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Lubbock Private Defenders Office Inc

EIN 26-4380899 · Lubbock, TX

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair51 out of 100GovernanceFair50 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

PROVIDE LEGAL REFERRAL AND SUPPORT SERVICES TO INDEGENT CITZENS WHO HAVE BEEN CHARGED WITH THE COMMISSION OF CRIMES AND PROVIDES SUPPORT SERVICES TO INDIGENT CITIZENS WHO SUFFER FROM SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESSES AND INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES CHARGED WITH CRIMES IN LUBBOCK COUNTY, TX.

Income
$7.7 million
Spending
$7.7 million
Spent on programs
96%
Reserves
0.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 100%
Employees
17
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$154,008, chief defender

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

Financial health

Fair: 51 out of 100. Higher than 18% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 28% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    96% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

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

Governance

Fair: 50 out of 100. Higher than 5% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 September 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. $7.3 million spent. THE CORPORATION PROVIDES RAPID REFERRAL OF QUALIFIED ATTORNEYS FOR REPRESENTATION OF INDIGENT CITIZENS WHO ARE CHARGED WITH CRIMINAL OFFENSES IN DESIGNATED AREAS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS. THE CORPORATION ALSO PROVIDES CASE SUPPORT SERVICES TO INDIGENT CITIZENS, IN LUBBOCK COUNTY, SUFFERING FROM SERIOUS MENTAL HEALTH ILLNESSES AND/OR INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES AND ARE FACING CRIMINAL CHARGES. THE CORPORATION EMPLOYS MENTAL HEALTH CASEWORKERS AND CLIENT ADVOCATES WHO WORK WITH CLIENTS AND THEIR RESPECTIVE ATTORNEYS TO ASSIST THESE CITIZENS ACCUSED THROUGH THE LEGAL PROCESS. THESE EMPLOYEES HELP TO IDENTIFY AND EMPLOY SUPPORTIVE PROGRAMS, ENSURE STABILITY AND AID IN THE SUCCESSFULL REINTEGRATION INTO SOCIETY. THESE PROGRAMS ATTEMPT TO REDUCE RECIDIVISM WITHIN THE COMMUNITY AND THESE INDIVIDUALS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 September 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 September 2009.

    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.