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The Nita Foundation

EIN 30-0212513 · Louisville, CO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong95 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE NITA FOUNDATION, A QUALIFIED CHARITY, IS DEDICATED TO SUPPORTING ACTIVITIES FOR THE BENEFIT OF AND TO CARRY OUT THE CHARITABLE AND EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES OF THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR TRIAL ADVOCACY CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O(NITA) WHICH IS ALSO A QUALIFIED CHARITY. IN THE FURTHERANCE OF ITS MISSION, THE NITA FOUNDATION SHALL PROMOTE AND SUPPORT ACTIVITIES AIMED AT IMPROVING AND ASSISTING THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE IN THE COURTS OF THE UNITED STATES AND OTHER COUNTRIES THROUGH EDUCATION AND TRAINING OF LAWYERS, PROFESSORS OF LAW, AND LAW STUDENTS. IN PARTICULAR, THE NITA FOUNDATION HELPS FURTHER THE MISSION OF THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR TRIAL ADVOCACY (NITA) THROUGH THE FOUNDATION'S SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM AND SUPPORT OF PUBLIC SERVICE PROGRAMS.

Income
$1.0 million
Spending
$504,092
Spent on programs
97%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 97%
Employees
0
Volunteers
11
Highest pay
$312,179, 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

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 87% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 7% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 50% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    97% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 10 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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 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 (2)
  1. $294,165 spent. PROGRAM SERVICES:THE NITA FOUNDATION SUPPORTS A VARIETY OF PUBLIC SERVICE PROGRAMS THAT ARE OFFERED FREE OR FOR A REDUCED FEE TO LAWYERS WORKING IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS; CHILD ADVOCACY, DEATH PENALTY DEFENSE, TRIBAL ADVOCACY, LEGAL SERVICES, AND INTERNATIONAL RULE OF LAW. THE FOUNDATION PROVIDED A NUMBER OF SCHOLARHIPS FOR TUITION ASSISTANCE TO ATTORNEYS WORKING IN THE AREA OF CHILD ADVOCACY AS WELL AS TO THOSE ATTORNEYS WORKING IN DEVELOPING NATIONS TO ADVANCE THE RULE OF LAW. IN ADDITION, BOOKS ARE DONATED TO LAWYERS AND ORGANIZATIONS WHICH SERVE UNDER-REPRESENTED SEGMENTS OF OUR POPULATION.
  2. $196,150 spent. SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM: THE NITA FOUNDATION PROVIDES SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS TO DEFRAY THE COST OF TUITION ASSOCIATED WITH ATTENDING A NITA PROGRAM. EACH YEAR, THE FOUNDATION SELECTS WORTHY APPLICANTS WHO HAVE DEMONSTRATED THEIR COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC SERVICE BY REPRESENTING THE UNDERSERVED, DISENFRANCHISED, AND INDIGENT IN OUR COMMUNITY. THE FOUNDATION PROVIDED TUITION ASSISTANCE TO ATTORNEYS WHO COULD NOT OTHERWISE AFFORD TO ATTEND A NITA PROGRAM THROUGH SIGNIFICANTLY DISCOUNTED TUITION RATES; MISSION AND NEED-BASED SCHOLARSHIP FUNDING IS ALSO AVAILABLE FOR MOST PUBLIC PROGRAMS.

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

  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 December 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 November 2003.

    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.

  7. Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.

    A much larger organization has a similar name: The Foundation (Houston, TX), EIN 92-0742101. 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.