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Dna-Peoples Legal Services Inc

EIN 86-0207220 · Window Rock, AZ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood70 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SEE SCHEDULE O

Income
$11.8 million
Spending
$7.2 million
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
4.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 46%
Employees
75
Volunteers
20
Highest pay
$206,789, executive director

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

Good: 70 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 57% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 39% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 78% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    80% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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: 90 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    17 of 17 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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 (2)
  1. $5.8 million spent. DNA - PEOPLES LEGAL SERVICES PROVIDES FREE LEGAL SERVICES AND COMMUNITY LEGAL EDUCATION TO PERSONS LIVING IN POVERTY ON THE NAVAJO, HOPI, AND JICARILLA APACHE RESERVATIONS, AND IN PARTS OF NORTHERN ARIZONA, NORTHWEST NEW MEXICO, AND SOUTHERN UTAH. DNAS MAIN OFFICE, AS WELL AS DNAS FORT DEFIANCE BRANCH OFFICE, ARE LOCATED IN WINDOW ROCK, ARIZONA. DNA ALSO HAS BRANCH OFFICES IN CHINLE ARIZONA, TUBA CITY ARIZONA, FLAGSTAFF ARIZONA, KEAMS CANYON ARIZONA, AND FARMINGTON NEW MEXICO. OUR OFFICE IN KEAMS CANYON, DESIGNATED AS OUR HOPI OFFICE, PROVIDES CIVIL AND CRIMINAL DEFENSE LEGAL SERVICES TO MEMBERS OF THE HOPI AND TO OTHERS PRIMARILY LIVING ON THE HOPI RESERVATION.
  2. PART III, LINE 4A, PROGRAM SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS:DNA SERVES CLIENTS WHO LIVE IN POVERTY, WITH THE FULL RANGE OF CIVIL LEGAL NEEDS, SUCH AS CONSUMER LAW, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, GUARDIANSHIPS, OTHER FAMILY LAW, LANDLORD/TENANT, EMPLOYMENT AND PUBLIC BENEFITS CASES. WE ALSO PROVIDE SERVICES TO INDIGENT CRIMINAL DEFENDANTS, AND WE SERVE AS THE HOPI TRIBE PUBLIC DEFENDER. DNA STAFF PRACTICE IN TRIBAL, STATE, FEDERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE COURTS.FORM 990, PART I, LINE 1 AND PART III, LINE 1, DESCRIPTION OF ORGANIZATION MISSION: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.

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 May 1967.

    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.