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Migrant Legal Action Program Inc

EIN 52-0913158 · Washington, DC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong91 out of 100GovernanceStrong94 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

PROVIDE LEGAL ASSISTANCE ON MATTERS IN NONCRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS TO MIGRANT AND SEASONAL FARMWORKERS FINANCIALLY UNABLE TO AFFORD LEGAL ASSISTANCE. MIGRANT LEGAL ACTION PROGRAM UNRESTRICTED ACTIVITIES PROVIDED LEGAL REPRESENTATION AND A NATIONAL VOICE FOR MIGRANT AND SEASONAL FARMWORKERS. THROUGH AN EXTENSIVE NETWORK OF LOCAL SERVICE PROVIDERS, MLAP WORKED TO ENFORCE RIGHTS AND IMPROVE THE WORKING AND HOUSING CONDITIONS, EDUCATION, HEALTH, NUTRITION & GENERAL WELFARE OF MIGRANT FARMWORKERS. MLAP ALSO PROVIDED CONSULTING AND TRAINING SERVICES FOR NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION SERVICE PROVIDERS AND PROVIDED EMAIL ALERTS AND MONITORING OF LEGAL AND GOVERNMENTAL DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING MIGRANT FARMWORKERS.

Income
$188,692
Spending
$174,282
Spent on programs
68%
Reserves
78.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 67%
Employees
2
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$69,877, president

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: 91 out of 100. Higher than 81% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 78.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 17% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 9% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    68% 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: 94 out of 100. Higher than 87% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 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.

  • 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 (3)
  1. $41,718 spent. MLAP PROVIDED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT TO AN ESTIMATED 3,000 MIGRANT SERVICE PROVIDERS REGARDING A VARIETY OF POLICY ISSUES INCLUDING ACCESS TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND IMMIGRATION POLICY
  2. $6,023 spent. MLAP UNDERTOOK RESEARCH AND ADVOCACY REGARDING ACCESS BY FARMWORKER FAMILIES TO FOOD, NUTRITION, AND HEALTH PROGRAMS. THIS DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ASSISTED APPROXIMATELY 1.5 MILLION PERSONS.
  3. $70,249 spent. MLAP UNDERTOOK RESEARCH, ANALYSIS, AND ADVOCACY REGARDING IMPLEMENTATON OF THE TITLE I, PART C MIGRANT EDUCATION PROGRAM. THIS ASSISTED THE APPROXIMATELY 300,000 CHILDREN ENROLLED IN THIS FEDERALLY FUNDED PROGRAM.

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 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 December 2024.

    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 April 1972.

    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.