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Ohio Center for Law Related Education

EIN 31-1124428 · Columbus, OH

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood81 out of 100GovernanceStrong97 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE OHIO CENTER FOR LAW RELATED EDUCATION IS A NON-PROFIT, NONPARTISAN ORGANIZATION THAT ENCOURAGES PARTICIPATION IN OUR DEMOCRACY THROUGH ACTIVE LEARNING PROGRAMS ABOUT LAW AND CITIZENSHIP FOR EDUCATORS AND STUDENTS INVOLVING VOLUNTEERS FROM GOVERNMENT AND THE LEGAL PROFESSION.

Income
$591,642
Spending
$598,852
Spent on programs
63%
Reserves
27.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 50%
Employees
7
Volunteers
700
Highest pay
$101,433, executive di

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 81 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 27.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% 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 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    63% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 97 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 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

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 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 (5)
  1. $163,016 spent. MOCK TRIAL: THE OHIO MOCK TRIAL PROGRAM, ESTABLISHED BY THE OHIO CENTER FOR LAW-RELATED EDUCATION IN 1983, IS A STATEWIDE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM DESIGNED TO ALLOW STUDENTS TO BECOME AWARE OF THEIR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES. IT PROVIDES STUDENTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN FIRSTHAND ABOUT LAW, COURT PROCEDURES AND THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM WHILE ALSO BUILDING INTERPRETATION, CRITICAL THINKING, AND PUBLIC SPEAKING SKILLS. STUDENTS WHO COMPETE IN THE MOCK TRIAL PROGRAM COME AWAY WITH A GREATER UNDERSTANDING OF NOT ONLY THE PRINCIPLES OUR LEGAL SYSTEM IS FOUNDED ON BUT ALSO OF THEMSELVES AND THE SKILLS THEY POSSESS.
  2. $92,428 spent. WE THE PEOPLE: THE CITIZEN AND THE CONSTITUTION IS AN INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM FOR HIGH SCHOOL AND MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS WHICH TEACHES THE HISTORY AND PRINCIPLES OF THE AMERICAN CONSTITUTIONAL DEMOCRACY WHILE ENHANCING STUDENTS' UNDERSTANDING OF GOVERNMENT. STUDENTS DISCOVER THE CONTEMPORARY RELEVANCE OF THE CONSTITUTION AND THE BILL OF RIGHTS AT THE SAME TIME. THE PROGRAM IS BASED ON CURRICULAR MATERIALS DEVELOPED BY THE CENTER FOR CIVIC EDUCATION AND IS NATIONALLY ACCLAIMED BY EDUCATORS. WE THE PEOPLE IS ALIGNED TO THE OHIO LEARNING STANDARDS FOR SOCIAL STUDIES AND ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS.
  3. $21,235 spent. MOOT COURT: MOOT COURT IS AN ACADEMIC PROGRAM THAT TEACHES HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ABOUT THE US CONSTITUION, SPECIFICALLY FOCUSING ON THE APPELLATE COURT PROCESS. EACH MOOT COURT CASE FOCUSES ON A UNIQUE CONSTITUIONAL ISSUE THAT STUDENTS MUST EXAMINE FROM BOTH SIDES. THROUGH PARTICIPATION IN THE PROGRAM, STUDENTS TAKE ON THE ROLES OF ATTORNEYS PRESENTING ORAL ARGUMENTS BEFORE APPELLATE COURT JUDGES. STUDENTS ALSO GAIN EXPERIENCE IN LEGAL WRITING BY WORKING AS A TEAM TO WRITE A BRIEF FOR THEIR CHOSEN SIDE OF THE CASE.
  4. $100,518 spent. WE OFFER ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS FOR STUDENTS TO LEARN AND EXPERIENCE THE US JUDICIAL AND LEGISLATIVE SYSTEM INCLUDING THE CIVICS SUMMIT, OHIO GOVERNMENT IN ACTION, AND CIVICS THAT EMPOWERS ALL STUDENTS.
  5. WE OFFER ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS FOR STUDENTS TO LEARN AND EXPERIENCE THE US JUDICIAL AND LEGISLATIVE SYSTEM INCLUDING THE CIVICS SUMMIT, OHIO GOVERNMENT IN ACTION, AND CIVICS THAT EMPOWERS ALL STUDENTS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 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 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 July 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 April 1985.

    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.

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