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Passes our checks

Fairfax Law Foundation

EIN 52-1265323 · Fairfax, VA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood80 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE FAIRFAX LAW FOUNDATION PROMOTES EQUAL JUSTICE FOR ALL IN FAIRFAX COUNTY. AS THE CHARITABLE ARM OF THE FAIRFAX BAR ASSOCIATION, THE FAIRFAX LAW FOUNDATION PURSUES ITS COMMITMENT TO CREATING A MORE JUST SOCIETY BY WORKING TOWARDS EQUAL ACCESS TO THE JUSTICE SYSTEM AND PROVIDING LAW-RELATED EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES THROUGHOUT THE FAIRFAX COUNTY COMMUNITY.

Income
$138,329
Spending
$220,687
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
13.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 60%
Employees
0
Volunteers
350

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 80 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 13.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 10% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 60% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    77% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    26 of 26 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

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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.

  • 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, 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. $145,435 spent. THESE EXPENSES ARE FOR THE COORDINATED EFFORTS OF MORE THAN 350 ATTORNEYS WHO VOLUNTEER NEARLY 4,500 HOURS TO PROVIDE PRO-BONO LEGAL SERVICES TO LOW INCOME FAMILIES IN THE NORTHERN VIRGINIA AREA.
  2. $19,388 spent. HELP SUSTAIN LEGAL EDUCATION BY BECOMING INVOLVED WITH UNIVERSITIES AND CONTRIBUTING FUNDS FOR SCHOLARSHIPS. HELPING TO FUND COURT TOURS FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TO LEARN ABOUT THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. OTHER EDUCATION PROJECTS.
  3. $5,000 spent. CONTRIBUTIONS TO FAIRFAX PUBLIC LAW LIBRARY

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 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 1982.

    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.