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The Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless Inc

EIN 52-1545522 · Washington, DC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

OUR MISSION IS TO ACHIEVE JUSTICE FOR OUR NEIGHBORS EXPERIENCING THE INJUSTICE OF HOMELESSNESS AND POVERTY. ROOTED IN A CLIENT-CENTERED FRAMEWORK, WE UTILIZE A COMMUNITY LAWYERING APPROACH TO PROVIDE LOW-BARRIER AND COMPREHENSIVE LEGAL SERVICES. WE SEEK SYSTEMIC REFORM THROUGH ZEALOUS ADVOCACY FOR PUBLIC POLICIES THAT REFLECT COMMUNITY NEEDS, AFFIRM RACIAL JUSTICE, IMPROVE HOUSING SECURITY, AND EXPAND THE SOCIAL SAFETY NET FOR PEOPLE EXPERIENCING CRISES.

Income
$2.9 million
Spending
$2.5 million
Spent on programs
91%
Reserves
8.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 98%
Employees
19
Volunteers
91
Highest pay
$246,918, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 93 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 15% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 59% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    91% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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

    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

    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 December 31, 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. LEGAL SERVICES - FOR LEGAL SERVICES IN 2025, THE LEGAL CLINIC HELD INTAKE SESSIONS WHERE VOLUNTEER ATTORNEYS OPENED 72 CASES. STAFF ATTORNEYS OPENED AN ADDITIONAL 200 LEGAL MATTERS. OVERALL, 68 CASES WERE RELATED TO SHELTER ISSUES (A NUMBER OF WHICH FOCUSED ON SECURING ACCESS TO SHELTER FOR FAMILIES WHO HAD BEEN UNLAWFULLY DENIED ADMISSION TO THIS LIFE-SAVING RESOURCE) AND 168 CASES INVOLVED HOUSING ISSUES (OFTEN RELATED TO SHORT- AND LONG-TERM HOUSING SUBSIDIES). THE REMAINDER WAS A MIX OF ISSUES CONCERNING CASH BENEFITS AND CIVIL ISSUES THAT INCLUDED CONSUMER MATTERS, DISCRIMINATION, DISABILITY RIGHTS, POLICE CONDUCT, IDENTIFICATION, AND MORE. IN 2025, STAFF AND VOLUNTEER ATTORNEYS CONTINUED TO WORK ON AN ADDITIONAL 175 CASES FROM PRIOR YEAR, INCLUDING TWO CLASS ACTIONS.
  2. $519,496 spent. COMMUNITY ENGAGMENT -THE LEGAL CLINIC IS COMMITTED TO ENSURING THAT UNHOUSED COMMUNITY MEMBERS ARE AWARE OF THEIR RIGHTS, HAVE THE TRAINING AND SUPPORT NEEDED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PUBLIC DISCOURSE THAT IMPACTS THEIR LIVES, AND THE ABILITY AND SPACE TO DEVELOP THEIR OWN ADVOCACY GOALS.
  3. $486,402 spent. POLICY & ADVOCACY -FOR POLICY AND ADVOCACY IN 2025, THE LEGAL CLINIC WORKED TO IMPROVE AND INCREASE FUNDING FOR PROGRAMS THAT CLIENTS RELY ON FOR SHELTER AND HOUSING. THROUGH LITIGATION; LEGISLATIVE, POLICY, BUDGET AND ADMINISTRATIVE ADVOCACY; AGENCY REFORM; AND COMMUNITY EDUCATION, THE LEGAL CLINIC ATTEMPTED TO IMPROVE PROGRAMS AND EXPAND OPPORTUNITIES FOR CLIENTS AND OTHER LOW-INCOME COMMUNITY MEMBERS ON ISSUES SUCH AS THE RIGHTS OF PEOPLE IN ENCAMPMENTS, ACCESS TO EMERGENCY SHELTER, SUBSIDIZED AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING, MIMINIZING BARRIERS TO HOUSING ACCESS, AND INCREASING THE INVESTMENT IN PERMANENT AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND EVICTION PREVENTION FUNDING.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 December 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 June 1988.

    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.