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Oklahoma Guardian Ad Litem Institute

EIN 81-2175628 · Edmond, OK

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood70 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

OUR PRIMARY MISSION IS TO PROVIDE FREE LEGAL REPRESENTATION IN FAMILY COURTS TO CHILDREN FROM LOW INCOME FAMILIES SO THAT THEY HAVE A VOICE IN THE COURTROOM ABOUT THEIR PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. OUR SECONDARY MISSION IS TO PROVIDE EDUCATION, TRAINING AND RESOURCES TO OTHER COURT ADVOCATES AND EXPERTS IN WAYS THAT THEY CAN HELP CHILDREN IN FAMILY COURTS.

Income
$136,645
Spending
$170,219
Spent on programs
95%
Reserves
19.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 88%
Employees
4
Volunteers
25

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

Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 43% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 19.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 25% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 32% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    95% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 89% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, under $250k).

  • 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

    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.

  • 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 (2)
  1. $160,776 spent. CHILD SERVICES AND ADVOCACY - WE PROVIDE FREE, DIRECT ATTORNEY SERVICES FOR CHILDREN IN LOW INCOME FAMILIES BY INVESTIGATING ALL ISSUES RELATING TO THE CHILDREN; INTERVIEWING THE PARENTS; TALKING TO THE CHILDREN; INTERVIEWING INDEPENDENT WITNESSES; ATTENDING AND PARTICIPATING IN ALL COURT HEARINGS; WRITING FORMAL REPORTS TO THE COURTS; ADVOCATING AND SPEAKING FOR THE CHILDREN IN COURTS; AND EVEN FILING NECESSARY COURT DOCUMENTS TO ENSURE THAT THE BEST INTERESTS OF ALL CHILDREN ARE CONSIDERED BY THE COURT WHEN MAKING A DETERMINATION IN FAMILY COURT ABOUT THE FUTURE CARE AND CUSTODY OF THE CHILDREN.
  2. $600 spent. TRAINING & EDUCATION - WE OFFER TRAINING AND CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION COURSES FOR ALL GUARDIANS AD LITEM AND COURT EXPERTS IN OKLAHOMA. WE ALSO OFFER EXTENSIVE COURSES ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS AND EDUCATION TO HELP ALL COURT EXPERTS MEET THE LEGAL REQUIREMENT FOR THIS TRAINING.

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 April 2016.

    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.