PUBLIC COUNSEL

Financials

From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.

Officers, directors and key employees

As listed on the 990 for the year ended August 31, 2025, highest compensation first.

Address and contacts

Address (IRS master file)

610 S ARDMORE AVE, LOS ANGELES, CA 90005-2322

Principal officer (990 for 2024)

STEVEN GODOY, 610 S ARDMORE AVENUE, LOS ANGELES, CA 90005

Signed the 990

STEVEN GODOY, VP, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Phone

(213) 385-2977

Website

WWW.PUBLICCOUNSEL.ORG

Return prepared by

ARMANINO ADVISORY LLC

California records

California keeps its own records of charities and corporations. Search them by EIN 23-7105149 or by the name PUBLIC COUNSEL.

Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers

Registration status and filed reports (CT-TR-1, RRF-1)

Secretary of State, bizfile Online

Corporation status, entity number, agent for service

Franchise Tax Board

Entity status letter (state tax exemption, good standing)

Mission

PUBLIC COUNSEL IS A NONPROFIT PUBLIC INTEREST LAW FIRM DEDICATED TO ADVANCING CIVIL RIGHTS AND RACIAL AND ECONOMIC JUSTICE, AS WELL AS TO AMPLIFYING THE POWER OF OUR CLIENTS THROUGH COMPREHENSIVE LEGAL ADVOCACY. (SEE SCH O FOR CONTINUATION)FOUNDED ON AND STRENGTHENED BY A PRO BONO LEGAL SERVICE MODEL, OUR STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS SEEK JUSTICE THROUGH DIRECT LEGAL SERVICES, PROMOTE HEALTHY AND RESILIENT COMMUNITIES THROUGH EDUCATION AND OUTREACH, AND SUPPORT COMMUNITY-LED EFFORTS TO TRANSFORM UNJUST SYSTEMS THROUGH LITIGATION AND POLICY ADVOCACY IN AND BEYOND LOS ANGELES.

Program accomplishments

• THE IMMIGRANTS' RIGHTS TEAM PROVIDES REPRESENTATION TO INDIVIDUALS FROM OVER 30 COUNTRIES BEFORE THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, THE LOS ANGELES IMMIGRATION COURT, THE BOARD OF IMMIGRATION APPEALS, AND THE FEDERAL COURTS. THE TEAM ASSISTS NUMEROUS VULNERABLE IMMIGRANT GROUPS, INCLUDING VICTIMS OF PERSECUTION SEEKING ASYLUM IN THE UNITED STATES; DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, VIOLENT CRIME AND TRAFFICKING VICTIMS SEEKING RELIEF UNDER THE VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT AND THE VICTIMS OF TRAFFICKING AND VIOLENCE PROTECTION ACT; AND IMMIGRANT CHILDREN WHO HAVE BEEN ABUSED, ABANDONED OR NEGLECTED AND CANNOT SAFELY RETURN TO THEIR COUNTRIES OF ORIGIN. (THE REVENUE REPORTED HERE IS THE AMOUNT OF EXEMPT FUNCTION REVENUE FROM FORM 990, PART VIII, COLUMN (B) ALLOCATED TO THIS PROGRAM.)
  Expenses $3,928,132 · grants $2,500 · revenue $28,698
• THE CHILD, YOUTH & FAMILY ADVOCACY TEAM USES A MULTI-DISCIPLINARY APPROACH TO LEGAL ADVOCACY WITH THE TRAUMA-INFORMED AND RESILIENCY-FOCUSED TOOLS OF SOCIAL WORKERS SUPPORTING THE WORK OF LEGAL ADVOCATES TO REMOVE LEGAL BARRIERS FOR CHILDREN, YOUTH, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITIES OF COLOR MOST IMPACTED BY SYSTEMIC RACISM AND ECONOMIC INJUSTICE. THE TEAM FIGHTS FOR THE DIGNITY OF OUR CLIENTS THROUGH DIRECT LEGAL SERVICES, COMMUNITY-LED LOCAL POLICY WORK, IMPACT LITIGATION, AND STATEWIDE LEGISLATIVE TRANSFORMATION. (THE REVENUE REPORTED HERE IS THE AMOUNT OF EXEMPT FUNCTION REVENUE FROM FORM 990, PART VIII, COLUMN (B) ALLOCATED TO THIS PROGRAM.)
  Expenses $3,149,491 · revenue $43,948
• THE CONSUMER RIGHTS & ECONOMIC JUSTICE TEAM ADVANCES ECONOMIC JUSTICE BY PROVIDING LEGAL COUNSEL FOR, AND ADVOCACY ON BEHALF OF, LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS AND THEIR FAMILIES, ADDRESSING INEQUALITIES IN BARGAINING POWER, OPPOSING THOSE WHO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE VULNERABLE, AND HOLDING WRONGDOERS ACCOUNTABLE. (THE REVENUE REPORTED HERE IS THE AMOUNT OF EXEMPT FUNCTION REVENUE FROM FORM 990, PART VIII, COLUMN (B) ALLOCATED TO THIS PROGRAM.)
  Expenses $2,985,654 · grants $116,488 · revenue $35,283
• THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT TEAM BUILDS STRONG FOUNDATIONS FOR HEALTHY, VIBRANT, AND ECONOMICALLY STABLE COMMUNITIES THROUGH ITS LEGAL AND CAPACITY BUILDING SERVICES FOR SMALL BUSINESSES, LOW-INCOME ENTREPRENEURS, AND NONPROFITS SERVING LOW-INCOME POPULATIONS AND ADDRESSING ISSUES OF POVERTY IN THE LOS ANGELES AREA, INCLUDING HEALTHCARE CLINICS AND CHILD CARE PROVIDERS. THROUGH ITS HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES, PRESERVATION AND ENFORCEMENT UNIT, THE TEAM SUPPORTS THE DEVELOPMENT AND PRESERVATION OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING. (THE REVENUE REPORTED HERE IS THE AMOUNT OF EXEMPT FUNCTION REVENUE FROM FORM 990, PART VIII, COLUMN (B) ALLOCATED TO THIS PROGRAM.)THE HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION TEAM WORKS WITH HOMELESS YOUTH, ADULTS, AND FAMILIES TO BREAK THE CYCLE OF HOMELESSNESS BY HELPING THEM ACCESS SHELTER, CLOTHING, FOOD, AND PUBLIC BENEFITS TO WHICH THEY ARE LEGALLY ENTITLED. THE TEAM ALSO ASSISTS HOMELESS AND AT-RISK INDIVIDUALS TO ADDRESS THE LEGAL BARRIERS THEY FACE IN GAINING EMPLOYMENT, SECURING AND PRESERVING HOUSING, AND ACHIEVING STABILITY AND SELF-SUFFICIENCY. (THE REVENUE REPORTED HERE IS THE AMOUNT OF EXEMPT FUNCTION REVENUE FROM FORM 990, PART VIII, COLUMN (B) ALLOCATED TO THIS PROGRAM.)THE OPPORTUNITY UNDER LAW TEAM BRINGS COMMUNITY-BASED IMPACT LITIGATION TO ELIMINATE BARRIERS TO OPPORTUNITY. THE TEAM REPRESENTS INDIVIDUALS AND COMMUNITIES CONFRONTING STRUCTURAL INJUSTICE AND DISCRIMINATION IN AREAS LIKE EDUCATION, HOUSING, AND IMMIGRATION. BY WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE ORGANIZATION'S DIRECT SERVICES PROGRAMS AND ACROSS ITS SUBJECT AREAS,THE TEAM IS UNIQUELY POSITIONED TO BRING MEANINGFUL IMPACT CASES IN CALIFORNIA AND BEYOND, WORK CLOSELY WITH AFFECTED COMMUNITIES, AND COMMUNICATE BROADLY TO ADVANCE PUBLIC DISCOURSE. THESE CASES STRATEGICALLY PURSUE NOVEL CLAIMS TO ADDRESS INTERSECTIONAL ISSUES AND SECURE LANDMARK VICTORIES IN DOCTRINAL AREAS COMMONLY REGARDED AS OFF-LIMITS FOR CIVIL RIGHTS ADVOCACY. (THE REVENUE REPORTED HERE IS THE AMOUNT OF EXEMPT FUNCTION REVENUE FROM FORM 990, PART VIII, COLUMN (B) ALLOCATED TO THIS PROGRAM.)THE EDUCATION EQUITY TEAM WAS FOUNDED ON THE BELIEF THAT EVERYONE DESERVES THE CHANCE TO LEARN, GROW, AND THRIVE WITH SAFETY, DIGNITY, AND RESPECT. THROUGH A COMBINATION OF DIRECT LEGAL SERVICES, POLICY ADVOCACY, IMPACT LITIGATION, AND COMMUNITY EDUCATION, THE TEAM FOCUSES ON CREATING MORE EQUITABLE AND JUST CONDITIONS AT SCHOOL AND IN THE WORKPLACE, AND ADVANCE EQUALITY, ECONOMIC JUSTICE AND OPPORTUNITY FOR WOMEN, GIRLS, AND PEOPLE OF ALL GENDER IDENTITIES. (THE REVENUE REPORTED HERE IS THE AMOUNT OF EXEMPT FUNCTION REVENUE FROM FORM 990, PART VIII, COLUMN (B) ALLOCATED TO THIS PROGRAM.)THE CENTER FOR VETERANS' ADVANCEMENT TEAM ENSURES THAT VETERANS HAVE ACCESS TO AN APPROPRIATE VA BENEFITS RATE AND OTHER NEEDED SERVICES TO IMPROVE SELF-SUFFICIENCY AND QUALITY OF LIFE. IN ADDITION TO PROVIDING THIS SERVICE TO LOW-INCOME VETERANS IN GENERAL, THE TEAM SERVES SIGNIFICANT POPULATIONS OF VETERANS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, MILITARY CAREGIVERS, AND INCARCERATED FEMALE VETERANS. (THE REVENUE REPORTED HERE IS THE AMOUNT OF EXEMPT FUNCTION REVENUE FROM FORM 990, PART VIII, COLUMN (B) ALLOCATED TO THIS PROGRAM.)
  Expenses $8,575,774 · grants $1,046,281 · revenue $702,362

What it must file and when

IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in August, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.

IRS record

EIN

23-7105149

Tax-exempt status

501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization

Foundation status

Publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(A)(vi))

Donations deductible (Pub 78)

Public charity, 50% deduction limit

Exempt since

1971

Accounting year ends

August

Files

Form 990 or 990-EZ

Category (NTEE)

Crime and legal-related (I80)

Assets (IRS master file)

$35,453,992

Income (IRS master file)

$32,164,134

Filing history

990-N: the IRS bulk file holds only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years come from archived copies of that file since 2020 and can have gaps (the IRS e-Postcard search lists every one). 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS (search EIN 23-7105149).

Questions about PUBLIC COUNSEL

What is the EIN of PUBLIC COUNSEL?

The employer identification number (EIN) of PUBLIC COUNSEL is 23-7105149.

Is PUBLIC COUNSEL tax-exempt?

Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1971.

Are donations to PUBLIC COUNSEL tax-deductible?

Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).

Which annual return does PUBLIC COUNSEL file?

Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.

When is the next return of PUBLIC COUNSEL due?

The return for tax year 2025 (the year ending August 31, 2026) is due January 15, 2027. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.

When did PUBLIC COUNSEL last file with the IRS?

The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended August 2025.

Who is the principal officer of PUBLIC COUNSEL?

The 990 for the year ended August 31, 2025 names STEVEN GODOY.

Who are the officers and directors of PUBLIC COUNSEL?

The 990 for the year ended August 31, 2025 lists 100 people; 11 received compensation from the organization, the highest $265,540 (MARK ROSENBAUM, SR. SPECIAL COUNSEL FOR STRAT. LIT.).

How much revenue does PUBLIC COUNSEL have?

On its 990 for the year ended August 31, 2025 it reported revenue of $23,810,728, expenses of $23,555,201 and total assets of $35,453,992 at year end.

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• COALITION TO ABOLISH SLAVERY & TRAFFICKING
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All nonprofits in LOS ANGELES · California · Crime and legal-related