Dc Affordable Law Firm
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
See Schedule O
- Income
- $3.4 million
- Spending
- $2.9 million
- Spent on programs
- 80%
- Reserves
- 7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 61%
- Employees
- 41
- Volunteers
- 67
- Highest pay
- $150,073, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 89 out of 100. Higher than 76% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 7.0 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 22% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 14% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 36% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1580% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2516 of 16 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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)
- $2.3 million spent. Through innovative programming, DCALF expands representation options in critical areas of need, dismantling deep-rooted inequities in the legal system by closing justice gaps and creating pathways to economic security for DC residents through direct representation in family law, probate and estate planning, and immigration practices where a lawyer can make all the difference in helping a family maintain employment, protect an intergenerational home from foreclosure, or escape an unsafe marriage. Each year, DCALF serves nearly 500 individuals, breaking down barriers to legal representation and using the power of the law to advance justice and uplift those we are privileged to serve. DCALF's legal services are provided by a network of permanent staff managing, supervising, and staff attorneys, fellows/associates, with our impact augmented by the engagement of pro bono attorneys from top DC firms who mentor rising DCALF attorneys, co-counsel complex litigation, or represent clients under the guidance and mentorship of veteran DCALF attorneys. In addition to empowering families through access to legal services on a case-by-case basis, DCALF drives systemic change through legislative advocacy to reform DC probate laws, and partner with dozens of Washington, DC community-based organizations to reach prospective clients across the city. Since 2015, DCALF has excelled in intentionally building a consistent pipeline of passionate, diverse, public interest talent through our distinctive Signature Fellowship program. Over the course of this award-winning fellowship, participants in DCALF's Signature Fellowship Program - recent law graduates from Georgetown University Law Center and the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law - gain hands-on litigation experience, essential lawyering skills, and invaluable mentorship from veteran attorneys, all while earning a competitive public interest salary and a no-cost LL.M. Degree from Georgetown University Law Center for successful completion of the 15-month fellowship program, valued at $82,264. In Fall 2025, DCALF expanded its continuum of Fellowship offerings by launching a new two-year, annual post-graduate Heirs' Property & Estate Planning Fellowship for two alumni of Howard University School of Law's Estate Planning and Heirs' Property Clinical Program. Across our first ten years operation, DCALF has launched the careers of over 60 public interest lawyers and transformed thousands of lives through the direct legal services delivered by DCALF fellows. Over 72% of DCALF fellows continue careers in public interest law or practice areas learned at DCALF, reflecting the strength and lasting influence of DCALF's unique training model. With each fellow, DCALF's impact multiplies-as our alumni continue serving communities across the region, DCALF's reach grows exponentially, transforming the lives of more community members with each passing year.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. 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)(3) charitable 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 October 13, 2026.
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.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.
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 July 2015.
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 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.