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Special Education Legal Fund Inc

EIN 83-1467673 · Westport, CT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood88 out of 100GovernanceGood78 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF SPECIAL EDUCATION LEGAL FUND, INC. (S.E.L.F.) IS TO LEVEL THE PLAYING FIELD FOR FAMILIES IN NEED WITH CHILDREN IN THE SPECIAL EDUCATION SYSTEM. S.E.L.F. PROVIDES RESOURCES, KNOWLEDGE AND EMPOWERMENT TO SUPPORT FAMILIES IN THE SPECIAL EDUCATION ADVOCACY IN CONNECTICUT, NEW YORK AND THE SURROUNDING AREAS.

Income
$400,932
Spending
$341,197
Spent on programs
78%
Reserves
10 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 97%
Employees
0
Volunteers
0

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

Financial health

Good: 88 out of 100. Higher than 69% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 10.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 6% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 15% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    78% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 cents.

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

Governance

Good: 78 out of 100. Higher than 64% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 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

    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 June 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 (1)
  1. $265,470 spent. LEGAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: THE LEGAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM PROVIDES LIFE-ALTERING EDUCATION IMPROVEMENTS AND CHANGES IN THE FORM OF LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO FAMILIES EXPERIENCING FINANCIAL NEED AND HARDSHIP WITH CHILDREN IN SPECIAL EDUCATION. OUR MISSION IS TO PROVIDE THESE FAMILIES WITH FUNDING TO SECURE A QUALIFIED SPECIAL EDUCATION ATTORNEY TO FULLY ADVOCATE FOR THEIR CHILD'S FREE AND APPROPRIATE PUBLIC EDUCATION RIGHTS. SPECIAL EDUCATION LEGAL FUND ACCEPTS GRANT APPLICATIONS FOR THE LEGAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM ON A ROLLING BASIS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR BASED ON EXISTING FUNDING.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 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 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 June 2025.

    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 February 2019.

    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.

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.