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The Womens Law Center of Maryland Inc

EIN 52-1238912 · Towson, MD

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood89 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

OUR MISSION IS TO ENSURE THE PHYSICAL SAFETY, ECONOMIC SECURITY, AND AUTONOMY OF WOMEN THROUGHOUT THE STATE. THE WOMEN'S LAW CENTER OF MD WORKS TOWARDS THIS GOAL BY PROVIDING DIRECT LEGAL REPRESENTATION, INFORMATION AND REFERRAL SERVICES, AND LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY.

Income
$2.5 million
Spending
$2.2 million
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
7.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 87%
Employees
20
Volunteers
22
Highest pay
$134,026, 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.

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 18% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 14% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 20% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    80% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 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.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 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 (3)
  1. $1.2 million spent. PROTECTION ORDER ADVOCACY & REPRESENTATION PROJECT (POARP): POARP REPRESENTS VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AT PROTECTION ORDER HEARINGS IN BALTIMORE AND CARROLL CIRCUIT COURTS. THE PROJECT'S ATTORNEYS REPRESENT PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN ABUSED BY AN INTIMATE PARTNER (CURRENT OR PAST BOYFRIEND / GIRLFRIEND, CURRENT OR EX-SPOUSE) IN PROCEEDINGS TO OBTAIN PROTECTION ORDERS, ENFORCE PROTECTION ORDERS THROUGH CONTEMPT, AND MODIFY EXISTING PROTECTION ORDERS. MULTI-ETHNIC DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROJECT (MEDOVI): THE CENTER PROVIDES ADVOCACY AND EDUCATION TO SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES THOUGH MEDOVI. THIS PROJECT PROVIDES REPRESENTATION TO FOREIGN BORN VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN VAWA SELF-PETITIONS, VAWA BATTERED SPOUSE WAIVERS, INTERIM U-VISA APPLICATIONS, AS WELL AS IN FINAL PROTECTION ORDER HEARINGS AROUND THE STATE OF MARYLAND. THE MEDOVI STAFF WORK WITH FOREIGN BORN CLIENTS WHO HAVE BEEN ABUSED BY AN INTIMATE PARTNER. ANY PERSON WITH A LANGUAGE BARRIER CAN ACCESS THE SERVICE BECAUSE OF THE CENTER'S COMMITMENT TO SECURE AN APPROPRIATE LANGUAGE INTERPRETER.COLLATERAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE FOR SURVIVORS PROJECT (CLAS) THE CLAS PROJECT PROVIDES ALL THE ABOVE SERVICES OF POARP AS WELL AS REPRESENTING VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, IN COLLATERAL, PRIMARILY FAMILY-LAW RELATED ISSUES, AS TIME AND RESOURCES ALLOW. THESE COLLATERAL ISSUES INCLUDE ADVOCACY (SOMETIMES OUT OF COURT) AND REPRESENTATION IN DIVORCE AND CUSTODY PROCEEDINGS, LANDLORD/TENANT MATTERS, REPLEVIN CASES, AND CRIMINAL ACCOMPANIMENTS. REPRESENTATION INCLUDES THE FULL ARRAY OF LEGAL SERVICES, INCLUDING DISCOVERY, DEPOSITIONS, RETENTION OF EXPERTS, WHEN NECESSARY, SETTLEMENT NEGOTIATIONS, AND LITIGATION. BY RETAINING THE ATTORNEY-CLIENT RELATIONSHIP AFTER THE PROTECTIVE ORDER HEARING FOR COLLATERAL ISSUES, CLAS CAN PROVIDE CLIENT-CENTERED AND CULTURALLY SENSITIVE SERVICES AND TO PREVENT THE RE-TRAUMATIZATION OF CLIENTS WHO WOULD OTHERWISE BE FORCED TO RELIVE AND RETELL THEIR STORIES TO NEW ATTORNEYS, OR MORE OFTEN, CANNOT FIND REPRESENTATION AT ALL FOR THESE ON-GOING ISSUES.
  2. $143,437 spent. EDUCATION: THE CENTER'S HOTLINE IS A FREE SERVICE TO PEOPLE WITH BASIC FAMILY LAW QUESTIONS SUCH AS "WHAT ARE THE GROUNDS FOR DIVORCE? OR "IF I LEAVE WITH THE KIDS, CAN I STILL GET CHILD SUPPORT?" THE VOLUNTEER ATTORNEYS SCREEN THE CLIENTS FOR INCOME ELIGIBILITY AND COLLECT BASIC DATA REQUIRED BY THE FUNDING SOURCE, MARYLAND LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION. ATTORNEYS EXPERIENCED IN FAMILY LAW STAFF THE HOTLINE. THE EMPLOYMENT LAW HOTLINE IS A TELEPHONE SERVICE WHICH WILL PROVIDE YOU WITH LEGAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR RIGHTS IN THE WORKPLACE. THE HOTLINE WILL ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT MANY KINDS OF WORKPLACE PROBLEMS INCLUDING DISCRIMINATION IN HIRING, FIRING, PROMOTIONS OR OTHER WORKING CONDITIONS; DISCRIMINATION BASED ON PREGNANCY; SEXUAL HARASSMENT; FAMILY OR MEDICAL LEAVE ISSUES; UNPAID WAGES; CONTRACT ISSUES; MINIMUM WAGE AND OVERTIME VIOLATIONS; ELIGIBILITY FOR UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE; OR, BEING PUNISHED BY THE EMPLOYER FOR HAVING ACTED TOGETHER WITH OTHER EMPLOYEES TO IMPROVE WORKING CONDITIONS.
  3. $327,626 spent. JUDICARE PROJECT: THE JUDICARE PROJECT PROVIDES PROFESSIONAL LEGAL REPRESENTATION IN CONTESTED CHILD CUSTODY AND FAMILY LAW CASES TO LOW-INCOME LITIGANTS IN BALTIMORE COUNTY. THE CENTER SCREENS POTENTIAL CLIENTS FOR ELIGIBILITY. CLIENTS ACCEPTED INTO THE PROGRAM ARE PROVIDED AN ATTORNEY FOR THEIR CASE.

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 November 6, 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 February 1974.

    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 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.