Good Counsel Services Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
Good Counsel Services, Inc. provides social entrepreneurs and emerging nonprofits with critical resources for success through services, education, and programming.
- Income
- $61,693
- Spending
- $64,234
- Spent on programs
- 76%
- Reserves
- 2.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 86%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 12
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
Fair: 53 out of 100. Higher than 24% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, under $250k).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 2.4 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 8% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 4% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 28% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1576% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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
Fair: 54 out of 100. Higher than 33% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, under $250k).
Independent board
18 of 253 of 3 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
0 of 5Reports that it does not keep minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
No reported misuse
0 of 10Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, 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)
- $2,437 spent. One-on-One Legal Services: Good Counsel is a legal advocacy education organization dedicated to supporting social entrepreneurs. We are committed to protecting start-up companies by providing education, consulting and counseling to leaders in the sector. In 2024, we welcomed returning, current, and new clients,which enriched both our students learning experiences and expanded the organization knowledge base and resource library.
- $51,383 spent. Fiscal Sponsorship: Good Counsel provides fiscal sponsorship to groups aligned with its mission to support social entrepreneurs and emerging nonprofits. In 2024, we managed tax-deductible donations and grants for various charitable projects, including Bumble Bee Agency and Project Liberation. The Bumble Bee Agency quickly established itself as a trusted partner for families navigating medical, educational, and disability support systems, helping multiple families secure IEP eligibility, developing customized care coordination tools, and launching practical caregiver resources. Project Liberation continued to empower justice-involved women through trauma-informed programs. Through our sponsorship, these initiatives were able to grow their impact, expand outreach, and build sustainable infrastructure to better serve
- $250 spent. Internship Program: In 2024, Good Counsel Services completed its sixth year of partnership with Michigan State University Social Science Science Scholars Program. Through this collaboration, our internship program continues to launch legal careers, build student self confidence , and inspire undergraduates to pursue pro-social professions. Participants consistently report an excellent experience, describing the opportunity as both hands-on and deeply insightful into the legal and nonprofit fields. This year, three Social Science Scholar interns worked closely with our team, gaining practical skills in nonprofit management and exposure to real-world legal practice. Students returned to campus with greater self-belief, ambition, and a clear
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since April 2017.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.