Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

District of Columbia School of Law Foundation

EIN 52-1863674 · Washington, DC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceGood89 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The Foundation provides financial support to the students, faculty and programs of the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law (Formerly DC School of Law) in order to promote excellence in public legal education in the District of Columbia.

Income
$1.4 million
Spending
$1.3 million
Spent on programs
91%
Reserves
9.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 83%
Employees
0

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: 93 out of 100. Higher than 83% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 9.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 33% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    91% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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

Good: 89 out of 100. Higher than 56% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 12 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • 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 (4)
  1. $347,130 spent. BAR SUCCESS: During academic year 2024-25, the Foundation provided $347,130 in direct support of UDC Laws Bar Success programs, including 59 scholarships for commercial bar review course tuition; 49 bar study stipends; and 11 Bar Coach Project instructor stipends. Supervised by UDC Laws Academic Success Program faculty, Bar Success programs benefit students and recent graduates by providing increased opportunities for structured, individualized academic support as they study for the bar exam.
  2. $310,978 spent. TUITION SCHOLARSHIPS: During academic year 2024-25, the Foundation provided $310,978 to fund scholarships for 59 UDC Law students. Scholarships were awarded by UDC Law in varied amounts based on academic merit, personal accomplishments, and financial need. Scholarships benefit students by easing the financial burden of law school, allowing them to devote more time to their studies and, by reducing educational debt, increasing their future employment options. Scholarships benefit UDC Law by helping it to recruit and retain talented and public interest-oriented students who become effective and ethical attorneys.
  3. $185,625 spent. SUMMER FELLOWSHIPS: In 2025, the Foundation provided $185,625 to fund fellowships for 26 UDC Law students participating in UDC Laws Summer Public Interest Fellowship Program. Fellows spend the summer semester in a not-for-profit public interest, governmental or judicial office, performing law-related work under the supervision of an attorney. Students reflect on their experiences as a means of fostering their professional development. Through their summer placements, students build substantive expertise and commitment, make valuable professional contacts, and provide legal services to individuals, organizations and communities who otherwise could not afford a lawyer.
  4. Part III, LINE 4d: OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES:In addition to the $843,733 spent on its three largest program services - bar success, scholarships, and summer fellowships - during FY2025, the District of Columbia School of Law Foundation supported UDC Laws students, faculty, and programs by providing a combined $196,662 to support UDC Laws Joseph L. Rauh, Jr. Chair of Civil & Human Rights, Joseph L. Rauh, Jr. Chair of Social Justice, Olie W. Rauh Professor of Law, and Jack and Lovell Olender Director of the Immigration & Human Rights Clinic; $54,147 for law school events and meetings; $31,609 for a Ruff Post-Graduate Fellow in the DC Office of the Attorney General; $26,424 for the Service-Learning class trip to Mississippi; $13,375 to subsidize apparel; $13,320 to sponsor nonprofit legal events; $12,108 to support legal clinic operations; $10,437 for UDC Law marketing and technology; $6,245 for LSAT support; and $2,641 for faculty and student activities.

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 April 1994.

    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.