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Elder Law & Advocacy

EIN 95-3353924 · San Diego, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood78 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Elder Law & Advocacy (Elder Law) is a nonprofit organization incorporated on December 11, 1978 under the laws of the State of California. Elder Laws mission is to protect seniors by providing legal advice and advocacy. Elder Law serves seniors by helping them to defend their legal rights and preserve their respected place in the community. Elder Laws vision is to enhance the quality of life for persons 60 years of age and older.

Income
$2.4 million
Spending
$2.3 million
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
4.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 46%
Employees
27
Volunteers
41
Highest pay
$190,563, executive dir.

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: 78 out of 100. Higher than 55% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 27% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 0% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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

    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

    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. $872,392 spent. Legal Services:Legal Services for Older Adults:The Legal Services for Older Adults program provides no-cost legal services to residents of San Diego and Imperial Counties who are age 60 or older. Legal services consist of an initial counsel and advice session with an attorney licensed in the State of California, and follow-up legal work as indicated.Attorneys primarily meet with clients remotely but meet in-person when necessary. Attorneys are able to meet with medically fragile clients in their home. Community education presentations on a variety of legal topics are offered to seniors throughout the year.Caregiver Legal Consultation:The Caregiver Legal Consultation program provides legal support and information to family caregivers of elderly frail persons who have Alzheimers disease or other debilitating brain injuries or conditions, and have difficulty caring for themselves.Caregiver Legal Consultation attorneys provide legal counseling, advice, advocacy, and referrals to community resources at no cost to family caregivers, in matters related to their caregiving role. Community education presentations covering a wide range of legal topics are offered to family caregivers throughout the year.Imperial Court Clinic:The Imperial County Restraining Order and Unlawful Detainer Clinic, in partnership with the Imperial County Superior Court, provided services related to restraining orders and landlord/tenant issues.Participants received help with court forms, court procedures, and general information about related rights and responsibilities for California residents. The clinic is also introducing the use of kiosks in order to assist litigants complete the Court forms.Elder Abuse Representation Project:The Elder Abuse Representation Project offers free legal advice and representation to older adults (aged 65+) who have been the victims of financial, physical, or emotional abuse. This program seeks to increase access to justice for seniors who would otherwise be unrepresented and encounter many barriers to successful completion, including facing their abuser in court alone and navigating the technicalities of the court process.Homelessness Prevention Projects:The Homelessness Prevention Projects provide free legal services to seniors at risk of homelessness. These projects seek to reach pre-trial resolutions, help project clients avoid Unlawful Detainer judgments and subsequent negative entries in background check databases, and secure adequate time for clients to locate appropriate housing. In order to meet a larger number of renters, project staff regularly provide community education.
  2. $727,904 spent. Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program:The Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) is staffed by trained Medicare counselors who give the information needed by clients to make informed decisions about their healthcare choices. All counselors are trained by the HICAP program and then registered with the California Department of Aging. Staff and counselors provide unbiased, impartial information to San Diego and Imperial County residents on Medicare and related topics such as long term care insurance, low-income programs to pay for premiums and medications, choices available to Medi-Cal and Medicare dual beneficiaries, and Medicare fraud. Staff attorneys provide representation regarding complex cases and appeals.
  3. $208,402 spent. Nursing Home Rights Enforcement Project:The Nursing Home Rights Enforcement Project advocates for residents of skilled nursing, assisted living, and group home facilities. The project provides early intervention to address serious health-related concerns about care, monitors residents during project intervention, and offers litigation services to address physical, mental, and financial harm which has occurred as a result of abuse or neglect.The program works closely with government monitoring and enforcement agencies and other nonprofits in order to correct deficiencies in care.
  4. $147,302 spent. Other Programs:Other program services include the Medical Legal Partnership Programs and the Financial Abuse Relief Project.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since June 1979.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.