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Gulfcoast Legal Services Inc

EIN 59-1882749 · St Petersburg, FL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair57 out of 100GovernanceStrong92 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

We champion justice by enhancing access to the legal system, especially for those whose race, ethnicity, income, age, disability, gender, or sexual orientation pose obstacles. We strive to provide exceptional advocacy, vigorous representation, and effective legal education for the communities we serve.

Income
$4.2 million
Spending
$4.1 million
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
2.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 93%
Employees
45
Volunteers
40
Highest pay
$137,476, chief executive officer

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 57 out of 100. Higher than 24% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 73% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 28% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    80% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 92 out of 100. Higher than 46% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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 September 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 (5)
  1. $752,078 spent. Legal Assistance for Human Trafficking & Human Rights: The Immigration & Human Rights unit provided assistance to 531 immigrant victims of crime with T and U visas as well as obtaining citizenship or documented status to assure their ability to live and work in the US. Advocates also referred clients to counseling, language centers, public benefits, and education programs. The unit also assisted 174 victims (domestic and immigrant) of human trafficking. These services are supported largely by grants from the US Department of Justice.
  2. $901,826 spent. Legal Services for Families/Domestic Violence: The Family Law unit provided services to 931 clients and closed 885 cases of protective injunctions, personal safety, custody, divorce, child support, visitation, and paternity. Casework is holistic in nature as these clients may also receive legal assistance with housing matters and public income maintenance benefits for which they are eligible. This assistance gives survivors of violence the tools they need to become independent and self-sufficient and to create a new beginning for themselves and their children. These services are supported by funding from the US Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women, Pinellas County, the Florida Office of the Attorney General, Florida Department of Children and Families and local area funding.
  3. $678,216 spent. Financial Stability: Financial stability attorneys and support staff provided legal services to help residents obtain or maintain stable income. Services included assistance with credit matters; tax controversies; fraud; scams; debt collections; etc. The Financial Stability team assisted 697 clients with financial matters and were supported by funding from the Florida Bar Foundation, United Ways, local foundations, and the IRS Low Income Taxpayer Clinic program.
  4. $500,700 spent. Housing Legal Services: Housing attorneys and support staff provided legal services to help residents obtain or maintain housing. Services included assistance with landlord/tenant disputes; foreclosure modification or representation; addressing violations of the Fair Housing Act; etc. Housing staff assisted 757 clients to help them avoid homelessness. Housing services were supported primarily by funding from Pinellas and Manatee Counties and various local municipalities via their HUD Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program.
  5. $416,108 spent. The special projects team was formed late in fiscal year 2023-24 to address the needs of clients who need assistance in matters that do not fall into the other four departmental units' substantive areas. The team oversees evolving programs, such as elder law initiatives, victims' rights, and disaster response services. In FY 2023-24, they provided services to 9 clients.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 November 6, 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 September 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 October 1979.

    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 November 4, 2026.

  7. Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.

    A much larger organization has a similar name: Legal Services Corporation (Washington, DC), EIN 52-1039060. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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.