Summer Work Experience in Law Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
To primarily help African American students make an informed decision when it comes to entering law school and the legal profession.
- Income
- $223,422
- Spending
- $110,859
- Spent on programs
- 100%
- Reserves
- 21.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 96%
- Employees
- 1
- Volunteers
- 15
- Highest pay
- $22,975, 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
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 82% of charities in its peer group (education, under $250k).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 21.7 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 50% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 94% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 15100% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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
Weak: 47 out of 100. Higher than 23% of charities in its peer group (education, under $250k).
Independent board
25 of 2515 of 15 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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)
- $110,859 spent. 37 scholars participated in our 9-week summer program in 2024, primarily college students, along with several exceptional high school scholars. Monday through Thursday the students reported to individual work sites at law firms, corporate legal departments, state and federal judge's chambers, and other non-profit and governmental agencies. 18 of those students' work experiences were funded by SWEL and the remainder were paid directly by the employers. We expect a comparable number this summer. On Fridays, scholars attended a training day planned by SWEL to cover topics such as panel discussions by practicing attorneys describing their practices, how to apply to and finance law school, studying for the LSAT, oral presentations, networking, social etiquette, etc.Scholars also attended a 3-day tour of local and regional law schools including UC, Chase, OSU, and IU, meeting with admissions staff and touring each campus. The summer experience provides a full exposure to enable scholars to make an educated decision about whether a career in the law is suitable and attainable for them.Employers who hosted scholars are positively impacted by the exposure to local students who are bright, passionate and serious about their futures and this often leads to long-term relationships that can result in employment opportunities.Local law schools are introduced to a diverse group of smart, hardworking students and can showcase their programs to help attract and create a future, diverse class of students. This in turn can lead to a strong, diverse group of lawyers creating a career and life in Cincinnati that will benefit our community.
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
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.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Worth knowing.
Status was revoked on May 15, 2014 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on May 15, 2014.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since May 2017.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.