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Equal Access to Justice Inc

EIN 85-0437183 · Albuquerque, NM

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO INCREASE ACCESS TO JUSTICE BY SUPPORTING AND EXPANDING FREE CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME NEW MEXICANS. EQUAL ACCESS TO JUSTICE PROVIDES UNRESTRICTED, NONCOMPETITIVE FUNDS TO LEGAL AID ORGANIZATIONS WHO PROVIDE FREE CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES TO INDIGENT NEW MEXICANS.

Income
$513,873
Spending
$407,699
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
13.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
1
Volunteers
48
Highest pay
$74,900, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2026, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 79% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 13.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% 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 42% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2026, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 76% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 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

    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 March 31, 2026, 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 (4)
  1. $113,312 spent. PROVIDING RESOURCES FOR NEW MEXICO LEGAL AID (NMLA). NMLA PROVIDES STATEWIDE CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES AND IS THE VOICE,DEFENDER AND ADVOCATE FOR POOR PEOPLE WHO ARE SEEKING JUSTICE IN ALL FORUMS, PARTICULARLY IN THE COMMUNITIES IN WHICH THEY LIVE. NMLA IS COMMITTED TO HELPING POOR PEOPLE IN THEIR STRUGGLE TO ACCESS FOOD, SHELTER, SECURITY, AND TO PRESERVE THEIR UNIQUE CULTURAL HERITAGES. NMLA PROVIDES DIRECT LEGAL REPRESENTATION AND ASSISTANCE TO 15-20,000 PEOPLE ANNUALLY IN LEGAL MATTERS THAT IMPACT ESSENTIAL NEEDS: SHELTER, PROTECTION FROM ABUSE (PHYSICAL, MENTAL, AND ECONOMIC), FOOD,INCOME PROTECTION, AND PREDATORY LENDING PRACTICES. TENS OF THOUSANDS MORE RECEIVE LEGAL INFORMATION ABOUT THEIR RIGHTS AND INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO PROTECT THEMSELVES.
  2. $105,323 spent. PROVIDING RESOURCES FOR THE NEW MEXICO CENTER ON LAW AND POVERTY (NMCLP). NMCLP ADVANCES ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL JUSTICE THROUGH EDUCATION, ADVOCACY, AND LITIGATION. NMCLP PARTNERS WITH COMMUNITIES TO TAKE ACTION AND PURSUE SYSTEM-WIDE CHANGES TO IMPROVE LIVING CONDITIONS, AND PROTECT RIGHTS. NMCLP WORKS TO INCREASE ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE, FOOD, INCOME, AND SAFE AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING; TRANSFORM NEW MEXICO'S PUBLIC EDUCATION SYSTEM; AND INCREASE WORKERS' ACCESS TO FAIR PAY AND SAFE WORKING CONDITIONS.
  3. $121,576 spent. PROVIDING RESOURCES FOR DNA PEOPLE'S LEGAL SERVICES (DNA). DNA PROVIDES ACCESS TO JUSTICE TO THOSE WHO ARE LOW INCOME AND VULNERABLE BY PROVIDING HIGH QUALITY LEGAL SERVICES AND EDUCATION WHILE RESPECTING TRIBAL SOVEREIGNTY AND CULTURAL TRADITIONS. SINCE 1967, DNA HAS PROVIDED FREE LEGAL AID ON THE NAVAJO NATION, JICARILLA APACHE NATION, THE HOPI NATION, AND IN REMOTE PARTS OF NEW MEXICO, NORTHERN ARIZONA, AND SOUTHERN UTAH. DNA'S SERVICES HAVE HELPED PEOPLE LIVING IN POVERTY USE EXISTING POLICIES AND LAWS TO PROTECT THEIR PROPERTY AND ASSETS, STAY SAFE FROM PHYSICAL, MENTAL AND FINANCIAL ABUSE, AVOID EXPLOITATION, AND SAFEGUARD THEIR CIVIL RIGHTS.
  4. $3,856 spent. EQUAL ACCESS TO JUSTICE'S SCHOLARSHIP DONATION TO UNM SCHOOL OF LAW'S ASSOCIATION FOR PUBLIC INTEREST LAW (APIL) SUPPORTS A LAW STUDENT'S SUMMER FELLOWSHIP AND CAREER EXPLORATION INTO PUBLIC INTEREST LAW IN NEW MEXICO. APIL WORKS TO ENSURE THAT LAW STUDENTS WHO HAVE SECURED SUMMER POSITIONS IN NONPROFIT OR GOVERNMENT ROLES, MANY OF WHICH OFFER LITTLE TO NO COMPENSATION, CAN AFFORD TO ACCEPT. SCHOLARSHIP DONATIONS HELP COVER STUDENTS' LIVING EXPENSES, MAKING IT FINANCIALLY POSSIBLE TO PURSUE SUMMER PLACEMENTS THAT DELIVER LEGAL SUPPORT TO COMMUNITIES IN NEED.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2026, 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 March 2026.

    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 April 1996.

    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.