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Foundation of the Federal Bar Association

EIN 52-0741814 · Arlington, VA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Promote and support legal research and education; advance the science of jurisprudence and facilitate the administration of justice; and foster improvements in the practice of federal law.

Income
$722,541
Spending
$359,004
Spent on programs
66%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 68%
Employees
0
Volunteers
30
Highest pay
$312,626, chief executive officer

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

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 50% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 93% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    66% 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

Strong: 95 out of 100.

  • 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 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 (4)
  1. $82,500 spent. Scholarships: Foundation scholarships promote the practice of federal law and help young adults pursue university and law school education, ushering in a new generation of bright professionals, attorneys, and judges.The Robert A. McNew Law Student Scholarship - promotes the practice of federal law by awarding a scholarship to a law student. The scholarship is awarded to a current law student who is a Federal Bar Association law student associate member in good standing or has an interest in federal practice. Applicants must exhibit professionalism and high character in their personal and professional lives as demonstrated in application materials. See Schedule O for continuation Kintner Public Service Scholarship- The Public Service Scholarship provides $5,000 as assistance to a graduating high school senior planning to attend a four-year college or university. At least one of the parents (or guardians) of the student must be a current federal government attorney or federal judge. The Dr. J. Clay Smith Jr. Scholarship for the Advancement of the Legal Profession aims to ensure that the American legal profession actively provides equal opportunity and welcomes participation by all individuals regardless of their means. The Foundation of the FBA awards a $15,000 scholarship to a first-year law student disbursed over three years of the student's enrollment at an accredited law school.
  2. $77,784 spent. Community Outreach Grants - The Foundation provides funding to support projects and initiatives that provide legal services in local communities. Projects must align with the Foundation's mission.Pathways to the Profession Grants - The Foundation provides funding to support educational, community service, or outreach projects and initiatives that support pathway programs and events that encourage high school, college and law school students, and newer lawyers, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, to pursue and succeed in a legal career through educational, networking, mentorship programs and other opportunities. Projects must align with the Foundation's mission. See Schedule O for continuation Minnesota Chapter Donor Advised Fund - This donor advised fund was established by the Foundation of the Federal Bar Association in conjunction with the Association's chapter. Distributions from the fund are made at the Foundation's discretion and must be in line with the Foundation's mission.
  3. $57,744 spent. Awards and Recognition Programs: The Foundation funds the following FBA awards and recognition, through generous donations given for these purposes:Elaine R. "Boots" Fisher Award - This award is intended to stimulate, encourage, and recognize exemplary community, public and charitable service by members of the FBA. The Foundation makes an annual charitable contribution of $1,000 to an organization for which an FBA member has performed outstanding public service.See Schedule O for continuation Ilene and Michael Shaw Public Service Award: This award is designed to assist and encourage FBA chapters in providing service to their communities. The Foundation provides $10,000 in needed funds to continue worthwhile efforts and/or provides seed money to plan and implement public service programs. Ilene and Michael Shaw Younger Lawyer Public Service Grant: This $10,000 grant enables FBA chapters to provide service to the public through the development and implementation of public service projects and pro-bono law-related services. In order to encourage an increased and continued commitment to public service responsibility by young lawyers, these projects must be administered under the auspices of a chapter Younger Lawyers Committee. Civics Essay Contest: High school students nationwide are invited to participate in an essay contest. Each year students are given a prompt about civics-related topic. The Fellows program was established in 2001 to provide recognition to individuals who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to and leadership within both the Federal Bar Association and the legal community. Each Fellow makes a personal commitment to financially support the work of the Foundation. These charitable contributions support the Foundation's many programs and initiatives, including Chapter Community Outreach Grants, scholarships, research, education and awards.
  4. From time to time, the Foundation provides support for the conduct of research, programs, and education relating to the federal courts and federal jurisprudence. This program provides funding and other support for analytical research and educational programs and activities on a broad range of subject matters, including the history and role of the federal court system and the judiciary, the structure and operation of the courts, the independence of the judiciary, federal jurisprudence, and the relevance of the rule of law to society. Moot Court Competition - The Foundation provided financial support to the Thurgood Marshall Memorial Moot Court Competition, sponsored by the Federal Bar Association's Younger Lawyers Division. The Foundation fiscally supported The Justice & Democracy Centers of Minnesota Project for FBA Minnesota. The Justice & Democracy Centers of Minnesota opened the first location inside the Warren E. Burger Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse in downtown St. Paul. The second center will be inaugurated in 2025-2026 in the federal courthouse in Minneapolis.

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 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 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 October 1961.

    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.

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.