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Mississippi Bar Foundation Inc

EIN 64-6029087 · Jackson, MS

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE FOUNDATION WILL STRIVE TO IMPROVE THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE THROUGH THE SUPPORT OF ORGANIZATIONS WHICH PROVIDE LEGAL SERVICES TO THE POOR AND NEEDY. THE FOUNDATION WILL WORK TO IMPROVE THE EFFICIENCY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF MISSISSIPPI'S JUDICIARY THROUGH EDUCATION, TRAINING, TECHNOLOGICAL IMPROVEMENTS, AND BY RECOGNIZING AND HONORING SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTORS TO THIS CAUSE.

Income
$2.6 million
Spending
$1.2 million
Spent on programs
96%
Reserves
7.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 81%
Employees
0
Volunteers
25

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 83% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 55% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 7% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    96% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (education, $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

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • 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 July 31, 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. $936,920 spent. ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE: THROUGH THE INTEREST ON LAWYERS TRUST ACCOUNT PROGRAM (IOLTA), THE FOUNDATION GAVE GRANTS TOTALING 775,986 TO EIGHT ORGANIZATIONS IN THE CATEGORIES OF LEGAL AID TO THE POOR, LAW-RELATED EDUCATION, AND IMPROVEMENTS IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE. THROUGH THE FELLOWS PROGRAM, A GRANT FOR 3,500 WAS PROVIDED TO THE MISSISSIPPI BAR FOR A HEALTH & WELLNESS SPONSORSHIP.
  2. $14,399 spent. SCIENCE OF JURISPRUDENCE: SCHOLARSHIPS FOR 2,000 EACH WERE AWARDED TO TWO LAW STUDENTS AT THE MISSISSIPPI COLLEGE SCHOOL OF LAW AND TWO LAW STUDENTS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI SCHOOL OF LAW.
  3. $172,700 spent. IMPROVEMENT OF RELATIONS: THE ANNUAL MEETING WAS HELD IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE FELLOWS INDUCTION CEREMONY AND MEMORIAL SERVICE RECOGNIZING ALL FELLOWS THAT HAVE PASSED AWAY DURING THE YEAR FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO THE PUBLIC AND PROFESSION. THE PRESENTATION OF THE FOUNDATION'S PROFESSIONALISM AWARD AND LAW-RELATED PUBLIC EDUCATION AWARD WERE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE MEETING. THE AWARD WINNERS AND NEWLY INDUCTED FELLOWS WERE HONORED DURING THE MS BAR FOUNDATION FELLOWS DINNER HELD IN FLORIDA AT THE MS BAR CONVENTION.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 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 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 July 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 August 1964.

    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.

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.