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Legal Assistance Center

EIN 37-1492605 · Grand Rapids, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong90 out of 100GovernanceStrong97 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

A LEGAL SELF HELP CENTER, THE LEGAL ASSISTANCE CENTER WORKS TO EDUCATE, EMPOWER, AND EQUIP THE PEOPLE OF OUR COMMUNITY TO FACE AND RESOLVE LEGAL CHALLENGES, TO ASSURE ACCESS TO JUSTICE, AND TO THEREBY ENHANCE INDIVIDUAL, FAMILY, AND COMMUNITY STABILITY AND PROSPERITY, BY PROVIDING LEGAL INFORMATION, FORMS, RESOURCES, GUIDANCE, AND COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS TO THE MANY IN OUR COMMUNITY UNABLE TO ACCESS LEGAL REPRESENTATION.

Income
$315,911
Spending
$291,298
Spent on programs
76%
Reserves
64.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 39%
Employees
7
Volunteers
51
Highest pay
$100,940, 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

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 75% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 64.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 22% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    76% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 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: 97 out of 100. Higher than 85% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    17 of 17 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

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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 (1)
  1. $221,304 spent. THE LEGAL ASSISTANCE CENTER IS A SINGLE SITE RESOURCE WHERE EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO SEEK BASIC LEGAL HELP TO MANAGE THE LEGAL ISSUES THAT AFFECT THEIR LIVES, THEIR CHILDREN, AND THEIR FAMILIES WHEN THEY CANNOT ACCESS LEGAL REPRESENTATION. IN A WARM AND WELCOMING ENVIRONMENT, HIGHLY SKILLED LAC STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS EDUCATE, EMPOWER, AND EQUIP PEOPLE TO BE THEIR OWN BEST ADVOCATE WHEN USING THE COURT OR SOLVING LEGAL CHALLENGES. EVERYONE WHO COMES TO THE LAC RECEIVES DIRECT ASSISTANCE AND, WHEN NEEDED, A CONNECTION TO LEGAL, COMMUNITY, OR OTHER RESOURCES AND SERVICES THAT WILL ASSURE THEM A MEANINGFUL PATH FORWARD.

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 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 June 2005.

    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.