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Legal Services of North West Jersey

EIN 22-2092489 · Somerville, NJ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair62 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

LSNWJ IS A NONPROFIT CORPORATION ORGANIZED FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING FREE LEGAL ASSISTANCE IN NONCRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS OR MATTERS TO PERSONS FINANCIALLY UNABLE TO AFFORD LEGAL ASSISTANCE IN HUNTERDON, MORRIS, SOMERSET, SUSSEX AND WARREN COUNTIES IN NJ.

Income
$7.2 million
Spending
$7.1 million
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
1.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 77%
Employees
65
Volunteers
35
Highest pay
$250,550, chief executive officer

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: 62 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 49% 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 17% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% 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: 100 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 14 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. $5.6 million spent. LSNWJ PROVIDES HIGH QUALITY, EFFECTIVE LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO OUR CLIENT COMMUNITY IN LEGAL MATTERS AFFECTING ESSENTIALNEEDS (SHELTER AND HOUSING, SUSTAINABLE INCOME, ASSETS NECESSARY FOR SELF-SUFFICIENCY, FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS, PERSONALSAFETY, HEALTH CARE ACCESS, AND AUTONOMY).IN 2024, LSNWJ PROVIDED SERVICES IN 6,023 CASES, INCLUDING 774 CASES OPENED IN A PRIOR PERIOD FOR WHICH WORK CONTINUED IN 2024: SAFE AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING (2,123), PROTECTIVE SERVICES AND AUTONOMY (956), SELF-SUFFICIENCY AND HEALTH CARE (1,986) AND FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS AND SAFETY (958). IN 2024, 99% OF CLIENTS PROVIDED WITH LEGAL REPRESENTATION BY LSNWJ PURSUED LEGAL REMEDIES AND 81% WERE SUCCESSFUL IN MEETING THEIR ESSENTIAL NEEDS.

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 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 December 2024.

    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 October 2006.

    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.