Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

East River Legal Services Corporation

EIN 23-7101054 · Sioux Falls, SD

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak48 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

PROVIDING CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES TO LOW INCOME INDIVIDUALS IN 33 COUNTIES IN EASTERN SOUTH DAKOTA.

Income
$2.0 million
Spending
$2.0 million
Spent on programs
76%
Reserves
2.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 90%
Employees
33
Volunteers
45
Highest pay
$126,123, executive director

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

Weak: 48 out of 100. Higher than 14% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 53% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    76% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 41% 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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. $1.5 million spent. East River Legal Services uses the power of the law to ensure access to basic needs and help individuals and families move out of poverty. Through the support of funders, donors, volunteers, and community partners, the organization provides civil legal services that improve clients' safety and health, promote economic stability, secure safe and affordable housing, and ensure access to justice and accountability within government systems.The mission of East River Legal Services is to provide equal access to justice for vulnerable individuals by delivering high-quality legal services and pursuing systemic solutions to poverty-related legal problems.In 2025, East River Legal Services received requests for legal assistance from low-income individuals and families throughout eastern South Dakota and closed 1,509 cases across 38 counties. Legal services were provided in substantive areas including housing, family law, consumer protection, and public benefits, with a focus on preserving housing stability, increasing financial security, and protecting vulnerable individuals from abuse and exploitation.East River Legal Services continued to expand services through street outreach and housing retention initiatives designed to improve access to legal services for unhoused and highly vulnerable individuals. These efforts focus on reducing barriers to housing, obtaining identification documents and benefits, resolving legal obstacles to stability, and increasing collaboration with community service providers to improve long-term client outcomes.Client demographics included 436 clients with disabilities, 67 veteran-related cases, and 265 cases involving victims of domestic violence. The organization also served older adults, families with children, and individuals experiencing housing instability and poverty-related legal barriers.In addition to direct legal representation, East River Legal Services conducted community outreach, collaborated with nonprofit and governmental partners, and provided legal education designed to increase access to justice for underserved populations.

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 October 13, 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 March 1971.

    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 October 21, 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.