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Capital District Womens Bar Association Legal Project Inc

EIN 13-3841519 · Schenectady, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair54 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE LEGAL PROJECT PROVIDES ACCESS TO THE PROTECTIONS OF THE LAW TO ADVANCE THE SAFETY, STABILITY AND INDEPENDENCE OF THE PEOPLE WE SERVE AND STRENGTHEN OUR COMMUNITIES. WE DO THIS BY ADVISING, ADVOCATING FOR AND REPRESENTING PEOPLE WHO HAVE TRADITIONALLY HAD DIFFICULTY OBTAINING CIVIL LEGAL ASSISTANCE.

Income
$3.8 million
Spending
$3.8 million
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
2 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 89%
Employees
37
Volunteers
83
Highest pay
$111,911, ceo

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

Fair: 54 out of 100. Higher than 20% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.0 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 27% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    16 of 16 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 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 (1)
  1. $3.3 million spent. LEGAL REPRESENTATION AND ADVICE - THE LEGAL PROJECT BELIEVES THAT ALL PEOPLE SHOULD HAVE ACCESS TO LEGAL SERVICES. THIS BELIEF REPRESENTS A DEEP COMMITMENT TO FAIRNESS AND EQUAL JUSTICE UNDER THE LAW. THE MISSION OF THE LEGAL PROJECT IS TO MAKE THE LAW MORE ACCESSIBLE TO THOSE IN NEED, TO INCREASE THE LEGAL COMMUNITY'S INVOLVEMENT IN PRO BONO WORK, AND TO SERVE AS A RESOURCE ON LEGAL ISSUES. THE LEGAL PROJECT FEELS A SPECIAL COMMITMENT TO WOMEN AND OTHERS WHO MAY HAVE DIFFICULTY OBTAINING LEGAL ASSISTANCE. DURING 2024, THE LEGAL PROJECT SERVED OVER 21,000 INDIVIDUALS IN THE CAPITAL REGION OF NEW YORK STATE.

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 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 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 August 1995.

    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.