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Bay Area Legal Services Inc

EIN 59-1171886 · Tampa, FL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

BAY AREA LEGAL SERVICES (BALS) IS A REGIONAL, NON-PROFIT PUBLIC INTEREST LAW FIRM PROVIDING THE HIGHEST QUALITY LEGAL COUNSEL BY ASSISTING INDIVIDUALS AND NON-PROFIT GROUPS WITH LIMITED ACCESS TO LEGAL SERVICES, RESOLVING THE LEGAL PROBLEMS OF OUR CLIENTS, AND PRESERVING THE INDEPENDENCE, HOPE, AND DIGNITY OF THOSE WE SERVE.

Income
$16.9 million
Spending
$15.7 million
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
5.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 68%
Employees
190
Volunteers
173
Highest pay
$210,336, president and ceo

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: 75 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 42% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 12% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    90% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    21 of 21 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, 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 (1)
  1. $14.0 million spent. BAY AREA LEGAL SERVICES INC. STRIVES TO PROVIDE A SAFE, STABLE, AND SECURE ENVIRONMENT TO LOW-INCOME AND VULNERABLE CLIENTS BY PROACTIVELY RESPONDING TO COMMUNITY NEEDS AS THEY ARISE INCLUDING:- SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING SEEKING INDEPENDENCE AND SAFETY FROM THEIR ABUSERS.- PEOPLE WITH HOUSING INSECURITIES, PREVENTING UNLAWFUL FORECLOSURE AND EVICTION FOR LOW-INCOME FAMILIES.- SENIORS 60+, PRESERVING THEIR HOUSING, FIGHTING EXPLOITATION AND ABUSE, AND MORE.- VETERANS SEEKING ACCESS TO HARD-EARNED HEALTH BENEFITS AND OTHER PROMISED RESOURCES.- DISASTER VICTIMS, ASSISTING WITH INSURANCE DENIALS, CONTRACTOR ISSUES, CONSUMER AND DEBT PROBLEMS, AND MORE.- CHILDREN AND TEENS IN FOSTER CARE, ADVOCATING FOR THEIR RIGHTS AND SAFETY.- PEOPLE WITH LIMITED MEANS NEEDING ASSISTANCE TO RESOLVE TAXPAYER DISPUTES AND CLAIMS.- SMALL BUSINESSES AND OTHER CHARITIES, PROMOTING INFORMED ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN LOW-INCOME COMMUNITIES.

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

  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 2024.

    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 July 1968.

    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.