Klamath Defender Services Inc
Klamath Defender Services Inc was a public charity based in Klamath Falls, Oregon. Its 2022 IRS filing is marked as the organization’s final return, indicating that it appears to have wound down or stopped grantmaking. The filing states that it was formed in 1984 and describes its work as providing legal defense services to people who cannot afford an attorney.
Klamath Defender Services Inc at a glance
In short: Klamath Defender Services Inc gave $724K across 17 grants in 2022 (avg $43K), mostly in Oregon. Source: 2022 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2022)
- $724,270
- +834.5% vs 2021
- Grants made (2022)
- 17
- +325.0% vs 2021
- Average grant
- $42,604
- +119.9% vs 2021
- Median grant
- $20,000
- Primary geography
- Oregon (90% of itemized 2022 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2022 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2022; updated September 2026.
How to apply to Klamath Defender Services Inc
- Contact
Mailing address: 525 Main Street, Klamath Falls, OR 97601
Phone: (541) 281-3553
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Klamath Defender Services Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2022
The largest 2022 recipient was Klamath County Shariff's Office ($250K). Together the top 10 received $649K.
Grant Size Distribution
21 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 15 grants of 21 (71%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Of the 2022 grant dollars, 90% went to recipients in Oregon and 10% to recipients in California.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2022 grant dollars across all 17 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2022, annual grant giving ranged from $78K (2021) to $724K (2022). In 2022 it made 17 grants totaling $724K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Klamath County Shariff's Office Klamath Falls, OR | Seach & Res Comm Tra | $250,000 |
| Tiny Mighty and Strong Corporation Tulelake, CA | Renov of Teen Center | $75,000 |
| Klamath Family Head Start Klamath Falls, OR | Shade Struct/Modular | $75,000 |
| Klamath County 4-H Association Klamath Falls, OR | Fees, Pen Panel, Sch | $50,000 |
| CASA for the Chidren of Klamath COU Klamath Falls, OR | Foster Kid's Fund | $50,000 |
| Reach Inc Klamath Falls, OR | ENV Building Overhau | $50,000 |
| Klamath Basin Senior Citizen's Cent Klamath Falls, OR | Chair Lift | $30,000 |
| Klamath Child & Family Treatment Ce Klamath Falls, OR | Suicide Prevention | $30,000 |
| Sky Lakes Medical Center Foundation Klamath Falls, OR | Ada Playground | $20,000 |
| Mazama High Schoolfbla Club Klamath Falls, OR | FBLA National Comp | $19,270 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | — | $141,827 | $885,847 | $724,270 | 17 | $141,827 |
| 2021 | $1,035,079 | $61,153 | $632,694 | $77,500 | 4 | $1,832 |
| 2020 | $1,614,538 | $3,970,825 | $3,645,756 | — | — | $3,686 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s stated mission was to “provide legal defense services to individuals who cannot afford an attorney.” Its program description says it provided legal defense in court for people unable to afford an attorney.
Its 2022 grants included support for organizations working in areas such as early childhood and family services, youth programming, disability employment, medical-center philanthropy, and animal welfare. For example, Klamath Family Head Start describes its mission as serving eligible children and families in Klamath County to contribute to a healthy, diverse, and cooperative community. REACH Inc. says it supports people with disabilities through job skills, training, and employment.
Grantmaking
In 2022, the organization reported 17 grants totaling $724,270. Grant amounts ranged from $10,000 to $250,000, with a median grant of $20,000.
Among the largest reported grants were $250,000 to Klamath County Shariff's Office for “SEACH & RES COMM TRA,” $75,000 to Tiny Mighty and Strong Corporation for “RENOV OF TEEN CENTER,” and $75,000 to Klamath Family Head Start for “SHADE STRUCT/MODULAR.” Other grants included $50,000 to Klamath County 4-H Association, CASA for the Children of Klamath County, and REACH Inc.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2022 filing lists Tara Holmes-Bryson as secretary, treasurer, and executive; Richard Garbutt as director; and Phil Studenburg as president.
Klamath Defender Services Inc is led by Phil Studenburg, President on every filing since 2020; 1 of 3 officers listed in 2022 is compensated.
Officers on the 2022 filing
Phil Studenburg
President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$273K (2020) → $0 (2022)
Richard Garbutt
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$281K (2020) → $0 (2022)
Tara Holmes-Bryson
Secretary, Treasurer & Executive
New on the 2022 filing
10 hrs/week
$70K (2022)
Former officers (4)
- Former: Tara Holmes (2020–2021) — Secretary, Treasurer & Executive
- Former: Bonnie Lam (2020) — Director
- Former: Dolores J. Edson (2020) — Secretary
- Former: Steve Hedlund (2020) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2022. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2022 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2022 filing was $70K, to Tara Holmes-Bryson (Sec/Treas/Ex).
Frequently asked questions about Klamath Defender Services Inc
How much does Klamath Defender Services Inc give each year?
Klamath Defender Services Inc gave $724K across 17 grants in 2022, according to its 2022 IRS Form 990. In 2021 it gave $78K across 4 grants.
What is Klamath Defender Services Inc's typical grant size?
Klamath Defender Services Inc's median grant in 2022 was $20,000, and its average grant was $42,604, across 17 grants on its 2022 IRS Form 990.
Where does Klamath Defender Services Inc give grants?
Klamath Defender Services Inc gives mostly in Oregon: 90% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2022 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was California (10%). The most frequent recipient cities were Klamath Falls, OR (14 grants) and Eugene, OR (2 grants).
Does Klamath Defender Services Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2022: none of the 17 grants with a stated purpose on Klamath Defender Services Inc's 2022 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support.
Who are Klamath Defender Services Inc's largest grantees?
Klamath Defender Services Inc's largest 2022 grantees include Klamath County Shariff's Office ($250,000), Tiny Mighty and Strong Corporation ($75,000) and Klamath Family Head Start ($75,000), according to its 2022 IRS Form 990. Together they received 55% of its itemized 2022 grant dollars.
What does Klamath Defender Services Inc fund?
The organization’s stated mission was to “provide legal defense services to individuals who cannot afford an attorney.” Its program description says it provided legal defense in court for people unable to afford an attorney. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Klamath Defender Services Inc?
Klamath Defender Services Inc has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Klamath Defender Services Inc's EIN?
Klamath Defender Services Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 93-0851281. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2022.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS September 19, 2023)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2022
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Klamath Defender Services Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?