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St Francis School of Law

EIN 47-1804087 · Newport Beach, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong95 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

ST. FRANCIS SCHOOL OF LAW (THE "COLLEGE") IS ORGANIZED FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES, TO ENCOURAGE, PROMOTE, MAINTAIN AND SUPPORT POST-SECONDARY LEGAL EDUCATION. ON AUGUST 21, 2020, ST. FRANCIS SCHOOL OF LAW WAS GRANTED A FULL AND IMMEDIATE ACCREDITATION BY THE COMMITTEE OF BAR EXAMINERS OF THE STATE BAR OF CALIFORNIA. THE ACCREDITATION WAS THE RESULT OF A RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE BAR'S SITE INSPECTION TEAM INDICATING THAT ST. FRANCIS FULLY COMPLIES WITH THE COMMITTEE OF BAR ACCREDITATION RULES AND GUIDELINES.

Income
$1.4 million
Spending
$725,055
Spent on programs
91%
Reserves
84.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 100%
Employees
20
Volunteers
7
Highest pay
$460,014, president/ceo/board of regents

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

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 89% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 84.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 48% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    91% of spending went to programs.

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: 95 out of 100. Higher than 69% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 9 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 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 (1)
  1. $656,483 spent. IN ADDITION TO OFFERING A TRADITIONAL LAW SCHOOL CURRICULUM, THE COLLEGE MAY PERIODICALLY PRODUCE CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION SEMINARS FOR THE LEGAL PROFESSION AND MAY CHARGE FOR THESE SEMINARS. ALSO, THE COLLEGE MAY ACQUIRE ITEMS BRANDED WITH THE ST. FRANCIS SCHOOL OF LAW LOGO, AND MAY SELL ITEMS TO STUDENTS AND ALUMNI THROUGH ITS WEBSITE.THE COLLEGE CHARGES TUITION FOR ITS FOUR-YEAR PROGRAM OF LEGAL EDUCATION LEADING TO THE AWARD OF A JURIS DOCTORATE DEGREE. STUDENTS COMPLETING THE DEGREE WILL BE ELIGIBLE TO SIT FOR THE CALIFORNIA STATE BAR GENERAL BAR EXAMINATION.

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 2015.

    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.