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Nonprofiteer
← CONNECTICUT LEGAL SERVICES INC

Form 990 for tax year 2024

Filed by CONNECTICUT LEGAL SERVICES INC.

Totals

Total revenue
$15,587,499
Total expenses
$14,604,520
Contributions and grants received
$15,424,017
Grants paid
$1,250,740
Program service revenue
$46,979
Investment income
$99,956
Other revenue
$16,547
Total assets, end of year
$11,818,389
Total liabilities, end of year
$7,214,925
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$4,603,464
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$11,977,257
Management and general expenses
$2,297,430
Fundraising expenses
$329,833
Program service expenses (Part III)
$11,977,257

Program services were 82.0% 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.

  • 1a · Federated campaigns

    $43,430

  • 1e · Government grants (contributions)

    $2,776,733

  • 1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

    $12,603,854

  • 1g · Noncash contributions included above

    $3,551

  • 2a · Program service revenue: ATTORNEY FEES

    total $46,979 · related or exempt $46,979

  • 3 · Investment income

    total $99,956 · excluded $99,956

  • 7a · Gross sales of assets other than inventory

    securities $6,520,000

  • 7b · Less cost or other basis and sales expenses

    securities $6,520,000

  • 7c · Gain or loss

    securities $0

  • 11d · All other revenue

    total $16,547 · related or exempt $16,547

  • 11e · Other revenue, total

    $16,547

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 1 · Grants to domestic organizations and governments

    total $1,250,740 · program services $1,250,740

  • 5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

    total $681,210 · program services $198,771 · management and general $461,466 · fundraising $20,973

  • 7 · Other salaries and wages

    total $6,859,868 · program services $5,715,743 · management and general $969,134 · fundraising $174,991

  • 8 · Pension plan contributions

    total $1,059,405 · program services $841,941 · management and general $190,069 · fundraising $27,395

  • 9 · Other employee benefits

    total $2,434,952 · program services $2,013,736 · management and general $359,210 · fundraising $62,006

  • 10 · Payroll taxes

    total $591,492 · program services $470,077 · management and general $106,120 · fundraising $15,295

  • 11b · Fees: legal

    total $18,429 · program services $8,269 · management and general $10,160

  • 11c · Fees: accounting

    total $34,570 · program services $11,217 · management and general $23,353

  • 11d · Fees: lobbying

    total $289,147 · program services $289,147

  • 11g · Fees: other

    total $35,655 · program services $33,791 · fundraising $1,864

  • 13 · Office expenses

    total $91,969 · program services $50,640 · management and general $33,910 · fundraising $7,419

  • 14 · Information technology

    total $127,465 · program services $91,226 · management and general $35,436 · fundraising $803

  • 16 · Occupancy

    total $734,148 · program services $648,773 · management and general $76,843 · fundraising $8,532

  • 17 · Travel

    total $56,237 · program services $51,145 · management and general $5,063 · fundraising $29

  • 19 · Conferences, conventions and meetings

    total $17,978 · program services $13,895 · management and general $3,962 · fundraising $121

  • 22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    total $57,316 · program services $56,729 · management and general $570 · fundraising $17

  • 23 · Insurance

    total $72,821 · program services $64,258 · management and general $7,707 · fundraising $856

  • 24a · Other expenses: PERIODICALS

    total $43,793 · program services $38,643 · management and general $4,635 · fundraising $515

  • 24b · Other expenses: OCCUPATIONAL TAX

    total $31,499 · program services $31,499

  • 24c · Other expenses: MEMBERSHIPS

    total $20,880 · program services $18,424 · management and general $2,210 · fundraising $246

  • 24d · Other expenses: DONATED GOODS

    total $3,551 · program services $3,510 · management and general $36 · fundraising $5

  • 24e · All other expenses

    total $91,395 · program services $75,083 · management and general $7,546 · fundraising $8,766

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing

    beginning of year $1,143,315 · end of year $254,535

  • 2 · Savings and temporary cash investments

    beginning of year $3,645,015 · end of year $4,244,970

  • 3 · Pledges and grants receivable

    beginning of year $4,058,182 · end of year $4,261,174

  • 4 · Accounts receivable

    beginning of year $51,836 · end of year $15,448

  • 9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

    beginning of year $93,461 · end of year $106,476

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

    $2,025,427

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

    $1,190,693

  • 10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

    beginning of year $553,010 · end of year $834,734

  • 14 · Intangible assets

    beginning of year $1,872,631 · end of year $2,049,977

  • 15 · Other assets

    beginning of year $51,075 · end of year $51,075

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $7,259,152 · end of year $6,717,009

  • 19 · Deferred revenue

    beginning of year $1,091,695 · end of year $482,516

  • 21 · Escrow or custodial account liability

    beginning of year $1,183 · end of year $15,400

  • 27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

    beginning of year $162,561 · end of year $1,231,023

  • 28 · Net assets with donor restrictions

    beginning of year $2,953,934 · end of year $3,372,441

Mission and programs · 2024

Mission

CONNECTICUT LEGAL SERVICES PROVIDES ACCESS TO JUSTICE AND PROTECTS CRITICAL CIVIL LEGAL RIGHTS OF LOW INCOME INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES THROUGH REPRESENTATION, SYSTEMIC ADVOCACY, ADVICE, COLLABORATION, AND EDUCATION.

Activities or mission (Part I)

THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES ACCESS TO JUSTICE FOR LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS AND THEIR FAMILIES.

  • CONNECTICUT LEGAL SERVICES (CLS) PROVIDES CIVIL LEGAL REPRESENTATION AND COUNSELING TO HELP LOW INCOME INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES OBTAIN LEGAL SOLUTIONS TO SERIOUS LIFE PROBLEMS. CLS PROTECTS AND SECURES CRITICAL CIVIL LEGAL RIGHTS FOR ITS CLIENTS AND ADVANCES ACCES TO JUSTICE FOR CONNECTICUT RESIDENTS. OUR AREAS OF PRACTICE INCLUDE, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE/FAMILY, HOMELESSNESS/HOUSING RIGHTS, GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS, EMPLOYMENT, SPECIAL EDUCATION AND JUVENILE LAW, ELDER RIGHTS, CONSUMER LAW, HEALTH RELATED ISSUES, IMMIGRATION AND DISABILITY LAW. DURING THE 2024-2025 FISCAL YEAR, CLS OPENED 2,604 NEW CASES FOR LEGAL REPRESENTATION AND COUNSELING. WE ALSO WORKED ON 1,406 CASES OPENED IN PREVIOUS YEARS. CLS SERVICES PROVIDED IN THESE 4,010 CASES BENEFITED APPROXIMATELY 9,772 HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS WHICH INCLUDES 4,000 CHILDREN. IN ADDITION TO INDIVIDUAL CASES, CLS CONDUCTED 60 COMMUNITY LEGAL EDUCATION EVENTS IN 29 CONNECTICUT TOWNS, ATTENDED BY 3,400 PEOPLE.

    Expenses $11,977,257 · Grants $1,250,740 · Revenue $63,526

As filed on the 2024 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Listed in Part VII

  • Adam M Swanson Esq

    VICE CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Alina Reynolds Esq

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Ann G Taylor Esq

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Brad Saxton Esq

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Carolyn Wilkes Kaas Esq

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Helen Harris Esq

    CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Ivy McKinney Esq

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Jeffrey Plotkin Esq

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Jessica Richman Smith Esq

    TREASURER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Kevin Rasch Esq

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • L Spencer Cain Esq

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Laura Jordan Esq

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Leslie Levin Esq

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Livia Barndollar Esq

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Mike Hanley

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Patricia McIntosh LCSW MPH

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Peter Knight Esq

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Richard Orr Esq

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Tadhg Dooley Esq

    SECRETARY

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Thomas Sullivan

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Anne Louise Blanchard Esq

    DEPUTY DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $199,106
    From this org
    $175,777
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $23,329
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $171,800
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $3,977
    Deferred
    $18,332
    Nontaxable benefits
    $4,997
    Filer's total
    $199,106
  • Deborah R Witkin Esq

    EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $272,060
    From this org
    $197,727
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $74,333
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $189,479
    Bonus
    $7,500
    Other
    $748
    Deferred
    $36,224
    Nontaxable benefits
    $38,109
    Filer's total
    $272,060
  • Keith Boyce Cma

    FINANCE DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $190,497
    From this org
    $132,322
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $58,175
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $131,795
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $527
    Deferred
    $8,505
    Nontaxable benefits
    $49,670
    Filer's total
    $190,497
  • Astrid Lebron Esq

    DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

    Total calculated
    $177,142
    From this org
    $144,431
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $32,711
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $139,902
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $4,529
    Deferred
    $9,885
    Nontaxable benefits
    $22,826
    Filer's total
    $177,142
  • Kevin Brophy Esq

    MANAGING ATTORNEY

    Total calculated
    $192,201
    From this org
    $128,731
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $63,470
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $128,222
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $509
    Deferred
    $25,324
    Nontaxable benefits
    $38,146
    Filer's total
    $192,201
  • Lorraine Carcova Esq

    MANAGING ATTORNEY

    Total calculated
    $180,810
    From this org
    $128,731
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $52,079
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $128,222
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $509
    Deferred
    $13,695
    Nontaxable benefits
    $38,384
    Filer's total
    $180,810
  • Mary Conklin Esq

    MANAGING ATTORNEY

    Total calculated
    $175,792
    From this org
    $129,966
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $45,826
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $129,457
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $509
    Deferred
    $27,408
    Nontaxable benefits
    $18,418
    Filer's total
    $175,792
  • Nilda Havrilla Esq

    LITIGATION & ADVOCACY DIR.

    Total calculated
    $199,480
    From this org
    $136,153
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $63,327
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $135,596
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $557
    Deferred
    $9,253
    Nontaxable benefits
    $54,074
    Filer's total
    $199,480

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 · Independent compensation consultant
  • 3 · Compensation survey or study
  • 3 · Approval by the board or compensation committee
  • 7 · Other non-fixed payments

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
  • 8 · Paid under the initial-contract exception

The filer's explanations (Part III)

PART I, LINE 3
THE SALARY OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR IS REVIEWED AND SET BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AFTER CONSIDERATION OF SALARIES FOR THEIR POSITION AT OTHER COMPARABLE LEGAL SERVICES PROGRAMS AND NON-PROFIT AGENCIES AS PART OF AN EXECUTIVE SESSION OF THE BOARD. THE INFORMATION IS PROVIDED TO THE BOARD IN ADVANCE OF THE MEETING AND DISCUSSED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION AT THE MEETING. THE DELIBERATIONS AND DECISIONS ARE SUBSTANTIATED IN A CONTEMPORANEOUS FASHION THROUGH BOARD MEETING MINUTES. SALARIES FOR THE OTHER LEADERSHIP POSITIONS ARE ESTABLISHED BY THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR USING THE SAME CRITERIA AND ARE APPROVED BY THE BOARD AS PART OF THE BUDGETING PROCESS.
PART I, LINE 7
THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR RECEIVED A CALENDAR YEAR 2024 PERFORMANCE BASED BONUS WHICH WAS REPORTED IN HER W2.

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

Provenance

Return type
form_990
Tax year
2024
Filed
12 March 2026
IRS schema version
2024v5.5
Source object
202630759349301663

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