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Missouri Bar Foundation

EIN 44-6011930 · Jefferson Cty, MO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceGood76 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO RELIEVE, AID AND ASSIST AS CHARITABLE ACTS DESERVING MEMBERS OF THE BAR WHO SHALL BE ILL, INCAPACITATED OR SUPERANNUATED AND IN NEED OF AID OR THE DEPENDENTS OF DECEASED MEMBERS OF THE BAR WHO SHALL BE ILL, INCAPACITATED OR SUPERANNUATED AND IN NEED OF AID; THE ADVANCEMENT OF THE SCIENCE OF JURISPRUDENCE AND RESEARCH THEREIN; THE PROMOTION OF IMPROVEMENTS IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE AND EFFICIENCY OF JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS AND DECISIONS; THE ELEVATION OF JUDICIAL STANDARDS; THE STUDY AND IMPROVEMENT OF LEGAL EDUCATION; THE GRANTING OF SCHOLARSHIPS TO STUDENTS OF LAW; THE PRESERVATION OF THE AMERICAN CONSTITUTIONAL FORM OF GOVERNMENT; TO MAINTAIN LIBRARIES; TO ACQUIRE PRESERVE AND EXHIBIT RARE BOOKS AND DOCUMENTS, OBJECTS OF ART AND ITEMS OF HISTORICAL INTEREST HAVING LEGAL SIGNIFICANCE OR BEARING ON THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE.

Income
$220,966
Spending
$86,649
Spent on programs
33%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 69%
Employees
0
Volunteers
27
Highest pay
$307,870, secretary

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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 70% of charities in its peer group (human services, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 61% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 38% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    33% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 76 out of 100. Higher than 66% of charities in its peer group (human services, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    27 of 27 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a 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.

  • 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 (3)
  1. $11,175 spent. GRANT PROGRAMS FOR INCREASING ACCESS TO RESEARCH AND IMPROVEMENT IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE, INCLUDING EDUCATION ON THE MISSOURI AND THE U.S. CONSTITUTIONS AND SUPPORT TO THOSE WHO OFFER LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO THOSE WITH LOW INCOME, VETERANS, AND IMMIGRANTS.
  2. $15,362 spent. AWARDS AND SCHOLARSHIPS - 12 CASH AWARDS WERE DISTRIBUTED TO VARIOUS INDIVIDUALS INVOLVED IN THE FIELD OF LAW IN ACCORDANCE WITH GUIDELINES ESTABLISHED FOR EACH OF THE NAMED AWARDS, AND OTHER AWARDS.
  3. $1,630 spent. COMMISSION ON RACIAL & ETHNIC FAIRNESS FUND (CREF) - THE CREF SUPPORTS THE EFFORTS OF THE FOLLOWING: IDENTIFY ANY BARRIERS TO ACCESS AND FAIRNESS IN THE JUDICIAL SYSTEMS AND LEGAL PROFESSION AND RECOMMEND MEASURES TO REDUCE OR ELIMINATE SUCH BARRIERS; REVIEW AND SUGGEST REVISIONS TO APPLICABLE CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS, STATUTES, OR RULINGS; SEEK PUBLIC INPUT AND ENGAGEMENT ON RACIAL AND ETHNIC FAIRNESS ISSUES; COLLABORATE AND PARTICIPATE IN THE "MINORITY COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT" PROJECT WITH THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR STATE COURTS AND NATIONAL CONSORTIUM ON RACIAL AND ETHNIC FAIRNESS IN THE COURTS; CONDUCT SURVEY AND STUDY ADDITIONAL RESEARCH REGARDING RACIAL AND ETHNIC EQUITY IN THE JUSTICE SYSTEM AND LEGAL PROFESSION; RECOMMEND MEASURES TO ENHANCE RACIAL AND ETHNIC DIVERSITY IN THE SELECTION, RETENTION, AND PROMOTION OF JUDICIAL OFFICERS,COURT STAFF, AND PROFESSIONALS IN THE LEGAL COMMUNITY; AND COMMEND MEASURES TO ENHANCE UNDERSTANDING OF THE PRACTICES, PROCEDURES AND PROPER ROLE OF THE STATE COURTS.

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 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 December 2024.

    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 August 1951.

    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.

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