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Arkansas Bar Foundation

EIN 71-0331442 · Little Rock, AR

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SEE SCHEDULE OTHE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ARKANSAS BAR FOUNDATION IS TO PROMOTE THE FOLLOWING EDUCATIONAL, LITERARY, SCIENTIFIC AND CHARITABLE PURPOSES: TO IMPROVE AND FACILITATE THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE; TO PROMOTE STUDY AND RESEARCH IN THE FIELD OF LAW; THE DIFFUSION OF KNOWLEDGE THEREOF; AND THE CONTINUING EDUCATION OF LAWYERS; TO CAUSE TO BE PUBLISHED AND TO DISTRIBUTE ADDRESSES, REPORTS, TREATISES AND OTHER LITERARY WORKS ON LEGAL SUBJECTS AND TO ACQUIRE, PRESERVE AND EXHIBIT RARE BOOKS AND DOCUMENTS, OBJECTS OF ART, AND ITEMS OF HISTORICAL INTEREST HAVING LEGAL SIGNIFICANCE OR BEARING ON THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE.

Income
$343,464
Spending
$267,206
Spent on programs
75%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 100%
Employees
3
Volunteers
75
Highest pay
$57,327, 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 89% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 22% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 83% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    75% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 89% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    17 of 17 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

    5 of 5

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

  • 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. $87,057 spent. FUNDED SPECIAL PROJECTS TO IMPROVE THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE, PROMOTE THE STUDY OF LAW, ENHANCE THE JUDICIAL PROCESS, AND PROMOTE PROFESSIONALISM AMONG ARKANSAS ATTORNEYS. PROJECTS INCLUDE FUNDING EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR THE ARKANSAS BAR ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEETING; SUPPORT FOR ARKANSAS BAR ASSOCIATION MOCK TRIAL COMPETITIONS FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS; CONTINUING EDUCATION OF LAWYERS; AND PARTIAL FUNDING FOR A RURAL PRACTICE INCUBATOR PROJECT, AND FREE LEGAL ANSWERS PROJECT OF ARKANSAS ACCESS TO JUSTICE FOUNDATION. U OF A DELTA INITIATIVE CONSTITUTION DAY AND ARKANSAS MOCK TRIAL FOUNDATION, INC.
  2. $80,619 spent. APPROXIMATELY FIFTY SCHOLARSHIPS PROVIDED FOR LAW STUDENTS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS AND UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS AT LITTLE ROCK.
  3. $19,795 spent. PROVIDED TWO PROFESSORSHIPS AT UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS LAW SCHOOLS.

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 December 1960.

    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.

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