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Legal Aid Society of Suffolk County Inc

EIN 11-1844160 · Central Islip, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak48 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

LEGAL AID SOCIETY OF SUFFOLK COUNTY, INC. PROVIDES LEGAL AID PRINCIPALLY IN THE COUNTY OF SUFFOLK, NY TO INDIGENT PERSONS WHO ARE WITHOUT ADEQUATE MEANS TO EMPLOY OTHER COUNSEL.

Income
$28.5 million
Spending
$28.4 million
Spent on programs
92%
Reserves
0.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 100%
Employees
225
Volunteers
15
Highest pay
$341,823, attorney-in-charge

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

Weak: 48 out of 100. Higher than 13% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 77% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 10% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    92% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 11% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 (5)
  1. $12.7 million spent. GENERAL SERVICES PROGRAM- PROVIDES GENERAL LEGAL SERVICE TO INDIGENT PEOPLE CHARGED WITH A CRIME.
  2. $6.0 million spent. HURRELL-HARRING SETTLEMENT FUNDS- PROVIDES ENHANCED LEGAL SERVICES TO INDIGENT INDIVIDUALS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE HURRELL-HARRING STATE OF NEW YORK STIPULATION AND ORDER OF SETTLEMENT, THAT CASELOAD/WORKLOAD STANDARDS AND SPECIFIC QUALITY IMPROVEMENTS ARE IMPLEMENTED.
  3. $4.4 million spent. CHILDREN'S LAW BUREAU PROGRAM - PROVIDES LEGAL SERVICES AND ASSOCIATED SUPPORT SERVICES FOR MINORS AS ASSIGNED BY THE FAMILY COURT.
  4. $1.7 million spent. INDIGENT LEGAL SERVICES (ILS) DISTRIBUTION- PROVIDES LEGAL SERVICES TO INDIGENT INDIVIDUALS AND PROVIDES FUNDING TO THE SOCIETY TO ENCOURAGE IMPROVEMENT IN PERFORMANCE AND RETENTION OF A HIGHER QUALIFIED AND EXPERIENCED WORKFORCE BY REDUCING THE PAY AND BENEFIT DISPARITY BETWEEN DEFENSE AND PROSECUTING COUNCIL.
  5. $1.4 million spent. AID TO DEFENSE / OTHER PROGRAMS - PROVIDES LEGAL REPRESENTATION WITH PRIORITY FOR REPEAT FELONY OFFENDERS. ALSO, INCLUDES PROGRAMS WHICH PROVIDE FUNDS TO THE PRESENT WITH THE COURTS WITH SENTENCING OPTIONS THAT UTILIZE VARIOUS ALTERNATIVES TO INCARCERATION AND IDENTIFY NON-VIOLENT DEFENDANTS WHO MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR TREATMENT PROGRAMS AND MONITORING BY PROBATION DEPARTMENT; PROVIDES FOR IMPROVEMENTS IN THE DELIVERY OF INDIGENT DEFENSE SERVICES AT A DEFENDANT'S FIRST APPEARANCE IN COURT; PROVIDES FOR IMPROVEMENT OF THE QUALITY OF MANDATED INDIGENT LEGAL REPRESENTATION TO REDUCE EXCESSIVE CASELOADS; AND INCLUDES A REGIONAL GRANT PARTICIPATING WITH NASSAU COUNTY WHO ARE NON-CITIZEN CLIENTS REGARDING IMMIGRATION MATTERS AND CONSEQUENCES.

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 January 1958.

    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.