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Nonprofiteer
← CENTRAL MINNESOTA LEGAL SERVICES INCORPORATED

Form 990 for tax year 2025

Filed by CENTRAL MINNESOTA LEGAL SERVICES INCORPORATED.

Totals

Total revenue
$4,585,973
Total expenses
$4,317,270
Contributions and grants received
$4,499,489
Grants paid
$0
Program service revenue
$0
Investment income
$86,484
Other revenue
$0
Total assets, end of year
$3,170,537
Total liabilities, end of year
$845,663
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$2,324,874
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$3,680,955
Management and general expenses
$636,315
Fundraising expenses
$0
Program service expenses (Part III)
$3,680,955

Program services were 85.3% of total expenses calculated — Part IX's program-services column over total expenses, both as filed.

Line items

Every line the filer filed in Parts VIII, IX and X, as filed and in filed order. Blank columns are left out, and the lines are not forced to add up to the totals above.

Revenue

Part VIII, the statement of revenue.

  • 1e · Government grants (contributions)

    $4,027,734

  • 1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

    $471,755

  • 3 · Investment income

    total $86,484 · excluded $86,484

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

    total $324,107 · program services $97,231 · management and general $226,876

  • 7 · Other salaries and wages

    total $2,561,593 · program services $2,375,792 · management and general $185,801

  • 8 · Pension plan contributions

    total $90,620 · program services $86,604 · management and general $4,016

  • 9 · Other employee benefits

    total $347,623 · program services $330,716 · management and general $16,907

  • 10 · Payroll taxes

    total $220,598 · program services $190,654 · management and general $29,944

  • 11c · Fees: accounting

    total $34,225 · program services $31,461 · management and general $2,764

  • 11g · Fees: other

    total $276,667 · program services $157,364 · management and general $119,303

  • 13 · Office expenses

    total $54,590 · program services $48,786 · management and general $5,804

  • 16 · Occupancy

    total $264,217 · program services $238,470 · management and general $25,747

  • 17 · Travel

    total $8,611 · program services $4,060 · management and general $4,551

  • 22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    total $14,381 · program services $9,439 · management and general $4,942

  • 23 · Insurance

    total $20,534 · program services $19,112 · management and general $1,422

  • 24a · Other expenses: EQUIPMENT AND LIBRARY

    total $82,980 · program services $77,268 · management and general $5,712

  • 24b · Other expenses: TRAINING

    total $6,467 · program services $4,757 · management and general $1,710

  • 24c · Other expenses: OTHER DIRECT EXPENSES

    total $4,525 · program services $4,212 · management and general $313

  • 24d · Other expenses: MANDATED LICENSE FEES

    total $4,397 · program services $3,894 · management and general $503

  • 24e · All other expenses

    total $1,135 · program services $1,135

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing

    beginning of year $157,624 · end of year -$2,917

  • 2 · Savings and temporary cash investments

    beginning of year $2,301,690 · end of year $2,977,076

  • 3 · Pledges and grants receivable

    beginning of year $125,399 · end of year $102,787

  • 9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

    beginning of year $33,929 · end of year $27,180

  • 10a · Land, buildings and equipment: cost or other basis

    $118,459

  • 10b · Land, buildings and equipment: accumulated depreciation

    $95,508

  • 10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

    beginning of year $29,894 · end of year $22,951

  • 15 · Other assets

    beginning of year $67,115 · end of year $43,460

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $228,908 · end of year $222,750

  • 19 · Deferred revenue

    beginning of year $363,016 · end of year $578,670

  • 25 · Other liabilities

    beginning of year $67,556 · end of year $44,243

  • 27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

    beginning of year $2,047,234 · end of year $2,319,503

  • 28 · Net assets with donor restrictions

    beginning of year $8,937 · end of year $5,371

Mission and programs · 2025

Mission

THE MISSION OF CENTRAL MINNESOTA LEGAL SERVICES IS TO ADVOCATE FOR ACCESS TO THE CIVIL JUSTICE SYSTEM FOR LOW INCOME PEOPLE BY PROVIDING HIGH QUALITY LEGAL SERVICES AND TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF PEOPLE LIVING IN POVERTY BY EMPOWERING SELF-ADVOCACY SKILLS THROUGH LEGAL EDUCATION.

  • CMLS IS A POVERTY LAW FIRM AND PROVIDES COMPREHENSIVE LEGAL SERVICES TO LOW INCOME PEOPLE WITH A WIDE RANGE OF CIVIL LEGAL PROBLEMS THROUGHOUT ITS 21- COUNTY SERVICE AREA IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA. THE SERVICE AREA STRETCHES FROM THE WESTERN BORDER WITH SOUTH DAKOTA TO THE EASTERN BORDER WITH WISCONSIN. THE HIGHEST PRIORITY AREAS OF LEGAL NEED ARE FAMILY LAW AND HOUSING ISSUES. CMLS EMPHASIZES REPRESENTING VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT IN ORDERS FOR PROTECTION, DISSOLUTIONS OF MARRIAGE AND OTHER FAMILY LAW CASES. HOUSING CASES TYPICALLY INVOLVE PREVENTION OF HOMELESSNESS AND PROVIDING ACCESS TO LOW COST, SAFE AND SANITARY HOUSING. CMLS PROVIDE LEGAL SERVICES THROUGH STAFF ATTORNEYS WHO PROVIDE ADVICE, BRIEF SERVICES AND FULL REPRESENTATION FOR A BROAD RANGE OF LEGAL PROBLEMS EXPERIENCED BY LOW INCOME PEOPLE. IN ADDITION, CMLS HAS A VIBRANT VOLUNTEER ATTORNEY PROGRAM THAT SERVES 19 OF THE 21 COUNTIES IN THE CMLS SERVICE AREA. IN HENNEPIN COUNTY, CMLS PARTNERS WITH THE FOURTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE WHERE CHILD RELATED RELIEF IS SOUGHT. CMLS STAFF ATTORNEYS ARE PRESENT FOR FAMILY COURT'S DOMESTIC ABUSE CALENDAR THREE DAYS A WEEK. VICTIMS ARE OFFERED ADVICE AND REPRESENTATION. VICTIMS WHO ALSO HAVE ADDITIONAL FAMILY LAW ISSUES FOLLOWING A DOMESTIC ABUSE CASE ARE FREQUENTLY ACCEPTED AS CLIENTS AND RECEIVE REPRESENTATION FROM CMLS. CMLS STAFF ATTORNEYS PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO SELF-REPRESENTED LITIGANTS THROUGH SELF HELP CLINICS ESTABLISHED BY CMLS IN ANOKA, AND STEARNS COUNTY. THE VOLUNTEER ATTORNEY PROGRAM OFFERS LEGAL ADVICE CLINICS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE LAW LIBRARIES OF WRIGHT COUNTY, THE GREAT RIVER REGIONAL LIBRARY IN SAINT CLOUD AND THE KANDIYOHI PUBLIC LIBRARY IN WILLMAR, MINNESOTA. PRO BONO ATTORNEYS ALSO PROVIDE ADVICE AT A MONTHLY CMLS CLINIC IN ISANTI COUNTY. CMLS PRO BONO ATTORNEYS PROVIDE MEDIATION SERVICES IN THE SAINT CLOUD AND WILLMAR AREAS THROUGH A VOLUNTEER FAMILY MEDIATION PROGRAM. THIS IS THE PRIMARY MEDIATION SERVICE IN THE CMLS SERVICE AND IS FOR LOW INCOME PEOPLE WITH FAMILY LAW DISPUTES. CMLS STAFF ATTORNEYS AND PRO BONO ATTORNEYS SERVE VETERANS THROUGHOUT ITS SERVICE AREA. REGULAR CLINICS ARE HELD IN ST. CLOUD AND MONTEVIDEO TO MEET THE LEGAL NEEDS OF RURAL VETERANS. IN HENNEPIN COUNTY CMLS PROVIDES FULL REPRESENTATION AND ADVICE TO VETERANS ON LEGAL ISSUES SUCH AS CHILD SUPPORT, PARENTING TIME AND LANDLORD/TENANT CASES. CMLS STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS REGULARLY PRESENT COMMUNITY LEGAL EDUCATION SEMINARS TO HELP LOW-INCOME PEOPLE AND SERVICE PROVIDERS UNDERSTAND LEGAL ISSUES AND PREVENT SOME LEGAL PROBLEMS FROM OCCURRING.

    Expenses $3,680,955

As filed on the 2025 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Listed in Part VII

  • DANIEL MORRIS

    EXECUTIVE DI

    Total calculated
    $141,093
    From this org
    $136,022
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $5,071
    Hours/week
    40

  • PAT O'NEILL

    DIRECTOR OF

    Total calculated
    $183,014
    From this org
    $144,641
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $38,373
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $144,641
    Bonus
    not reported
    Other
    not reported
    Deferred
    $5,545
    Nontaxable benefits
    $32,828
    Filer's total
    $183,014

  • DIANA LARSON

    SUPERVISING

    Total calculated
    $122,400
    From this org
    $118,957
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $3,443
    Hours/week
    40

  • ELIZABETH SAUER

    MANAGING ATT

    Total calculated
    $127,282
    From this org
    $114,240
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $13,042
    Hours/week
    40

  • JESSICA MELHEIM

    SENIOR ATTOR

    Total calculated
    $125,600
    From this org
    $103,064
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $22,536
    Hours/week
    40

  • JESSICA MASTELLAR

    DEPUTY DIREC

    Total calculated
    $108,881
    From this org
    $101,010
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $7,871
    Hours/week
    40

  • JONATHAN WOLF

    PRESIDENT

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5

  • TIFANNE WOLTER

    VICE PRESIDE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5

  • MARK VAVRECK

    TREASURER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5

  • OWAIS AHMED

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • MARNA ANDERSON

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • EMILY LAWRENCE

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • MEG LUGER-NIKOLAI

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • LYNDSEY OLSON

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • BEN WAGNER

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • AMIE ASCHEMAN

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • KRISTINE WITTMANN

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • SHEENA BEAMON

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • CATHY TESSMER

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • KIMBERLY THOLE-REINKE

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • TRAVIS ALLEN

    DIRECTOR END

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • JOSH FISHER

    DIRECTOR END

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • CALONDRA CHANDLER

    DIRECTOR END

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • AUDREY ROSE SANTOS

    DIRECTOR BEG

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • MADINA MOHAMED

    DIRECTOR BEG

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • ANISHA WHITLEY

    DIRECTOR BEG

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

Compensation is as filed in Part VII: reportable pay from this organization and from related organizations, other compensation, and hours per week. The total, marked calculated, is our sum of the three dollar columns, with a blank column counted as $0; the form itself has no total. On a Form 990-EZ the columns are Part IV's instead, and on a Form 990-PF Part VIII's — compensation, contributions to benefit plans, and expense account — and the total sums those. A Schedule J breakdown is as filed: base pay, bonus, other, deferred compensation and nontaxable benefits from this organization, with any from related organizations beside each, and the filer's own total. It is shown with the Part VII listing of the same name on the same return. The form gives no key between the two, so that pairing is ours, and is marked matched by us.

Schedule J

Answered yes

  • 3 · Approval by the board or compensation committee

Answered no

  • 4a · Severance or change-of-control payment
  • 4b · Supplemental nonqualified retirement plan
  • 4c · Equity-based compensation arrangement
  • 5a · Pay contingent on this organization's revenues
  • 5b · Pay contingent on a related organization's revenues
  • 6a · Pay contingent on this organization's net earnings
  • 6b · Pay contingent on a related organization's net earnings
  • 7 · Other non-fixed payments
  • 8 · Paid under the initial-contract exception

Part I's answers as filed. A line not listed was left unanswered; on lines 1a and 3 that means the box was not checked.

Grants on this return

No itemized grants to organizations on this return.

Provenance

Return type
form_990
Tax year
2025
Filed
18 June 2026
IRS schema version
2025v4.0
Source object
202611699349301326

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