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Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Foundation

EIN 37-0958448 · E Saint Louis, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair53 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF THE LAND OF LINCOLN LEGAL AID, INC. IS TO PURSUE JUSTICE FOR LOW-INCOME PERSONS THROUGH FREE REPRESENTATION AND EDUCATION.

Income
$13.7 million
Spending
$18.1 million
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
9.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 63%
Employees
177
Volunteers
107
Highest pay
$213,936, executive di

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

Financial health

Fair: 53 out of 100. Higher than 22% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 9.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 31% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 32% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 31% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    21 of 21 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 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 (3)
  1. $8.2 million spent. THE CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES PROGRAM PROVIDES LEGAL SERVICES FOR LOW INCOME PERSONS ON HOUSING, CONSUMER, EDUCATION, HEALTH AND ECONOMIC SECURITY AND OTHER FAMILY CASES, AND IS FUNDED THROUGH A WIDE VARIETY OF SOURCES. LAND OF LINCOLN COMPLETED WORK ON 5,802 CASES FOR ELIGIBLE CLIENTS IN THOSE SUBJECT AREAS EXCLUDING CLIENTS REFLECTED IN 4B OR 4C TOTALS DURING 2025.
  2. $3.8 million spent. THE SENIOR LEGAL SERVICES PROGRAM PROVIDES LEGAL SERVICES TO PERSONS 60 YEARS AND OLDER. THE GOALS OF THIS PROGRAM ARE: (1) TO PROMOTE MAXIMUM INDEPENDENCE AND DIGNITY FOR SENIOR CITIZENS AND (2) TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO NECESSARY SERVICES. LAND OF LINCOLN COMPLETED WORK ON 2,706 CASES FOR SENIOR CITIZENS DURING 2025.
  3. $2.9 million spent. THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROGRAM PROVIDES LEGAL SERVICES TO VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. THE GOALS OF THIS PROGRAM ARE: (1) TO PROMOTE THE PERSONAL SAFETY AND WELFARE OF CLIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES; AND (2) TO STABILIZE FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS AND PROMOTE ECONOMIC WELL BEING. THE LARGEST SOURCES OF FUNDING ARE THE VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT (VAWA) AND THE VICTIMS OF CRIME ACT (VOCA). LAND OF LINCOLN COMPLETED WORK ON 2,057 CASES FOR VICTIMS DURING 2025.

Source: Form 990 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? 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 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 July 1976.

    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.