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American Bar Foundation

EIN 36-6110271 · Chicago, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood88 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

THE AMERICAN BAR FOUNDATION (ABF) SEEKS TO EXPAND KNOWLEDGE AND ADVANCE JUSTICE THROUGH INNOVATIVE, INTERDISCIPLINARY, AND RIGOROUS EMPIRICAL RESEARCH ON LAW, LEGAL PROCESSES, AND LEGAL INSTITUTIONS. TO FURTHER THIS MISSION THE ABF PRODUCES TIMELY, CUTTING-EDGE RESEARCH OF THE HIGHEST QUALITY TO INFORM AND GUIDE THE LEGAL PROFESSION, THE ACADEMY, AND SOCIETY IN THE UNITED STATES AND INTERNATIONALLY.

Income
$9.0 million
Spending
$8.7 million
Spent on programs
65%
Reserves
34.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 81%
Employees
66
Volunteers
101
Highest pay
$370,204, researcher (starting 07/2025)/prior exec. director (thru 07/2025)

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

Financial health

Good: 88 out of 100. Higher than 73% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 34.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 9% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    65% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 41% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    24 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

    0 of 10

    Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 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. $4.2 million spent. THE RESEARCH PROGRAM RESEARCH WORK IN PROGRESS IS CURRENTLY COMPRISED OF 33 PROJECTS IN THREE BROAD CATEGORIES OF INQUIRY: I) LEARNING AND PRACTICING LAW, II) PROTECTING RIGHTS, ACCESSING JUSTICE, AND III) MAKING AND IMPLEMENTING LAW. A NUMBER OF FOUNDATION RESEARCH FACULTY ARE RECIPIENTS OF NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL AWARDS FOR THEIR PROFESSIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS. THE FOUNDATION'S RESEARCH AND ITS DISSEMINATION IS DESIGNED TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S OVERALL OBJECTIVE OF SCHOLARLY PREEMINENCE IN THE STUDY OF LAW, LEGAL INSTITUTIONS, AND THE LEGAL PROFESSION. TO THIS END, RESEARCH PROJECTS ARE SUBJECT TO REVIEW BY AN INTERNAL RESEARCH COMMITTEE, AN EXTERNAL GROUP OF DISTINGUISHED AND INDEPENDENT SCHOLARS, AND A RESEARCH COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. THE RESEARCH PROJECTS ARE THEN VOTED ON BY THE FULL BOARD OF DIRECTORS. STANDARDS FOR REVIEW INCLUDE THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY AND THE COMPORTMENT OF ITS DESIGN WITH THE STANDARDS OF INTEGRITY AND SCHOLARSHIP. (Expenses $ 124,933 including grants of $)(Revenue $ 46,782) LAW & SOCIAL INQUIRY AND LIAISON
  2. $759,686 spent. ACADEMIC AFFAIRS AND FELLOWSHIPS THE FOUNDATION OFFERS A SERIES OF ANNUAL FELLOWSHIPS-IN-RESIDENCE TO STUDENTS OF HIGH SCHOLARLY ACHIEVEMENT AND POTENTIAL. THESE FELLOWSHIPS ARE AWARDED TO POSTDOCTORAL SCHOLARS, DOCTORAL CANDIDATES AND UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS ON A MERIT BASIS. SELECTION IS MADE BY RESEARCH AND PROFESSIONAL FOUNDATION STAFF UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.
  3. $530,158 spent. FELLOWS OF THE AMERICAN BAR FOUNDATION MEMBERS OF THE PRACTICING BENCH, BAR, AND LEGAL ACADEMY ARE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE ORGANIZATION THROUGH NOMINATION AS FELLOWS OF THE FOUNDATION. (Expenses $ 124,933 including grants of $)(Revenue $ 46,782) LAW & SOCIAL INQUIRY AND LIAISON
  4. $124,933 spent. LAW & SOCIAL INQUIRY AND LIAISON

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 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 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 August 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 February 1956.

    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.

  7. Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.

    A much larger organization has a similar name: Americares Foundation Inc (Stamford, CT), EIN 06-1008595. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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.