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Public Interest Legal Foundation Inc

  • Alexandria, VA
  • Tax-exempt since June 2013
  • EIN: 45-4355641

Organization summary

Type of Nonprofit

Designated as a Organizations for any of the following purposes: religious, educational, charitable, scientific, literary, testing for public safety, fostering national or international amateur sports competition (as long as it doesn't provide athletic facilities or equipment), or the prevention of cruelty to children or animals.

Category: Crime, Legal-Related / Public Interest Law, Litigation (NTEE)

Donations to this organization are tax deductible.

Summary charts: organization finances over time

Revenue
$3.38M (2023)

Expenses
$3.73M (2023)

Total Assets
$1.46M (2023)

Total Liabilities
$257k (2023)

Source: Form 990 tax filings from 2012 to 2023

Tax Filings by Year

Form 990 is an information return that most organizations claiming federal tax-exempt status must file yearly with the IRS. Nonprofit Explorer has IRS digitized Form 990 data for filings processed in 2012 and later. If this organization filed an amended return, it may not be reflected below. Duplicate download links may indicate a resubmission or amendment to this organization's original return. Form 990 data is from the IRS.

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2023

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990
Revenue
$3,379,205
Expenses
$3,728,392
Net Income
-$349,187
Net Assets
$1,201,759
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions $3,287,153
97.3%
Program Services $0
Investment Income $77
0.0%
Bond Proceeds $0
Royalties $0
Rental Property Income $0
Net Fundraising $0
Sales of Assets $0
Net Inventory Sales $0
Other Revenue $91,975
2.7%
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Executive Compensation $0
Professional Fundraising Fees $91,523
2.5%
Other Salaries and Wages $1,358,276
36.4%
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $1,458,678
Total Liabilities $256,919
Net Assets $1,201,759
Compensation
Key Employees and Officers Compensation Related Other
John Christian Adams (Pres General) $212,000 $0 $0
Noel Johnson (Litigation C) $150,000 $0 $0
Maureen Riordan (Employee) $150,000 $0 $0
Joseph M Nixon (Employee) $145,000 $0 $0
Kaylan Phillips (Litigation C) $134,000 $0 $0
Carrie Lee Early (Employee) $134,000 $0 $0
Elaina D Crafton (Coo) $105,000 $0 $0
Kenneth Blackwell (Director) $60,000 $0 $0
William Davis (Director) $0 $0 $0
Hans Von Spakovsky (Director) $0 $0 $0
Cleta Mitchell (Chairman Dir) $0 $0 $0
David Norcross (Director) $0 $0 $0
Clara Belle Wheeler (Director) $0 $0 $0
Brad Schlozman (Director) $0 $0 $0
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Document Links

990
Filed on Nov. 13, 2024

Primary tax return for a nonprofit’s activities, finances, and governance

View Filing
XML

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2022

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990
Revenue
$2,692,133
Expenses
$2,912,939
Net Income
-$220,806
Net Assets
$1,550,946
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions $2,576,786
95.7%
Program Services $0
Investment Income $901
0.0%
Bond Proceeds $0
Royalties $0
Rental Property Income $0
Net Fundraising $0
Sales of Assets $0
Net Inventory Sales $0
Other Revenue $114,446
4.3%
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Executive Compensation $0
Professional Fundraising Fees $114,747
3.9%
Other Salaries and Wages $1,247,711
42.8%
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $1,894,076
Total Liabilities $343,130
Net Assets $1,550,946
Compensation
Key Employees and Officers Compensation Related Other
John Christian Adams (Pres General) $212,000 $0 $0
Maureen S Riordan (Employee) $152,333 $0 $0
Charlotte M Davis (Employee) $136,250 $0 $0
Noel Johnson (Litigation C) $134,958 $0 $0
Kaylan Phillips (Litigation C) $133,275 $0 $0
Carrie Lee Early (Employee) $130,000 $0 $0
Elaina D Crafton (Coo) $85,000 $0 $0
Kenneth Blackwell (Director) $60,000 $0 $0
William Davis (Director) $0 $0 $0
Hans Von Spakovsky (Director) $0 $0 $0
Cleta Mitchell (Chairman Dir) $0 $0 $0
David Norcross (Director) $0 $0 $0
Clara Belle Wheeler (Director) $0 $0 $0
Brad Schlozman (Director) $0 $0 $0
+ View more people

Document Links

990
Filed on Nov. 14, 2023

Primary tax return for a nonprofit’s activities, finances, and governance

View Filing
PDF XML

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2021

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990
Revenue
$3,433,600
Expenses
$3,189,751
Net Income
$243,849
Net Assets
$1,771,752
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions $3,227,976
94.0%
Program Services $0
Investment Income $122
0.0%
Bond Proceeds $0
Royalties $0
Rental Property Income $0
Net Fundraising $0
Sales of Assets $0
Net Inventory Sales $0
Other Revenue $205,502
6.0%
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Executive Compensation $0
Professional Fundraising Fees $141,397
4.4%
Other Salaries and Wages $1,062,216
33.3%
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $1,883,908
Total Liabilities $112,156
Net Assets $1,771,752
Compensation
Key Employees and Officers Compensation Related Other
John Christian Adams (Pres General) $195,332 $0 $0
Kaylan Phillips (Litigation C) $125,941 $0 $0
Noel Johnson (Litigation C) $116,125 $0 $0
Shawna L Powell (Secretary) $75,106 $0 $0
William Davis (Director) $0 $0 $0
Hans Von Spakovsky (Director) $0 $0 $0
Dr John Eastman (Director) $0 $0 $0
Cleta Mitchell (Chairman Dir) $0 $0 $0
David Norcross (Director) $0 $0 $0
+ View more people

Document Links

990
Filed on Nov. 15, 2022

Primary tax return for a nonprofit’s activities, finances, and governance

View Filing
XML

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2020

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990
Revenue
$3,830,315
Expenses
$3,354,593
Net Income
$475,722
Net Assets
$1,527,903
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions $3,826,585
99.9%
Program Services $0
Investment Income $3,730
0.1%
Bond Proceeds $0
Royalties $0
Rental Property Income $0
Net Fundraising $0
Sales of Assets $0
Net Inventory Sales $0
Other Revenue $0
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Executive Compensation $289,284
8.6%
Professional Fundraising Fees $151,546
4.5%
Other Salaries and Wages $430,652
12.8%
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $1,577,846
Total Liabilities $49,943
Net Assets $1,527,903
Compensation
Key Employees and Officers Compensation Related Other
J Christian Adams (President) $162,000 $0 $0
Noel Johnson (Litigation Counsel) $114,001 $0 $2,000
Kaylan Phillips (Litigation Counsel) $113,275 $0 $2,726
Shawna L Powell (Secretary) $108,471 $0 $3,529
Susan L Becker (Litigation Counsel) $106,001 $0 $2,000
Dr John Eastman (Director) $18,813 $0 $0
William Davis (Director) $0 $0 $0
Hans Von Spakovsky (Director) $0 $0 $0
Cleta Mitchell (Chairman) $0 $0 $0
David Norcross (Director) $0 $0 $0
+ View more people

Document Links

990
Filed on June 16, 2022

Primary tax return for a nonprofit’s activities, finances, and governance

View Filing
XML

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2019

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990
Revenue
$1,851,528
Expenses
$1,793,515
Net Income
$58,013
Net Assets
$1,052,182
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions $1,822,737
98.4%
Program Services $16,550
0.9%
Investment Income $12,241
0.7%
Bond Proceeds $0
Royalties $0
Rental Property Income $0
Net Fundraising $0
Sales of Assets $0
Net Inventory Sales $0
Other Revenue $0
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Executive Compensation $296,002
16.5%
Professional Fundraising Fees $93,509
5.2%
Other Salaries and Wages $355,380
19.8%
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $1,172,172
Total Liabilities $119,990
Net Assets $1,052,182

Document Links

990

Primary tax return for a nonprofit’s activities, finances, and governance

PDF

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2018

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990
Revenue
$1,469,765
Expenses
$1,138,607
Net Income
$331,158
Net Assets
$994,168
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions $1,381,709
94.0%
Program Services $76,090
5.2%
Investment Income $0
Bond Proceeds $0
Royalties $0
Rental Property Income $0
Net Fundraising $0
Sales of Assets $0
Net Inventory Sales $0
Other Revenue $11,966
0.8%
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Executive Compensation $238,564
21.0%
Professional Fundraising Fees $67,933
6.0%
Other Salaries and Wages $347,509
30.5%
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $1,032,621
Total Liabilities $38,453
Net Assets $994,168

Document Links

990

Primary tax return for a nonprofit’s activities, finances, and governance

PDF

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2017

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990
Revenue
$2,196,405
Expenses
$1,039,275
Net Income
$1,157,130
Net Assets
$663,010
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions $1,025,453
46.7%
Program Services $1,136,897
51.8%
Investment Income $25,000
1.1%
Bond Proceeds $0
Royalties $0
Rental Property Income $0
Net Fundraising $0
Sales of Assets $0
Net Inventory Sales $0
Other Revenue $9,055
0.4%
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Executive Compensation $235,722
22.7%
Professional Fundraising Fees $3,000
0.3%
Other Salaries and Wages $348,718
33.6%
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $698,018
Total Liabilities $35,008
Net Assets $663,010

Document Links

990

Primary tax return for a nonprofit’s activities, finances, and governance

PDF

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2016

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990
Revenue
$2,011,986
Expenses
$892,089
Net Income
$1,119,897
Net Assets
$531,333
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions $969,841
48.2%
Program Services $1,019,084
50.7%
Investment Income $0
Bond Proceeds $0
Royalties $0
Rental Property Income $0
Net Fundraising $0
Sales of Assets $0
Net Inventory Sales $0
Other Revenue $23,061
1.1%
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Executive Compensation $231,071
25.9%
Professional Fundraising Fees $7,844
0.9%
Other Salaries and Wages $256,682
28.8%
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $545,500
Total Liabilities $14,167
Net Assets $531,333

Document Links

990

Primary tax return for a nonprofit’s activities, finances, and governance

PDF

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2015

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990
Revenue
$561,867
Expenses
$761,747
Net Income
-$199,880
Net Assets
$381,278
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions $287,406
51.2%
Program Services $246,797
43.9%
Investment Income $0
Bond Proceeds $0
Royalties $0
Rental Property Income $0
Net Fundraising $0
Sales of Assets $0
Net Inventory Sales $0
Other Revenue $27,664
4.9%
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Executive Compensation $221,286
29.0%
Professional Fundraising Fees $0
Other Salaries and Wages $289,173
38.0%
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $385,204
Total Liabilities $3,926
Net Assets $381,278

Document Links

990

Primary tax return for a nonprofit’s activities, finances, and governance

PDF

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2014

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990
Revenue
$1,914,588
Expenses
$1,775,147
Net Income
$139,441
Net Assets
$679,382
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions $1,455,665
76.0%
Program Services $458,923
24.0%
Investment Income $0
Bond Proceeds $0
Royalties $0
Rental Property Income $0
Net Fundraising $0
Sales of Assets $0
Net Inventory Sales $0
Other Revenue $0
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Executive Compensation $30,000
1.7%
Professional Fundraising Fees $0
Other Salaries and Wages $379,647
21.4%
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $687,425
Total Liabilities $8,043
Net Assets $679,382

Document Links

990

Primary tax return for a nonprofit’s activities, finances, and governance

PDF

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2013

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990
Revenue
$1,669,539
Expenses
$1,218,054
Net Income
$451,485
Net Assets
$539,942
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions $1,033,725
61.9%
Program Services $635,814
38.1%
Investment Income $0
Bond Proceeds $0
Royalties $0
Rental Property Income $0
Net Fundraising $0
Sales of Assets $0
Net Inventory Sales $0
Other Revenue $0
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Executive Compensation $366,729
30.1%
Professional Fundraising Fees $20,000
1.6%
Other Salaries and Wages $278,610
22.9%
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $628,111
Total Liabilities $88,169
Net Assets $539,942

Document Links

990

Primary tax return for a nonprofit’s activities, finances, and governance

PDF

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2012

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990
Revenue
$1,255,825
Expenses
$1,168,959
Net Income
$86,866
Net Assets
$86,866
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions $747,037
59.5%
Program Services $508,788
40.5%
Investment Income $0
Bond Proceeds $0
Royalties $0
Rental Property Income $0
Net Fundraising $0
Sales of Assets $0
Net Inventory Sales $0
Other Revenue $0
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Executive Compensation $272,500
23.3%
Professional Fundraising Fees $10,800
0.9%
Other Salaries and Wages $128,088
11.0%
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $143,442
Total Liabilities $56,576
Net Assets $86,866

Document Links

990

Primary tax return for a nonprofit’s activities, finances, and governance

PDF

About This Data

Nonprofit Explorer includes summary data for nonprofit tax returns and full Form 990 documents, in both PDF and digital formats.

The summary data contains information processed by the IRS during the 2012-2019 calendar years; this generally consists of filings for the 2011-2018 fiscal years, but may include older records. This data release includes only a subset of what can be found in the full Form 990s.

In addition to the raw summary data, we link to PDFs and digital copies of full Form 990 documents wherever possible. This consists of separate releases by the IRS of Form 990 documents processed by the agency, which we update regularly.

We also link to copies of audits nonprofit organizations that spent $750,000 or more in Federal grant money in a single fiscal year since 2016. These audits are copied from the Federal Audit Clearinghouse.

Which Organizations Are Here?

Every organization that has been recognized as tax exempt by the IRS has to file Form 990 every year, unless they make less than $200,000 in revenue and have less than $500,000 in assets, in which case they have to file form 990-EZ. Organizations making less than $50,000 don’t have to file either form but do have to let the IRS they’re still in business via a Form 990N "e-Postcard."

Nonprofit Explorer has organizations claiming tax exemption in each of the 27 subsections of the 501(c) section of the tax code, and which have filed a Form 990, Form 990EZ or Form 990PF. Taxable trusts and private foundations that are required to file a form 990PF are also included. Small organizations filing a Form 990N "e-Postcard" are not included in this data.

Types of Nonprofits

There are 27 nonprofit designations based on the numbered subsections of section 501(c) of the tax code. See the list »

Get the Data

For those interested in acquiring the original data from the source, here’s where our data comes from:

  • Raw filing data. Includes EINs and summary financials as structured data.
  • Exempt Organization profiles. Includes organization names, addresses, etc. You can merge this with the raw filing data using EIN numbers.
  • Form 990 documents. Prior to 2017, these documents were obtained and processed by Public.Resource.org and ProPublica. Bulk PDF downloads since 2017 are available from the IRS.
  • Form 990 documents as XML files. Includes complete filing data (financial details, names of officers, tax schedules, etc.) in machine-readable format. Only available for electronically filed documents. Electronic data released prior to October 2021 is also available through Amazon Web Services.
  • Audits. PDFs of single or program-specific audits for nonprofit organizations that spent $750,000 or more in Federal grant money in a single fiscal year. Available for fiscal year 2015 and later.

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Byline

By Andrea Suozzo, Alec Glassford and Ash Ngu, ProPublica, and Brandon Roberts, Special to ProPublica.
Design by Jeff Frankl. Additional development by Ken Schwencke, Mike Tigas, and Sisi Wei.

E-file viewer adapted from IRS e-File Viewer by Ben Getson. Code for scraping audit documents adapated from Govwiki.

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