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Non-profit

International Legal Foundation (ILF)

Website:

www.theilf.org/
Location:

New York, NY
Tax ID:

13-4193728
Tax-Exempt Status:

501(c)(3)

Budget (2021):

Revenue: $3,853,200
Expenses: $3,826,486
Assets: $1,709,910
Type:

Legal Activist Group
Formation:

2001
Executive Director:

Rob Quaintance
Budget (2022):

Revenue: $2,794,836

Expenses: $2,998,534

Assets: $1,470,603 15

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The International Legal Foundation (ILF) is an international foundation that seeks to provide criminal defense services for low-income individuals and build legal aid institutions in countries where these services do not currently exist. 1

ILF has represented more than 60,000 people 2 and is engaged in work in Afghanistan, Myanmar, Nepal, the Palestinian Territories, Tunisia, and Georgia. 3 ILF is a partner of the United States Agency for International Development. 4

In 2022, ILF received $405,000 from left-of-center donor George Soros’s Open Society Foundations and $109,000 from the left-leaning East West Management Institute. 5

History and Leadership

International Legal Foundation was founded by Natalie Rea in 2001. 6 Rea founded the organization after observing the Rwandan genocide trials and taking on cases of hundreds of Rwandans involved in the trials. 7

Rob Quaintance is the chair of ILF. Prior to joining the ILF, he was a practicing attorney and the chairman of the board of the Union Settlement Association. 8

Rick Jones is ILF’s vice chair. Previously, he was the president of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. 9

Activities and Funding

International Legal Foundation is an international foundation that seeks to provide criminal defense services for low-income individuals. It also works to build legal aid institutions in locations where those services do not currently exist. 1 ILF has represented more than 60,000 people and works to build government support for the right to legal aid. 2 It also trains its lawyers in criminal defense in hopes of transforming the criminal justice system and strengthening the rule of law in its targeted regions. 1

ILF’s efforts focus on legal aid access, pretrial justice, gender issues, child and youth issues, minority groups, and fulfilling United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 16, which focuses on criminal justice. 10 ILF participates in United Nations (UN)-convened expert groups to shape international standards and share its perspective on how legal aid providers can support their clients. 11

As of 2024, ILF operates worldwide and engages directly with UN agencies to develop tools and resources for action and legal aid services. ILF is engaged in work in Afghanistan, Myanmar, Nepal, the Palestinian Territories, Tunisia, and Georgia 3 and often host events on the sidelines of the UN with support of the Stehpanie Kleine-Ahlbrandt Fund. 12

In 2012, ILF was a drafter of the United Nations Principles and Guidelines on Access to Legal Aid in Criminal Justice Systems, which was adopted by the UN General Assembly. 2

​Recent partners of the International Legal Foundation include the American Bar Association, Akin Gump, British Council, the Canadian government, European Union, the German government, MyJustice, Oak Foundation, liberal donor George Soros’s Open Society Foundation, the Asia Foundation, the United Nations Development Program, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, and the United States Agency for International Development. 4

International Programming and Grantmaking

International programming is one of International Legal Foundation’s largest expenses. In 2022, ILF spent $693,438 on program services in South Asia, $258,770 on program services in the Middle East and North Africa, and $264,902 on program services in East Asia and the Pacific. The organization also issued $63,627 of grants in South Asia. 13

ILF runs an international fellows’ program to engage with criminal justice lawyers and social workers from around the world to help them develop knowledge and skills that are necessary to be effective public defenders. Since its inauguration, ILF Fellows have completed more than 100 missions overseas. 14

Funding

International Legal Foundation receives its funding from individual contributions and grants. In 2022, ILF reported revenue of $2,794,836 and expenses of $2,998,534. ILF reported revenue of $3,853,200 and expenses of $3,853,200 in 2021. 15

In 2022, ILF received $405,000 from left-wing donor George Soros’s Open Society Foundations and $109,000 from the left-leaning East West Management Institute. 5 ILF has also received support from the Globalgiving Foundation. 16

References

  1. “Our Mission.” International Legal Foundation. Accessed April 27, 2024. https://www.theilf.org/about-us?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwxLKxBhA7EiwAXO0R0AjBlOA1WEmB_-gFpe_Pez1o97MpolgF-HC3t0yMWJekkSzb_y6DeBoCeLsQAvD_BwE.
  2. “International Legal Aid Foundation.” LinkedIn Profile. Accessed April 28, 2024. https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-international-legal-foundation/.
  3. “Where We Work.” The International Legal Foundation. Accessed April 27, 2024. https://www.theilf.org/where-we-work.
  4. “Our Partners.” International Legal Foundation. Accessed April 27, 2024. https://www.theilf.org/our-partners.
  5. “International Legal Foundation (ILF).” Cause IQ. Accessed April 17, 2024. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/international-legal-foundation,134193728/.
  6. “The International Legal Foundation.” LinkedIn Profile. Accessed April 27, 2024. https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-international-legal-foundation/.
  7. “About Us.” International Legal Foundation. Accessed April 27, 2024. https://www.theilf.org/about-us?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwxLKxBhA7EiwAXO0R0AjBlOA1WEmB_-gFpe_Pez1o97MpolgF-HC3t0yMWJekkSzb_y6DeBoCeLsQAvD_BwE.
  8. “Rob Quaintance.” International Legal Foundation. Accessed April 27, 2024. https://www.theilf.org/rob-quaintance.
  9.  “Rick Jones.” International Legal Foundation. Accessed April 27, 2024. https://www.theilf.org/rick-jones.
  10. “Areas of Focus.” International Legal Foundation. Accessed April 27, 2024. https://www.theilf.org/areas-of-focus.
  11. “Our Approach.” International Legal Foundation. Accessed April 27, 2024. https://www.theilf.org/our-approach
  12. “Events.” International Legal Foundation. Accessed April 27, 2024. https://www.theilf.org/events
  13.  “International Legal Foundation.” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990). 2022. Schedule F. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/134193728/202323199349319817/full.
  14. “International Fellows Program.” International Legal Foundation. Accessed April 27, 2024. https://www.theilf.org/international-fellows.
  15. “International Legal Foundation.” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990). 2022. Part I. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/134193728/202323199349319817/full.
  16. “GlobalGiving Foundation.” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990). 2015. Schedule I. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/300108263/201623199349300717/full.
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Nonprofit Information

  • Accounting Period: December - November
  • Tax Exemption Received: February 1, 2002

    • Available Filings

    Period Form Type Total revenue Total functional expenses Total assets (EOY) Total liabilities (EOY) Unrelated business income? Total contributions Program service revenue Investment income Comp. of current officers, directors, etc. Form 990
    2021 Dec Form 990 $3,853,200 $3,826,486 $1,709,910 $710,756 N $3,763,456 $86,222 $0 $187,585
    2020 Dec Form 990 $3,004,432 $3,665,921 $1,271,262 $274,452 N $2,802,881 $192,246 $77 $191,764
    2019 Dec Form 990 $2,531,419 $3,640,117 $2,366,341 $708,042 N $2,501,052 $17,849 $244 $172,073 PDF
    2018 Dec Form 990 $2,235,448 $4,372,018 $2,943,455 $176,458 Y $2,116,880 $117,902 $514 $151,800 PDF
    2017 Dec Form 990 $7,485,969 $3,766,187 $6,995,826 $293,998 N $7,371,779 $111,245 $338 $147,443
    2016 Dec Form 990 $3,243,138 $3,566,918 $3,267,646 $250,404 N $3,198,801 $40,886 $192 $143,455 PDF
    2015 Dec Form 990 $4,512,662 $3,147,839 $3,527,654 $186,632 N $4,512,670 $0 $56 $150,294 PDF
    2014 Dec Form 990 $3,550,500 $2,735,013 $2,181,407 $205,208 N $3,512,760 $0 $4 $140,769 PDF
    2013 Dec Form 990 $1,482,924 $2,098,170 $1,306,611 $145,899 N $1,465,383 $0 $188 $119,524 PDF
    2012 Dec Form 990 $2,698,023 $2,855,612 $2,115,391 $317,476 N $2,716,394 $0 $1,562 $249,359 PDF
    2011 Dec Form 990 $3,969,516 $3,817,822 $2,448,677 $487,173 N $3,457,893 $496,938 $13 $183,414 PDF

    Additional Filings (PDFs)

    International Legal Foundation (ILF)

    315 West 39th Street, No. 507
    New York, NY