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Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund

EIN 13-2855641 · New York, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood70 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE ASIAN AMERICAN LEGAL DEFENSE AND EDUCATION FUND (AALDEF), FOUNDED IN 1974, IS A NATIONAL ORGANIZATION THAT PROTECTS AND PROMOTES THE CIVIL RIGHTS OF ASIAN AMERICANS THROUGH LITIGATION, ADVOCACY, EDUCATION, AND ORGANIZING.

Income
$2.5 million
Spending
$5.0 million
Spent on programs
76%
Reserves
26.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 92%
Employees
28
Volunteers
600
Highest pay
$237,202, director of operations

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 70 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 26.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 97% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 46% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    76% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 21 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 14 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 June 30, 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 (4)
  1. $1.0 million spent. VOTING RIGHTS PROGRAM - PROMOTES CIVIC PARTICIPATION IN THE ASIAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY ESPECIALLY AMONG NEW CITIZENS AND FIRST-TIME VOTERS, AND SEEKS TO ELIMINATE DISCRIMINATORY BARRIERS TO THE RIGHT TO VOTE.
  2. $800,989 spent. ANTI-ASIAN VIOLENCE PROJECT - PROVIDES LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO ASIAN AMERICAN VICTIMS OF HATE VIOLENCE, HARASSMENT, AND DISCRIMINATION; CONDUCTS LEGAL RIGHTS PRESENTATIONS, COMMUNITY EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND MEDIA OUTREACH TO INFORM THE PUBLIC ABOUT ANTI-ASIAN HATE; ADVOCATES FOR POLICIES THAT ADDRESS THE ROOT CAUSES OF ANTI-ASIAN HATE AND CREATE A SAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL.
  3. $808,234 spent. IMMIGRANT ACCESS TO JUSTICE PROGRAM - PROVIDES LEGAL REPRESENTATION AND COMMUNITY EDUCATION TO ASIAN IMMIGRANTS, MIGRANTS, AND REFUGEES AND TO ASIAN IMMIGRANTS WITH VULNERABLE STATUS; ADVOCATES FOR IMMIGRATION POLICY CHANGES.
  4. $1.1 million spent. ECONOMIC JUSTICE PROGRAM - SEEKS TO ENSURE THAT ASIAN AMERICANS ARE TREATED FAIRLY IN THE WORKPLACE AND PROVIDES LEGAL REPRESENTATION TO LOW-WAGE IMMIGRANT WORKERS ASSERTING THEIR RIGHTS TO MINIMUM WAGE, OVERTIME PAY, AND SAFE WORKING CONDITIONS. EDUCATIONAL EQUITY PROGRAM - PROVIDES ADVOCACY AND LITIGATION SUPPORT TO ASIAN AMERICANS SEEKING EQUAL OPPORTUNITY IN EDUCATION.HOUSING AND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE PROGRAM - PROVIDES LEGAL SUPPORT AND ADVOCACY TO ASIAN IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES SEEKING TO DEFEND AND MAINTAIN AFFORDABLE AND SUSTAINABLE NEIGHBORHOODS. OTHER PROGRAMS - LEGAL ACCESS PROJECT, ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE, AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since February 1975.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 October 7, 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.