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Philadelphia Vip Inc

EIN 23-2210390 · Philadelphia, PA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong95 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

PHILADELPHIA VIP LEVERAGES THE POWERFUL RESOURCES OF THE COMMUNITY TO PROVIDE QUALITY VOLUNTEER LEGAL SERVICES AND ENSURE ACCESS TO JUSTICE FOR LOW-INCOME PHILADELPHIANS.

Income
$2.4 million
Spending
$2.2 million
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
12 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 55%
Employees
20
Volunteers
1,396
Highest pay
$151,174, executive di

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 87% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 12.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 13% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 10% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 0% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 25

    24 of 24 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, 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. $1.9 million spent. LINE 4A, PROGRAM SERVICE ------------------------ PHILADELPHIA VIP HAS A 44-YEAR HISTORY AS THE ONLY LEGAL AID ORGANIZATION IN PHILADELPHIA DEDICATED TO SECURING PRO BONO LEGAL ASSISTANCE FOR LOW- INCOME INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES, SMALL BUSINESSES, AND NONPROFITS. VIP WAS CREATED IN 1981 AS A JOINT VENTURE BETWEEN THE PHILADELPHIA BAR ASSOCIATION, PUBLIC INTEREST LEGAL COMMUNITY, AND PRIVATE BAR TO ADDRESS AN OVERFLOW OF CIVIL CASES THAT COULD NOT BE ABSORBED BY LEGAL SERVICES ORGANIZATIONS, AND IMPLICATED ESSENTIAL NEEDS LIKE HOUSING, INCOME, AND FAMILY COMPOSITION. TO THIS DAY, VIP FILLS AN ESSENTIAL "AGENCY OF LAST RESORT" ROLE FOR LOW-INCOME PHILADELPHIANS FACING CRITICAL LEGAL PROBLEMS WHO ARE UNABLE TO RECEIVE LEGAL ASSISTANCE ELSEWHERE. VIP'S CORE ACTIVITY IS RECRUITING, TRAINING, AND PROVIDING ON-GOING SUPPORT TO ITS LARGE, DIVERSE COMMUNITY OF VOLUNTEER ATTORNEYS WHO ADVISE AND REPRESENT VIP'S LOW-INCOME CLIENTS PRO BONO (I.E., AT NO CHARGE). VIP REPRESENTS CLIENTS IN FOUR PRIORITY SERVICE AREAS: (1) PREVENTING HOMELESSNESS, (2) SUPPORTING FAMILY STABILITY, (3) PRESERVING INCOME, AND (4) PROMOTING COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. THE MAJORITY OF VIP'S CASES ARE REFERRED BY ITS SISTER ORGANIZATIONS, COMMUNITY LEGAL SERVICES AND PHILADELPHIA LEGAL ASSISTANCE. AN ADDITIONAL NUMBER COME FROM PEER ORGANIZATIONS THROUGHOUT PHILADELPHIA OR OTHER SOURCES. TO QUALIFY FOR FREE LEGAL ASSISTANCE, VIP'S CLIENTS MUST BE RESIDENTS OF PHILADELPHIA WITH INCOME AT OR BELOW 300% (400% FOR SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS) OF THE FEDERALLY-DEFINED POVERTY LEVEL. VIP IS AN AGENCY OF LAST RESORT, SUCH THAT CLIENTS HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO RECEIVE LEGAL ASSISTANCE ELSEWHERE, INCLUDING BECAUSE THE CLIENT'S PARTICULAR NEED IS NOT HANDLED BY OTHER LEGAL SERVICES ORGANIZATIONS. VIP'S CLIENTS HAIL FROM ALL PARTS OF PHILADELPHIA AND INCLUDE MANY DEMOGRAPHIC CATEGORIES. THE LARGEST CONSTITUENCIES AMONG CLIENTS REPRESENTED IN 2025 INCLUDED: PEOPLE OF COLOR (71%), WOMEN (66%), SENIORS OVER THE AGE OF 60 (40%), AND DISABLED (36%). BY LEVERAGING THE RESOURCES OF VOLUNTEERS VIP SERVED 1,858 CASES IN 2025, IMPACTING 3,103 PEOPLE, 987 OF THEM CHILDREN. VIP RECRUITS, TRAINS, MENTORS, AND PROVIDES ONGOING SUPPORT FOR THOUSANDS OF PROFESSIONALS THROUGHOUT PHILADELPHIA TO PROVIDE PRO BONO LEGAL SERVICES TO VIP'S LOW- INCOME CLIENTS. BY MAINTAINING A LARGE AND DIVERSE BANK OF VOLUNTEERS, VIP RESPONDS TO OTHERWISE UNMET LEGAL NEEDS ON A SCALE FAR EXCEEDING WHAT AN ORGANIZATION'S STAFF COULD ACCOMPLISH ON ITS OWN WITHIN THE SAME BUDGET PARAMETERS. LINE 4A, PROGRAM SERVICE ------------------------ PHILADELPHIA VIP HAS A 44-YEAR HISTORY AS THE ONLY LEGAL AID ORGANIZATION IN PHILADELPHIA DEDICATED TO SECURING PRO BONO LEGAL ASSISTANCE FOR LOW- INCOME INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES, SMALL BUSINESSES, AND NONPROFITS. VIP WAS CREATED IN 1981 AS A JOINT VENTURE BETWEEN THE PHILADELPHIA BAR ASSOCIATION, PUBLIC INTEREST LEGAL COMMUNITY, AND PRIVATE BAR TO ADDRESS AN OVERFLOW OF CIVIL CASES THAT COULD NOT BE ABSORBED BY LEGAL SERVICES ORGANIZATIONS, AND IMPLICATED ESSENTIAL NEEDS LIKE HOUSING, INCOME, AND FAMILY COMPOSITION. TO THIS DAY, VIP FILLS AN ESSENTIAL "AGENCY OF LAST RESORT" ROLE FOR LOW-INCOME PHILADELPHIANS FACING CRITICAL LEGAL PROBLEMS WHO ARE UNABLE TO RECEIVE LEGAL ASSISTANCE ELSEWHERE. VIP'S CORE ACTIVITY IS RECRUITING, TRAINING, AND PROVIDING ON-GOING SUPPORT TO ITS LARGE, DIVERSE COMMUNITY OF VOLUNTEER ATTORNEYS WHO ADVISE AND REPRESENT VIP'S LOW-INCOME CLIENTS PRO BONO (I.E., AT NO CHARGE). VIP REPRESENTS CLIENTS IN FOUR PRIORITY SERVICE AREAS: (1) PREVENTING HOMELESSNESS, (2) SUPPORTING FAMILY STABILITY, (3) PRESERVING INCOME, AND (4) PROMOTING COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. THE MAJORITY OF VIP'S CASES ARE REFERRED BY ITS SISTER ORGANIZATIONS, COMMUNITY LEGAL SERVICES AND PHILADELPHIA LEGAL ASSISTANCE. AN ADDITIONAL NUMBER COME FROM PEER ORGANIZATIONS THROUGHOUT PHILADELPHIA OR OTHER SOURCES. TO QUALIFY FOR FREE LEGAL ASSISTANCE, VIP'S CLIENTS MUST BE RESIDENTS OF PHILADELPHIA WITH INCOME AT OR BELOW 300% (400% FOR SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS) OF THE FEDERALLY-DEFINED POVERTY LEVEL. VIP IS AN AGENCY OF LAST RESORT, SUCH THAT CLIENTS HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO RECEIVE LEGAL ASSISTANCE ELSEWHERE, INCLUDING BECAUSE THE CLIENT'S PARTICULAR NEED IS NOT HANDLED BY OTHER LEGAL SERVICES ORGANIZATIONS. VIP'S CLIENTS HAIL FROM ALL PARTS OF PHILADELPHIA AND INCLUDE MANY DEMOGRAPHIC CATEGORIES. THE LARGEST CONSTITUENCIES AMONG CLIENTS REPRESENTED IN 2025 INCLUDED: PEOPLE OF COLOR (71%), WOMEN (66%), SENIORS OVER THE AGE OF 60 (40%), AND DISABLED (36%). BY LEVERAGING THE RESOURCES OF VOLUNTEERS VIP SERVED 1,858 CASES IN 2025, IMPACTING 3,103 PEOPLE, 987 OF THEM CHILDREN. VIP RECRUITS, TRAINS, MENTORS, AND PROVIDES ONGOING SUPPORT FOR THOUSANDS OF PROFESSIONALS THROUGHOUT PHILADELPHIA TO PROVIDE PRO BONO LEGAL SERVICES TO VIP'S LOW- INCOME CLIENTS. BY MAINTAINING A LARGE AND DIVERSE BANK OF VOLUNTEERS, VIP RESPONDS TO OTHERWISE UNMET LEGAL NEEDS ON A SCALE FAR EXCEEDING WHAT AN ORGANIZATION'S STAFF COULD ACCOMPLISH ON ITS OWN WITHIN THE SAME BUDGET PARAMETERS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 October 13, 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 November 6, 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 October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since July 1982.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.