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Washington Appellate Project

EIN 91-1629971 · Seattle, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE WASHINGTON APPELLATE PROJECT CONTRACTS WITH THE STATE OF WASHINGTON AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO PROVIDE LEGAL REPRESENTATION TO INDIGENT PERSONS ON APPEAL.

Income
$3.8 million
Spending
$3.4 million
Spent on programs
75%
Reserves
4.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 100%
Employees
42
Volunteers
8
Highest pay
$166,301, 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 65% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 10% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 10% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 31% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    75% of spending went to programs.

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: 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

    9 of 9 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 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. $2.5 million spent. THE WASHINGTON APPELLATE PROJECT PROVIDES LEGAL REPRESENTATION PURSUANT TO CONSTITUTIONAL AND STATUTORY MANDATES TO INDIGENT PERSONS IN THE STATE AND FEDERAL APPELLATE COURTS BY APPOINTMENT FROM DESIGNATED GOVERNMENTAL ADMINISTRATORS. WE PROVIDE LEGAL COUNSEL AND VIGOROUS REPRESENTATION IN THE APPELLATE REVIEW OF CRIMINAL CONVICTIONS, DEPENDENT CHILD PROCEEDINGS, PARENTAL RIGHTS TERMINATIONS, AND INVOLUNTARY CIVIL COMMITMENTS. THIS REQUIRES OUR STAFF TO FOSTER RELATIONSHIPS WITH OUR CLIENTS, REVIEW TRIAL COURT RECORDS, CONDUCT LEGAL RESEARCH, PREPARE APPROPRIATE LEGAL PLEADINGS AND ADVOCATE ON BEHALF OF CLIENTS IN VARIOUS FORUMS. IN 2024, THE WASHINGTON APPELLATE PROJECT REPRESENTED APPROXIMATELY 700 CLIENTS. THE NUMBER OF CLIENTS SERVED HAS RETURNED TO PRE-PANDEMIC LEVELS. THE ORGANIZATION CONTINUES ITS COMMITMENT TO PROVIDING ACCESS TO EQUAL JUSTICE FOR ALL PEOPLE, NO MATTER THEIR ECONOMIC STATUS, THE PROJECT'S STAFF CONTINUED TO PROVIDE TRAINING AT THE LOCAL, STATE, AND NATIONAL LEVELS. THE PROJECT'S WORK CONTINUED TO SET STANDARDS FOR APPELLATE PRACTICE AND ADVOCACY FOR INDIGENT INDIVIDUALS IN THE LEGAL SYSTEM. WE REGULARLY CONSULT WITH AND ADVISE PUBLIC DEFENSE ADMINISTRATORS REGARDING BEST PRACTICES. THE ORGANIZATION'S STAFF REGULARLY ENGAGES WITH GOVERNMENT AND COMMUNITY LEADERS TO INCREASE AWARENESS ABOUT THE LEGAL CHALLENGES FACING INDIGENT PEOPLE AND THEIR RIGHT TO EFFECTIVE REPRESENTATION ON APPEAL. IN 2024, STAFF CONTINUED TO PROVIDE SUPPORT NATIONALLY TO COURT SYSTEMS AND LEGISLATURES SEEKING RULE CHANGES TO LIMIT RACISM IN JURY SELECTION. THE ORGANIZATION BEGAN A PROGRAM TO PROVIDE TRAININGS AND SUPPORT TO ATTORNEYS ADDRESSING RACISM IN LEGAL PROCEEDINGS. STAFF ORGANIZED AND PROVIDED LOCAL AND NATIONAL TRAINING TO OTHERS INVOLVED IN DELIVERY OF LEGAL SERVICES TO INDIGENT POPULATIONS. STAFF SERVED ON AND CHAIRED COMMITTEES TASKED WITH ENSURING AND IMPROVING QUALITY PUBLIC DEFENSE SERVICES ACROSS THE STATE OF WASHINGTON. STAFF PARTICIPATED IN TASK FORCES AND COMMITTEES ADDRESSING CRIMINAL SENTENCING REFORM AND THE DRAFTING OF MODEL COURT INSTRUCTIONS. THE PROJECT CONTINUED TO SUPPORT AN INTERNSHIP PROGRAM TO TRAIN LAW STUDENTS IN APPELLATE REPRESENTATION AND TO PROVIDE AVENUES INTO THE FIELD FOR STUDENTS OF DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS.

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 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 June 1995.

    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.

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