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San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program Inc

EIN 33-0016681 · San Diego, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair65 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF SAN DIEGO VOLUNTEER LAWYER PROGRAM, INC. IS TO PROVIDE EQUAL ACCESS TO THE JUSTICE SYSTEM BY SERVING AS A BRIDGE BETWEEN INDIGENT AND OTHER DISADVANTAGED PEOPLE IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY AND THE VOLUNTEER LAWYERS WHO ARE WILLING TO DONATE THEIR TIME AND RESOURCES. SDVLP PROVIDES AN ORGANIZED STRUCTURE THROUGH WHICH ATTORNEYS AND OTHER LEGAL PROFESSIONALS PROVIDE PRO BONO ASSISTANCE TO LOW-INCOME PERSONS, PRIMARILY WOMEN AND CHILDREN, FACING CRITICAL LEGAL ISSUES IMPACTING THEIR HEALTH, SAFETY, AND WELL-BEING, WHO WOULD NOT OTHERWISE BE ABLE TO AFFORD LEGAL REPRESENTATION.

Income
$5.9 million
Spending
$5.0 million
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
2.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 56%
Employees
60
Volunteers
557
Highest pay
$199,379, ceo

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

Financial health

Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 29% of charities in its peer group (social science, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 44% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 15% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 31% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (social science, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    25 of 25 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 June 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 (3)
  1. $2.5 million spent. SDVLP'S LARGEST AREA OF PROGRAM SERVICE IS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE/FAMILY LAW. SDVLP STAFF AND VOLUNTEER ATTORNEYS PROVIDE LEGAL REPRESENTATION TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SURVIVORS AT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RESTRAINING ORDER CLINICS, LOCATED AT THREE COURTHOUSES AND TWO FAMILY JUSTICE CENTERS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY. SDVLP STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS HELP SURVIVORS OF ABUSE TO OBTAIN LIFE-SAVING PROTECTIVE ORDERS AND PROVIDE LEGAL ASSISTANCE IN FAMILY LAW MATTERS SUCH AS DIVORCE, CHILD CUSTODY, AND CHILD/SPOUSAL SUPPORT, TO EMPOWER SURVIVORS AND THEIR CHILDREN TO MAINTAIN PHYSICAL AND FINANCIAL FREEDOM FROM THEIR ABUSERS AND END THE CYCLE OF VIOLENCE.
  2. $664,623 spent. SAN DIEGO VOLUNTEER LAWYER PROGRAM IS A VITAL LEGAL RESOURCE FOR SAN DIEGO CHILDREN AND YOUTH. SDVLP'S SPECIAL EDUCATION ADVOCACY PROGRAM ASSISTS DISABLED FOSTER YOUTH TO ENFORCE THEIR EDUCATIONAL RIGHTS AND REMAIN IN SCHOOL. SDVLP'S GUARDIANSHIP PROGRAM HELPS CAREGIVERS OBTAIN LEGAL CUSTODY OF CHILDREN WHO HAVE OFTEN BEEN ABUSED OR ABANDONED, ENABLING THEM TO LIVE IN SAFE AND STABLE HOMES.
  3. $1.1 million spent. SDVLP IS ALSO A VITAL RESOURCE FOR LOW-INCOME SAN DIEGANS IN A VARIETY OF OTHER AREAS. SDVLP'S TENANTS' RIGHTS PROGRAM HELPS PREVENT UNLAWFUL EVICTIONS AND HOMELESSNESS. OUR MICROBUSINESS AND NONPROFIT SUPPORT PROGRAM HELPS LOW-INCOME ENTREPRENEURS TO CREATE SUSTAINABLE BUSINESSES THAT LIFT THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES OUT OF POVERTY AND HELPS STRENGTHEN LOCAL NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS. OUR RECORD RELIEF FOR SURVIVORS PROGRAM ASSISTS SURVIVORS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING, INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE, AND SEXUAL ASSAULT TO CLEAR THEIR RECORDS OF NON-VIOLENT OFFENSES THAT ARE A DIRECT RESULT OF THEIR VICTIMIZATION AND START NEW LIVES FREE FROM ABUSE. OUR HIV/AIDS LEGAL SERVICES PROGRAM HELPS CLIENTS ACCESS MEDICAL CARE, HOUSING, AND FIGHT DISCRIMINATION. BECAUSE OF SDVLP, CLIENTS WHO WOULD OTHERWISE HAVE HAD TO NAVIGATE THE LEGAL SYSTEM ALONE RECEIVED LEGAL ASSISTANCE IN APPROXIMATELY 7,500 CASES LAST YEAR.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 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 June 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 1984.

    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.