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Legal Services for Children Inc

EIN 51-0169463 · San Francisco, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong90 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

LEGAL SERVICES FOR CHILDREN ("LSC") PROVIDES FREE REPRESENTATION TO CHILDREN AND YOUTH WHO REQUIRE LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO STABILIZE THEIR LIVES AND REALIZE THEIR FULL POTENTIAL. THROUGH A HOLISTIC TEAM APPROACH UTILIZING LEGAL ADVOCACY AND SOCIAL WORK SERVICES, OUR GOAL IS TO EMPOWER CLIENTS AND ACTIVELY INVOLVE THEM IN THE CRITICAL DECISIONS THAT IMPACT THEIR LIVES. LCS USES THIS MODEL TO ACHIEVE SAFETY, STABILITY, EDUCATIONAL SUCCESS AND FREEDOM FROM DETENTION AND DEPORTATION FOR OUR CLIENTS. IN THE 2024-2025 FISCAL YEAR, LSC REPRESENTED 679 CHILDREN AND YOUTH IN THEIR LEGAL CASES AND PROVIDED SERVICES TO A TOTAL OF 1729 CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND CONCERNED ADULTS.

Income
$4.8 million
Spending
$4.4 million
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
14 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 50%
Employees
39
Volunteers
126
Highest pay
$197,458, executive dir.

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

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 77% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 14.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 8% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 17% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    80% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 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 57% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    18 of 18 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

    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 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 (5)
  1. $2.1 million spent. FREEDOM FROM DEPORTATION: IMMIGRATION.WE BELIEVE THAT CHILDREN AND YOUTH CANNOT REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL IF THEY LIVE IN FEAR OF DEPORTATION. LSC REPRESENTS CHILDREN IN IMMIGRATION CASES TO ENSURE THAT THEY CAN REMAIN IN A SAFE PLACE WITH ACCESS TO OPPORTUNITY. DURING FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025, LSC PROVIDED FULL-SCOPE LEGAL REPRESENTATION BY AN IN-HOUSE OR PRO BONO ATTORNEY IN 409 IMMIGRATION CASES AND PROVIDED SCREENINGS, KNOW YOUR RIGHTS EDUCATION, ADVOCACY, AND SOCIAL WORK SUPPORT TO 159 YOUNG PEOPLE BEING HELD IN ORR DETENTION.
  2. $978,708 spent. SAFETY AND STABILITY AT HOME: GUARDIANSHIP AND DEPENDENCY. WE BELIEVE ALL CHILDREN DESERVE SAFE AND STABLE HOMES WHERE THEY HAVE ACCESS TO EDUCATION AND HEALTH OPPORTUNITIES. LSC REPRESENTS CHILDREN IN GUARDIANSHIP AND FOSTER CARE CASES TO ENSURE THAT THEY HAVE THE STABILITY THEY NEED TO THRIVE. DURING FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025, LSC REPRESENTED CHILDREN AND YOUTH IN 120 GUARDIANSHIP CASES, 125 CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE, AND 3 CLIENTS SEEKING EMANCIPATION.
  3. $143,721 spent. ACCESS TO EDUCATION: EDUCATIONAL ADVOCACYWE BELIEVE THAT SCHOOL DISCIPLINE IS A MAJOR DRIVING FORCE IN THE INEQUITABLE EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES FACED BY LOW INCOME CHILDREN AND CHILDREN OF COLOR. LSC REPRESENTS BAY AREA STUDENTS IN EXPULSION HEARINGS TO ENSURE ACCESS TO EDUCATION AND TO WORK AGAINST EDUCATIONAL INEQUITY. DURING FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025, LSC PROVIDED DIRECT LEGAL REPRESENTATION IN 20 EDUCATION CASES.
  4. $103,982 spent. HOLISTIC SERVICES: WELLNESS PROJECTWE BELIEVE THAT EVERY CHILD AND YOUTH DESERVES TO GROW UP FEELING SAFE AND NURTURED. THE WELLNESS PROJECT AT LSC AIMS TO BRING TRAUMA-INFORMED AND HOLISTIC PRACTICES TO THE LEGAL AND SOCIAL WORK SERVICES WE PROVIDE FOR OUR CLIENTS. IN FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025, LSC SOCIAL WORKERS PROVIDED SOCIAL WORK SUPPORT/CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES TO 442 NON-DETAINED YOUTH.
  5. $103,981 spent. ADVICE AND COUNSEL AND TRAINING:LSC PROVIDED INFORMATION, ADVICE AND COUNSEL, AND/OR REFERRALS TO A TOTAL OF 972 CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND CONCERNED ADULTS THROUGH OUR TELEPHONE WARMLINE AND OTHER INTAKE VENUES DURING FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025. LSC ALSO PROVIDED PRESENTATIONS, TRAININGS FOR OTHER YOUTH-SERVING ORGANIZATIONS, AND PARTICIPATED IN TASK FORCE AND COALITION MEETINGS.

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

  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 June 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 December 1975.

    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.