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Louisiana Appleseed Center for Law and Justice

EIN 72-1402876 · New Orleans, LA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood80 out of 100GovernanceStrong97 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

LOUISIANA APPLESEED SOLVES OUR STATE'S TOUGHEST PROBLEMS AT THEIR ROOT CAUSE BY ADVOCATING FOR ACCESS TO JUSTICE, OPPORTUNITY, AND EDUCATION. WE BELIEVE THAT OUR STATE WILL BE STRONGER THROUGH FAIR AND EQUITABLE ACCESS TO THE COURTS, THE ECONOMY, AND PUBLIC SCHOOLS. TO ACCOMPLISH THIS, WE BUILD BRIDGES BETWEEN VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES AND OUR EXTENSIVE NETWORK OF PRO BONO PROFESSIONALS TO DEVELOP MEANINGFUL AND SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS THAT HELP JUSTICE TAKE ROOT.

Income
$568,940
Spending
$524,530
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
3.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
5
Volunteers
20
Highest pay
$140,271, executive director

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: 80 out of 100. Higher than 59% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 0% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% 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: 97 out of 100. Higher than 90% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    22 of 22 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

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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 (3)
  1. $277,325 spent. ACCESS TO JUSTICE: EDUCATING STAKEHOLDERS AND THE PUBLIC ON THE VALUE OF LEGAL AID IN LOUISIANA; PREPARING MATERIALS TO EDUCATE SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE THROUGH COURT PROCEEDINGS; RESEARCHING OBSTACLES TO SERVICE REQUIREMENTS FOR PROTECTIVE ORDERS; COLLABORATING ON THE CREATION OF FREE CURATED ONLINE LEGAL RESOURCES; PREPARING STANDARDS FOR COURTROOM INTERPRETERS; PREPARING EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS ABOUT IN FORMA PAUPERIS LAWS; RESEARCHING CUSTODY BY MANDATE ISSUES; ENCOURAGING ADOPTION OF POLICY TO GIVE CLE CREDIT FOR PRO BONO; RESEARCHING AND ANALYSING EXPUNGEMENT REFORM AND LAWS AFFECTING RE-ENTRY AFTER INCARCERATION.
  2. ACCESS TO EDUCATION: DEVELOPING BEST PRACTICES FOR BUILDING FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS; PREVENTING TEEN DATING VIOLENCE; DEVELOPING LEGAL HANDBOOKS FOR CHARTER SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS AND SCHOOL LEADERS; INCREASING ACCESS TO FOOD FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS; CONDUCTING TRAINING SESSIONS FOR BOARD MEMBERS AND SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS.
  3. $138,626 spent. ACCESS TO OPPORTUNITY: UPDATING MANUAL FOR LAWYERS PROVIDING PRO BONO SERVICES FOLLOWING A DISASTER; REVISING LAWS TO EAST TITLE CLEARING FOR LOW-WEALTH FAMILIES, ENABLING THOSE FAMILIES TO PRESERVE HOMEOWNERSHIP AND BUILD WEALTH; DEVELOPING ESTATE PLANNING HANDBOOKS AND GUIDES TO PREVENT HEIRS' PROPERTY; CONNECTING HEIRS' PROPERTY OWNERS TO LEGAL AID AND OTHER LEGAL RESOURCES; COLLABORATING WITH PUBLIC AND NONPROFIT AGENCIES TO TARGET OUTREACH FOR FREE LEGAL HELP; ENCOURAGING THE ADOPTION OF EQUITABLE PRACTICES RELATED TO HEIRS' PROPERTY; ANALYZING STATE LAWS ON THE SUSPENSION OF DRIVERS' LICENSES AND THE RESULTING ECONOMIC IMPACT; DISTRIBUTING A REPORT ENABLING BANKS AND CREDIT UNIONS TO REACH OUT TO THE UNBANKED AND UNDER BANKED; COMMUNITY EDUCATION AND OUTREACH; PARTITICATING IN WORKING GROUP TO DISCUSS LAND USE AND CITY ORDINANCES; RESEARCHING IMPACT OF DEBT BUYING INDUSTRY ON LOUISIANA CONSUMERS.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since December 1997.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 2026.

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