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New Hampshire Public Defender

EIN 02-0388924 · Concord, NH

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair58 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES CONSTITUTIONALLY REQUIRED LEGAL REPRESENTATION FOR INDIGENT INDIVIDUALS IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM

Income
$29.6 million
Spending
$30.3 million
Spent on programs
93%
Reserves
1.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 99%
Employees
332
Volunteers
45
Highest pay
$160,010, director of client services

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 58 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 31% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 5% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    92% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (1)
  1. $28.0 million spent. THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES LEGAL REPRESENTATION TO THE VAST MAJORITY OF PEOPLE FACING CRIMINAL AND DELINQUENCY PROSECUTION IN NEW HAMPSHIRE AND HANDLES OVER 87% OF THE INDIGENT DEFENSE CASES AND DELINQUENCY MATTERS IN EVERY TRIAL COURT. THE ORGANIZATION REPRESENTS CLIENTS IN MISDEMEANOR, FELONY, HOMICIDE AND CAPITAL CASES, AS WELL AS SEXUALLY VIOLENT PREDATOR INVOLUNTARY COMMITMENT PROCEEDINGS. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO PROVIDES APPELLATE REPRESENTATION TO CLIENTS BEFORE THE NEW HAMPSHIRE SUPREME COURT. THE ORGANIZATION IS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING THE COURTS WITH A DEPENDABLE AND RELIABLE SOURCE OF APPOINTED COUNSEL SERVICES IN EVERY SINGLE ELIGIBLE CASE ARISING IN OUR CRIMINAL AND JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEMS. THE ORGANIZATION STRIVES TO ACCEPT ALL COURT APPOINTMENTS AND DECLINES REPRESENTATION IN ONLY THOSE SITUATIONS IN WHICH OUR PARTICIPATION IN A PROCEEDING WOULD BE FORBIDDEN BY THE RESTRICTIONS PLACED UPON LAWYERS BY THE CODE OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT. THE ORGANIZATION REVIEWS THESE RESTRICTIONS AND CAREFULLY ANALYZES THEIR APPLICABILITY TO INDIVIDUAL CASES IN ORDER TO MAXIMIZE THE NUMBER OF COURT APPOINTED CASES THE ORGANIZATION IS ABLE TO ACCEPT. IN ITS OPERATIONS AND DAY TO DAY REPRESENTATION OF CLIENTS, THE ORGANIZATION MEETS OR EXCEEDS ALL PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS PROMULGATED BY RECOGNIZED INSTITUTIONS. THE STANDARDS MET BY THE ORGANIZATION INCLUDE THOSE ESTABLISHED BY THE AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION AND THE NATIONAL LEGAL AID AND DEFENDER ASSOCIATION.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since February 1987.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.