Join us in our fight to end the criminalization of poverty in Texas.
This year, TFDP welcomed our new Executive Director, Geoff Burkhart. We’re now reinvigorating our litigation, policy, and client services work. Our mission to end the criminalization of poverty in Texas is more pressing than ever.
More people—mostly persons of color living in poverty—are sitting in Texas jails and prisons than anywhere else in the United States. And even more are tangled up in our criminal legal system through fines, fees, or loss of driver’s license.
Texas deserves better. Here’s what we’re doing about it:
Strategic Litigation: We hold states, counties, and individuals accountable.
TFDP filed 5 major lawsuits this year, including litigation to end over-detention, to open courts to the press and public, and to guarantee timely appointment of quality counsel for all.
Client Services: We represent people in misdemeanor and record clearing cases.
In 2023, TFDP helped over 400 people with misdemeanor and record clearing cases, and our Systems Navigator helped over 250 people with housing, employment, and more.
Policy Advocacy: We work in the Legislature and at the local level to effect change.
TFDP introduced nearly a dozen legislative fixes to a broken system in the 88th Texas Legislature.
In this season of new beginnings, please support our fundraising goal of $100,000 and join us in the fight to end the criminalization of poverty.
By committing to TFDP, you make it possible for us to continue vital work:
$50 helps us keep our day-to-day operations running smoothly.
$100 allows our systems navigator to connect clients to wraparound health, housing, and employment services.
$250 helps us restore a community member's license with a defensive driving course or community service, so they can safely drive their kids to school and buy groceries.
$365 helps us hire and train former clients as advocacy fellows, who will push for laws and policies that will improve conditions for millions of low-income Texans.
$500 lets us directly travel throughout the state to community members in need so we can help safely untangle them from discriminatory and predatory police practices.
$1,000 enables us to run an entire driver's license recovery clinic, so we can support many community members at once.
$5,000 helps us take on discriminatory laws and state policies with high-impact litigation.
We also offer monthly donation plans. To sign up for a recurring donation, select the recurring option at check-out when you make your donation or visit this page.
$25/month (Spark): You will ensure TFDP's day-to-day operations run smoothly, without any interruptions to our Pro Bono and Systems Navigation work.
$50/month (Flame): You will support the training for two TFDP Pro Bono attorneys to take on license restoration and record clearing for our clients.
$75/month (Lantern): You will cover the costs to help several TFDP clients get their driver's license back – so that they can go to work, take their kids to school, get groceries, see the doctor, and live their day-to-day lives without risk of further punishment.
$100/month (Beacon): You will enable TFDP clients to be connected to a full set of intersecting health and housing services through our Systems Navigation Program.
For information about our law firm partnership levels, please visit this page.
Please contact Sandra Organ, our Development Associate, at sorgan@fairdefense.org or 512-637-5220 extension 118 for more information about sponsorships and matching opportunities.
For $50, you can help us keep our day-to-day operations running smoothly. Donors at this level receive a TFDP sticker.
$100 allows our systems navigation program connect clients to wraparound health, housing, and employment services. Donors at this level receive a TFDP drink koozie.
$250 helps us restore a community member's license with a defensive driving course or community service, so they can safely drive their kids to school and buy groceries. Donors at this level receive a TFDP coffee mug.
$365 helps us hire and train former clients as advocacy fellows, who push for laws and policies that will improve conditions for millions of low-income Texans. Donors at this level receive a TFDP tote bag and a shout-out on our social media.
$500 lets us directly travel throughout the state to community members in need so we can help safely untangle them from discriminatory and predatory police practices. Donors at this level receive this print from our Texas-based annual campaign artist, Marcie Dodd and a shout-out on our social media.
$1,000 enables us to run an entire driver's license recovery clinic, so we can support many community members at once. Donors at this level receive a drink koozie, drink mug, tote bag, artwork print, and a shout-out on our social media.
$5,000 helps us take on discriminatory laws and state policies with high-impact litigation. Donors at this level receive a drink koozie, drink mug, tote bag, artwork print, and a shout-out on our social media and website.
