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Maricopa Country Bar Foundation

EIN 86-0442773 · Phoenix, AZ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair63 out of 100GovernanceGood76 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF THE MARICOPA COUNTY BAR FOUNDATION IS TO SUPPORT THE JUSTICE-RELATED PUBLIC SERVICE AND EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES OF THE MARICOPA COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS, AND TO SUPPORT LOCAL PRO BONO LEGAL SERVICE PROVIDERS THAT SERVE LOW-INCOME RESIDENTS OF MARICOPA COUNTY.

Income
$190,092
Spending
$192,337
Spent on programs
96%
Reserves
3.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 99%
Employees
0
Volunteers
31
Highest pay
$91,528, 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

Fair: 63 out of 100. Higher than 33% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 65% 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 33% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    96% 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

Good: 76 out of 100. Higher than 62% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 (3)
  1. $32,188 spent. THE FOUNDATION SUPPORTS THE VOLUNTEER LAWYERS PROGRAM (VLP) IN MARICOPA COUNTY, WHICH IS A JOINT PROJECT OF COMMUNITY LEGAL SERVICES AND THE MARICOPA COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION. VOLUNTEERS REPRESENT CLIENTS WITH PROBLEMS RELATED TO HOUSING, EMPLOYMENT, CONSUMER ISSUES, DEBT COLLECTION, BANKRUPTCY, TAX, TORT DEFENSE, AND FAMILY LAW/DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. THEY PROVIDE ADVICE TO INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES SEEKING COUNSEL ABOUT DEBT MANAGEMENT OR DEFENSE, AND WHERE RELIEF FROM WAGE GARNISHMENT IS NEEDED. IF NEEDED, THEY WILL RECOMMEND OR HELP PROVIDE REPRESENTATION IN NO ASSET BANKRUPTCY PETITIONS.
  2. $144,000 spent. THE MARICOPA COUNTY BAR FOUNDATION'S DIVERSITY WRITING PROGRAM SCHOLARSHIPS ARE DESIGNED TO PROMOTE THE RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION OF MINORITY LAWYERS BY OFFERING SECOND-YEAR LAW STUDENTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO GAIN PRACTICAL WRITING SKILLS AND EXPOSURE TO REAL-WORLD LEGAL WORK THROUGH INTERNSHIPS AT PRIVATE FIRMS. SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS ARE DESIGNATED BY PARTICIPATING FIRMS.
  3. $8,200 spent. THE FOUNDATION OFFERS JUSTICE MICHAEL D. RYAN SCHOLARSHIPS TO LAW STUDENTS AT THE ASU SANDRA DAY O'CONNOR COLLEGE OF LAW. AS PART OF ITS MISSION, THE FOUNDATION STRIVES TO AID LAW SCHOOL STUDENTS FROM DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS WITH THE STUDENT LOAN DEBT ASSOCIATED WITH OBTAINING A LAW DEGREE. THE JUSTICE MICHAEL D. RYAN SCHOLARSHIPS ARE DESIGNED TO HELP STUDENTS AFFORD THEIR DREAM OF SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY THROUGH LAW.THE FOUNDATION ALSO OFFERS A PARALEGAL SCHOLARSHIP.

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 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 December 1984.

    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.