Lambda Legal
Pursues high-impact litigation, public policy advocacy, and public education to secure full recognition of civil rights for LGBTQ+ people.
At a glance
Rating and filings checked Oct 12, 2026. Sources: Charity Navigator, IRS Form 990 via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. How we check
Is Lambda Legal a good charity?
Lambda Legal holds Charity Navigator's highest rating: 4 out of 4 stars, with an overall score of 95%. Its 2023 Form 990 reports $35.4M in revenue, up 111% from $16.8M in 2019, and $25.7M in expenses. Rating checked Oct 12, 2026.
Finances
From Lambda Legal's annual IRS Form 990 filings (filed as Lambda Legal Defense And Education Fund Inc).
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Net assets | Officer & key staff pay | Filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $35.4M | $25.7M | $44.4M | $2.6M | 990 PDF |
| 2022 | $21.9M | $25.2M | $35.5M | $1.6M | 990 PDF |
| 2021 | $41.7M | $22.1M | $42.3M | $1.6M | 990 PDF |
| 2020 | $25.5M | $18.2M | $23.4M | $1.1M | |
| 2019 | $16.8M | $18.9M | $14.6M | $1.1M | 990 PDF |
A newer filing for 2024 is out but not yet summarized: read the 2024 Form 990 (PDF).
Officer & key staff pay is the 990's total for current officers, directors, trustees and key employees, not one salary.
What charities in lgbtq+ rights do
LGBTQ+ rights organizations combine direct services (crisis support, legal aid, healthcare), political advocacy, education, and litigation. Crisis-line organizations like The Trevor Project provide suicide-prevention support for LGBTQ+ youth. Legal-advocacy groups pursue impact litigation on issues like marriage equality, employment discrimination, and gender-affirming care. Education groups work in schools and corporate settings to build inclusive environments. Funding supports counselors, attorneys, lobbyists, and education staff.
How to judge charities in this area
Look for outcomes: laws changed, court rulings won, individuals served, schools enrolled in inclusion programs. The Trevor Project publishes detailed annual reports with outcome data — that is the level of transparency to expect. Be wary of "awareness" organizations without measurable policy or service outcomes.
How to support beyond a one-time gift
- + Monthly recurring gifts sustain crisis-line staffing and multi-year litigation strategies
- + Volunteer as a crisis counselor (most organizations offer training)
- + Advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusive policies in your workplace and community
- + Donate appreciated stock or planned gifts to support long-term legal campaigns
- + Vote for and donate to LGBTQ+ inclusive candidates in local and state elections
Verify before you give
A few minutes of independent verification pays off — especially for larger gifts. These resources let you confirm the details on Lambda Legal:
Frequently asked
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