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Green Bag Inc

EIN 31-1563469 · Washington, DC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceNot ratedThe short tax form does not cover thisImpact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Producing content useful and of interest to lawyers, scholars, students, and citizens

Income
$78,880
Spending
$62,913
Reserves
19 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 96%

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

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 84% of charities in its peer group (social science, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 19.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 20% of income.

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

Governance

This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.

Source: Form 990EZ 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 (4)
  1. $9,873 spent. Publication of three issues of our flagship journal, The Green Bag: An Entertaining Journal of Law; persons benefited included at least our subscribers (about 1,000 -- yes, in an era of declining support for print publications, subscriptions to our print journal are increasing -- a development of which we are very proud), and patrons of the many libraries and schools that subscribe. Total direct cost: $9,872.99.
  2. $7,024 spent. Publication of our Green Bag Almanac & Reader -- the book-length annual review of developments in the law and excellence in legal writing, combined with a featured aspect of human culture outside the law and its relationship to the law -- which is closely associated with our flagship journal, The Green Bag: An Entertaining Journal of Law (and has a readership at least as wide as the Green Bag's); persons benefited included all Green Bag subscribers (who automatically receive a copy), as well as the many libraries who requested copies (the focus of the 2025 edition was libraries and legal research). In 2025, we marked the 20th edition anniversary of the Almanac & Reader series. Total direct cost: $7,023.51.
  3. $3,288 spent. New publications in our other permanent publishing series, including the 10th volume of "Re-readings" (related to literature and law), the 8th Baker Street Almanac; persons benefited included at least the purchasers (about 800 for Re-readings and 200 for the Baker Street Almanac), and patrons of the many libraries and schools that purchased or received copies gratis from us. Total direct cost: $3,288.25.
  4. $5,249 spent. Production of other printed material that complements our overall program, including the fifth in our series of jigsaw puzzles with fairly sophisticated legal content (it involved a salute to law publishing in the late 19th century) our traditional output of several postcards and trading cards with legal and literary themes, and the first in a new line of "Bench & Bar Stars" educational trading cards featuring great figures from the legal history of individual states; persons benefited included at least the recipients (about 1000), and many students and library patrons that receive them gratis. Total direct cost: $5,249.

Source: Form 990EZ 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? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on August 15, 2010 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on May 15, 2012.

    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 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 April 2013.

    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.

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.