University of Houston Law Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The Foundation is organized to promote, encourage and advance legal education and assist in orderly development of law and legal institutions for the benefit of the UH Law Center.
- Income
- $6.0 million
- Spending
- $4.2 million
- Spent on programs
- 81%
- Reserves
- 4.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 54%
- Employees
- 2
- Volunteers
- 17
- Highest pay
- $166,806, e.d. business operations
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 58% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 4.9 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 3% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 30% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 19% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1581% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 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 2515 of 15 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 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 (4)
- $1.5 million spent. The Foundation administers funds received through gifts, donations, and grants in order to benefit and improve the degree and non-degree educational functions of the UH Law Center, establish student loan functions of the UH Law Center and establish student loan funds, scholarships, and professorships at the Center.
- $1.2 million spent. Student Support: Provides various support for students including scholarship funding, student organizations, and competitions.
- $397,130 spent. Institutes and Special Programs: Research support as well as education of J.D. and L.L.M. students in specialized areas of legal practice. The areas of practice include Intellectual Property, Health Law, Computer Law, Mexican legal studies, International Law, Tax Law and Consumer Law.
- $329,440 spent. Faculty Services: Provides support for the research and scholarly endeavors of tenured and non-tenured faculty members of the UH Law Center. Support includes stipends from endowments, secretarial support and researchassistance.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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.
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.
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.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending August 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since December 1972.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.
Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.
A much larger organization has a similar name: University of Oregon Foundation (Eugene, OR), EIN 93-6015767. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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.