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Pennsylvania Institutional Law Project

EIN 23-2811857 · Philadelphia, PA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong96 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE PENNSYLVANIA INSTITUTIONAL LAW PROJECT (PILP) IS A LEGAL AID ORGANIZATION THAT SEEKS TO ADVANCE THE CONSTITUTIONAL AND CIVIL RIGHTS OF PEOPLE INCARCERATED AND DETAINED IN PENNSYLVANIA'S JAILS, PRISONS, STATE HOSPITALS, JUVENILE DETENTION FACILITIES, INSTITUTIONS, AND IMMIGRATION DETENTION CENTERS. PILP IS COMMITTED TO ENSURING THAT ALL INCARCERATED PEOPLE ARE TREATED HUMANELY BY PROVIDING FREE CIVIL LEGAL ASSISTANCE, ADVOCACY, AND REPRESENTATION.

Income
$2.5 million
Spending
$1.8 million
Spent on programs
91%
Reserves
12.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 57%
Employees
16
Volunteers
20
Highest pay
$159,815, executive director

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

Strong: 96 out of 100. Higher than 89% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 12.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 19% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 29% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 64% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    91% 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: 95 out of 100. Higher than 53% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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. $1.6 million spent. THE PENNSYLVANIA INSTITUTIONAL LAW PROJECT PROTECTS AND ADVANCES THE CONSTITUTIONAL AND CIVIL RIGHTS OF PEOPLE INCARCERATED IN PENNSYLVANIA THROUGH LITIGATION, ADVOCACY, AND LEGAL ADVICE. THIS PAST YEAR, PILP PROVIDED LEGAL HELP TO THOUSANDS OF CLIENTS IN FEDERAL, STATE, AND COUNTY PRISIONS AND JAILS, IMMIGRATION DETENTION CENTERS, HALFWAY HOUSES, AND STATE HOSPITALS. PILP SOUGHT TO ENSURE THAT PEOPLE ARE KEPT IN HUMANE CONDITIONS, HAVE ACCESS TO PROPER MEDICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH CARE, ARE FREE FROM VIOLENCE AND SECUAL ABUSE, RECEIVE ACCOMODATIONS FOR THEIR DISABILITIES, AND HAVE THE ABILITY TO OBSERVE THEIR RELIGION. PILP WAS SUCCESSFUL IN OBTAINING JUSTICE AND RELIEF FOR INCARCERATED PEOPLE THROUGH POSITIVE CHANGE AND MEANINGFUL SETTLEMENTS.

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 November 6, 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 July 1995.

    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 November 4, 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.