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Louisiana Center for Childrens Rights

EIN 20-5961971 · New Orleans, LA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair63 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

USING DIRECT REPRESENTATION AND ADVOCACY, WE FIGHT TO KEEP CHILDREN OUT OF THE JUSTICE SYSTEM SO THAT THEY CAN THRIVE IN THEIR HOMES AND COMMUNITIES.

Income
$2.6 million
Spending
$3.6 million
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
7.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 64%
Employees
44
Volunteers
30
Highest pay
$151,047, executive director

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

Fair: 63 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 40% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 34% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 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: 95 out of 100. Higher than 53% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 (1)
  1. $3.0 million spent. OUR PROGRAM FIGHTS FOR THE RIGHTS OF CHILDREN SO THAT THEY MAY THRIVE IN THEIR OWN HOMES AND COMMUNITIES. WE ACHIEVE THIS BY PROVING JUVENILE DEFENSE AND JUVENILE LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE REPRESENTATION, AND ADVOCATING FOR CHANGES TO LOCAL AND STATEWIDE POLICIES. JUVENILE DEFENSE: AS THE JUVENILE PUBLIC DEFENDER IN NEW ORLEANS, WE REPRESENT OVER 90% OF CHILDREN IN THE CITY WHO COME INTO CONTACT WITH THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM. WE PROVIDE EACH CHILD WITH A HOLISTIC TEAM - A LAWYER, SOCIAL WORKER, INVESTIGATOR, AND YOUTH ADVOCATE - TO ADDRESS BOTH THE CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES OF AN ARREST.JUVENILE LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE: WE REPRESENT THE MAJORITY OF CHILDREN IN LOUISIANA WHO ARE FACING OR SERVING LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE SENTENCES, WHICH THE U.S. SUPREME COURT HAS RULED UNCONSTITUTIONAL IN ALL BUT THE RAREST CASES. WE KNOW THAT CHILDREN CAN AND DO CHANGE FOR THE BETTER, SO WE FIGHT TO ENSURE THAT THEY MAY ONE DAY HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR RELEASE.STATE AND LOCAL ADVOCACY: WE ADVOCATE FOR POLICIES THAT REDUCE THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN IN THE JUSTICE SYSTEM AND PROVIDE BETTER ALTERNATIVES TO ARREST AND INCARCERATION. FOR THE KIDS WHO DO ENTER THE SYSTEM, WE SUPPORT POLICIES THAT KEEP THEM SAFE, PROTECT THEIR RIGHTS, AND GET THEM HOME AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since August 2007.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.