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Birmingham Bar Foundation

EIN 63-1124515 · Birmingham, AL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood74 out of 100GovernanceGood82 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO SUPPORT, PROMOTE, AND ENCOURAGE ACTIVITIES FOR THE FURTHERANCE OF JUSTICE AND LEGAL EDUCATION, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE EDUCATION OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY STUDENTS, AS WELL AS THE GENERAL PUBLIC TO PROMOTE A GREATER UNDERSTANDING OF THE LAW, THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS AND ENCOURAGEMENT OF LEGAL RESEARCH, PUBLICATIONS, INSTITUTES, AND FORUMS.

Income
$153,288
Spending
$167,048
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 63%
Employees
0
Volunteers
48
Highest pay
$30,000, 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

Good: 74 out of 100. Higher than 42% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, 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

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 91% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% 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: 82 out of 100. Higher than 76% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    29 of 29 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

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • 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. $137,977 spent. SCHOLARSHIPS- MEMBERS OF THE BIRMINGHAM BAR ASSOCIATION AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC DONATE MONEY IN MEMORY OF AREA ATTORNEYS WHO PASS AWAY DURING THE YEAR. THE FUNDS RAISED THROUGH THIS MEMORIAL PROGRAM ARE COMPETITIVELY AWARDED TO STUDENTS AT BIRMINGHAM AREA LAW SCHOOLS BASED ON SCHOLARSHIP AND NEED.GRANTS ARE ALSO GIVEN TO LOCAL NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE ENGAGED IN LEGAL-RELATED PROJECTS OR CIVICS EDUCATION PROJECTS.
  2. ORAL ARGUMENTS- EACH YEAR, WE COORDINATE WITH THE SUPREME COURT OF ALABAMA, THE ALABAMA COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS, AND THE ALABAMA COURT OF CIVIL APPEALS TO TRAVEL TO BIRMINGHAM TO HEAR ORAL ARGUMENTS IN ACTUAL CASES. WE INVITE AREA HIGH SCHOOL AND MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS TO COME OBSERVE THE HEARINGS AND PROVIDE INSTRUCTION ON THE COURT STRUCTURE AND THE LEGAL ISSUES IN THE UPCOMING CASES. MEMBERS OF THE LOCAL BAR, LAW SCHOOLS, AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC ARE ALSO INVITED. ATTENDANCE RANGES BETWEEN 1,000-1,500.
  3. $3,318 spent. JUROR INTERNET ACCESS- THE FOUNDATION FUNDS INTERNET SERVICE FOR JURORS TO USE WHILE SERVING IN TWO AREA COURTHOUSES. WITHOUT THE SERVICE, JURORS WOULD BE RELIANT ON PERSONAL CELL PHONE COVERAGES BECAUSE PUBLIC WIFI SERVICE IS NOT PROVIDED.

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 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 July 1995.

    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.

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