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Pro Bono Resource Center of Maryland Inc

EIN 52-1664796 · Baltimore, MD

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceFair62 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO CHAMPION EQUITABLE ACCESS TO JUSTICE FOR MARYLAND'S MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES BY PROVIDING LEGAL HELP, PIONEERING COLLABORATION WITH PARTNERS, AND ADVOCATING FOR ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL JUSTICE.

Income
$6.8 million
Spending
$5.4 million
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
10 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 53%
Employees
53
Volunteers
115
Highest pay
$262,142, executive director

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

Financial health

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 79% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 10.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 6% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 20% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 47% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 cents.

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

Governance

Fair: 62 out of 100. Higher than 10% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 15 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

    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

    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 June 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 (2)
  1. $4.5 million spent. TRAINING, RECRUITMENT AND FREE LEGAL ASSISTANCE - THE CENTER RECRUITS LAWYERS TO ENGAGE IN PRO BONO LEGAL WORK AND MATCHES THEIR EXPERTISE TO THE LEGAL NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT CAN USE THEIR SERVICES. THE CENTER ALSO EDUCATES THE BAR FOR BOTH VOLUNTEER AND STAFF LAWYERS BY OFFERING NUMEROUS COURSES COVERING A WIDE RANGE OF SUBJECTS INCLUDING LANDLORD-TENANT, HOME PRESERVATION, FAMILY LAW, EMPLOYMENT, ELDER LAW, FORECLOSURE DEFENSE, IMMIGRATION, VETERANS' BENEFITS AND CONSUMER PROTECTION. FURTHERMORE, THE CENTER SERVES AS STAFF TO THE COURT'S STANDING COMMITTEE ON PRO BONO LEGAL SERVICES, OFFERS TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT TO PRO BONO REFERRAL AGENCIES, MANAGES THE ATTORNEY LITIGATION FUND, COORDINATES PRO BONO MENTORS, OPERATES A PROFESSIONAL SKILLS ACADEMY, AND SUPPORTS THE LOCAL PRO BONO COMMITTEES IN EACH JURISDICTION. THE CENTER'S DIRECT SERVICE PROJECTS FOCUS ON LEGAL NEEDS IN PARTICULARLY UNDERSERVED AREAS, WITH LEGAL CLINICS IN COURTHOUSES AND IN AT-RISK COMMUNITIES.FOR MORE THAN A DECADE, PBRC HAS PROVIDED DIRECT LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES IN NEED THROUGH BOTH COURTHOUSE AND COMMUNITY CLINICS. ANNUALLY, THE ORGANIZATION DIRECTLY SERVES ABOUT 6,400 CLIENTS WITH FREE LEGAL ASSISTANCE IN AREAS SUCH AS ESTATES AND TRUSTS TO PRESERVE HOMEOWNERSHIP, FORECLOSURE PREVENTION, TAX SALE PREVENTION, RENTAL PROPERTY EVICTION PREVENTION, CONSUMER DEBT DEFENSE AND IMMIGRATION TRIAGE. THIS WORK GROWS OUT OF RECOGNITION OF POCKETS OF NONEXISTENT SERVICES OR UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS WHERE PBRC WAS REQUESTED TO STEP IN TO FILL THOSE GAPS. PBRC'S SUCCESS RATE IS EXTRAORDINARILY HIGH, ENGAGING BOTH STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS TO ADVOCATE FOR THEIR CLIENTS' INTERESTS AND PREVAILING IN MOST CASES.
  2. $61,382 spent. CONFERENCE - THE ANNUAL PARTNERS FOR JUSTICE CONFERENCE, PBRC'S SIGNATURE EVENT, WAS HELD ON MAY 21ST, 2025. THE REGISTRATION TOTALED OVER 300 AND COVERED A WIDE RANGE OF TOPICS FROM WHICH ATTENDEES COULD CHOOSE, AS WELL AS SEVERAL HIGH-LEVEL SPEAKERS. THOSE NOT PARTICIPATING ON THE PLANNING COMMITTEE OR PANELS WERE CHARGED A FEE. THE CENTER ALSO CO-HOSTED A VETERANS LEGAL ASSISTANCE CONFERENCE & TRAINING ON APRIL 4, 2025.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since January 1991.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.