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Buried Alive Project

EIN 82-3944969 · Dallas, TX

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair58 out of 100GovernanceWeak49 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE BURIED ALIVE PROJECT WORKS TO ELIMINATE LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE SENTENCES HANDED DOWN UNDER FEDERAL DRUG LAWS THROUGH TRANSFORMATIVE LITIGATION, LEGISLATION AND HUMANIZATION. WE USE STATISTICS AND STORIES TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC AND AMPLIFY THE VOICES OF THOSE DIRECTLY IMPACTED. THE HUMAN ELEMENT IS RARELY ADDRESSED BUT NECESSARY TO DRIVE CHANGE NEEDED TO REFORM THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. BY ENGAGING PEOPLE ACROSS THE COUNTRY, THIS PROJECT WILL HARNESS AMERICAS COLLECTIVE INTEREST, PASSION, AND DIRECT EXPERIENCE OF THIS ISSUE INTO CONCRETE CHANGE.

Income
$270,394
Spending
$288,387
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
0.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
1
Volunteers
10
Highest pay
$133,000, national director,board member

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

Fair: 58 out of 100. Higher than 22% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 90% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 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

Weak: 49 out of 100. Higher than 16% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    2 of 3 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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. $251,187 spent. The personal journies of our co-founders (who have all been directly impacted by the criminal legal system) gives us a unique lens and expertise in helping advance the movement to transform this nation's criminal legal system. The Buried Alive Project provides pro bono legal representation for people serving life sentences in prison under outdated federal drugs laws. Our efforts have saved the lives of dozens of people set to die in prison. With every freedom we secure, we are pushing forth a movement of power, dignity, and human potential that this nation needs to thrive.

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 December 2018.

    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.