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Volunteers of Legal Service Inc

EIN 13-3234630 · New York, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood81 out of 100GovernanceStrong97 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROVIDE LOW-INCOME NEW YORKERS WITH ACCESS TO JUSTICE THROUGH HIGH-QUALITY, FREE CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES. WE PARTNER WITH COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS AND VOLUNTEER ATTORNEYS AT LAW FIRMS AND CORPORATIONS TO OFFER COMMUNITY LEGAL EDUCATION, LEGAL ADVICE, AND REPRESENTATION THAT MEETS COMMUNITY NEEDS.

Income
$566,477
Spending
$528,790
Spent on programs
78%
Reserves
48.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 74%
Employees
0
Volunteers
55

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: 81 out of 100. Higher than 56% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 48.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 23% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 79% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    78% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 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: 97 out of 100. Higher than 85% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    35 of 35 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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 (6)
  1. $124,428 spent. IMMIGRATION PROJECT - THE ORGANIZATION OFFERS IMMIGRATION LEGAL SERVICES SUPPORT FOR IMMIGRANT STUDENTS AND YOUNG ADULTS TO HELP THEM PURSUE HIGHER EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT, AND PERMANENT RESIDENCY SO THAT THEY CAN PURSUE THEIR DREAMS AND ADVOCATE FOR THEMSELVES, THEIR FAMILIES, AND THE COMMUNITY.
  2. $76,897 spent. SENIOR LAW PROJECT - THE ORGANIZATION HELPS LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS AGE 60+ BY PROVIDING ESSENTIAL LIFE PLANNING DOCUMENTS. THESE DOCUMENTS ENABLE OLDER ADULTS TO MAINTAIN INCOME AND AVOID HOMELESSNESS, ENSURE THAT THEIR DYING WISHES ARE FULFILLED, AND ENABLE THEIR CAREGIVERS TO PROVIDE THE CARE AND SERVICES NECESSARY TO ACCESS HEALTH CARE AND AGE IN PLACE.
  3. $76,186 spent. INCARCERATED MOTHERS LAW PROJECT - THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES INCARCERATED MOTHERS WITH LEGAL ADVICE, INFORMATION, AND ADVOCACY IN CONNECTION WITH FAMILY LAW MATTERS.
  4. $72,694 spent. MICROENTERPRISE PROJECT - THE ORGANIZATION HELPS EXISTING AND ASPIRING SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS AND MICROENTREPRENEURS ACCESS HIGH-QUALITY FREE LEGAL SERVICES.
  5. $45,634 spent. BENEFITS LAW PROJECT - THE ORGANIZATION HELPS NEW YORKERS SEEKING PUBLIC BENEFITS WITH LEGAL ASSISTANCE THROUGH A HOTLINE AND REPRESENTATION.
  6. $17,464 spent. CHILDREN'S PROJECT (OTHER PROJECTS) - THE ORGANIZATION HELPS UNDER-RESOURCED FAMILIES RESOLVE LEGAL PROBLEMS THAT MAY IMPACT A CHILD'S HEALTH AND/OR ABILITY TO SUCCEED IN SCHOOL.

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 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 October 13, 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 June 2025.

    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 February 1985.

    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 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.