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Legal Aid Society of Mid New York Inc

EIN 15-0578598 · Utica, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak42 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It owes more than it owns.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

LASMNY'S MISSION IS TO PROVIDE FREE LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO LOW-INCOME PEOPLE FACING CIVIL LEGAL PROBLEMS THAT IMPACT THE BASIC NEEDS OF LIFE. THROUGH LEGAL ADVICE, EMERGENCY LEGAL SERVICES AND LEGAL REPRESENTATION, WE HELP LOW-INCOME PEOPLE STABILIZE THEIR FINANCES, PROTECT THEMSELVES AND THEIR CHILDREN FROM DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, OBTAIN ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE, AVOID HOMELESSNESS AS A RESULT OF WRONGFUL EVICTIONS, PROTECT THE FAMILY HOME FROM FORECLOSURE AND INCREASE HOUSEHOLD INCOME. WE ALSO TARGET SPECIFIC VULNERABLE POPULATIONS WITH OUR SERVICES, SUCH AS SENIOR CITIZENS, VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, REFUGEES AND IMMIGRANTS, AND VETERANS.

Income
$15.7 million
Spending
$15.6 million
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
-0.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 98%
Employees
102
Volunteers
31
Highest pay
$219,999, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 42 out of 100. Higher than 7% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    0 of 20

    It owes 111% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 18% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    90% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    18 of 18 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, 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 (1)
  1. $14.1 million spent. THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES FREE COUNSEL, ADVICE, AND LEGAL REPRESENTATION IN CIVIL (NON-CRIMINAL) MATTERS. THESE MATTERS MAY INCLUDE CONSUMER, HOUSING, SPECIAL EDUCATION, ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE, PUBLIC BENEFITS, DIVORCE & OTHER FAMILY MATTERS, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, EMPLOYMENT, DISABILITY, UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS, CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION AND OTHERS. THE ORGANIZATION'S SERVICE AREA SPANS 13 COUNTIES ACROSS CENTRAL NEW YORK. THESE COUNTIES INCLUDE BROOME, CAYUGA, CHENANGO, CORTLAND, DELAWARE, HERKIMER, JEFFERSON, LEWIS, MADISON, ONEIDA, ONONDAGA, OSWEGO AND OTSEGO COUNTIES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 December 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 April 1975.

    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.