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Animal Legal Defense Fund

EIN 94-2681680 · Sacramento, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE ANIMAL LEGAL DEFENSE FUND'S MISSION IS TO PROTECT THE LIVES AND ADVANCE THE INTERESTS OF ANIMALS THROUGH THE LEGAL SYSTEM. THE ANIMAL LEGAL DEFENSE FUND ACCOMPLISHES THIS MISSION BY FILING HIGH IMPACT LAWSUITS TO PROTECT ANIMALS FROM HARM, PROVIDING FREE LEGAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING FOR ANIMAL CRUELTY CASE STAKEHOLDERS TO ENSURE JUSTICE FOR VICTIM ANIMALS, SUPPORTING TOUGH ANIMAL PROTECTION LEGISLATION AND FIGHTING LEGISLATION HARMFUL TO ANIMALS, AND PROVIDING RESOURCES AND OPPORTUNITIES TO LAW STUDENTS AND PROFESSIONALS TO ADVANCE THE EMERGING FIELD OF ANIMAL LAW.

Income
$19.7 million
Spending
$17.5 million
Spent on programs
70%
Reserves
13.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 86%
Employees
109
Volunteers
534
Highest pay
$338,791, chief programs off (thru 7/10/24)

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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (animals, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 13.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 7% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 11% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 10% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    70% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 19 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 21% of charities in its peer group (animals, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 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

    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 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 (4)
  1. $2.7 million spent. LITIGATION PROGRAMTHE LITIGATION PROGRAM FILES HIGH IMPACT LAWSUITS AGAINST INDIVIDUALS AND INDUSTRIES THAT EXPLOIT ANIMALS, INCLUDING FACTORY FARMS, PUPPY MILLS, RESEARCH LABORATORIES, AND ROADSIDE ZOOS. THE PROGRAM LITIGATES CASES IN STATE AND FEDERAL COURTS WITH THE GOAL OF STOPPING ABUSIVE PRACTICES AND SETTING GROUNDBREAKING PRECEDENT THAT WILL ESTABLISH JUSTICE FOR ANIMALS IN THE LEGAL SYSTEM. IN ADDITION TO SUING ANIMAL ABUSERS, THE LITIGATION PROGRAM OFTEN SUES STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENTS AND AGENCIES TO INVALIDATE LAWS AND REGULATIONS THAT HARM ANIMALS; AND INTERVENES IN LITIGATION TO DEFEND ANIMAL PROTECTION LAWS WHEN THEY ARE UNDER SIEGE FROM INDUSTRIES THAT ABUSE ANIMALS.
  2. $1.7 million spent. CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROGRAMTHE CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROGRAM FOCUSES ON PROTECTING THE LIVES AND ADVANCING THE LEGAL INTERESTS OF ANIMAL VICTIMS BY WORKING TO ACHIEVE THE BEST POSSIBLE OUTCOMES IN ANIMAL CRUELTY CASES. THE PROGRAM IS STAFFED BY ATTORNEYS AND OTHER EXPERTS IN ANIMAL CRUELTY CASEWORK WHO PROVIDE FREE LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO KEY ANIMAL CRUELTY STAKEHOLDERS, INCLUDING PROSECUTORS, LAW ENFORCEMENT, JUDGES, VETERINARIANS, MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, SOCIAL WORKERS, AND COURTROOM ANIMAL ADVOCATES. THIS ASSISTANCE INCLUDES SUPPORT AT ALL STAGES OF A POTENTIAL CRUELTY CASE, INCLUDING LEGAL RESEARCH; AMICUS BRIEFS; TRAININGS FOR PROFESSIONALS; INVESTIGATIONS AND NON-CRIMINAL INTERVENTIONS; AND GRANT FUNDING TO HELP COVER THE COSTS OF CARING FOR ANIMAL VICTIMS, FORENSIC WORK, AND SECURING EXPERT WITNESSES. IN ADDITION, THE PROGRAM PRODUCES MODEL ANIMAL PROTECTION LAWS AND AN ANNUAL RANKINGS REPORT AND COMPENDIUM FOR ALL U.S. JURISDICTIONS AND WORKS CLOSELY WITH LAWMAKERS AND ADVOCATES TO HELP STRENGTHEN EXISTING CRIMINAL CRUELTY LAWS.
  3. $1.4 million spent. LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS PROGRAMTHE LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS PROGRAM WORKS AT THE LOCAL, STATE, AND FEDERAL LEVELS TO ADVANCE LEGISLATION AND REGULATIONS TO PROTECT THE LIVES AND PROMOTE THE INTERESTS OF ANIMALS AND TO OPPOSE LEGISLATION AND REGULATIONS THAT WOULD BE HARMFUL TO THEIR WELFARE AND INTERESTS. THE PROGRAM ALSO PROVIDES EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR LAW STUDENTS, ADVOCATES, AND LEGAL PROFESSIONALS BY PROVIDING ENGAGEMENT AT CONFERENCES, SUPPORTER EVENTS, AND THROUGH ONLINE FORUMS. FINALLY, THE PROGRAM WORKS WITH THE ANIMAL LEGAL DEFENSE FUND'S OTHER DEPARTMENTS TO DEVELOP CAMPAIGNS TO SUPPORT THESE INITIATIVES AND WORKS CROSSPROGRAMMATICALLY TO IDENTIFY OPPORTUNITIES TO EXPAND LEGAL PROTECTIONS FOR ANIMALS ADDRESSING STRATEGIC LEGAL ISSUES IN THE AREAS OF CIVIL AND CRIMINAL LAW.
  4. $6.5 million spent. ANIMAL LAW PROGRAMTHE ANIMAL LEGAL DEFENSE FUND'S ANIMAL LAW PROGRAM WORKS CLOSELY WITH LAW STUDENTS AND LAW PROFESSIONALS TO ADVANCE THE EMERGING FIELD OF ANIMAL LAW. WORKING TO EXPAND ANIMAL LAW INTO THE CURRICULUM OF EVERY LAW SCHOOL IN THE COUNTRY, THE ANIMAL LAW PROGRAM COLLABORATES WITH STUDENTS, FACULTY, AND SCHOOL ADMINISTRATIONS TO FACILITATE THE DEVELOPMENT OF ANIMAL LAW COURSES AND ASSISTS STUDENTS IN FORMING ANIMAL LEGAL DEFENSE FUND STUDENT CHAPTERS. AS PART OF THE ANIMAL LEGAL DEFENSE FUND'S ANIMAL LAW PROGRAM, THE ORGANIZATION MAKES GRANTS AVAILABLE TO VARIOUS ORGANIZATIONS, LEGAL INSTITUTIONS, INDIVIDUALS, AND ANIMAL LEGAL DEFENSE FUND STUDENT CHAPTERS AT LAW SCHOOLS ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO SUPPORT THE EFFORTS TO INFORM, EDUCATE, AND TAKE ACTION FOR ANIMAL PROTECTION LAWS. THE ANIMAL LEGAL DEFENSE FUND GRANTS ARE CRITICAL TO ENCOURAGING THE NEXT GENERATION OF ANIMAL LAWYERS.PRO BONO PROGRAMTHE ANIMAL LEGAL DEFENSE FUND'S PRO BONO PROGRAM IS THE NATION'S LARGEST LEGAL PRO BONO NETWORK FOR ANIMAL PROTECTION. THE PROGRAM PARTNERS WITH ATTORNEYS AND PRO BONO COORDINATORS ACROSS THE U.S. TO EXPAND THE PRACTICE OF ANIMAL LAW. COLLECTIVELY, LEGAL PROFESSIONALS DONATE THOUSANDS OF HOURS TO THE ANIMAL LEGAL DEFENSE FUND CASES ANNUALLY. THE DONATED VALUE OF SERVICES FOR 07/01/2024 TO 06/30/2025, INCLUDED IN THE TOTAL EXPENSES OF THE PRO BONO PROGRAM WAS $2,719,342. THE PROGRAM ALSO WORKS TO INCREASE THE UNDERSTANDING OF ANIMAL LAW IN THE LEGAL COMMUNITY BY EDUCATING PROFESSIONALS AT LAW FIRMS AND BAR ASSOCIATION EVENTS AND KEEPING VOLUNTEERS ENGAGED AND UP TO DATE ON THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN THE FIELD.

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 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 June 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 September 1980.

    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.