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Mid-Atlantic Innocence Project

EIN 54-1993334 · Washington, DC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood76 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO SEEK EXONERATION AND RELEASE OF PERSONS WHO HAVE BEEN CONVICTED OF CRIMES THEY DID NOT COMMIT IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, MARYLAND AND VIRGINIA.

Income
$1.6 million
Spending
$1.6 million
Spent on programs
72%
Reserves
10.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 85%
Employees
18
Volunteers
705
Highest pay
$129,667, 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

Good: 76 out of 100. Higher than 54% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 10.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 14% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 22% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    72% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 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

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

    18 of 18 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 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 (3)
  1. $995,872 spent. SCREENING AND LITIGATION OF INNOCENCE CLAIMS - THE PROJECT PROVIDES INVESTIGATIVE AND LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE BEEN CONVICTED OF CRIMES THEY DID NOT COMMIT IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, MARYLAND, AND VIRGINIA. THE PROJECT RECEIVES ABOUT 20 NEW REQUESTS PER MONTH, SCREENS SEVERAL HUNDRED CASES PER YEAR, INVESTIGATES AT LEAST 30 CASES PER YEAR, AND DIRECTLY REPRESENTS AN ADDITIONAL 10-15 CASES AT A TIME. THERE IS NO FEE CHARGED TO INCARCERATED INDIVIDUALS OR THEIR FAMILIES FOR THE PROJECT'S SERVICES.
  2. $108,613 spent. EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY - THE PROJECT EDUCATES THE PUBLIC AND POLICY MAKERS ABOUT THE PROBLEM OF WRONGFUL CONVICTIONS THROUGH PUBLISHED REPORTS, TESTIMONY GIVEN BEFORE LEGISLATURES, MEDIA ADVOCACY, AND PUBLIC EVENTS.
  3. $69,756 spent. EXONEREE SUPPORT - THE PROJECT WORKS TO PREPARE CLIENTS FOR RELEASE FROM PRISON AND ASSIST THEM WITH THE TRANSITION BACK INTO SOCIETY, CONNECTING THEM WITH BOTH BASIC SOCIAL SERVICES AND ORGANIZATIONS/PROFESSIONALS THAT CAN HELP THEM ADDRESS THEIR TRAUMA.

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 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 June 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 July 2001.

    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.