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William a Lawson Institute for Peace & Prosperity

EIN 76-0496051 · Houston, TX

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair61 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE WILLIAM A. LAWSON INSTITUTE FOR PEACE AND PROSPERITY TARGETS THREE SEGMENTS OF THE COMMUNITY WITH SERVICES THAT BRIDGE THE GAP BETWEEN THE POWERFUL AND THE POWERLESS - CHILDREN, CRIMINAL JUSTICE, AND SENIORS.

Income
$7.4 million
Spending
$4.5 million
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
-9.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
other income, 51%
Employees
37
Volunteers
18
Highest pay
$145,310, 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

Fair: 61 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 18% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 39% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 78% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% 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: 95 out of 100. Higher than 62% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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. $3.0 million spent. THE LAWSON ACADEMY OPERATES TWO SINGLE GENDER MIDDLE SCHOOL CAMPUSES (ONE FOR GIRLS AND ONE FOR BOYS) LOCATED AT 5052 SCOTT STREET, HOUSTON, TEXAS 77004. THE ACADEMY SERVES PRIMARILY LOW-INCOME STUDENTS AND PROVIDES THREE FREE MEALS DAILY TO ALL STUDENTS. INSTRUCTION IS DELIVERED THROUGH CORE CONTENT (MATH, ENGLISH/LANGUAGE ARTS, SCIENCE, SOCIAL STUDIES) DELIVERED IN TWO OR THREE CLASSES DAILY. MATH, MATH SOLUTIONS AND MATH ENRICHMENT ARE THREE STAND-ALONE CLASSES TO BRING STUDENTS UP TWO OR MORE GRADE LEVELS PER YEAR. ENGLISH/LANGUAGE ARTS IS COMPLEMENTED WITH READ 180 TO INCREASE READING LEXILE LEVELS BY TWO OR MORE GRADES PER YEAR. EVERYTHING AT THE ACADEMY IS TAILORED TO MEET THE STUDENT ON HIS/HER CURRENT LEVEL AND MEASURE GROWTH TO ENABLE STUDENTS TO SUCCEED.
  2. $908,439 spent. WALIPP SENIOR RESIDENCE OPENED IN 2005 TO ADDRESS THE HOUSING PLIGHT OF SENIORS WHO DESIRE A SAFE AND COMFORTABLE COMMUNITY EXPERIENCE. WE ACHIEVED FULL OCCUPANCY OF OUR 50 UNITS (42 2-BEDROOM/2BATHROOM AND 8 1-BEDROOM/1-BATHROOM) IN 2007 AND MAINTAINED HIGH OCCUPANCY RATES FOR THESE SAFE AND COMFORTABLE UNITS. PARTNERHSIP WITH THE HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENTS' BLUE STAR PROGRAMS INSURES A DRUG-FREE/CRIME-FREE FACILITY THAT RIVALS THE CITY'S FINEST LIVING ESTABLISHMENTS. TODAY, AGENCY MANAGEMENT MAINTAINS AN ACTIVE WAIT LIST AND 51% OF THE UNITS ARE OFFERED AT BELOW-THE-MARKET-RENTS FOR THE BENEFIT OF LOW-INCOME SENIORS. ON-CAMPUS BEAUTY AND BARBER SERVICES ALONG WITH EFFECTIVE PROGRAMMING ENABLE OUR RESIDENTS TO ENJOY FELLOWSHIP AND COMRADERIE MINUTES AWAY FROM THE MEDICAL CENTER, DOWNTOWN AND LOCAL EVENTS.WE ARE NOT JUST MANAGING AN APARTMENT BUILDING, WE HAVE CREATED A VIABLE AND NURTURING COMMUNITY: ONE WITH MOVIE & GAME NIGHTS, HEALTH AND WELLNESS EDUCATION, LEGAL DOCUMENT AND TAX PREPARATION, WEEKLY BIBLE STUDIES, AND COMMUNITY PARTIES THAT ENGAGE THE RESIDENTS IN FUN AND REWARDING EXPERIENCES.
  3. WALIPP PUBLIC DEFENDER - WALIPP LED THE ADVOCACY EFFORTS BEFORE THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT TO CONFIRM ALEX BUNIN AS CHIEF PUBLIC DEFENDER, THE FIRST IN OUR COUNTY'S HISTORY. THE OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC DEFENDER STEPS IN WHEN AN ACCUSED PERSON CANNOT AFFORD TO HIRE A LAWYER. MR. BUNIN'S APPOINTMENT, MADE POSSIBLE AS A RESULT OF THE EFFORTS OF THE WALIPP AND RELIGIOUS LEADERS OF ALL FAITHS, MARKED A MAJOR IMPROVEMENT IN THE SYSTEM OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE FOR HOUSTON'S INDIGENT POPULATION.THE CLERGY COALITION, WHICH INCLUDES REV. BILL LAWSON, RABBI SAM KARFF AND ARCHBISHOP JOSEPH FIORENZA, SEEKS ALTERNATIVES TO SAFELY REDUCE THE OVERINCARCERATION OF LOW-LEVEL, NONVIOLENT OFFENDERS AND TO SUPPORT INDIGENT DEFENSE.

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 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 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 February 1997.

    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.