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Florence Immigrant and Refugee Rights Project Inc

EIN 86-0658103 · Tucson, AZ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE FLORENCE PROJECT PROVIDES AND COORDINATES LEGAL SERVICES AND RELATED SOCIAL SERVICES TO INDIGENT MEN, WOMEN, AND UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN DETAINED IN ARIZONA FOR IMMIGRATION REMOVAL PROCEEDINGS.

Income
$21.5 million
Spending
$22.4 million
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
14.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 64%
Employees
231
Volunteers
176
Highest pay
$220,332, 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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 81% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 14.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 7% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 21% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    80% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 20 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. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    19 of 19 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 (1)
  1. $17.9 million spent. THE FLORENCE IMMIGRANT & REFUGEE RIGHTS PROJECT INC. (FLORENCE PROJECT) PROVIDES FREE LEGAL AND SOCIAL SERVICES TO ADULTS AND UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN FACING DEPORTATION IN ARIZONA. THE FLORENCE PROJECT HAS LONG BEEN A TRAILBLAZER IN EXPANDING ACCESS TO LEGAL COUNSEL AND SUPPORT FOR IMMIGRANTS THROUGH OUR EXCEPTIONAL PROGRAMS, INCLUDING OUR CHILDREN'S LEGAL PROGRAM, ADULT LEGAL PROGRAM, SOCIAL SERVICES PROGRAM, PRO BONO PROGRAM, AND ADVOCACY PROGRAM. CHILDREN'S LEGAL PROGRAM: IN 2024, OUR CHILDREN'S LEGAL PROGRAM PROVIDED COMPREHENSIVE SUPPORT TO UNACCOMPANIED IMMIGRANT CHILDREN IN SHELTERS THROUGH KNOW YOUR RIGHTS PRESENTATIONS, INDIVIDUAL LEGAL CONSULTATIONS, FRIEND OF THE COURT SERVICES, AND FULL LEGAL REPRESENTATION. WE DELIVERED KNOW YOUR RIGHTS PRESENTATIONS TO 10,201 CHILDREN, EDUCATING THEM ABOUT THE IMMIGRATION PROCESS AND THEIR LEGAL OPTIONS. OUR TEAM MET ONE-ON-ONE WITH 9,157 CHILDREN TO DISCUSS THEIR INDIVIDUAL CASES AND PROVIDE TAILORED LEGAL GUIDANCE. ADDITIONALLY, WE PROVIDED FULL LEGAL REPRESENTATION IN IMMIGRATION COURT TO 1,156 CHILDREN. OUR PROGRAM PRIORITIZED PARTICULARLY VULNERABLE CASES, INCLUDING 87 CHILDREN WHO HAD BEEN FORCIBLY SEPARATED FROM THEIR FAMILIES AT THE BORDER AND 266 BABIES AND TODDLERS, AGES 0-5, WHO WERE DETAINED IN SHELTERS. ADULT LEGAL PROGRAM: IN 2024, OUR ADULT LEGAL PROGRAM SUPPORTED ADULTS HELD IN IMMIGRATION DETENTION FACILITIES IN ELOY AND FLORENCE, ARIZONA, BY PROVIDING LEGAL EDUCATION, INDIVIDUAL CONSULTATIONS, PRO SE ASSISTANCE, AND FULL LEGAL REPRESENTATION. WE MAILED LEGAL ORIENTATION AND PRO SE MATERIALS TO 5,615 DETAINED ADULTS, DELIVERED KNOW YOUR RIGHTS PRESENTATIONS TO 2,461 ADULTS, AND PROVIDED ONE-ON-ONE LEGAL GUIDANCE TO 1,329 INDIVIDUALS. ADDITIONALLY, WE PROVIDED FULL LEGAL REPRESENTATION IN IMMIGRATION COURT TO 257 ADULTS, INCLUDING 118 WHO WERE DEEMED BY A JUDGE MENTALLY INCOMPETENT. OUR TEAM ALSO REPRESENTED CLIENTS ON APPEAL BEFORE THE BOARD OF IMMIGRATION APPEALS AND THE NINTH CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS, ENSURING THAT DETAINED ADULTS HAVE ACCESS TO CRITICAL LEGAL SUPPORT AT EVERY STAGE OF THE PROCESS. IN ADDITION, THROUGH OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH THE KINO BORDER INITIATIVE, WE PROVIDED LEGAL ORIENTATION AND EDUCATION TO 2,795 ASYLUM SEEKERS IN NOGALES, SONORA, MEXICO, HELPING THEM UNDERSTAND THEIR RIGHTS AND OPTIONS FOR SEEKING ASYLUM AND PROTECTION IN THE UNITED STATES. SOCIAL SERVICES PROGRAM: IN 2024, OUR SOCIAL SERVICES PROGRAM ADDRESSED CRITICAL NEEDS BEYOND THE COURTROOM, HELPING IMMIGRANTS NAVIGATE THE CHALLENGES OF DETENTION AND EMPOWERING THEM TO THRIVE IN THEIR NEW COMMUNITIES ONCE RELEASED. OUR SOCIAL WORKERS PROVIDED INDIVIDUALIZED, ONE-ON-ONE PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT TO 596 IMMIGRANTS, ASSISTING WITH MEDICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH CARE, HOUSING, FOOD INSECURITY, EDUCATION ACCESS, TRAUMA RECOVERY, OBTAINING IDS AND DRIVER'S LICENSES,EMPLOYMENT, AND PARENTING AND PREGNANCY SUPPORT. THROUGH THIS HOLISTIC APPROACH, OUR SOCIAL WORKERS ENSURE THAT DETAINED IMMIGRANTS HAVE ACCESS TO ESSENTIAL RESOURCES AND THAT THOSE RELEASED HAVE THE STABILITY AND SUPPORT THEY NEED TO BEGIN REBUILDING THEIR LIVES IN THE UNITED STATES. PRO BONO PROGRAM: IN 2024, OUR PRO BONO PROGRAM EXPANDED ACCESS TO JUSTICE BY TRAINING AND MENTORING PRIVATE ATTORNEYS TO TAKE ON IMMIGRATION CASES PRO BONO. WITH GUIDANCE FROM A DEDICATED FLORENCE PROJECT MENTOR ATTORNEY AND LEGAL ASSISTANT, THESE VOLUNTEER ATTORNEYS PROVIDED FULL LEGAL REPRESENTATION TO 35 IMMIGRANTS FACING REMOVAL. IN ADDITION TO INCREASING THE NUMBER OF IMMIGRANTS WHO RECEIVE CRITICAL LEGAL SUPPORT, THE PROGRAM EQUIPS VOLUNTEERS WITH VALUABLE IMMIGRATION LAW SKILLS AND FOSTERS A GROWING NETWORK OF ADVOCATES COMMITTED TO DEFENDING THE RIGHTS OF IMMIGRANTS. ADVOCACY PROGRAM: IN 2024, OUR ADVOCACY PROGRAM ADVANCED SYSTEMIC CHANGE THROUGH APPELLATE WORK, STRATEGIC LITIGATION, MEDIA ADVOCACY, AND PARTNERSHIPS AT LOCAL AND NATIONAL LEVELS. WE LITIGATED 30 APPELLATE CASES, RESOLVING 15 WITH SEVERAL MAJOR WINS; SIGNED OR DRAFTED FOUR AMICUS BRIEFS; SUBMITTED SIX JOINT COMMENTS ON PROPOSED REGULATIONS; AND JOINED 55 COLLABORATIVE ADVOCACY EFFORTS. OUR STAFF WERE FEATURED IN 79 NATIONAL AND 38 LOCAL MEDIA STORIES. THROUGH THESE PROGRAMS, THE FLORENCE PROJECT ADVANCES ITS VISION OF A WORLD WHERE ALL IMMIGRANTS FACING REMOVAL HAVE ACCESS TO LEGAL COUNSEL, UNDERSTANDS THEIR RIGHTS, AND ARE TREATED FAIRLY AND HUMANELY. THE FLORENCE IMMIGRANT & REFUGEE RIGHTS PROJECT INC. (FLORENCE PROJECT) PROVIDES FREE LEGAL AND SOCIAL SERVICES TO ADULTS AND UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN FACING DEPORTATION IN ARIZONA. THE FLORENCE PROJECT HAS LONG BEEN A TRAILBLAZER IN EXPANDING ACCESS TO LEGAL COUNSEL AND SUPPORT FOR IMMIGRANTS THROUGH OUR EXCEPTIONAL PROGRAMS, INCLUDING OUR CHILDREN'S LEGAL PROGRAM, ADULT LEGAL PROGRAM, SOCIAL SERVICES PROGRAM, PRO BONO PROGRAM, AND ADVOCACY PROGRAM. CHILDREN'S LEGAL PROGRAM: IN 2024, OUR CHILDREN'S LEGAL PROGRAM PROVIDED COMPREHENSIVE SUPPORT TO UNACCOMPANIED IMMIGRANT CHILDREN IN SHELTERS THROUGH KNOW YOUR RIGHTS PRESENTATIONS, INDIVIDUAL LEGAL CONSULTATIONS, FRIEND OF THE COURT SERVICES, AND FULL LEGAL REPRESENTATION. WE DELIVERED KNOW YOUR RIGHTS PRESENTATIONS TO 10,201 CHILDREN, EDUCATING THEM ABOUT THE IMMIGRATION PROCESS AND THEIR LEGAL OPTIONS. OUR TEAM MET ONE-ON-ONE WITH 9,157 CHILDREN TO DISCUSS THEIR INDIVIDUAL CASES AND PROVIDE TAILORED LEGAL GUIDANCE. ADDITIONALLY, WE PROVIDED FULL LEGAL REPRESENTATION IN IMMIGRATION COURT TO 1,156 CHILDREN. OUR PROGRAM PRIORITIZED PARTICULARLY VULNERABLE CASES, INCLUDING 87 CHILDREN WHO HAD BEEN FORCIBLY SEPARATED FROM THEIR FAMILIES AT THE BORDER AND 266 BABIES AND TODDLERS, AGES 0-5, WHO WERE DETAINED IN SHELTERS. ADULT LEGAL PROGRAM: IN 2024, OUR ADULT LEGAL PROGRAM SUPPORTED ADULTS HELD IN IMMIGRATION DETENTION FACILITIES IN ELOY AND FLORENCE, ARIZONA, BY PROVIDING LEGAL EDUCATION, INDIVIDUAL CONSULTATIONS, PRO SE ASSISTANCE, AND FULL LEGAL REPRESENTATION. WE MAILED LEGAL ORIENTATION AND PRO SE MATERIALS TO 5,615 DETAINED ADULTS, DELIVERED KNOW Y

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since February 1991.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.