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New Mexico State Bar Foundation

EIN 85-0390079 · Albuquerque, NM

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair52 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROVIDE HIGH QUALITY, AFFORDABLE, PROFESSIONAL TRAINING AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS AND SERVICES TO THE NEW MEXICO LEGAL COMMUNITY. ADDITIONALLY, THE ORGANIZATION SPONSORS, PROMOTES, AND ASSISTS SOCIAL WELFARE PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS FOR THE BENEFIT AND WELL-BEING OF PERSONS IN NEW MEXICO.

Income
$2.0 million
Spending
$2.1 million
Spent on programs
98%
Reserves
0.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 45%
Employees
22
Volunteers
1,000
Highest pay
$184,244, 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: 52 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 43% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 16% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    98% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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 (5)
  1. $1.4 million spent. THE FOUNDATION PROVIDES LEGAL SERVICES TO THE ELDERLY THROUGH ITS LEGAL RESOURCES FOR THE ELDERLY PROGRAM (LREP). LREP ASSISTS INDIVIDUALS 55 YEARS OF AGE AND OLDER IN FINDING LEGAL REPRESENTATION FOR CIVIL LEGAL ISSUES BY REFERRING CASES TO VOLUNTEER ATTORNEYS THROUGHOUT NEW MEXICO. LREP IS FUNDED THROUGH A CONTRACT WITH THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO AGING AND LONG-TERM SERVICES DEPARTMENT. AS WITH MOST CONTRACTS AND GRANTS, FUNDING IS SUBJECT TO POSSIBLE FUTURE CUTBACKS. THE FOUNDATION ALSO OPERATES THE MODEST MEANS HELPLINE WHICH IS A CIVIL LEGAL TELEPHONE HELPLINE FOR NEW MEXICO RESIDENTS OF MODEST MEANS. THE HELPLINE WAS CREATED THROUGH THE EFFORTS OF THE ACCESS TO JUSTICE COMMISSION, THE STATE BAR OF NEW MEXICO, AND THE FOUNDATION, AND IS FUNDED THROUGH A CONTRACT WITH THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS. AS WITH MOST CONTRACTS AND GRANTS, FUNDING IS SUBJECT TO POSSIBLE FUTURE CUTBACKS. THE FOUNDATION PROVIDES LEGAL SERVICES TO THE ELDERLY THROUGH ITS LEGAL RESOURCES FOR THE ELDERLY PROGRAM (LREP). LREP ASSISTS INDIVIDUALS 55 YEARS OF AGE AND OLDER IN FINDING LEGAL REPRESENTATION FOR CIVIL LEGAL ISSUES BY REFERRING CASES TO VOLUNTEER ATTORNEYS THROUGHOUT NEW MEXICO. LREP IS FUNDED THROUGH A CONTRACT WITH THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO AGING AND LONG-TERM SERVICES DEPARTMENT. AS WITH MOST CONTRACTS AND GRANTS, FUNDING IS SUBJECT TO POSSIBLE FUTURE CUTBACKS. THE FOUNDATION ALSO OPERATES THE MODEST MEANS HELPLINE WHICH IS A CIVIL LEGAL TELEPHONE HELPLINE FOR NEW MEXICO RESIDENTS OF MODEST MEANS. THE HELPLINE WAS CREATED THROUGH THE EFFORTS OF THE ACCESS TO JUSTICE COMMISSION, THE STATE BAR OF NEW MEXICO, AND THE FOUNDATION, AND IS FUNDED THROUGH A CONTRACT WITH THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS. AS WITH MOST CONTRACTS AND GRANTS, FUNDING IS SUBJECT TO POSSIBLE FUTURE CUTBACKS.
  2. $491,155 spent. CLE IS A NEW MEXICO ACCREDITED CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION COURSE PROVIDER DEDICATED TO PROVIDING HIGH-QUALITY, AFFORDABLE, EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS TO THE LEGAL COMMUNITY. CLE OFFERS A FULL RANGE OF EDUCATIONAL SERVICES, INCLUDING LIVE SEMINARS PROGRAMS, LIVE LEGAL EDUCATION TELECONFERENCES, AUDIO AND VIDEO RECORDINGS, PUBLICATIONS, AND OTHER PROFESSIONAL SERVICES TO MEET SPECIAL TRAINING NEEDS.
  3. $114,212 spent. BAR CENTER/PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CENTER (PDC)- THE BAR CENTER OFFERS USE OF ROOMS AS A SERVICE TO MEMBERS OF THE STATE BAR AT A DISCOUNTED RATE. THE ROOMS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE TO RENT TO OUTSIDE GROUPS, CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION PROVIDERS, AND LAW-RELATED ENTITIES.
  4. $55,160 spent. PRO BONO COMMITTEES- THE FOUNDATION ADMINSITERS FUNDING PROVIDED BY ATTORNEY CONTRIBUTIONS FOR USE BY THE PRO BONO COMMITTEES OF THE INDIVIDUAL JUDICIAL DISTRICTS THROUGHOUT NEW MEXICO. SERVICES PROVIDED TO NEW MEXICO RESIDENTS INCLUDE QUALITY LEGAL SERVICES TO LOW-INCOME CLIENTS AND THOSE WHO LIVE IN RURAL AREAS OF THE STATE. THE MODEST MEANS HELPLINE (MMH) IS A CIVIL LEGAL TELEPHONE HELPLINE AND PRO BONO REFERRAL SERVICE FOR NEW MEXICO RESIDENTS OF MODEST MEANS. MMH'S STAFF ATTORNEYS PROVIDE LEGAL ADVICE OVER THE PHONE AND, IF APPROPRIATE, MAY REFER THE CASE TO PRO BONO ATTORNEYS FOR LEGAL ADVICE UP TO LIMITED OR FULL REPRESENTATION.
  5. PRO BONO COMMITTEES- THE FOUNDATION ADMINSITERS FUNDING PROVIDED BY ATTORNEY CONTRIBUTIONS FOR USE BY THE PRO BONO COMMITTEES OF THE INDIVIDUAL JUDICIAL DISTRICTS THROUGHOUT NEW MEXICO. SERVICES PROVIDED TO NEW MEXICO RESIDENTS INCLUDE QUALITY LEGAL SERVICES TO LOW-INCOME CLIENTS AND THOSE WHO LIVE IN RURAL AREAS OF THE STATE. THE MODEST MEANS HELPLINE (MMH) IS A CIVIL LEGAL TELEPHONE HELPLINE AND PRO BONO REFERRAL SERVICE FOR NEW MEXICO RESIDENTS OF MODEST MEANS. MMH'S STAFF ATTORNEYS PROVIDE LEGAL ADVICE OVER THE PHONE AND, IF APPROPRIATE, MAY REFER THE CASE TO PRO BONO ATTORNEYS FOR LEGAL ADVICE UP TO LIMITED OR FULL REPRESENTATION.

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 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 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 1992.

    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.