Texas Appleseed
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
To promote social, economic, and racial justice for all Texans by leveraging the skills and resources of volunteer lawyers, other professionals, and community partners to identify practical solutions to difficult, systemic problems.
- Income
- $9.3 million
- Spending
- $9.8 million
- Spent on programs
- 81%
- Reserves
- 11.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 81%
- Employees
- 71
- Volunteers
- 216
- Highest pay
- $305,172, monitoring dir.
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: 70 out of 100. Higher than 45% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 11.3 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 8% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 5% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 3% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1581% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 49 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 35% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2546 of 46 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no 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
0 of 10Did not give 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 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 (8)
- $4.4 million spent. The Organization has worked for more than a decade to ensure children in the foster care system are protected; that they are placed in safe, permanent homes as quickly as possible; that judges are trained in best practices; and that court practices meet the needs of children and families. Two court-appointed Monitors are charged with reporting to the judge on progress or inaction of court-ordered reforms of Texas' foster care system. The monitoring team comprised experts in children's law and policy, child welfare specialists, data and policy analysts, social workers, as well as former foster youth.
- $861,761 spent. The Organization's Criminal Justice Project worked to develop policies and practices to ensure justice does not hinge on one's race or wealth; incarceration and monitoring are last resorts; and the legal system is not used as a tool to inflict long-term negative consequences on people's lives, such as not having the ability to access housing, employment, and education. The Organization supported policies and practices that are data-driven and have been shown to be effective, are in line with best practices, and are written and implemented in a manner that promotes equity and justice for all Texans.
- $801,216 spent. As part of the K-12 work, the Organization advocated for law and policy changes at the state level, as well as the local and school district level to close pathways for students to dropout and eliminate contact with the criminal legal system. The Organization worked with coalitions, community organizations, schools, teachers, and students from a policy perspective to foster safe and supportive environments where all students can thrive, regardless of race, income, background, or ZIP code. For higher education, work focused on diversity in the legal profession and equitable access to law school for all qualifies students.
- $640,841 spent. The Organization advocated for just and equitable solutions to problems that negatively impact the financial well-being of Texans, such as predatory payday and auto title lending, harmful debt collection practices, economic abuse, and other financial challenges. The Organization partnered with community, statewide, and national organizations to support local needs and expand the impact through collaborative efforts.
- $610,848 spent. The Organization worked to ensure that all Texans are able to recover in the wake of a natural disaster, that all communities are rebuilt to be more resilient, and that all families have the opportunity to live in safe, healthy, and thriving neighborhoods with equitable access to opportunity.
- $264,067 spent. The Organization worked to craft policy solutions that focus on preventing young people from becoming homeless, successfully intervening if they do, and helping remove obstacles for youth experiencing homelessness so they can find stability.
- $226,972 spent. The Organization worked to protect the rights of children and youth in the justice system by focusing on closing the remaining state secure juvenile facility lockups because they endanger youth and do not promote their rehabilitation or public safety. The Organization supported high-quality, community-based, and research-based interventions and treatment that involved young peoples' families and communities over the isolation and confinement found in state facilities.
- $209,934 spent. Other programs and activities provided to promote social, economic, and racial justice for all Texans.
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
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 October 13, 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 December 2024.
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 April 1997.
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 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.