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Rocky Mountain Innocence Center

EIN 87-0647979 · Salt Lake City, UT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceGood86 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 41% of its spending went to programs.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN INNOCENCE CENTER (RMIC) WORKS TO PREVENT AND CORRECT THE WRONGFUL CONVICTION OF INNOCENT PEOPLE IN UTAH, NEVADA, AND WYOMING.

Income
$895,567
Spending
$644,746
Spent on programs
41%
Reserves
19.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 75%
Employees
6
Volunteers
100
Highest pay
$147,336, 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: 85 out of 100. Higher than 63% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 19.8 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 28% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 48% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    41% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 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: 86 out of 100. Higher than 64% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $250k to $1m).

  • 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

    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

    0 of 5

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

  • 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 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. $263,663 spent. In 2024, the Rocky Mountain Innocence Center (RMIC) experienced a transformative year marked by growth, perseverance, and extraordinary breakthroughs in our mission to correct wrongful convictions. Thanks to the support of our funders, we expanded our legal team, strengthened our infrastructure, and pushed forward with renewed momentum. The addition of a new staff attorney and paralegal was a turning point. For the first time, our legal department grew beyond its two core attorneys, enabling us to manage more cases, more efficiently, with deeper investigative capacity. This expansion directly translated into action-cases moved forward faster, clients were reached more consistently, and our ability to pursue justice widened across state lines. Throughout the year, our team filed numerous post-conviction DNA petitions-crucial steps in the legal process that can mean the difference between freedom and continued incarceration. In one case, we pursued a compassionate release for a client in Wyoming. Though the request was denied, we have since launched a new effort: a posthumous pardon, seeking dignity and justice even beyond life. Collaboration proved essential to overcoming legal barriers. Working closely with Kirkland & Ellis and Las Vegas-based counsel, we tackled procedural challenges with shared resolve and strategic depth. But our impact wasn't limited to courtrooms. RMIC's educational outreach and community presence grew in powerful ways. Law students from the University of Utah, BYU, and BYU-Idaho joined our mission, contributing to real-world casework and gaining hands-on experience in innocence advocacy. We also brought our message to new audiences-presenting at the University of Nevada-Reno and the Utah Law Related Education Program-planting seeds of awareness and reform. The most powerful moments of 2024 came with the release of individuals who had spent decades imprisoned for crimes they didn't commit. On February 27, Adrian Gordon was released after 23 years behind bars. Just weeks later, on April 9, Jimmy Meinhard walked free after 27 years. And in May, a Nevada client who had been incarcerated for 24 years was granted a new trial following breakthroughs in DNA evidence. These cases are not just victories-they are testaments to the human cost of injustice and the life-changing power of our work. Our reach extended across Utah, Nevada, Texas, Missouri, and Maine. We traveled to meet with clients, conducted witness interviews, and filed critical appeals-including one to the Nevada Supreme Court following a denied DNA petition. In Oregon, we joined fellow advocates at the Western Innocence Organizations Conference, refining our strategy and deepening our coalition. Throughout the year, community engagement remained a cornerstone of our approach. In March, our Hope for the Innocent Breakfast featured exoneree Sean K. Ellis, whose story inspired attendees to remain steadfast in their support. In May, the Litigation Section Casino Night brought together legal professionals committed to the cause. And in November, a Utah Jazz game created a joyful space where clients, families, and supporters came together in solidarity.

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 September 2000.

    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.