Charleston School of Law
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE MISSION OF THE CHARLESTON SCHOOL OF LAW FOUNDATION INC IS TO ENCOURAGE AND ASSIST THE STUDY, TEACHING, PROMOTING AND RESEARCH OF THE RULE OF LAW IN CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA AND ALL RELATED SUBJECT AREAS AS DETERMINED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
- Income
- $27.1 million
- Spending
- $1.6 million
- Spent on programs
- 68%
- Reserves
- 81.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 94%
- Employees
- 135
- Volunteers
- 0
- Highest pay
- $12,500, interim dean (december)
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
Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 86% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 81.1 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 35% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 94% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 9568% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1568% 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
Strong: 92 out of 100. Higher than 37% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 259 of 9 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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)
- $1.1 million spent. Effective December 1, 2024, the School became the sole member of the Charleston School of Law Holdings, LLC (the "LLC"). The School offers college graduates full and part-time courses of study leading to the Juris Doctor degree. The School was organized under the laws of the state of South Carolina on May 12, 2003, and became fully accredited in August 2011. To be eligible for a Juris Doctor degree, a student must have received course credit for a minimum of 90 credit hours or the equivalent, satisfactorily completed all required courses, attained a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.00, satisfied the advanced legal writing requirement, satisfied the skills course requirement, satisfied the drafting course requirement, satisfied the legal skills course requirement, finished 30 hours of Pro Bono work under an organized Pro Bono program, fulfilled the American Bar Association ("ABA") residency requirement, and conducted himself or herself as a fit candidate for admission to the Bar. The School's curriculum is designed to provide students with a solid grounding in the law and to enable them to be effective legal professionals. The program of study reflects the demands of the profession for a meaningful educational experience that incorporates history, technology, ethics and professionalism, and evolving trends and future challenges. The educational curriculum is designed to qualify graduates for admission to the Bar as well as to prepare them to participate effectively and responsibly in the legal profession. Development of problem-solving skills, research skills, efficiency, consistency, competency, and professionalism are primary objectives of the curriculum.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since July 2004.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.