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Judge David L Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law

EIN 23-7268143 · Washington, DC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

OUR OBJECTIVES ARE TO PROTECT THE LEGAL RIGHTS OF ADULTS AND CHILDREN WITH MENTAL DISABILITIES AND TO IMPROVE THEIR ACCESS TO APPROPRIATE CARE, TREATMENT, EDUCATION, HOUSING, EMPLOYMENT, AND OTHER SUPPORT.

Income
$2.6 million
Spending
$2.1 million
Spent on programs
67%
Reserves
38.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 56%
Employees
11
Volunteers
19
Highest pay
$197,111, legal direct

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 85 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 38.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 8% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 19% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 44% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    67% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 19 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    19 of 20 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 September 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 (5)
  1. $712,478 spent. LITIGATION - THE BAZELON CENTERS LAWYERS ENGAGE IN CUTTING-EDGE LITIGATION TO PROTECT AND ADVANCE LEGAL RIGHTS FOR PEOPLE WITH MENTAL DISABILITIES. THE LITIGATION GENERALLY USES AND IS FOUNDED UPON LAWS THAT PROTECT AND BENEFIT PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, INCLUDING AMONG OTHERS THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY), THE INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES EDUCATION ACT (SPECIAL EDUCATION), AND THE MEDICAID ACT (HEALTH AND MENTAL HEALTH CARE). THE BAZELON CENTER FILES CLASS ACTIONS CASES, AMICUS ("FRIEND OF THE COURT") BRIEFS IN IMPORTANT APPELLATE CASES AND REPRESENTS INDIVIDUAL CLIENTS IN CASES WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR BROAD IMPACT. THE BAZELON CENTER PARTNERS WITH LOCAL ADVOCATES, LARGE PRIVATE LAW FIRMS, AND OTHER PUBLIC INTEREST LAW GROUPS.
  2. $596,119 spent. POLICY ADVOCACY - THE BAZELON CENTER PURSUES A COMPREHENSIVE MENTAL HEALTH POLICY AGENDA, PARTICULARLY AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL, TO REFORM SYSTEMS AND PROGRAMS TO PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF CHILDREN AND ADULTS WITH MENTAL DISABILITIES. THE BAZELON CENTERS STAFF PROMOTE THESE GOALS IN FEDERAL LEGISLATION AND REGULATION, POLICY ANALYSIS AND RESEARCH AND GRASSROOTS ADVOCACY. RECENTLY, THE BAZELON CENTERS POLICY ADVOCACY HAS FOCUSED ON EXPANDING COMMUNITY-BASED MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, DIVERTING PEOPLE WITH MENTAL DISABILITIES FROM THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, INCREASING THE SUPPLY OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING, PROTECTING UNACCOMPANIED MINORS, AND TECHNOLOGY AND AI.
  3. $92,619 spent. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND EDUCATION - THE BAZELON CENTER PROVIDES TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, ATTORNEYS AND OTHER ADVOCATES, AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS WORKING TO ADVANCE THE LAW AND IMPROVE PUBLIC SERVICES SYSTEMS. THE BAZELON CENTER PUBLISHES MATERIALS ON A WIDE RANGE OF ISSUES, INCLUDING HEALTH CARE, EDUCATION, HOUSING, EMPLOYMENT, CRIMINAL JUSTICE, AND FOSTER CARE. THE BAZELON CENTER HAS SOME CONTRACT WORK, USUALLY FROM LARGER NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE ON DISABILITY LAW.
  4. $8,520 spent. LOBBYING - ADVOCATING FOR THE BAZELON CENTER'S PROGRAM OBJECTIVES THROUGH FEDERAL POLICY AND STRATEGIC POLICY DEVELOPMENT. THE BAZELON CENTER ALSO COMMUNICATES THROUGH DIGITAL NEWSLETTERS AND ALERTS AND VARIOUS SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS. FROM TIME TO TIME, THE BAZELON CENTER URGES PEOPLE TO CONTACT THEIR CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATES THROUGH THESE COMMUNICATIONS.
  5. LOBBYING - ADVOCATING FOR THE BAZELON CENTER'S PROGRAM OBJECTIVES THROUGH FEDERAL POLICY AND STRATEGIC POLICY DEVELOPMENT. THE BAZELON CENTER ALSO COMMUNICATES THROUGH DIGITAL NEWSLETTERS AND ALERTS AND VARIOUS SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS. FROM TIME TO TIME, THE BAZELON CENTER URGES PEOPLE TO CONTACT THEIR CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATES THROUGH THESE COMMUNICATIONS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 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 September 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 May 1973.

    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.