 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)
- $410,050 spent. LCR | BIZGROW PROVIDES FREE LEGAL ASSISTANCE, BUSINESS SUPPORT, AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO LOW-INCOME BUSINESS OWNERS ENSURING THEY ENCOUNTER FEWER OBSTACLES AND MORE OPPORTUNITIES.OUR PROGRAMS INCLUDE FREE LEGAL REPRESENTATION, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, AND WORKSHOPS FOR SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS ON SUBJECTS SUCH AS ENTITY FORMATION, CONTRACTS, TAXES, LEASES, AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY.PROGRAMMATIC HIGHLIGHTS: BIZGROW CONFERENCE: THE BIZGROW CONFERENCE IS OUR FLAGSHIP ANNUAL EVENT. THIS FREE, ONE-DAY EXPERIENCE PROVIDES ENTREPRENEURS AND SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS WITH WORKSHOPS AND LEGAL CONSULTATIONS WITH ATTORNEYS WHO SPECIALIZE IN BUSINESS ISSUES.FOODBIZ 101: THIS ACCELERATOR HELPS ASPIRING FOOD ENTREPRENEURS TURN THEIR VISION INTO REALITY. EACH SESSION IS TAUGHT BY AN INDUSTRY EXPERT AND COVERS A DIFFERENT TOPIC, SUCH AS PERMITTING, BUSINESS PLANNING, AND MARKETING, AS WELL AS FOOD-SPECIFIC SUBJECTS, INCLUDING RECIPE SCALING AND LABELING. AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE SERIES, PARTICIPANTS PRESENT THEIR BUSINESS PITCHES TO A PANEL OF EXPERTS AND GRADUATE READY TO LIVE OUT THEIR DREAMS AS NEW BUSINESS OWNERS. BIZGROW LAUNCH SERIES: THIS SEMINAR SERIES PROVIDES A COMPREHENSIVE OVERVIEW OF HOW TO START AND RUN A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS OF YOUR OWN FROM WRITING A BUSINESS PLAN AND MANAGING LEGAL ISSUES TO SPEAKING PUBLICLY, COMFORTABLY, AND CONFIDENTLY ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS. LEGAL CLINICS: BIZGROW LEGAL CLINICS PROVIDE BUSINESS OWNERS WITH FREE, ONE-ON-ONE CONSULTATIONS WITH LEADING ATTORNEYS FROM MAJOR LAW FIRMS. DURING THESE CLINICS, BUSINESS OWNERS CAN ASK SPECIFIC QUESTIONS ABOUT THEIR BUSINESS AND RECEIVE THE GUIDANCE THEY NEED TO SUCCEED.
- $1.3 million spent. CASE V. PARAKEET COMMUNITIES (WORCESTER SUPERIOR COURT) CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FILED ON BEHALF OF MOBILE HOME PARK RESIDENTS, CHALLENGING UNFAIR AND DECEPTIVE PRACTICES USED BY MOBILE HOME PARK OWNER. IF WE PREVAIL, ATTORNEYS' FEES ARE AVAILABLE.OWENS V. EDGAR P. BENJAMIN HEALTHCARE CENTER (SUFFOLK SUPERIOR COURT) LAWSUIT FILED ON BEHALF OF FAMILY MEMBERS OF RESIDENTS OF NURSING HOME, SUCCESSFULLY SEEKING RECEIVERSHIP OF FACILITY. ATTORNEYS' FEES RECEIVED FROM RECEIVER IN 2025.HRI V. CHARLESGATE REALTY ET AL. (SUFFOLK SUPERIOR COURT) SOURCE-OF-INCOME HOUSING LAWSUIT AGAINST NUMEROUS BOSTON-AREA LANDLORDS AND BROKERS. MATTER CONCLUDED IN 2024; NO ATTORNEYS' FEES RECEIVED.NEWSOM V. GADLES (MCAD) REPRESENT DISABLED VETERAN RETALIATED AGAINST BY CONDO DEVELOPER. IF WE PREVAIL, ATTORNEYS' FEES ARE AVAILABLE.GUERRERO V. U.S. FEDERAL TORT CLAIMS ACT CLAIM FILED ON BEHALF OF FAMILY UNLAWFULLY STOPPED ON WAY TO CHURCH ON MOTHERS DAY. IF WE PREVAIL, ATTORNEYS' FEES ARE AVAILABLE.PINEDA V. U.S. FEDERAL TORT CLAIMS ACT CLAIM FILED ON BEHALF OF DETAINED LAWFUL RESIDENT. IF WE PREVAIL, ATTORNEYS' FEES ARE AVAILABLE.RAMIREZ SANAN V. U.S. FEDERAL TORT CLAIMS ACT CLAIM FILED ON BEHALF OF FAMILY. IF WE PREVAIL, ATTORNEYS' FEES ARE AVAILABLE.CHRISPIN V. COX (SUFFOLK SUPERIOR COURT) LAWSUIT ON BEHALF OF DECORATED BOSTON POLICE OFFICER WHO WAS UNLAWFULLY DEMOTED. IF WE PREVAIL, ATTORNEYS' FEES ARE AVAILABLE. LOPEZ V. SOUTHWICK-TOLLAND-GRANVILLE REGIONAL SCHOOL DIST (HAMPDEN COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT) LAWSUIT FILED ON BEHALF OF EIGHTH-GRADE STUDENT AGAINST DISTRICT THAT FAILED TO PREVENT A HOSTILE SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT. CASE SETTLED IN 2025, INCLUDING ATTORNEYS' FEES THAT WERE RECEIVED IN 2025. DOE ET AL. V. U.S. (FEDERAL COURT) CASE FILED CHALLENGING FEDERAL ORDER. FAVORABLE RULINGS IN DISTRICT COURT AND APPEALS COURT. ATTORNEYS' FEES NOT ANTICIPATED.LAWYERS FOR CIVIL RIGHTS V. MA INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETIC ASSOC. (NORFOLK SUPERIOR COURT) PUBLIC RECORDS CASE FILED SEEKING DOCUMENTS CONCERNING MIAA'S POLICIES AND PROCEDURES TO RESPOND TO BULLYING AT SCHOOL SPORTING EVENTS. IF WE PREVAIL, ATTORNEYS' FEES ARE AVAILABLE.EDWARDS V. FRAMINGHAM PUBLIC SCHOOLS (MCAD) REPRESENT FORMER COMPLIANCE MANAGER OF PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT, WHO WAS DEMOTED AND FIRED. IF WE PREVAIL, ATTORNEYS' FEES ARE AVAILABLE.CARBAJAL V. J. DERENZO CO. (MCAD) REPRESENT CONSTRUCTION WORKER WHO ENDURED A HOSTILE WORK ENVIRONMENT. IF WE PREVAIL, ATTORNEYS' FEES ARE AVAILABLE.ESCALANTE V. CHARTER FOODS NORTH LLC REPRESENTED WORKER WHO WAS UNLAWFULLY DENIED EMPLOYMENT AT A FAST-FOOD RESTAURANT. MATTER SETTLED IN 2025 FOR DAMAGES AND ATTORNEYS' FEES, WHICH WERE RECEIVED IN 2025.ADAMS V. TOWN OF MARBLEHEAD (SUFFOLK SUPERIOR COURT) LAWSUIT FILED ON BEHALF OF NINE-YEAR-OLD BOY WITH ASTHMA WHO WAS IMPROPERLY RESTRAINED BY SCHOOL OFFICIALS ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. IF WE PREVAIL, ATTORNEYS' FEES ARE AVAILABLE.CITY OF CHELSEA ET AL. V. U.S. (FEDERAL COURT) CASE FILED TO PRESERVE ABILITY OF CITIES TO SET LOCAL POLICE POLICIES AND PRIORITIES. IF WE PREVAIL, ATTORNEYS' FEES ARE AVAILABLE.HAU ET AL. V. U.S. (FEDERAL COURT) CASE FILED TO PRESERVE TEMPORARY STATUS. ATTORNEYS' FEES NOT ANTICIPATED.KAPUR V. BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS (SUFFOLK SUPERIOR COURT) WHISTLEBLOWER RETALIATION LAWSUIT FILED ON BEHALF OF EDUCATOR FORCED OUT OF BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS. IF WE PREVAIL, ATTORNEYS' FEES ARE AVAILABLE.LAWYERS FOR CIVIL RIGHTS V. TOWN OF SAUGUS (ESSEX SUPERIOR COURT) PUBLIC RECORDS LAWSUIT FILED AGAINST TOWN SEEKING INFORMATION ABOUT OVERLY RESTRICTIVE STUDENT RESIDENCY POLICY. MATTER SETTLED IN 2025. ATTORNEYS' FEES ARE AVAILABLE.ALIANZA ET AL. V. VERTOL. (FEDERAL COURT) CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FILED SEPTEMBER 2022 ON BEHALF OF FRAUDULENTLY INDUCED TO TRAVEL TO MARTHA'S VINEYARD BY PLANE. IF WE PREVAIL, ATTORNEYS' FEES ARE AVAILABLE.FIRRP V. U.S. (FEDERAL COURT) FOIA CASE FILED MARCH 2023. MATTER CONCLUDED IN 2025; NO ATTORNEYS' FEES RECEIVED.DABNEY V. MILLBURY MEMORIAL JUNIOR/SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL (US DEP'T OF EDUCATION, THEN MA ATTORNEY GENERAL) COMPLAINT ON BEHALF OF TWO SISTERS SUBJECTED TO BULLYING, WHICH THE SCHOOLS FAILED TO MEANINGFULLY ADDRESS. IF WE PREVAIL, ATTORNEYS' FEES ARE AVAILABLE.MC HENRY V. PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF BROOKLINE (US DEP'T OF EDUCATION, THEN MA ATTORNEY GENERAL)COMPLAINT ON BEHALF OF EIGHTH-GRADER SUBJECTED TO BULLYING, WHICH THE SCHOOL DISTRICT FAILED TO MEANINGFULLY ADDRESS. IF WE PREVAIL, ATTORNEYS' FEES ARE AVAILABLE.PALACIOS V. MELROSE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT (US DEP'T OF EDUCATION, THEN MA ATTORNEY GENERAL) -- COMPLAINT ON BEHALF OF SEVENTH-GRADER SUBJECTED TO BULLYING THAT THE SCHOOL DISTRICT FAILED TO MEANINGFULLY ADDRESS. IF WE PREVAIL, ATTORNEYS' FEES ARE AVAILABLE.LEWIS V. MELROSE PUBLIC SCHOOLS (US DEP'T OF EDUCATION, THEN MA ATTORNEY GENERAL) CIVIL RIGHTS COMPLAINT ON BEHALF OF FIFTH-GRADER SUBJECTED TO BULLYING, WHICH THE SCHOOL DISTRICT FAILED TO MEANINGFULLY ADDRESS. IF WE PREVAIL, ATTORNEYS' FEES ARE AVAILABLETRAILBLAZHERS V. BOSTON ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION ET AL. (FEDERAL COURT) LAWSUIT FILED CHALLENGING HARASSMENT BY THE BOSTON ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION AND NEWTON POLICE OF CHEER GROUP AT THE BOSTON MARATHON. IF WE PREVAIL, ATTORNEYS' FEES ARE AVAILABLE.LAWYERS FOR CIVIL RIGHTS V. U.S (FEDERAL COURT) FOIA LAWSUIT SEEKING DOCUMENTS. MATTER CONCLUDED IN 2025; NO ATTORNEYS' FEES RECEIVED.
- $1.1 million spent. LAWYERS FOR CIVIL RIGHTS, INC. (THE ORGANIZATION") IS A NONPROFIT, NONPARTISAN LEGAL ORGANIZATION THAT FOSTERS EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND FIGHTS DISCRIMINATION ON BEHALF OF LOW-INCOME PEOPLE. THE ORGANIZATION ENGAGES IN CREATIVE AND COURAGEOUS LEGAL ACTION, EDUCATION, AND ADVOCACY IN COLLABORATION WITH LAW FIRMS AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 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? 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.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 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 June 2000.
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.
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