Center for Law & Justice Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
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
THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION IS TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO DISADVANTAGED INDIVIDUALS IN THE ALBANY AREA.
- Income
- $39,979
- Spending
- $202,440
- Spent on programs
- 57%
- Reserves
- -0.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 59%
- Employees
- 8
- Volunteers
- 0
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
Weak: 8 out of 100.
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
0 of 20It owes 556% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 406% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 77% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1557% 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: 81 out of 100.
Independent board
25 of 2516 of 16 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
0 of 7Reports no 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.
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 (3)
- $27,005 spent. COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT - A PROGRAM GEARED TOWARDS EDUCATING LOW-INCOME RESIDENTS ON RIGHTS AND COMMUNITY ACTION AGENDAS. THE ORGANIZATION HOLDS AN ANNUAL CONFERENCE.
- $69,223 spent. FAMILY JUSTICE SERVICES - A PROGRAM TO ASSIST FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS THROWN INTO CRISIS DUE TO CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR, VICTIMIZATION, AND/OR INVOLVEMENT. SPECIALISTS PROVIDE THE SERVICES.
- $14,603 spent. PREVENTION AND EMPOWERMENT - A CRIME AND DELINQUENCY PROGRAM THAT SERVES YOUTHS AGE ELEVEN TO TWENTY-ONE BY USING NURTURING AND EMPOWERMENT TOOLS TO HELP THEM MAKE POSITIVE DECISIONS.
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 October 13, 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 January 1991.
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 October 21, 2026.
Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.
A much larger organization has a similar name: Acacia Center for Justice (New York, NY), EIN 87-4099467. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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.