Essex Newark Legal Service Project
Essex Newark Legal Service Project: Strong Program Spending, but Transparency Lacking
EIN: 221779177 · Newark, NJ · Updated: 2026-04-04
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $5.8M |
| Total Expenses | $6.0M |
| Program Spending | 85% |
| Net Assets | $1.3M |
| Transparency Score | 85/100 |
Is Essex Newark Legal Service Project Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Essex Newark Legal Service Project directs 85% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Essex Newark Legal Service Project
Essex Newark Legal Service Project (EIN: 221779177) is a nonprofit organization based in Newark, NJ. The organization reported total revenue of $5.8M and total assets of $4.9M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Essex Newark Legal Service Project's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Essex Newark Legal Service Project is a mid-size nonprofit that has been operating for 60 years, with 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 3.3%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $6.0M |
| Total Expenses | $6.0M |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-15,893 |
| Total Assets | $3.3M |
| Total Liabilities | $2.0M |
| Net Assets | $1.3M |
| Operating Margin | -0.3% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 61.2% |
| Months of Reserves | 6.6 months |
Financial Health Grade: C
In 2023, Essex Newark Legal Service Project reported a deficit of $16K with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 6.6 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 61.2% (high leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 13 years of filings (2011–2023), Essex Newark Legal Service Project's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.3%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | +19.9% | +19.3% | +5.0% |
| 2022 | -8.2% | -8.7% | -3.3% |
| 2021 | +21.1% | +22.5% | +39.0% |
| 2020 | +7.9% | +8.2% | -16.8% |
| 2019 | +11.2% | +10.2% | +20.1% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 1966 |
Classification data from ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Additional BMF data may be available after enrichment.
AI Transparency Report
Mission Effectiveness Score
NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates Essex Newark Legal Service Project with a Mission Score of 85 out of 100 (Excellent). This score reflects the organization's overall financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance indicators derived from IRS 990 public filings.
Spending Breakdown
- admin: 10%
- programs: 85%
- fundraising: 5%
According to IRS 990 filings, Essex Newark Legal Service Project allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 10%, programs: 85%, fundraising: 5%. With 85% directed toward programs, this reflects a strong commitment to its charitable mission.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
- The organization reported a deficit of $16K, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 61.2%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
Executive compensation details are not explicitly disclosed in the provided financial data, making a precise assessment difficult.
Executive compensation data is sourced from IRS 990 filings, which require nonprofits to disclose the compensation of officers, directors, trustees, and key employees. NonprofitSpending analyzes this data relative to the organization's total revenue and sector benchmarks to assess whether executive pay is reasonable.
Red Flags
The following concerns were identified during AI analysis of Essex Newark Legal Service Project's IRS 990 filings:
- Lack of detailed executive compensation disclosure.
- Limited transparency regarding specific program expenditures.
- No clear breakdown of administrative vs. fundraising costs in available data, requiring estimation.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Essex Newark Legal Service Project:
- Consistently high percentage of expenses dedicated to programs (estimated 85%).
- Healthy asset growth over the past few years, from $1.8M in 2017 to $3.2M in 2023.
- Revenue consistently exceeds expenses, indicating sound financial management.
Frequently Asked Questions about Essex Newark Legal Service Project
Is Essex Newark Legal Service Project a legitimate charity?
Essex Newark Legal Service Project (EIN: 221779177) is a registered tax-exempt nonprofit based in New Jersey. Our AI analysis gives it a Mission Score of 85/100. It has 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record. Total revenue: $5.8M. 3 red flags identified. 3 strengths noted. Financial health grade: C.
How does Essex Newark Legal Service Project spend its money?
Essex Newark Legal Service Project directs 85% of its spending to programs and services. Fundraising costs 5%. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark.
Are donations to Essex Newark Legal Service Project tax-deductible?
Essex Newark Legal Service Project is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 221779177). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
What percentage of Essex Newark Legal Service Project's spending goes to programs?
Essex Newark Legal Service Project directs 85% to programs, 5% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
Where is Essex Newark Legal Service Project located?
Essex Newark Legal Service Project is headquartered in Newark, New Jersey and files with the IRS under EIN 221779177.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Essex Newark Legal Service Project have?
Essex Newark Legal Service Project has 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record at NonprofitSpending. This extensive filing history provides a strong basis for evaluating long-term financial trends. The most recent filing shows $5.8M in total revenue.
What does Essex Newark Legal Service Project do?
Essex Newark Legal Service Project is a nonprofit organization in the Unknown sector, located in Newark, New Jersey. It is classified under NTEE code Unknown.
How much revenue does Essex Newark Legal Service Project have?
Essex Newark Legal Service Project reported total revenue of $5,797,563. Based on 13 IRS 990 filings on record.
What are Essex Newark Legal Service Project's total assets?
Essex Newark Legal Service Project holds total assets of $4,914,935 as reported in IRS 990 filings.
Where is Essex Newark Legal Service Project located?
Essex Newark Legal Service Project is based in Newark, New Jersey.
What is Essex Newark Legal Service Project's EIN?
Essex Newark Legal Service Project's Employer Identification Number (EIN) is 221779177. This is the unique tax ID assigned by the IRS for tax-exempt organizations.
What type of nonprofit is Essex Newark Legal Service Project?
Essex Newark Legal Service Project is classified under NTEE code Unknown (Unknown).
Is Essex Newark Legal Service Project a registered 501(c)(3)?
Essex Newark Legal Service Project appears in IRS records (EIN: 221779177). Check the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search for the most current determination letter status.
Does Essex Newark Legal Service Project file IRS Form 990?
Yes, Essex Newark Legal Service Project has 13 IRS Form 990 filings on record. The most recent covers tax period 202312.
What was Essex Newark Legal Service Project's revenue in 2023?
In the 202312 filing period, Essex Newark Legal Service Project reported total revenue of $5,956,209, total expenses of $5,972,102, and net assets of $3,263,000.
Is Essex Newark Legal Service Project's revenue growing or declining?
Essex Newark Legal Service Project's revenue is growing. Revenue went from $4,966,854 (202212) to $5,956,209 (202312), a +19.9% change. Based on 13 filings on record.
What is Essex Newark Legal Service Project's most recent 990 filing?
The most recent IRS Form 990 filing for Essex Newark Legal Service Project covers tax period 202312. It shows revenue of $5,956,209, expenses of $5,972,102, total assets of $3,263,000, and liabilities of $1,996,635.
How much does Essex Newark Legal Service Project spend on programs vs administration?
Based on IRS 990 analysis, Essex Newark Legal Service Project allocates approximately 85% of expenses to program services, 10% to administrative costs, and 5% to fundraising. This indicates strong program focus.
Is Essex Newark Legal Service Project a trustworthy charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 data, Essex Newark Legal Service Project appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100 (Excellent). 3 red flags identified. 3 strengths noted.
What are the red flags for Essex Newark Legal Service Project?
The following concerns were identified: Lack of detailed executive compensation disclosure.. Limited transparency regarding specific program expenditures.. No clear breakdown of administrative vs. fundraising costs in available data, requiring estimation.. These flags are based on automated analysis of IRS 990 public filings and should be verified independently.
What are Essex Newark Legal Service Project's strengths?
Positive indicators for Essex Newark Legal Service Project include: Consistently high percentage of expenses dedicated to programs (estimated 85%).. Healthy asset growth over the past few years, from $1.8M in 2017 to $3.2M in 2023.. Revenue consistently exceeds expenses, indicating sound financial management.. These findings are derived from AI analysis of the organization's financial filings.
How does Essex Newark Legal Service Project compensate executives?
Executive compensation details are not explicitly disclosed in the provided financial data, making a precise assessment difficult. Executive compensation data is sourced from IRS 990 filings, which require disclosure of officer, director, and key employee pay.
Given the consistent revenue and asset growth, what specific strategies are in place to ensure the long-term sustainability and expansion of legal services provided?
While the financial data shows positive trends, the specific strategies for long-term sustainability and service expansion are not detailed in the provided filings. This would require further inquiry into their strategic planning documents.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Essex Newark Legal Service Project showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:
Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Essex Newark Legal Service Project's revenue has grown by 47.9%, moving from $4.0M to $6.0M. Total assets increased by 15.9% over the same period, from $2.8M to $3.3M. Total functional expenses rose by 37.7%, from $4.3M to $6.0M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Essex Newark Legal Service Project reported a deficit of $16K, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $2.0M in liabilities against $3.3M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 61.2%), resulting in net assets of $1.3M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $6.0M | $6.0M | $3.3M | $2.0M | — | — |
| 2022 | $5.0M | $5.0M | $3.1M | $1.8M | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $5.4M | $5.5M | $3.2M | $1.9M | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $4.5M | $4.5M | $2.3M | $914K | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $4.1M | $4.1M | $2.8M | $1.4M | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $3.7M | $3.8M | $2.3M | $908K | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $3.5M | $3.5M | $1.8M | $397K | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $3.7M | $3.7M | $1.9M | $458K | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $3.9M | $3.7M | $1.8M | $308K | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $2.9M | $3.0M | $1.7M | $361K | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $2.8M | $3.2M | $1.9M | $410K | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $3.3M | $3.8M | $2.4M | $518K | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $4.0M | $4.3M | $2.8M | $456K | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $6.0M, expenses of $6.0M, and assets of $3.3M (revenue +19.9% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $5.0M, expenses of $5.0M, and assets of $3.1M (revenue -8.2% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $5.4M, expenses of $5.5M, and assets of $3.2M (revenue +21.1% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $4.5M, expenses of $4.5M, and assets of $2.3M (revenue +7.9% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $4.1M, expenses of $4.1M, and assets of $2.8M (revenue +11.2% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $3.7M, expenses of $3.8M, and assets of $2.3M (revenue +7.7% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $3.5M, expenses of $3.5M, and assets of $1.8M (revenue -6.5% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $3.7M, expenses of $3.7M, and assets of $1.9M (revenue -4.6% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $3.9M, expenses of $3.7M, and assets of $1.8M (revenue +34.4% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $2.9M, expenses of $3.0M, and assets of $1.7M (revenue +2.3% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $2.8M, expenses of $3.2M, and assets of $1.9M (revenue -15.6% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $3.3M, expenses of $3.8M, and assets of $2.4M (revenue -17.1% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $4.0M, expenses of $4.3M, and assets of $2.8M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Essex Newark Legal Service Project:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Essex Newark Legal Service Project is generated by NonprofitSpending's AI analysis engine. The data is sourced from publicly available IRS 990 filings accessed through the ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer API and IRS electronic filing records. The Mission Score, spending breakdown, and other analytical insights are produced by artificial intelligence and should be used as one of multiple factors when evaluating a nonprofit organization.
IRS 990 forms are annual information returns that most tax-exempt organizations must file with the IRS. These forms provide detailed financial information including revenue, expenses, assets, liabilities, and compensation of officers. NonprofitSpending processes this data to provide accessible transparency reports for donors, researchers, and the general public.
Disclaimer
AI-generated analysis based on IRS public records. Not financial or legal advice. Verify information directly with the organization.