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Arizona Foundation for Legal Services & Education

EIN 95-3351710 · Phoenix, AZ

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

ORGANIZED AND OPERATED EXCLUSIVELY FOR CHARITABLE AND EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES, WHICH INCLUDES CARRYING ON THE FOLLOWING PURPOSES,(CONTD ON SCHEDULE O)

Income
$23.8 million
Spending
$9.8 million
Spent on programs
93%
Reserves
31.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 96%
Employees
31
Volunteers
720
Highest pay
$256,187, ceoexecutive 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 89% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 31.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 59% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 54% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    93% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    25 of 25 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 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 (3)
  1. $7.2 million spent. LEGAL SERVICES IS THE FIRST OF THE TWO STEPS TOWARD ACCESS TO JUSTICE FOR ALL. WITH THESE PROGRAM SERVICES, WE OFFER TRAINING, SCHOLARSHIPS, MENTORING, RECOGNITION AND AWARD PROGRAMS AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. THESE SERVICES ARE OFFERED TO INDIVIDUALS AND ENTITIES PROMOTING FREE LEGAL SERVICES AND SUPPORT TO THOSE IN ARIZONA MOST VULNERABLE. IN ADDITION TO THE DIRECT FINANCIAL AND LEGAL SUPPORT OFFERED, LEGAL SERVICE EDUCATION IS PROVIDED THROUGH LAW RELATED WEBSITES. OVER 500,000 ARIZONA HOUSEHOLDS BENEFITED FROM OUR PROGRAM SERVICES THROUGH GRANTEES AND VOLUNTEERS. OUR WEBSITES ARE VISITED OVER 250,000 TIMES EACH MONTH WHERE CHILDREN, ADULTS AND SENIORS ARE RECEIVING THE LEGAL ANSWERS THEY NEED.
  2. $2.0 million spent. LRE LAW-RELATED EDUCATION IS THE SECOND OF THE TWO STEPS TOWARD ACCESS TO JUSTICE FOR ALL. WITH THESE PROGRAM SERVICES, WE OFFER CURRICULUM, TRAINING, SCHOLARSHIPS, MENTORING, RECOGNITION AWARDS PROGRAMS AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. THESE SERVICES ARE OFFERED TO INDIVIDUALS AND ENTITIES PROMOTING FREE EDUCATION AND AWARENESS TO YOUTH SO THAT THEY WILL INCREASE THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF THEIR ROLES AS GOOD CITIZENS. OVER 300,000 ARIZONA CHILDREN BENEFITED FROM OUR PROGRAM SERVICES THROUGH OUR GRANTEES AND PARTICIPANTS.
  3. FORM 990, PART III, LINE 1 - ORGANIZATION MISSION BOTH DIRECTLY AND BY THE APPLICATION OF ASSETS TO THE USE OF THE ARIZONA BAR FOUNDATION, OR TO ANY OTHER CORPORATION, TRUST, FUND OR FOUNDATION WHOSE PURPOSES AND OPERATION ARE CHARITABLE, SCIENTIFIC, LITERARY, OR EDUCATIONAL. (A) TO FOSTER AND MAINTAIN THE HONOR AND INTEGRITY OF THE PROFESSION OF THE LAW; (B) TO STUDY, IMPROVE AND TO FACILITATE THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE; (C) TO PROMOTE THE STUDY OF THE LAW AND RESEARCH THEREIN, THE DIFFUSION OF KNOWLEDGE THEREOF, AND THE CONTINUING EDUCATION OF LAWYERS; (D) TO ACT AS A RESOURCE CENTER FOR THE PROMOTION OF LAW-RELATED EDUCATION; (E) TO SUPPORT PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO ASSIST IN THE DELIVERY OF LEGAL SERVICES TO THE MARGINALIZED FOR LAW-RELATED EDUCATION, A PROGRAM DESIGNED TO TEACH YOUNG PEOPLE, EDUCATORS AND OTHER ADULTS ABOUT THE LAW, THE LEGAL PROCESS AND THE LEGAL SYSTEM.

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 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 October 13, 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 2024.

    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 December 1979.

    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 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.