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Legal Clinic for the Disabled Inc

EIN 23-2460392 · Philadelphia, PA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood72 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE LEGAL CLINIC FOR THE DISABLED'S (LCD) MISSION IS TO DELIVER FREE, QUALITY LEGAL SERVICES TO PEOPLE LIVING WITH PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH DISABILITIES AND THE DEAF AND OR HARD OF HEARING COMMUNITY TO HELP THEM OVERCOME LEGAL OBSTACLES THAT WOULD OTHERWISE AFFECT THEIR INDEPENDENCE, HEALTH, SAFETY, OR QUALITY OF LIFE. QUALIFIED CLIENTS LIVE AT 200% OR BELOW OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY GUIDELINES.

Income
$1.5 million
Spending
$1.7 million
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
7.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 98%
Employees
28
Volunteers
123
Highest pay
$110,299, executive director

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

Good: 72 out of 100. Higher than 46% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 11% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 12% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 10% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    78% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 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. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 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. $1.3 million spent. IN 2008, LCD MADE A STRATEGIC DECISION TO MOVE AWAY FROM TELEPHONE INTAKE AS ITS SOLE MEANS OF OFFERING LEGAL SERVICES TO PEOPLE WITH PHYSICAL DISABILITIES IN THE PHILADELPHIA REGION. SINCE 2008, LCD HAS DEVELOPED NUMEROUS PARTNERSHIPS IN THE COMMUNITY THAT HAVE BROADENED ITS ABILITY TO REACH MORE PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES IN NEED OF LEGAL SERVICES. LCD STAFF VIEW CLIENTS HOLISTICALLY AND WORK WITH OTHER AGENCIES TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE INDEPENDENCE, ACCESS TO THE COURTS AND COMMUNITY, IMPROVED HEALTHCARE OUTCOMES, AND A BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE FOR THOSE WITH DISABILITIES. (SEE CONTINUATION ON SCHEDULE O) "GOING TO THE CLIENT" IS AN EXCITING, INNOVATIVE APPROACH THAT ENABLES LCD ATTORNEYS TO PROVIDE LEGAL ADVOCACY TO COMPLEMENT THE TREATMENT PROVIDED BY MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS, THERAPISTS, SOCIAL WORKERS, AND OTHER INDIVIDUALS WHO PROVIDE SERVICES TO PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. LCD'S PROGRAMS INCLUDE: COMMUNITY LEGAL OUTREACH CLINICS (CLOCS) INITIATIVE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH PRO-BONO VOLUNTEERS FROM AREA LAW FIRMS AND CORPORATIONS, LCD CONDUCTS COMMUNITY LEGAL OUTREACH CLINICS (CLOCS) WITH COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS THAT SERVE INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES IN THE PHILADELPHIA AREA. LCD OFFERS APPROXIMATELY EIGHT CLOCS PER YEAR IN A VARIETY OF COMMUNITY SETTINGS. IN 2024, 77 ATTORNEYS AND 43 OTHER VOLUNTEERS (PARALEGALS AND NOTARIES) PROVIDED PRO BONO REPRESENTATION AND ASSISTANCE LCD CLIENTS THROUGH THE CLOC INITIATIVE. MEDICAL-LEGAL PARTNERSHIPS (MLP) INITIATIVE MLP IS A HEALTHCARE DELIVERY MODEL THAT INTEGRATES LEGAL SERVICES INTO HEALTHCARE SETTINGS. THROUGH AN INTERDISCIPLINARY, HOLISTIC TEAM APPROACH, ATTORNEYS AND HEALTHCARE PERSONNEL COMBINE LAW AND MEDICINE TO REMOVE LEGAL BARRIERS THAT PREVENT ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE AND MITIGATE SOCIAL DETERMINANTS THAT PREVENT POSITIVE HEALTHCARE OUTCOMES. CURRENTLY, LCD PARTNERS WITH THE FOLLOWING HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS: JEFFERSON MOSS-MAGEE REHABILITATION HOSPITAL; FAMILY PRACTICE & COUNSELING NETWORK (FPCN) THREE FEDERALLY QUALIFIED NURSE MANAGED HEALTH CENTERS IN PHILADELPHIA: 11TH STREET FAMILY HEALTH SERVICES IN NORTH PHILADELPHIA; ABBOTTSFORD FALLS FAMILY PRACTICE & COUNSELING IN GERMANTOWN; THE HEALTH ANNEX IN WEST PHILADELPHIA; PHILAKIDS MLP AT ST. CHRISTOPHER'S HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN IN KENSINGTON; PROJECT HOME: STEPHEN KLEIN WELLNESS CENTER IN NORTH PHILADELPHIA; THE HUB OF HOPE DROP-IN CENTER IN SUBURBAN STATION, PHILADELPHIA THAT OFFERS A SAFE HAVEN AND SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING CHRONIC HOMELESSNESS; AMERIHEALTH/KEYSTONE FIRST AND NEMOURS CHILDREN'S HEALTH AT JEFFERSON UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL IN CENTER CITY; THE PHILADELPHIA AIDS CONSORTIUM (TPAC) IN CENTER CITY. THROUGH INTERDISCIPLINARY COLLABORATION, THE MLP MODEL ALLOWS LCD TO PROVIDE IMMEDIATE ADVICE, ADVOCACY, OR IN-COURT REPRESENTATION UPSTREAM BEFORE LEGAL ISSUES REACH A CRISIS POINT. LIKEWISE, IT ALLOWS THE ATTORNEYS TO CONDUCT TRAINING AND ONE-ON-ONE CONSULTATIONS OVER THE COURSE OF THE YEAR. THE PURPOSE OF THE TRAININGS IS TO: (1) RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT THE LEGAL SERVICES AVAILABLE ONSITE FOR PATIENTS/CLIENTS IN NEED AND (2) EDUCATE THE HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS AND/OR SOCIAL SERVICE PROFESSIONALS ABOUT LEGAL ISSUES PREVALENT AMONG THEIR POPULATIONS AND HOW TO MAKE APPROPRIATE REFERRALS FOR LEGAL SERVICES. THROUGH THE MLP MODEL OF CARE, LCD AND ITS MLP PARTNERS WORK COLLABORATIVELY AND PROACTIVELY TO IDENTIFY AND ADDRESS SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH THAT HAVE LEGAL REMEDIES IN ORDER TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH AND QUALITY OF LIFE FOR THE INDIVIDUALS THEY SERVE. COMMON ISSUES INCLUDE UNSAFE HOUSING, EVICTION, FOOD INSECURITY, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, FAMILY LAW ISSUES, AND FOOD AND UTILITY INSECURITY. LCD ATTORNEYS TRAIN KEY PARTNERS IN EACH VENUE, E.G. PHYSICIANS, PEDIATRIC RESIDENTS, CASE MANAGERS/SOCIAL WORKERS, AND NURSE PRACTITIONERS TO IDENTIFY AND REFER PATIENTS WITH UNMET LEGAL NEEDS. THE CONSULTATIONS BETWEEN LCD ATTORNEYS AND HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS AT EACH OF THE SITES HAVE INCREASED IN NUMBER AS THE PARTNERSHIPS HAVE EXPANDED AND MATURED. HOUSING & HABITABILITY INITIATIVE LCD OPERATES ITS HOUSING & HABITABILITY INITIATIVE IN COLLABORATION WITH THE CITY-FUNDED PHILADELPHIA EVICTION PREVENTION PROJECT (PEPP) TO ADDRESS LEGAL ISSUES SURROUNDING THE HOUSING OF LOW-INCOME PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES. LCD'S GOAL FOR THE HOUSING & HABITABILITY INITIATIVE IS TO ENFORCE THE LEGAL OBLIGATIONS OF LANDLORDS WHEN NEGLECT, NON-COMPLIANCE, OR ABUSE ARE IN EVIDENCE, AND TO PREVENT SUBSTANDARD HOUSING AND EVICTIONS. WORKING ACROSS LCD'S VARIOUS INITIATIVES AND COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAMS, THE GOAL OF THIS PROJECT IS TO IDENTIFY HOUSING-RELATED LEGAL NEEDS AFFECTING LOW-INCOME PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES BEFORE THEY REACH A POINT OF CRISIS IN ORDER TO MITIGATE ANY LONG-TERM NEGATIVE IMPACT. EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH LCD ALSO PROVIDES EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH TO LAWYERS, MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS, SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES AND SCHOOLS TO EDUCATE THEM ABOUT LEGAL ISSUES FACING PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND ABOUT THE AVAILABILITY OF OUR SERVICES. LCD CONTINUED TO HOST VIRTUAL AND IN-PERSON EDUCATIONAL AND OUTREACH EVENTS IN 2024.

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 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 2024.

    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 October 1988.

    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.