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International Academy of Trial Lawyers Foundation

EIN 77-0017150 · Roseville, MN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceGood81 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF THE FOUNDATION IS TO ENGAGE IN CHARITABLE AND EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES RELATING TO THE LAW AND LEGAL EDUCATION IN THE UNITED STATES AND THROUGHOUT THE INTERNATIONAL LEGAL COMMUNITY. IN FURTHERANCE OF THIS MISSION, THE FOUNDATION SUPPORTS NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS AND INITIATIVES FOCUSED ON:1. CULTIVATING THE RULE OF LAW AND THE SCIENCE OF JURISPRUDENCE2. PROMOTING REFORMS TO IMPROVE THE ADMINISTRATION AND QUALITY OF JUSTICE3. ELEVATING STANDARDS OF INTEGRITY, HONOR, AND PROFESSIONALISM WITHIN THE LEGAL PROFESSION4. PROMOTING PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE ESSENTIAL SERVICES PERFORMED BY LEGAL PROFESSIONALS IN PROTECTING AND PRESERVING LEGAL RIGHTS

Income
$1.6 million
Spending
$449,533
Spent on programs
66%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 61%
Employees
0
Volunteers
14

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 88% of charities in its peer group (international, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 73% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 80% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    66% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 81 out of 100. Higher than 36% of charities in its peer group (international, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 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

    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 December 31, 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 (3)
  1. $160,000 spent. PROMOTION OF PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE LEGAL PROFESSION'S ROLE IN PROTECTING RIGHTS:THE FOUNDATION FUNDS INITIATIVES THROUGH GRANTS TO NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS THAT HIGHLIGHT THE LEGAL PROFESSION'S ESSENTIAL ROLE IN PROTECTING CIVIL LIBERTIES. THIS INCLUDES SUPPORT FOR ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS VECINA THAT PROVIDE PRO BONO LEGAL SERVICES FOR ASYLUM SEEKERS, AS WELL AS OTHER PUBLIC EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY INITIATIVES. BY EXPANDING ACCESS TO LEGAL RESOURCES AND REPRESENTATION, THESE PROGRAMS HELP ENSURE THAT VULNERABLE POPULATIONS RECEIVE PROTECTIONS GUARANTEED UNDER THE RULE OF LAW.
  2. $80,000 spent. PROMOTION OF REFORMS TO IMPROVE THE ADMINISTRATION AND QUALITY OF JUSTICE:THE FOUNDATION SUPPORTS THIS PROGRAM THROUGH GRANTS TO NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS THAT PROMOTE FAIR, EFFECTIVE, AND INDEPENDENT JUSTICE SYSTEMS. GRANT SUPPORT INCLUDES PROGRAMS FUNDED THROUGH ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS THE NITA FOUNDATION, WHICH PROVIDE JUDICIAL AND TRIAL ADVOCACY EDUCATION FOCUSED ON ETHICAL DECISIONMAKING, PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE, AND THE EFFECTIVE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE. THE FOUNDATION ALSO SUPPORTS INITIATIVES ADDRESSING SYSTEMIC REFORM, INCLUDING EFFORTS FOCUSED ON WRONGFUL CONVICTIONS AND THE ABOLITION OF THE DEATH PENALTY, TO PROMOTE FAIRNESS AND PUBLIC CONFIDENCE IN THE JUSTICE SYSTEM.
  3. $55,000 spent. CULTIVATION OF THE RULE OF LAW AND THE SCIENCE OF JURISPRUDENCE:THE FOUNDATION FUNDS INITIATIVES THROUGH GRANTS TO NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS THAT STRENGTHEN LEGAL INSTITUTIONS AND ENHANCE TRIAL ADVOCACY WORLDWIDE. THIS INCLUDES JUDICIAL TRAINING PROGRAMS IN COUNTRIES SUCH AS UGANDA, WHERE JUDGES AND LAWYERS RECEIVE EDUCATION ON CASE MANAGEMENT, CIVIL PROCEDURE, AND ADVOCACY TECHNIQUES. THE FOUNDATION ALSO SUPPORTS INTERNATIONAL LEGAL EXCHANGES, INCLUDING THE IRELAND PROGRAM, WHICH FOSTERS COLLABORATION BETWEEN U.S. AND IRISH TRIAL LAWYERS TO SHARE BEST PRACTICES IN COMMON LAW JURISDICTIONS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 December 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 August 1984.

    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.

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.