Dallas Bar Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- Only 43% of its spending went to programs.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
The purpose or purposes for which the Foundation is organized are educational and charitable, and to that end the corporation is formed to sponsor and encourage research, publications, institutes and forums for the furtherance of justice under the law; to establish scholarships and otherwise promote the study of law and research therein and the continuing education of lawyers; to support legal aid for the indigent; to preserve historical structures, display historical memorabilia and conduct historical observances.
- Income
- $1.1 million
- Spending
- $898,078
- Spent on programs
- 43%
- Reserves
- -22.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- investment income, 51%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 45
- Highest pay
- $107,837, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 50 out of 100. Higher than 17% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 21% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 88% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1543% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2516 of 16 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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)
- $384,200 spent. The Dallas Bar Foundation Scholarship and Awards Programs are described below: The Sarah T. Hughes Scholarship is granted by the Dallas Bar Foundation to enable talented law students to obtain a legal education in our community with the purpose of expanding access and opportunity for individuals whose experiences and perspectives are not widely represented in the legal community of North Texas. The Scholarship supports students whose journeys to law school reflect determination, resilience, and a strong sense of purpose by overcoming hardships or difficult paths. The Dallas Bar Foundation encourages applicants who are first in their families to attend higher education; have entered law school after pursuing other careers or after overcoming personal or societal challenges; or who balance work, family, or military service while pursuing their legal education. Collins Clerkships provide six-week summer internships to law students at the Fifth District Court of Appeals, the Dallas County District Attorney's Office, the Dallas County Public Defender's Office, the Dallas City Attorney's Office or the City of Irivng Attorney's Office, a Dallas Court Civil District Court. The Stephen H. Philbin II Fellowship is awarded to law students interested in First Amendment and Media Law. The students complete a six-week fellowship at the First Amendment Clinic at Southern Methodist University School of Law. The Stephen H. Philbin II Award for Excellence in Legal Reporting has been awarded since 1983. Journalists in Texas are able to submit an entry which meets the criteria. It is the only such award in the state. The Intellectual Property Scholarship is awarded to students demonstrating an interest in intellectual property law and who are attending SMU Dedman School of Law, the University of Texas at Dallas College of Law and the Texas A&M University School of Law. Several other summer internships include the Hon. Harlin Hale Fellowship at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court - Northern District of Texas, the Justice Wright Internship at the Fifth District Court of Appeals, the Hon. Nikki DeShazo and Edward Smith Probate Clerkship at the Dallas County Probate Court, and the Bob Mow judicial internship at the U.S. District Court - Northern District of Texas. THE GRANTS FOR 2024 INCLUDE: 1. SPECIAL BOARD APPROVED GRANT OF $50,000 TO THE DALLAS HISTORICAL SOCIETY FOR THE PURPOSE OF PRESERVING THE HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS AND ITEMS OF THE DALLAS BAR ASSOCIATION AND DALLAS BAR FOUNDATION. THE DALLAS HISTORICAL SOCIETY COLLECTS, PRESERVES, AND EXHIBITS THE DIVERSE HISTORY OF OUR COMMUNITY TO EDUCATE AND INSPIRE PRESENT AND FUTURE GENERATIONS. THE 150 YEAR HISTORY OF THE DALLAS BAR ASSOCIATION IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE SOCIAL, ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL HISTORY OF DALLAS AND HAVING THE DALLAS BAR ASSOCIATION'S HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS AND ARTIFACTS ARCHIVED AND SECURELY STORED BY THE DALLAS HISTORICAL SOCIETY WILL ALLOW THE "DALLAS BAR ASSOCIATION COLLECTION" TO BE AVAILABLE TO SCHOLARS AND RESEARCHERS. HISTORIANS, BIOGRAPHERS, GENEALOGISTS AND STUDENTS WOULD BE AFFORDED ACCESS TO THE PAPERS IN THE SAME MANNER AS FOR ALL OTHER OF THE DALLAS HISTORICAL SOCIETY COLLECTIONS. . 2. ANNUAL GRANT TO SUPPORT THE DALLAS BAR ASSOCIATION HIGH SCHOOL MOCK TRIAL PROGRAM AND STATE COMPETITION HELD IN DALLAS. THE DBA HIGH SCHOOL MOCK TRIAL PROGRAM INVOLVED OVER 1600 HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS INVOLVED IN LAW RELATED EDUCATION. 158 TEAMS COMPETED IN THE STATE COMPETION. THE WINNING TEAM, DISD BOOKER T. WASHINGTON HIGH SCHOOL, ADVANCED TO THE NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL MOCK TRIAL COMPETITION IN DELAWARE AND WAS SELECTED AS ONE OF THE TOP 2 TEAMS TO COMPETE IN THE FINAL ROUND. 3. ADVOCATES FOR COMMUNITY TRANSFORMATION (ACT) RECEIVED A GRANT FOR THE PURPOSE OF ADDING CAPACITY FOR RECORD GATHERING FOR EXPANDING THEIR DOCKET AND LEGAL ADVOCACY WORK. MORE COMPLEX CASES, MULTI-FAMILY AND COMMERCIAL, REQUIRE MORE RECORDS AND RESEARCH. RECORDS ARE REQUESTED FROM THE POLICE DEPT (PATROL AND NARCOTICS), FIRE DEPT, CODE COMPLIANCE AND INCIDENT AND ARREST REPORTS DOCUMENTING WHAT IS FOUND ON THE PROPERTY. PROPERTY DEEDS AND VITAL RECORDS RELATED TO OCCUPANTS AND OWNERSHIP ARE ALSO REQUESTED. THIS INFORMATION IS USED BY BOTH THE STAFF AND THE PRO-BONO ATTORNEYS REPRESENTING UNDERSERVED CLIENTS IN THEIR QUEST TO USE THE JUSTICE SYSTEM IN FIGHTING CRIME IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD AND HOLDING PROPERTY OWNERS RESPONSIBLE FOR CODE ENFORCEMENT ISSUES OF ABANDONED OR NEGLECTED PROPERTIES WHICH BECOME SITES OF CRIMINAL ACTIVITY SUCH AS DRUG DEALING AND GANGS, ETC. WHICH AFFECTS THE SECURITY AND WELL BEING OF THE RESIDENTS OFTEN CAUSING THEM TO REMAIN INDOORS FEARFUL OF THEIR SAFETY. 4. DALLAS EVICTION AVOCACY CENTER RECEIVED A GRANT TO SUPPORT THE PRINTING OF 10,000 OUTREACH FLIERS TO DISTRIBUTE. THE FLIERS DISCUSS WHAT THE TENANTS RIGHTS ARE WHEN IT COMES TO EVICTION AND DIRECTS THEM TO SEEK THE LEGAL ASSISTANCE OF THE DALLAS EVICTION ADOVACY CENTER AND THEIR PRO BONO ATTORNEYS. FLIERS ARE DISTRIBUTED AT HEATLH CENTERS, COMMUNITY CENTERS, NON-PROGIT ORGANIZATIONS PROVIDING SOCIAL SERIVES AND COUNSELING. 5. THE ENTREPRENUERS IN LAWYERING PROGRAM RECEIVED A GRANT TO CONTINUE CREATING A PIPELINE OF SOCIALLY CONSCIOUS LAWYERS WHO WANT TO LAUNCH A SOLO OR SMALL FIRM PRACTICE THAT CATERS TO LOW INCOME CLIENTELE. THE PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS IN THE ONE YEAR PROGRAM START WITH AN ALL-DAY TRAINING ON ESTABLISHING A PRACTICE, CREATING A BUSINESS PLAN, BUDGETING, BILLING, ETC. THROUGHOUT THE YEAR THEY CONTINUE TO MEET WITH INSTRUCTORS AND ARE ASSIGNED A MENTOR. PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS ARE NOT CHARGED ANY FEES FOR THE SERVICES THEY RECEIVE FROM THE PROGRAM AND AGREE TO PROVIDE MANDATORY PRO-BONO HOURS. 6. ANNUAL GRANT TO SUPPORT THE DALLAS BAR ASSOCIATION LAW DAY EVENT TO RECOGNIZE TEACHERS AND STUDENTS IN THE DALLAS INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT WHO PARTICIPATE IN AN ANNUAL CIVICS CONTEST CENTERED ON A DIFFERENT THEME EACH YEAR. THE TOP 3 FINALISTS IN EACH CATEGORY WHICH INCLUDES THE WINNING TEACHERS, S
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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.
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.
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.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since November 1974.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.
Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.
A much larger organization has a similar name: The Dallas Foundation (Dallas, TX), EIN 75-2890371. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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.