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Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo Inc

EIN 16-0743069 · Buffalo, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair54 out of 100GovernanceGood83 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE LEGAL AID BUREAU OF BUFFALO, INC., A NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATION, PROVIDES LEGAL REPRESENTATION TO FINANCIALLY NEEDY MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN WESTERN NEW YORK. THROUGH ITS SKILLED STAFF, THE LEGAL AID BUREAU SEEKS EQUAL JUSTICE FOR EVERYONE IT SERVES.

Income
$20.8 million
Spending
$20.7 million
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
1.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 99%
Employees
190
Volunteers
47
Highest pay
$287,425, board member (labb 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 24% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 79% 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 31% 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, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 83 out of 100. Higher than 11% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    19 of 22 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

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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 (3)
  1. $11.2 million spent. PROVIDE LEGAL ASSISTANCE, ADVICE AND/OR REPRESENTATION IN 7,431 CASES FOR INCOME ELIGIBLE CLIENTS DURING 2024 WITH CRIMINAL LAW MATTERS.
  2. $3.6 million spent. PROVIDE LEGAL REPRESENTATION TO 2,751 CHILDREN APPEARING WITHIN FAMILY COURT. THE ATTORNEYS FOR CHILDREN UNIT PROVIDED LEGAL SERVICES TO CHILDREN FOR 2024.
  3. $3.8 million spent. PROVIDE LEGAL ASSISTANCE, ADVICE AND/OR REPRESENTATION IN 5,430 CASES FOR INCOME ELIGIBLE RESIDENTS FOR WESTERN NEW YORK IN CIVIL MATTERS SUCH AS FAMILY AND HOUSING RELATED MATTERS, INCLUDING MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE PREVENTION.

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 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 July 1942.

    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.