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New Mexico Legal Aid Inc

EIN 85-0116950 · Albuquerque, NM

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair53 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

PROVIDE LEGAL ASSISTANCE IN PROCEEDINGS OR MATTERS TO PERSONS FINANCIALLY UNABLE TO AFFORD LEGAL ASSISTANCE IN THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO, EXCLUDING SAN JUAN COUNTY.

Income
$13.1 million
Spending
$13.3 million
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
1.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 59%
Employees
128
Volunteers
285
Highest pay
$166,421, executive di

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: 53 out of 100. Higher than 22% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 66% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 9% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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 31% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    19 of 19 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. $11.1 million spent. ADVOCATES AT NEW MEXICO LEGAL AID PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE SERVICES FOR VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE, HELPING THEM OBTAIN PROTECTION, CUSTODY, AND CHILD SUPPORT. THESE WOMEN (ALMOST ALL VICTIMS OF DV ARE WOMEN) AND THEIR CHILDREN, BENEFIT IMMENSELY FROM THE SERVICES THEY RECEIVE. PROTECTION HELPS STABILIZE LIVES AND ALLOWS THE HEALING PROCESS TO BEGIN. WE ALSO OFFER THESE SERVICES TO LGBTQ INDIVIDUALS, A GROUP THAT HAD TRADITIONALLY LIVED UNDER THE THREAT OF ABUSE AND DISCRIMINATION THROUGHOUT THEIR LIVES, AND WHO NEED THE PROTECTIONS THAT LAWYERS CAN HELP THEM OBTAIN THROUGH THE LEGAL SYSTEM. WITHOUT A LAWYER, THE COURT SYSTEM CAN BE VERY DIFFICULT AND DAUNTING. SEXUAL ASSAULT VICTIMS WITH MENTAL HEALTH/PRIVACY ISSUES, AND STUDENTS WHO ARE VICTIMS OF ASSAULT AND BULLYING BY FELLOW CLASSMATES RECEIVE ASSISTANCE AND PROTECTIONS WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF NEW MEXICO LEGAL AID THAT HAVE LONG ELUDED THEM. ADVOCACY FOR LOW INCOME TAXPAYERS THROUGH THE NMLA'S LOW INCOME TAX CLINIC HAS INCREASED ACCESS TO CHILD TAX CREDITS, EARNED INCOME TAX CREDITS AND OTHER TAX CREDITS, AND OVERCOME TAX AUDITS THAT RESULTED IN RECOVERY OF SUBSTANTIAL REFUNDS FOR FAMILIES. THE NATIVE AMERICAN PROGRAM CONTINUED TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO THE INDIAN COMMUNITIES AND CLIENTS BY WORKING WITH FRONTLINE COMMUNITY SOURCES. NEW MEXICO LEGAL AID HANDLED 6,156 CASES IN 2024, HELPING OVER 14,800 PEOPLE, INCLUDING OVER 5,900 CHILDREN. ADVOCATES AT NEW MEXICO LEGAL AID PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE SERVICES FOR VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE, HELPING THEM OBTAIN PROTECTION, CUSTODY, AND CHILD SUPPORT. THESE WOMEN (ALMOST ALL VICTIMS OF DV ARE WOMEN) AND THEIR CHILDREN, BENEFIT IMMENSELY FROM THE SERVICES THEY RECEIVE. PROTECTION HELPS STABILIZE LIVES AND ALLOWS THE HEALING PROCESS TO BEGIN. WE ALSO OFFER THESE SERVICES TO LGBTQ INDIVIDUALS, A GROUP THAT HAD TRADITIONALLY LIVED UNDER THE THREAT OF ABUSE AND DISCRIMINATION THROUGHOUT THEIR LIVES, AND WHO NEED THE PROTECTIONS THAT LAWYERS CAN HELP THEM OBTAIN THROUGH THE LEGAL SYSTEM. WITHOUT A LAWYER, THE COURT SYSTEM CAN BE VERY DIFFICULT AND DAUNTING. SEXUAL ASSAULT VICTIMS WITH MENTAL HEALTH/PRIVACY ISSUES, AND STUDENTS WHO ARE VICTIMS OF ASSAULT AND BULLYING BY FELLOW CLASSMATES RECEIVE ASSISTANCE AND PROTECTIONS WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF NEW MEXICO LEGAL AID THAT HAVE LONG ELUDED THEM. ADVOCACY FOR LOW INCOME TAXPAYERS THROUGH THE NMLA'S LOW INCOME TAX CLINIC HAS INCREASED ACCESS TO CHILD TAX CREDITS, EARNED INCOME TAX CREDITS AND OTHER TAX CREDITS, AND OVERCOME TAX AUDITS THAT RESULTED IN RECOVERY OF SUBSTANTIAL REFUNDS FOR FAMILIES. THE NATIVE AMERICAN PROGRAM CONTINUED TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO THE INDIAN COMMUNITIES AND CLIENTS BY WORKING WITH FRONTLINE COMMUNITY SOURCES. NEW MEXICO LEGAL AID HANDLED 6,156 CASES IN 2024, HELPING OVER 14,800 PEOPLE, INCLUDING OVER 5,900 CHILDREN.

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 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 October 13, 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 December 2024.

    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 March 1950.

    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 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.