Rule of Law Defense Fund
Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.
What it says it does
TO SHARE BEST PRACTICES AMONG STATE ATTORNEYS GENERAL; PROVIDE A FORUM AMONG STATE ATTORNEYS GENERAL FOR DISCUSSION OF FEDERAL AND STATE LEGISLATION AND RULE MAKING; ASSIST IN THE FORMULATION OF STATE AND MULTISTATE POLICY DEVELOPMENT; AND ENGAGE FEDERAL POLICYMAKERS REGARDING INTERESTS OF THE STATES.
- Income
- $4.4 million
- Spending
- $5.8 million
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 9
- Highest pay
- $277,629, president
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 December 31, 2024, 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 December 31, 2024, 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)
- $3.4 million spent. EVENT COSTS INCLUDING TRAVEL, WORKSHOPS, ROUNDTABLES AND SEMINARS ON FEDERAL AND STATE POLICY MATTERS. RULE OF LAW DEFENSE FUND (RLDF) EVENTS ARE HELD TO FURTHER EDUCATION OF ATTORNEYS GENERAL STAFF AND OTHER STAKEHOLDER ON POLICY AND LEGAL DEVELOPMENT IN STATES AND IN WASHINGTON DC.
- $704,825 spent. STAFF, OCCUPANCY, AND RESEARCH COSTS TOWARD PROVISION OF FEDERAL LAND STATE LEGAL AND POLICY ANALYSIS. STAFF/CONSULTANTS PROVIDE RESEARCH SUPPORT, LEGAL AND POLICY ANALYSIS, AND BEST PRACTICES WHICH ARE DISSEMINATED VIA MEDIA, PHONE, EMAIL AND WEBSITE.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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)(4) social welfare organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 November 6, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Caution.
The IRS master file records contributions to this 501(c)(4) social welfare organization as not deductible.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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 October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since December 2014.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.