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Legal Aid Foundation of Santa Barbara County

EIN 95-2112634 · Santa Barbara, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood81 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SEE SCHEDULE O

Income
$3.8 million
Spending
$3.1 million
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
4.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 81%
Employees
27
Volunteers
27
Highest pay
$158,733, finance director

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

Good: 81 out of 100. Higher than 58% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 20% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 18% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 42% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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 57% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • 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 (5)
  1. $1.6 million spent. HOUSINGTHE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES LEGAL ADVICE AND REPRESENTATION TO HOUSING CLIENTS IN THE AREAS OF EVICTION DEFENSE, FAIR HOUSING, SUBSIDIZED HOUSING, AND EVICTION PREVENTION. THE GOAL IS TO PRESERVE HOUSING, PREVENT HOMELESSNESS, AND REDUCE HOUSING INSTABILITY.
  2. $598,266 spent. FAMILY VIOLENCE & ELDER ABUSE PREVENTIONPROGRAM ATTORNEYS ADVISE AND REPRESENT SURVIVORS OF INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND ELDER ABUSE AND NEGLECT WITH RESTRAINING ORDERS, CUSTODY, AND RELATED LEGAL ISSUES. THE ATTORNEYS ALSO REPRESENT CLIENTS WITH IMMIGRATION REMEDIES AVAILABLE TO VICTIMS OF CRIMES.
  3. $192,688 spent. COURTHOUSE LEGAL RESOURCE CENTER (LRC)THROUGH A CONTRACT WITH THE SANTA BARBARA SUPERIOR COURT, PROGRAM ATTORNEYS PROVIDE FREE ASSISTANCE TO SELF-REPRESENTED LITIGANTS WITH THE COMPLETION OF LEGAL AND COURT DOCUMENTS FOR VARIOUS CIVIL MATTERS. THE PROGRAM HELPS INDIVIDUALS UNDERSTAND COURT PROCEDURES AND HOW TO PROPERLY PRESENT A CASE TO THE COURT.
  4. $168,030 spent. DISABILITY ADVOCACYPROGRAM ATTORNEYS PROVIDE LEGAL ADVOCACY FOR HOMELESS CLIENTS IN APPLYING FOR AND SECURING SOCIAL SECURITY OR OTHER DISABILITY BENEFITS USING CALIFORNIA HDAP FUNDING.
  5. $187,946 spent. CONSUMER PROTECTIONPROVIDES LEGAL ADVICE AND REPRESENTATION WITH CONSUMER FRAUD, DEBT COLLECTION, FORECLOSURE, SCAMS, AND OTHER CONSUMER PROTECTION MATTERS. THE PROGRAM ALSO ASSISTS VULNERABLE SENIORS WHO HAVE BEEN DEFRAUDED OR EXPLOITED.

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 June 1966.

    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.