New Jersey State Bar Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION IS TO: - FOSTER AN INCREASED AWARENESS, APPRECIATION AND KNOWLEDGE OF LAW AND THE LEGAL SYSTEM AMONG NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS; - SERVE AS THE STATEWIDE RESOURCE FOR LAW-RELATED EDUCATION FOR THE PUBLIC; - PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR LAWYERS TO SERVE THE PUBLIC THROUGH THE FOUNDATION'S PROGRAMS; AND - FOSTER PROFESSIONALISM AND PRIDE IN THE PROFESSION OF LAW THROUGH PUBLIC SERVICE. FOUNDED IN 1958, THE NEW JERSEY STATE BAR FOUNDATION IS THE CHARITABLE AND EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION OF THE NEW JERSEY STATE BAR ASSOCIATION. THE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION IS TO CARRY OUT THE CHARITABLE, SCIENTIFIC, LITERARY AND EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES OF NEW JERSEY STATE BAR ASSOCIATION AND OTHERS IN THE AREAS OF THE PROFESSION OF LAW AND THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE. THE ORGANIZATION OFFERS FREE AND COMPREHENSIVE PUBLIC EDUCATION PROGRAMS. IN ADDITION TO ITS PUBLIC AND SCHOOL-BASED ACTIVITIES, THE ORGANIZATION PRESENTS LAW-RELATED SEMINARS, CONDUCTS CONFLICT RESOLUTION TRAINING, PUBLI
- Income
- $9.4 million
- Spending
- $6.8 million
- Spent on programs
- 90%
- Reserves
- 10 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 86%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 26
- Highest pay
- $311,553, 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
Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 79% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 10.0 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 3% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 27% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 10% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1589% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2526 of 26 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a 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 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 (2)
- $2.8 million spent. CORE EDUCATION PROGRAMS - PROVIDE LAW-RELATED AND VIOLENCE PREVENTION EDUCATION TO THE PUBLIC THROUGH TRAININGS, SEMINARS, WORKSHOPS, VIDEO-LOAN-LIBRARY, PUBLICATIONS AND SPEAKER'S BUREAU.
- $3.3 million spent. FELLOWSHIPS - PROVIDE FUNDING FOR SALARY AND EXPENSES RELATED TO LAW SCHOOL CLINCAL PROGRAMS.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since January 1967.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.