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Inland Empire Legal Aid

EIN 91-1672289 · Spokane, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair63 out of 100GovernanceFair66 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 23% of its spending went to programs.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

The Mission of the Inland Empire Legal Aid is to provide select legal services to low-income residents of Spokane County and outlying counties who may otherwise be denied adequate representation or access to the civil justice system and to encourage local attorneys to fulfill their duty to provide pro bono services.

Income
$213,212
Spending
$256,369
Spent on programs
23%
Reserves
8.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 69%
Employees
0
Volunteers
67

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

Fair: 63 out of 100. Higher than 33% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 20% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    23% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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

Fair: 66 out of 100. Higher than 53% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    0 of 5 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

    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.

  • 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 (1)
  1. $57,876 spent. The Primary purpose of the Inland Empire Legal Aid is to provide free legal services to economically disadvantaged residents. The programoffers various legal seminars, clinics, and legal forms. During the years ending December 31, 2025 and 2024 607.73 and 918.74 hours, respectively,were donated by legal professionals and paraprofessionals providing legal representation and other legal services to 1366 people. Law studentsand paralegal students also contributed to over 474.37 hours with 12 volunteers during the year. Pro-bono legal services for the attorneys alone areestimated at a value of $151,166.40 in free legal services for economically disadvantaged residents (which are not included in the revenues andexpenses of the tax return). The value of the assistance provided by Para-Professionals, law students and others has not been valued.

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 April 1995.

    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.