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Passes our checks

New York Legal Assistance Group Incorporated

EIN 13-3505428 · 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

PLEASE SEE SCHEDULE O FOR FULL MISSION STATEMENT

Income
$60.8 million
Spending
$57.4 million
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
4.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 76%
Employees
480
Volunteers
2,150
Highest pay
$298,515, president & ceo

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

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 73% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 13% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    88% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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

    24 of 24 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. $7.3 million spent. LEGAL HEALTH UNIT: LEGALHEALTH PROVIDES FREE LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO NEW YORKERS WHO ARE EXPERIENCING SERIOUS OR CHRONIC HEALTH PROBLEMS AND FINANCIAL HARDSHIP. WE BRING TOGETHER LEGAL AND MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF CLIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES WHERE AND WHEN THEY NEED IT MOST IN THE HEALTHCARE SETTING. LEGALHEALTH ALSO DEVELOPS POLICY BENEFITING THOSE WE SERVE.
  2. $14.2 million spent. TENANT'S RIGHTS: NYLAG ATTORNEYS FIGHT TO ENSURE FAIR HOUSING PRACTICES AND FOR THE RIGHTS OF NEW YORKERS TO REMAIN IN SAFE, AFFORDABLE HOUSING. IN 2017, NEW YORK CITY ENACTED A GROUNDBREAKING LAW THAT, AT FULL IMPLEMENTATION, WILL GUARANTEE A RIGHT TO COUNSEL TO HOUSEHOLDS UNDER 200% OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY LINE WHO ARE FACING EVICTION. NYLAG IS A KEY PLAYER IN THE CITY'S ROLL-OUT OF THE PROGRAM, SERVING TENANTS IN BROOKLYN, MANHATTAN, AND QUEENS. NEW YORK'S UNIVERSAL ACCESS TO COUNSEL PROGRAM IS ALREADY CLOSING THE JUSTICE GAP, SUBSTANTIALLY REDUCING THE NUMBER OF TENANTS UNREPRESENTED IN HOUSING COURT. NYLAG ATTORNEYS STAND UP FOR TENANTS ON THE BRINK OF HOMELESSNESS, MANY OF WHOM ARE ELDERLY OR SINGLE MOTHERS WITH CHILDREN, TO FIGHT TO PRESERVE THEIR HOMES IN THE MIDST OF SKYROCKETING RENTS. FOR MANY OF THESE FAMILIES, ACCESS TO AN ATTORNEY MEANT STAYING OUT OF A SHELTER AND IN THEIR HOMES.
  3. $11.0 million spent. IMMIGRANT PROTECTION UNIT: NYLAG'S IMMIGRANT PROTECTION UNIT (IPU) PROVIDES NEW YORK'S LOW-INCOME IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES WITH COMPREHENSIVE LEGAL SERVICES THROUGH CONSULTATION AND DIRECT REPRESENTATION. IPU ASSISTS INDIVIDUALS IN SECURING OR CONTINUING LAWFUL STATUS IN THE UNITED STATES THROUGH ADJUSTMENT OF STATUS AND OTHER COMPLEX LEGAL REMEDIES THAT MAY BE AVAILABLE TO THEM. IPU ALSO AIMS TO FACILITATE FAMILY REUNIFICATION THROUGH FAMILY-BASED IMMIGRANT PETITIONS, HUMANITARIAN PAROLE AND OTHER FORMS OF RELIEF. IPU EDUCATES IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES ABOUT THE DANGERS OF FRAUDULENT IMMIGRATION LAW PRACTITIONERS AND OTHER BARRIERS TO ATTAINING CITIZENSHIP. THROUGH ITS COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH, IPU SEEKS TO BROADEN AND IMPROVE ACCESS TO QUALITY LEGAL REPRESENTATION AND ADDRESS THE SOCIAL WELFARE NEEDS OF NEW YORK'S LOW-INCOME IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY. SERVICES INCLUDE: NATURALIZATION, ADJUSTMENT OF STATUS, VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT (VAWA) SELF PETITIONS, U-VISAS FOR CRIME VICTIMS, ASYLUM, AND REMOVAL DEFENSE.
  4. $18.3 million spent. ALL OTHER NYLAG PROGRAM UNITS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO NYLAG'S MISSION.

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 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 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 November 1989.

    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.