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Houston Volunteer Lawyers Program Inc

EIN 76-0090652 · Houston, TX

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

TO PROMOTE ACCESS TO JUSTICE FOR INDIVIDUALS IN THE HOUSTON AREA BY ASSISTING THOSE WHO CANNOT AFFORD LEGAL REPRESENTATION IN CIVIL MATTERS.

Income
$4.4 million
Spending
$3.5 million
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
7.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 52%
Employees
34
Volunteers
1,033
Highest pay
$132,902, 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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 79% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 9% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 21% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 27% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $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.

  • 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 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 (1)
  1. $3.0 million spent. HVL PROVIDES FREE LEGAL SERVICES TO LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS IN THE GREATER HOUSTON AREA WHO ARE FACING CIVIL LEGAL PROBLEMS (E.G., FAMILY LAW, PROBATE, LANDLORD/TENANT) SERVING DIVERSE POPULATIONS (E.G., U.S. VETERANS, IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES, ETC.) HVL HAS A SCREENING PROCESS FOR EXTENDED REPRESENTATION SERVICES THROUGH WHICH APPLICANTS ARE CONNECTED WITH A PRO BONO LAWYER IN PRIVATE PRACTICE FOR THE LIFE OF THEIR LEGAL PROBLEM. HVLP PLACED AN ESTIMATED 925 CLIENT MATTERS WITH PRO BONO ATTORNEYS FOR LEGAL REPRESENTATION DURING 2024. IN ADDITION, IN 2024, HVL PROVIDED ON-ON-ONE LEGAL ADVICE OR BRIEF SERVICES TO AN ESTIMATED 4,870 CLIENTS DELIVERING LEGAL ADVICE AND BRIEF SERVICES TO THESE INDIVIDUALS. OVERALL, IN 2024 VOLUNTEER ATTORNEYS DONATED PRO BONO SERVICES WITH AN ESTIMATED VALUE OF $16,214,155.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since September 1987.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.