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Skagit Legal Aid

EIN 86-3134470 · Mount Vernon, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceGood79 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

To provide access to justice for low income and historically marginalized individuals through 1) providing free legal services to those persons who by reason of poverty and unable to effectively access the legal system, 2) promoting, and facilitating the provision of pro bono legal services, and 3) providing community education and instruction on legal issues affecting low income and marginalized communities.

Income
$2.2 million
Spending
$1.5 million
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
8.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 53%
Employees
19
Volunteers
48
Highest pay
$116,024, executive director

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: 93 out of 100. Higher than 79% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 11% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 32% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 77% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    88% 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: 79 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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

    9 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, 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. $840,867 spent. Housing Justice & Eviction Defense Program - Skagit Legal Aid provides eviction defense and tenant advocacy services across Skagit, San Juan, and Island Counties and serves as conflict counsel in Whatcom County. In 2025, we closed 195 court appointed cases for tenants, nearly all involving full representation, negotiated settlements, and court advocacy to prevent displacement.In partnership with the Skagit County Public Health Department, we paired legal representation with $612,782 in emergency rental assistance for 94 households, preventing homelessness and stabilizing families at immediate risk.We also operated community-based housing clinics in Burlington, Everson, San Juan Island, Lopez Island, and East County, providing early intervention services that helped tenants resolve disputes, access rental assistance, and avoid formal eviction filings. Our work prioritizes farmworkers, undocumented tenants, and individuals in nontraditional housing such as motels, RVs, and employer-provided units.
  2. $235,065 spent. Immigration & Identification Support - Skagit Legal Aid provides direct immigration representation, community education, and identification assistance for immigrants across northwest Washington, prioritizing Indigenous and limited English proficient communities.In 2025, we closed 197 immigration cases, nearly half involving high-level representation, including asylum applications, U visa petitions, naturalization, employment authorization, and Special Immigrant Juvenile-related state court predicate orders and federal filings.We conducted dozens of Know Your Rights events, reaching more than 6,500 community members with information on immigration enforcement, Fourth Amendment protections, and family safety planning. We assisted hundreds of noncitizen parents in preparing parental and financial powers of attorney to protect children in case of detention or deportation.Through partnership with El Consulado de Mxico en Seattle, more than 70 Indigenous families obtained critical identification documents.
  3. $240,728 spent. Post-Conviction & Debt Relief Program - Skagit Legal Aid provides post-conviction relief, driver's license reinstatement, and consumer debt advocacy services to remove legal and financial barriers to stability.In 2025, we vacated at least 40 convictions and secured more than $106,000 in waived or reduced legal financial obligations and traffic penalties across 92 cases. Our biweekly Debt Clinic at Skagit District Court provided medical debt negotiation, consumer defense, and judgment relief services. We expanded capacity to offer Chapter 7 bankruptcy assistance for clients facing tenant debt and licensing-related financial barriers.These services directly improved employment access, lawful driving, housing stability, and family security for justice-impacted and low-income individuals.

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 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 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 June 2021.

    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.