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Public Interest Legal Foundation Inc

EIN 45-4355641 · Alexandria, VA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong92 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE ORGANIZATION EXISTS TO PROVIDE SERVICES AND REPRESENTATION TO STATES AND ELECTION OFFICIALS, TO ASSIST THEM WITH THE EXERCISE OF THEIR CIVIL AND CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS, WITH PARTICULAR FOCUS ON VOTING RIGHTS. PILF PROVIDES EDUCATION TO CITIZENS AND ELECTION OFFICIALS REGARDING ELECTION PROCESS LAWS AND HOW THEY AFFECT POLICY AND CONSITITUTIONAL ARCHITECTURE.

Income
$4.9 million
Spending
$3.8 million
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
7.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 90%
Employees
10
Highest pay
$273,833, pres general

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 79% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 6% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 22% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 45% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    77% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 92 out of 100. Higher than 46% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 7 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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, 2024, 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 (2)
  1. $893,013 spent. PROVIDE LITIGATION FOR THE PURPOSE OF DEFENDING THE CONSTITUTIONAL AND STATUTORY RIGHTS OF INDIVIDUALS AND NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS FROM INTRUSION BY STATE, FEDERAL, AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS. SPECIALIZES IN CIVIL LITIGATION IN HIGH-PROFILE MATTERS AFFECTING THE PROCESSES OF THE NATION WITH PARTICULAR EMPHASIS TO GIVE AID TO THE CAUSE OF ELECTION INTEGRITY AND LITIGATING AGAINST LAWLESSNESS IN AMERICAN ELECTIONS.
  2. $2.1 million spent. EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY - PILF HAS A FOCUSED EFFORT TO RAISE AWARENESS OF VITAL ISSUES SUCH AS NON-CITIZENS VOTING , LACK OF CITIZEN VERIFICATION AND OTHER SHORTFAILS IN THE CURRENT ELECTION PROCESS. PILF HAS MARSHALLED EXPERT RESOURCES TO HELP EDUCATE CITIZENS, OFFICIALS AND DECISION MAKERS ABOUT THE ROLE OF ELECTION PROCESS LAWS AND HOW THEY AFFECT POLICY AND CONSTITUTIONAL ARCHITECTURE. PILF ASSISTS ELECTION OFFICIALS IN DEVISING ELECTION INTEGRITY POLICIES. PILF HAS RESPONDED TO REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE FROM ELECTION OFFICIALS AND LEGISLATURES TO DISCUSS BEST PRACTICES FOR VOTER ROLL MAINTENANCE. PILF HAS A COMPLETED RESEARCH PROJECTS AND PUBLISHED REPORTS REGARDING BEST PRACTICES FOR VOTER ROLL MAINTENANCE AND THE CONSEQUENCES OF LACK OF CITIZENSHIP VERIFICATION IN THE ELECTION PROCESS. PILF ATTORNEYS HAVE TESTIFIED BEFORE LEGISLATIVE BODIES PRESENTING AND DISCUSSING PILF'S RESEARCH AND REPORTS. EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY - PILF HAS A FOCUSED EFFORT TO RAISE AWARENESS OF VITAL ISSUES SUCH AS NON-CITIZENS VOTING , LACK OF CITIZEN VERIFICATION AND OTHER SHORTFAILS IN THE CURRENT ELECTION PROCESS. PILF HAS MARSHALLED EXPERT RESOURCES TO HELP EDUCATE CITIZENS, OFFICIALS AND DECISION MAKERS ABOUT THE ROLE OF ELECTION PROCESS LAWS AND HOW THEY AFFECT POLICY AND CONSTITUTIONAL ARCHITECTURE. PILF ASSISTS ELECTION OFFICIALS IN DEVISING ELECTION INTEGRITY POLICIES. PILF HAS RESPONDED TO REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE FROM ELECTION OFFICIALS AND LEGISLATURES TO DISCUSS BEST PRACTICES FOR VOTER ROLL MAINTENANCE. PILF HAS A COMPLETED RESEARCH PROJECTS AND PUBLISHED REPORTS REGARDING BEST PRACTICES FOR VOTER ROLL MAINTENANCE AND THE CONSEQUENCES OF LACK OF CITIZENSHIP VERIFICATION IN THE ELECTION PROCESS. PILF ATTORNEYS HAVE TESTIFIED BEFORE LEGISLATIVE BODIES PRESENTING AND DISCUSSING PILF'S RESEARCH AND REPORTS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since June 2013.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.