Pisgah Legal Services
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
PISGAH LEGAL SERVICES PURSUES JUSTICE TO IMPROVE LIVES FOR LOW-INCOME PEOPLE IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA THROUGH LEGAL ASSISTANCE AND ADVOCACY. PISGAH LEGAL SERVICES ENVISIONS A COMMUNITY WHERE ALL PEOPLE HAVE ACCESS TO CIVIL LEGAL ASSISTANCE WHEN THEY NEED IT TO PROTECT THEIR BASIC RIGHTS AND SECURE ESSENTIALS, SUCH AS HOUSING, HEALTH CARE, INCOME, AND SAFETY FROM ABUSE. WE ENVISION A COMMUNITY WITH POLICIES AND SERVICES IN PLACE THAT REDUCE POVERTY AND EASE THE BURDENS OF POVERTY ON OUR NEIGHBORS. THE ORGANIZATION TRACKED 35 MILLION IN QUANTIFIABLE BENEFITS SECURED FOR ITS CLIENTS IN 2024, ALTHOUGH MANY LEGAL OUTCOMES CANNOT BE VALUED IN DOLLARS, SUCH AS ESCAPING FROM DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OR HOMELESSNESS. MORE THAN 25,800 PEOPLE WERE SERVED AT NO CHARGE. THE ORGANIZATION PLAYED A VITAL ROLE IN IMMEDIATE TROPICAL STORM HELENE RECOVERY EFFORTS AND WILL CONTINE TO DO SO IN THE FUTURE .
- Income
- $18.1 million
- Spending
- $13.2 million
- Spent on programs
- 82%
- Reserves
- 5.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 83%
- Employees
- 139
- Volunteers
- 483
- Highest pay
- $182,605, executive di
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
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 73% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 5.2 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 5% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 27% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 56% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1581% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 30% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2520 of 20 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (5)
- $4.2 million spent. HEALTH AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY: PROVIDE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT AND MEDICAID ENROLLMENT ASSISTANCE TO HELP PEOPLE UNDERSTAND, ACQUIRE, MAINTAIN, AND UTILIZE AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE COVERAGE. PROVIDE FREE TAX RETURN PREPARATION UNDER VITA STANDARDS TO QUALIFYING HOUSEHOLDS WITH THE GOAL OF INCREASING THE UPTAKE IN UNCLAIMED TAX CREDITS IN ORDER TO DECREASE CHILD POVERTY. PROVIDE LEGAL SERVICES TO PATIENTS TO SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH.
- $1.5 million spent. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION SERVICES: IN 2024, THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDED FREE LEGAL ADVICE AND REPRESENTATION TO HELP MORE THAN 5,622 ADULTS AND CHILDREN WHO WERE VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC OR SEXUAL VIOLENCE TO ESCAPE ABUSE AND REBUILD THEIR LIVES. STAFF AND VOLUNTEER ATTORNEYS HELP VICTIMS/SURVIVORS SECURE COURT PROTECTIVE ORDERS TO IMPROVE SAFETY, AND ADDRESS BARRIERS TO INDEPENDENCE, SUCH AS CHILD CUSTODY, DIVISION OF MARITAL PROPERTY, HOUSING PROBLEMS, INCOME, AND CONSUMER PROTECTION SO THAT VICTIMS CAN ESTABLISH NEW LIVES APART FROM THEIR ABUSERS. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO COLLABORATES WITH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTERS, LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND OTHER COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO REDUCE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN AREA COMMUNITIES AND TO IMPROVE SERVICES FOR VICTIMS. 28% OF THE ORGANIZATION'S CLOSED LEGAL CASES INVOLVED ISSUES RELATED TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND CHILD ABUSE. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION SERVICES: IN 2024, THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDED FREE LEGAL ADVICE AND REPRESENTATION TO HELP MORE THAN 5,622 ADULTS AND CHILDREN WHO WERE VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC OR SEXUAL VIOLENCE TO ESCAPE ABUSE AND REBUILD THEIR LIVES. STAFF AND VOLUNTEER ATTORNEYS HELP VICTIMS/SURVIVORS SECURE COURT PROTECTIVE ORDERS TO IMPROVE SAFETY, AND ADDRESS BARRIERS TO INDEPENDENCE, SUCH AS CHILD CUSTODY, DIVISION OF MARITAL PROPERTY, HOUSING PROBLEMS, INCOME, AND CONSUMER PROTECTION SO THAT VICTIMS CAN ESTABLISH NEW LIVES APART FROM THEIR ABUSERS. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO COLLABORATES WITH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTERS, LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND OTHER COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO REDUCE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN AREA COMMUNITIES AND TO IMPROVE SERVICES FOR VICTIMS. 28% OF THE ORGANIZATION'S CLOSED LEGAL CASES INVOLVED ISSUES RELATED TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND CHILD ABUSE.
- $1.6 million spent. HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION: PREVENTS FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS FROM LOSING THEIR HOMES TO EVICTION OR FORECLOSURE AND IMPROVES EXISTING HOUSING CONDITIONS. 34% OF LEGAL CASES CLOSED IN 2024 PRESENTED AS HOUSING ISSUES.
- $3.5 million spent. - LEGAL SERVICES TO THE POOR: HELPS LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS ADDRESS CONSUMER PROTECTION ISSUES, INCOME SHORTFALLS, AND MANAGE THEIR LIMITED RESOURCES. THIS WORK INCLUDES HELPING RESTORE DRIVERS' LICENSES AND EXPUNGE CRIMINAL RECORDS SO THAT PEOPLE CAN INCREASE THEIR INCOMES. - ELDER LAW: HELPS SENIORS LIVE INDEPENDENTLY IN THEIR HOMES AS LONG AS POSSIBLE. PROTECTS SENIORS FROM FINANCIAL OR PHYSICAL ABUSE OR HARASSMENT AND ASSISTS WITH END-OF-LIFE PLANNING. 2024 EXPENDITURES: 413,609. - CHILDREN'S LAW PROJECT: HELPS DISADVANTAGED CHILDREN AVOID HOMELESSNESS, ACCESS ESSENTIAL SERVICES SUCH AS MEDICAL CARE AND PUBLIC EDUCATION, AND ESCAPE SITUATIONS OF ABUSE. 2024 EXPENDITURES: 348,686. - BENEFITS LAW: OBTAINS AND PROTECTS PUBLIC BENEFITS FOR LOW-INCOME PEOPLE, INCLUDING FOOD AND NUTRITIONAL SERVICES, MEDICAID, SOCIAL SECURITY, AND OTHERS. PISGAH LEGAL ASSISTS MEDICAID BENEFICIARIES AND APPLICANTS TO PROTECT MEDICAID RIGHTS. 2024 EXPENDITURES: 161,138. - JUSTICE FOR ALL PROJECT: ASSISTS ELIGIBLE IMMIGRANTS WITH SECURING LEGAL IMMIGRATION STATUS OR WORK AUTHORIZATION AND ADDRESSES OTHER BASIC NEEDS LIKE SAFETY AND HOUSING SO THAT IMMIGRANTS MAY LIFT THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES OUT OF POVERTY. THIS PROGRAM SERVES 18 OF THE WESTERNMOST COUNTIES OF NORTH CAROLINA. SOME IMMIGRANTS ARE SERVED IN OTHER PROGRAMS, INCLUDING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PREVENTION. 2024 EXPENDITURES: 453,066. - VOLUNTEER LAWYERS/HOTLINE: RECRUITS AND TRAINS A NETWORK OF VOLUNTEER LAWYERS TO PROVIDE PRO BONO LEGAL SERVICES TO THE ORGANIZATION'S CLIENTS; CASES ARE SCREENED FOR INCOME AND CASE TYPE AND REFERRED BY PISGAH LEGAL SERVICES. 2024 EXPENDITURES: 496,565 (NOT INCLUDING 554,500 DONATED ATTORNEY PROFESSIONAL TIME). - COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: INCREASES JOBS AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING THROUGH ADVOCACY AND TECHNICAL, LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO SUPPORT AND BUILD CAPACITY OF NONPROFITS, FAITH GROUPS, SMALL BUSINESSES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS. 2024 EXPENDITURES: 213,638. - LOW-INCOME TAXPAYER CLINIC (LITC): THE LITC PROGRAM PROVIDES LEGAL ASSISTANCE IN TAX DISPUTES WITH THE IRS, COMMUNITY TAX EDUCATION AND SYSTEMIC ADVOCACY TO LOW-INCOME TAXPAYERS IN EIGHTEEN COUNTIES IN WNC. - NORTH CAROLINA MEDICAID OMBUDSMAN (NCMO): IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CHARLOTTE CENTER FOR LEGAL ADVOCACY AND LEGAL AID OF NC, THE NCMO PROGRAM PROVIDES SUPPORT TO MEDICAID MANAGED CARE BENEFICIARIES AND COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE STATE REGARDING ISSUES LEARNED FROM MEDICAID MEMBERS. ALL AMOUNTS ABOVE ARE ADJUSTED TO REMOVE THE VALUE OF DONATED SERVICES NOT REPORTED AS INCOME ON FORM 990.
- - LEGAL SERVICES TO THE POOR: HELPS LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS ADDRESS CONSUMER PROTECTION ISSUES, INCOME SHORTFALLS, AND MANAGE THEIR LIMITED RESOURCES. THIS WORK INCLUDES HELPING RESTORE DRIVERS' LICENSES AND EXPUNGE CRIMINAL RECORDS SO THAT PEOPLE CAN INCREASE THEIR INCOMES. - ELDER LAW: HELPS SENIORS LIVE INDEPENDENTLY IN THEIR HOMES AS LONG AS POSSIBLE. PROTECTS SENIORS FROM FINANCIAL OR PHYSICAL ABUSE OR HARASSMENT AND ASSISTS WITH END-OF-LIFE PLANNING. 2024 EXPENDITURES: 413,609. - CHILDREN'S LAW PROJECT: HELPS DISADVANTAGED CHILDREN AVOID HOMELESSNESS, ACCESS ESSENTIAL SERVICES SUCH AS MEDICAL CARE AND PUBLIC EDUCATION, AND ESCAPE SITUATIONS OF ABUSE. 2024 EXPENDITURES: 348,686. - BENEFITS LAW: OBTAINS AND PROTECTS PUBLIC BENEFITS FOR LOW-INCOME PEOPLE, INCLUDING FOOD AND NUTRITIONAL SERVICES, MEDICAID, SOCIAL SECURITY, AND OTHERS. PISGAH LEGAL ASSISTS MEDICAID BENEFICIARIES AND APPLICANTS TO PROTECT MEDICAID RIGHTS. 2024 EXPENDITURES: 161,138. - JUSTICE FOR ALL PROJECT: ASSISTS ELIGIBLE IMMIGRANTS WITH SECURING LEGAL IMMIGRATION STATUS OR WORK AUTHORIZATION AND ADDRESSES OTHER BASIC NEEDS LIKE SAFETY AND HOUSING SO THAT IMMIGRANTS MAY LIFT THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES OUT OF POVERTY. THIS PROGRAM SERVES 18 OF THE WESTERNMOST COUNTIES OF NORTH CAROLINA. SOME IMMIGRANTS ARE SERVED IN OTHER PROGRAMS, INCLUDING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PREVENTION. 2024 EXPENDITURES: 453,066. - VOLUNTEER LAWYERS/HOTLINE: RECRUITS AND TRAINS A NETWORK OF VOLUNTEER LAWYERS TO PROVIDE PRO BONO LEGAL SERVICES TO THE ORGANIZATION'S CLIENTS; CASES ARE SCREENED FOR INCOME AND CASE TYPE AND REFERRED BY PISGAH LEGAL SERVICES. 2024 EXPENDITURES: 496,565 (NOT INCLUDING 554,500 DONATED ATTORNEY PROFESSIONAL TIME). - COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: INCREASES JOBS AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING THROUGH ADVOCACY AND TECHNICAL, LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO SUPPORT AND BUILD CAPACITY OF NONPROFITS, FAITH GROUPS, SMALL BUSINESSES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS. 2024 EXPENDITURES: 213,638. - LOW-INCOME TAXPAYER CLINIC (LITC): THE LITC PROGRAM PROVIDES LEGAL ASSISTANCE IN TAX DISPUTES WITH THE IRS, COMMUNITY TAX EDUCATION AND SYSTEMIC ADVOCACY TO LOW-INCOME TAXPAYERS IN EIGHTEEN COUNTIES IN WNC. - NORTH CAROLINA MEDICAID OMBUDSMAN (NCMO): IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CHARLOTTE CENTER FOR LEGAL ADVOCACY AND LEGAL AID OF NC, THE NCMO PROGRAM PROVIDES SUPPORT TO MEDICAID MANAGED CARE BENEFICIARIES AND COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE STATE REGARDING ISSUES LEARNED FROM MEDICAID MEMBERS. ALL AMOUNTS ABOVE ARE ADJUSTED TO REMOVE THE VALUE OF DONATED SERVICES NOT REPORTED AS INCOME ON FORM 990.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since May 1980.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.
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