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Crag Law Center

EIN 93-1323758 · Portland, OR

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong90 out of 100GovernanceStrong94 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

PROVIDING LEGAL AID TO THE ENVIRONMENT BY PROVIDING LEGAL SERVICES TO CONSERVATION ORGANIZATIONS, COMMUNITY GROUPS, NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBES, AND INDIVIDUALS WORKING TO PROTECT AND SUSTAIN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST'S NATURAL LEGACY.

Income
$1.9 million
Spending
$1.5 million
Spent on programs
74%
Reserves
28.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 71%
Employees
18
Volunteers
70
Highest pay
$139,565, 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 72% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 28.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 19% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 11% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    74% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 22 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

Strong: 94 out of 100. Higher than 52% of charities in its peer group (environment, $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

    8 of 8

    Has a 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

    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. $375,549 spent. CRAG LAW CENTER PROVIDES LEGAL SERVICES TO CONSERVATION ORGANIZATIONS, COMMUNITY GROUPS & COMMUNITIES WORKING ON ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES. OVER THE PAST 25 YEARS, CRAG HAS PROVIDED SERVICES TO OVER ONE HUNDRED ORGANIZATIONS WORKING IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST. LEGAL SERVICES FOCUS ON PROTECTION OF THE WILD, COMMUNITIES & THE CLIMATE. THESE SERVICES WERE PROVIDED FOR FREE, AT BELOW MARKET RATES AND/OR ON A CONTINGENCY BASIS TO THE COMMUNITY. CRAG SERVICES INCLUDE ASSISTANCE WITH BRINGING LITIGATION IN STATE & FEDERAL COURTS, WITH MEDIATION & SETTLEMENT OF COMPLEX NATURAL RESOURCE DISPUTES, & WITH PUBLIC EDUCATION. CRAG ALSO PROVIDES LEGAL ASSISTANCE IN NON-PROFIT FORMATION, MANAGEMENT & OUTREACH FOR NON-PROFITS WORKING IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST. CRAG ALSO WORKS WITH OTHER NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS TO HOLD PUBLIC EVENTS INCLUDING SCREENINGS OF FILMS THAT ADDRESS VARIOUS ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES. THESE EVENTS HELP TO EDUCATE COMMUNITIES ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES & THE LEGAL TOOLS THAT CAN BE USED TO ADDRESS THESE ISSUES. CRAG'S 2025 CASES LITIGATED OR IN LITIGATION WERE WHERE FEES WERE RECOVERED: (1) GREATER HELLS CANYON COUNCIL ET AL - EASTSIDE SCREENS. REPRESENT CONSERVATION ORGANIZATIONS CHALLENGING RULE CHANGE TO REMOVE PROTECTION FOR LARGE TREES ON FEDERAL FORESTS EAST OF THE CASCADES. PUBLIC BENEFIT: PROTECTION OF LARGE TREES AND WILDLIFE HABITAT ON PUBLIC LANDS. FEE AWARD: $364,946 (2) OREGON WILD - GRASSHOPPER PROJECT. REPRESENT CONSERVATION ORGANIZATIONS IN CHALLENGING LOGGING PROJECT ON MT HOOD NATIONAL FOREST. PUBLIC BENEFIT: PROTECTION OF FOREST HABITAT AND WATER QUALITY. FEE INCOME: $9,000. (3) WATERWATCH OF OREGON - WINCHESTER DAM. REPRESENT CONSERVATION ORGANIZATIONS IN ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS RELATED TO PRIVATE DAM REPAIRS. PUBLIC BENEFIT: PROTECTION OF WATER QUALITY AND FISH HABITAT. FEE INCOME $6,923. (4) CASCADIA WILDLANDS, - ROGUE GOLD LOGGING PROJECT. REPRESENT CONSERVATION ORGANIZATIONS IN CHALLENGE TO LOGGING PROJECT. PUBLIC BENEFIT: PROTECTION OF FOREST ECOSYSTEMS AND WILDLIFE HABITAT. FEE INCOME: $5,000 (5)COLUMBIA RIVERKEEPER, 1000 FRIENDS OF OREGON - NEXT RENEWABLES. REPRESENT CONSERVATION GROUPS TO CHALLENGE CONVERSION OF FARMLAND TO INDUSTRIAL USES INCLUDING ALTERNATIVE FUELS PRODUCTION. PUBLIC BENEFIT. PROTECTION OF FARM LANDS AND RURAL ECONOMIC VALUES. FEE INCOME: $5,000. (6) GREATER HELLS CANYON CONSERVATION COUNCIL V. US DEPT OF AG - REPRESENT CONSERVATION ORGANIZATIONS TO ENFORCE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT FOR RELEASE OF PUBLIC DOCUMENTS RELATED TO RULE CHANGE TO ROLLBACK PROTECTIONS FOR LARGE TREES ON FEDERAL FORESTS EASTS OF THE CASCADES. PUBLIC BENEFIT: GOVERNMENT TRANSPARENCY AND PROTECTION OF LARGE TREES AND MATURE FORESTS ON EASTSIDE PUBLIC LANDS. FEE INCOME: $80.
  2. $375,549 spent. CRAG'S WORK ALSO INCLUDED NON-LITIGATION SERVICES WHICH GENERATED $62,482 IN FEE INCOME AT WELL BELOW MARKET RATES: (1) NEZ PERCE TRIBE - REPRESENT TRIBE IN NATURAL RESOURCE DAMAGE ASSESSMENT & CLEAN UP FOR THE PORTLAND HARBOR SUPERFUND SITE. PUBLIC BENEFIT: PROTECTION OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES IN THE LOWER WILLAMETTE RIVER. (2) SURFRIDER - ADVISE SURFRIDER ON COASTAL ACCESS AND BEACH PROTECTION POLICIES AND ENFORCEMENT. PUBLIC BENEFIT: PROTECTION OF OREGON'S COASTAL ECOLOGICAL AND RECREATIONAL RESOURCES. (3) 1000 FRIENDS - FRIENDS OF DOUGLAS COUNTY. REPRESENT COMMUNITY GROUPS TO CHALLENGE REZONE OF RURAL LANDS TO URBAN USES. PUBLIC BENEFIT: PROTECTION OF FARM AND FOREST LANDS. (4) JUST CROSSING ALLIANCE - COLUMBIA RIVER CROSSING. ADVISE COALITION OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND CLIMATE JUSTICE ORGANIZATIONS TO ENGAGE IN PUBLIC PROCESS RELATED TO INTERSTATE BRIDGE REPLACEMENT PROJECT. PUBLIC BENEFIT: COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT IN GOVERNMENT DECISION MAKING FOR PROTECTION OF COMMUNITY AND RIVER HEALTH. (5) WASHINGTON CONSERVATION ALLIANCE - TYPE NP RULE. REPRESENT CONSERVATION ORGANIZATIONS IN DEFENDING WASHINGTON STATE REGULATION TO INCREASE BUFFER AROUND WATERWAYS FROM LOGGING ACTIVITES. PUBLIC BENEFIT: PROTECTION OF WATER QUALITY AND RIPARIAN HABITAT.
  3. $375,549 spent. CRAG ALSO PROVIDED LEGAL SERVICES FOR FREE ON ISSUES & FOR A WIDE RANGE OF INDIVIDUALS & GROUPS INCLUDING: (1) CLIMATE - WORK WITH PUBLIC INTEREST ORGANIZATIONS, ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE & COMMUNITY GROUPS TO RESEARCH, DEVELOP & ENGAGE IN CLIMATE POLICY AT THE STATE & LOCAL LEVEL. PUBLIC BENEFIT: SUPPORT POLICIES TO PROMOTE A SUSTAINABLE CLIMATE & CLIMATE RESILIENCY IN IMPACTED COMMUNITIES. (2) PUBLIC LANDS DEFENSE - ADVISE PUBLIC INTEREST ORGANIZATIONS ON POLICY CHANGES PROPOSED FOR PUBLIC LANDS. PUBLIC BENEFIT: PUBLIC OUTREACH & EDUCATION TO DEVELOP SOUND POLICY FOR LAND MANAGERS THAT PROTECT COMMUNITIES, WATER SUPPLIES, WILDLIFE & FOREST ECOSYSTEMS. (3) CONSULTATION ON CONSERVATION ISSUES & POLICY GUIDANCE FOR VARIOUS CLIENTS - PUBLIC BENEFIT: WORKING WITH CLIENTS ON COLLABORATIVE & CREATIVE OPTIONS FOR PROTECTING OREGON'S NATURAL RESOURCES, INCLUDING ITS AIR, WATER & PUBLIC HEALTH. (4) FOSSIL FUEL INFRASTRUCTURE - REPRESENT PUBLIC INTEREST ORGANIZATIONS TO CHALLENGE NEW OR EXPANDED FOSSIL FUEL INFRASTRUCTURE PROPOSALS. PUBLIC BENEFIT: PROTECTING AIR QUALITY & REDUCING CLIMATE IMPACTS. (5) PROTECTING FARMLAND - WORK WITH GROUPS INCLUDING THRIVE HOOD RIVER AND 1000 FRIENDS OF OREGON TO UPHOLD LAND USE LAWS. PUBLIC BENEFIT: PROTECTING FARMLAND AND FOREST LANDS FROM URBANIZATION, PRESERVING LOCAL FOOD SECURITY. (6) NATIVE FISH RECOVERY - REPRESENT ORGANIZATIONS INCLUDING COLUMBIA RIVERKEEPER AND WATERWATCH OF OREGON TO ENFORCE ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS AND DAM ENFORCEMENT. PUBLIC BENEFIT: PROTECT AND RESTORE HABITAT FOR THREATENED OREGON COAST COHO SALMON AND OTHER NATIVE FISH. (7) ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE - WORK WITH BEYOND TOXICS, VERDE, AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS TO IMPROVE STATE AND FEDERAL IMPLEMENTATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE POLICIES, SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT OF WATER QUALITY & HAZARDOUS WASTE LAWS. PUBLIC BENEFIT: PROTECTING PUBLIC HEALTH & ACCESS TO CLEAN AIR AND WATER. (8) COASTAL ACCESS AND ECOSYSTEM PROTECTION - REPRESENT OREGON SHORES CONSERVATION COALITION IN A VARIETY OF LEGAL FORUMS IN ORDER TO PROTECT COASTAL WETLANDS, STREAMS & FORESTS FROM THE HARMFUL EFFECTS OF DEVELOPMENT. PUBLIC BENEFIT: REDUCING IMPACTS TO WETLANDS & STREAMS FROM DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES IN COASTAL COMMUNITIES.

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 October 13, 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 November 6, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since April 2002.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.