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Galveston-Houston Immigrant Representation Project

EIN 85-2664277 · Houston, TX

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

GHIRPs mission is to build a resilient diverse community by providing comprehensive representation and holistic legal services to immigrants in need.

Income
$4.7 million
Spending
$3.9 million
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
2.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 80%
Employees
46
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$118,255, 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

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 49% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 11% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 16% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 26% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    88% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 5 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

    0 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 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. $1.7 million spent. Immigrant Children and Youth ICY Program: Our team serves unaccompanied children placed into Immigration Court proceedings without the right to a free attorney. We provide Know Your Rights KYR presentations legal consultations social services and direct legal representation to detained and released immigrant children and youth in the Galveston-Houston area. Many services are provided through a universal representation model assisting clients in navigating the immigration process regardless of their case strength. We offer a full range of holistic services from fighting deportation to securing legal status in the U.S. 905 children received KYR and consultations 147 new children accepted for representation 207 children connected to social services and 430 children received direct legal services.
  2. $1.3 million spent. Community Immigration Program - General Immigration: We represent immigrants seeking family unity freedom from abuse and persecution protection from deportation and citizenship in Galveston and Houston. This program offers free legal clinics and legal services to immigrants who walk through our doors. Part of this program is dedicated to serving immigrant survivors of violent crimes or human trafficking in the Galveston-Houston area. Our model relies on person-centered representation focusing on our clients and providing social services to effectively advocate for immigrant survivors. Galveston - 269 participants received KYR presentations 518 Household members impacted 182 clients represented 321 consultations provided 55 individuals received pro se assistance. Houston - 439 consultations provided 168 clients represented 990 unrepresented individuals received court assistance 122 individuals received pro se assistance. Survivors - 96 consultations provided 22 clients represented 43 clients provided limited representation 12 clients referred to social services.
  3. $463,409 spent. Community Immigration Program - Detained Adults: We represent detained immigrants in the four Houston-area immigrant detention facilities. Our services include representing clients seeking: release for family reunification asylum and other humanitarian relief lawful permanent residency and those challenging prolonged detention. We participate in the areas first publicly funded program to represent low-income Houstonians through a universal representation model. Additionally our team represents immigrants in federal courts to protect their due process rights through targeted and strategic advocacy. GHIRPs detained adult team also represents individuals who are found incompetent to proceed in immigration court without an attorney. Detained Adults: 26 consultations provided and 23 clients represented. Federal Litigation: 10 total consultations 9 clients represented.

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 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 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 January 2021.

    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.