San Diego County Bar Association
Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.
What it says it does
THE MISSION OF THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION IS TO BE THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY LEGAL PROFESSION, SERVING THE PRBLIC AND THE PROFESSION BY ENHANCING THE LEGAL SYSTEM AND PROMOTING JUSTICE, PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE, AND RESPECT FOR THE LAW.
- Income
- $3.4 million
- Spending
- $3.7 million
- Employees
- 30
- Volunteers
- 320
- Highest pay
- $151,298, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Governance
This return does not answer enough of the governance questions to score.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. 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)
- $583,598 spent. LAWYER REFERRAL SERVICE AND PUBLIC SERVICES THE ASSOCIATION SUPPORTS THE PUBLIC AND THE COMMUNITIES OF SAN DIEGO AND IMPERIAL COUNTY BY PROVIDING ACCESS TO JUSTICE THROUGH ITS STATE BAR CERTIFIED LAWYER REFERRAL AND INFORMATION SERVICE (LRIS). CREATED IN 1952 AS A PUBLICSERVICE PROGRAM OF THE ASSOCIATION, LRIS MATCHES MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WITH QUALIFIED ATTORNEYS AND/OR PROVIDES THEM WITH INFORMATION ABOUT NONPROFIT, PUBLIC OR SOCIAL SERVICES THAT MAY BE AVAILABLE. THE LRIS PROGRAM ALSO SUPPORTS OTHER PUBLIC SERVICE PROGRAMS INCLUDING FEE DISPUTE RESOLUTION AND CLIENT SERVICES. IN ADDITION, AS THE HUB OF THE LEGAL COMMUNITY, THE SDCBA PROVIDES EDUCATION AND RESOURCES TO THE PUBLIC ON ISSUES PERTAINING TO THE LAW.
- $727,979 spent. MEMBER SERVICES THE ASSOCIATION PRODUCES A VARIETY OF PUBLICATIONS, RESOURCES, PROGRAMS AND EVENTS TO SUPPORT ITS ALMOST 8,100 MEMBERS AND THE LEGAL COMMUNITY AT LARGE DEVELOPS PROGRAMS TO PROMOTE PUBLIC SERVICE, INCREASE DIVERSITY AND PROFESSIONALISM IN THE LEGAL COMMUNITY AND PROVIDES ACCESS TO JUSTICE THROUGH ITS MANY PUBLIC AND COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAMS. MEMBERS HAVE ACCESS TO A VARIETY OF 1) NETWORKING, RELATIONSHIP BUILDING AND MENTORING EVENTS 2) EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS COVERING A BROAD SPECTRUM OF SUBSTANTIVE LEGAL ISSUES, LAW PRACTICE MANAGEMENT AND MARKETING (BOTH LIVE AND VIRTUALLY VIA A LIVESTREAMING FEATURE) 3) LEGAL ETHICS RESOURCES INCLUDING A LEGAL ETHICS HOTLINE 4) PROGRAMS TO ENCOURAGE GREATER DIVERSITY IN THE BENCH AND BAR 5) PRACTICEBASED SECTIONS AND A FORUM THAT PROVIDES LIVE AND VIRTUAL COMMUNITIES FOR PROGRAMMING, CONNECTING AND QUESTIONS AND 6) COMMITTEES THAT DO PROJECT SPECIFIC WORK FOR THE BAR AND COMMUNITY AT LARGE. IN ADDITION, AS THE HUB OF THE LEGAL COMMUNITY, THE ASSOCIATION PROVIDES EDUCATION AND RESOURCES TO MEMBERS ON ISSUES THAT IMPACT THE LEGAL COMMUNITY.
- $379,372 spent. COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLICATIONS THE ASSOCIATION PRODUCES SAN DIEGO LAWYER A BIMONTHLY, 48 PAGE GLOSSY MAGAZINE WITH INFORMATION ON SAN DIEGOS LEGAL COMMUNITY, INDIVIDUAL PRACTITIONERS, TRENDS AND TOPICS OF INTEREST TO LAWYERS ACROSS DIFFERENT AREAS OF PRACTICE. WEEKLY, THE ASSOCIATION DISTRIBUTES THIS WEEK AT THE BAR, AN NEWSLETTER DESIGNED TO KEEP MEMBERS ABREAST OF MEETINGS, NETWORKING EVENTS, AND BAR PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES. MONTHLY, THE ASSOCIATION PUBLISHES AND DISTRIBUTES AN ENEWSLETTER FOR LAWYERS IN THEIR FIRST 7 YEARS OF PRACTICE CALLED FOR THE RECORD.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(6) business league.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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 October 13, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Caution.
The IRS master file records contributions to this 501(c)(6) business league as not deductible.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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 October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since February 1954.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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 21, 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.