American Bar Association
Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.
What it says it does
To serve equally the members of the legal profession and the public by defending liberty and delivering justice as the national representative of the legal profession, to apply the knowledge and experience of the profession to promote the public good and to encourage cordial discourse among the members of the Bar.
- Income
- $166.2 million
- Spending
- $138.6 million
- Employees
- 489
- Volunteers
- 6,000
- Highest pay
- $807,170, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Governance
This return does not answer enough of the governance questions to score.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. 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 (2)
- The ABA provides lawyers unparalleled opportunities for professional growth and service through numerous groups dedicated to specific areas of law. The Association currently has 22 Sections, which range in size from about 1,000 members to more than 40,000 7 divisions and 6 forums. All of these groups draw their membership from lawyers, judges, academics, law students and associate members with common interests. Sections include the following legal areas Administrative Law and Regulatory Practice Antitrust Law Business Law Criminal Justice Dispute Resolution Environment, Energy and Resources Family Law Health Law Civil Rights and Social Justice Intellectual Property Law International Law Labor and Employment Law Legal Education Litigation Public Contract Law Infrastructure and Regulated Industries Real Property, Trust and Estate Law Science and Technology Law State, Local, and Tribal Government Law Taxation Tort, Trial and Insurance Practice. Continued on Sch O Divisions include Government and Public Sector Lawyers Judicial Law Practice Law Student Senior Lawyers Solo, Small Firm and General Practice, and Young Lawyers. Forums explore new areas of developing law such as Affordable Housing and Community Development Law, Air and Space Law, Communications Law, Construction Law, Entertainment and Sports Industries Law and Franchising. Sections, Divisions and Forums within the ABA provide members a myriad of opportunities for professional development, leadership development, networking, pro bono contributions, and education within their own particular field of interest and expertise. Sections and Divisions also contribute to policy-making on issues of importance to both lawyers and the public. Sections originate many of the recommendations that become the ABAs policy positions and act as checks and balances on recommendations of other entities. Through the work of these groups, the ABA benefits the public through improvement of both the profession and the legal system.
- The ABA also published more than 100 books and eBooks that were sold or distributed to more than 85,000 customers. These books offer guidance and counsel in every legal discipline and every aspect of a legal career. Many of these excellent books would not have been published by an outside publisher because their revenue potential is not great enough for a commercial model. However, these publications are of great value to the profession, providing vital information to keep lawyers up to date on developments in the law. Thus, ABA publications serve clients, the public and courts by improving the education and professionalism of the nations lawyers. Because the ABAs mission is to serve the profession, many disciplines and authors are able to publish vital and timely information that would not otherwise be available to the profession.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. 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)(6) business league.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
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 September 30, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Caution.
The IRS master file records contributions to this 501(c)(6) business league as not deductible.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending August 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since September 1994.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.