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Louisiana Bar Foundation

EIN 23-7100704 · New Orleans, LA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong91 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SEE SCHEDULE O

Income
$30.5 million
Spending
$18.5 million
Spent on programs
93%
Reserves
25.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 78%
Employees
18
Volunteers
175
Highest pay
$244,130, 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: 91 out of 100. Higher than 81% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 25.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 19% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 39% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    93% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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 31% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    25 of 25 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 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 (3)
  1. $12.1 million spent. IOLTA PROGRAM - INTEREST ON LAWYER TRUST ACCOUNT:THE IOLTA PROGRAM WAS CREATED BY THE LOUISIANA SUPREME COURT AND IS ADMINISTERED BY THE LBF. IOLTA GENERATES INTEREST THAT HELPS FINANCE CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES FOR THE POOR. THE INTEREST IS GRANTED ANNUALLY BY THE LBF TO LOUISIANA'S LEGAL SERVICE PROVIDERS, PRO BONO PROGRAMS, AND OTHER COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS THAT PROVIDE CIVIL LEGAL AID TO LOUISIANA'S POOR.
  2. $4.3 million spent. DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY, STATE OF LOUISIANA COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT (CEA):THE SCOPE OF THE CEA IS 1. [TO] PROVIDE LEGAL REPRESENTATION OF CHILDREN IN CHILD PROTECTION CASES IN PARTNERSHIP WITH LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATIONS, THE LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES, AND THE LOUISIANA SUPREME COURT AND; 2. RESOLVE LEGAL PROBLEMS OF LOW INCOME PEOPLE; STRENGTHEN COMMUNITIES BY SERVICING SPECIAL POPULATIONS INCLUDING VETERANS, HOMELESS, DISASTER SURVIVORS, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS, AND SENIORS; DEVELOP THE BEST PUBLIC INTEREST LAW FIRMS POSSIBLE.
  3. $918,237 spent. ADMINISTRATION FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES: DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGREEMENT:THE CHILD WELFARE POLICY MANUAL ALLOWS TITLE IV-E AGENCIES TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS OF LEGAL REPRESENTATION OF CHILD AND PARENTS IN CHILD WELFARE CASES INCLUDING INDEPENDENT LEGAL REPRESENTATION BY AN ATTORNEY.

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

  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 June 2025.

    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 March 1971.

    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.