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Oregon Law Foundation

EIN 93-0817536 · Portland, OR

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceGood87 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE OREGON LAW FOUNDATION BUILDS A FAIRER LEGAL SYSTEM AND SUPPORTS JUSTICE FOR ALL IN OREGON BY:-ENSURING ACCESS TO CIVIL LEGAL HELP FOR PEOPLE WITH LOW INCOMES, OR WHO EXPERIENCE OTHER SYSTEMIC BARRIERS;-PROMOTING THE ACCESSIBILITY OF LEGAL EDUCATION AND LEGAL PROFESSIONS TO ALL; AND-EDUCATING THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE LAW AND THE LEGAL SYSTEM.

Income
$10.8 million
Spending
$3.3 million
Spent on programs
93%
Reserves
56.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 95%
Employees
3
Volunteers
13
Highest pay
$173,385, executive director

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

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

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 56.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 69% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 37% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    93% 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

Good: 87 out of 100. Higher than 15% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 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

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • 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, 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 (1)
  1. $3.1 million spent. THE OREGON LAW FOUNDATION AWARDED APPROXIMATELY $2.6 MILLION IN GRANTS TO STRENGTHEN OREGON'S CIVIL LEGAL SYSTEM. FUNDS SUPPORTED THE DELIVERY OF CIVIL LEGAL HELP TO OREGONIANS, PROMOTED THE ACCESSIBILITY OF LEGAL EDUCATION TO ALL OREGONIANS, AND PROMOTED PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF THE LAW AND THE LEGAL SYSTEM. THE FOUNDATION COLLABORATED WITH FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS THROUGH ITS LEADERSHIP BANKER ADVISORY COMMITTEE, CONDUCTED OUTREACH TO LAWYERS ABOUT IOLTA, AND PARTICIPATED IN NATIONAL INITIATIVES THROUGH THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF IOLTA PROGRAMS. IT ALSO CONTINUED RESEARCH ON CONSUMER DEBT LITIGATION IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE OREGON JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT. THE FOUNDATION'S GOAL IS A LEGAL SYSTEM THAT PEOPLE CAN TRUST - ONE THAT IS FAIR, OPEN, AND SERVES ALL OREGONIANS.

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

  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 2024.

    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 December 1982.

    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.