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Nonprofiteer
← MARYLAND VOLUNTEER LAWYERS SERVICE INC

Form 990 for tax year 2023

Filed by MARYLAND VOLUNTEER LAWYERS SERVICE INC.

Totals

Total revenue
$4,436,000
Total expenses
$4,219,677
Contributions and grants received
$4,144,880
Grants paid
$0
Program service revenue
$0
Investment income
$113,820
Other revenue
$177,300
Total assets, end of year
$4,937,393
Total liabilities, end of year
$2,012,678
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$2,924,715
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$3,520,335
Management and general expenses
$378,115
Fundraising expenses
$321,227
Program service expenses (Part III)
$3,520,335

Program services were 83.4% 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.

  • 1c · Fundraising events

    $5,040

  • 1e · Government grants (contributions)

    $959,736

  • 1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

    $3,180,104

  • 3 · Investment income

    total $117,549 · excluded $117,549

  • 7a · Gross sales of assets other than inventory

    securities $1,262,540

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

    securities $1,266,269

  • 7c · Gain or loss

    securities -$3,729

  • 7d · Net gain or loss

    total -$3,729 · excluded -$3,729

  • 8a · Fundraising events: gross income

    $202,295

  • 8a · Fundraising events: contributions included on line 1c

    $5,040

  • 8b · Fundraising events: direct expenses

    $33,005

  • 8c · Net income from fundraising events

    total $169,290 · excluded $169,290

  • 11a · Other revenue: MISCELLANEOUS INCOME

    total $8,010 · related or exempt $8,010

  • 11e · Other revenue, total

    $8,010

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

    total $186,851 · program services $65,398 · management and general $102,768 · fundraising $18,685

  • 7 · Other salaries and wages

    total $2,237,202 · program services $1,955,084 · management and general $112,616 · fundraising $169,502

  • 8 · Pension plan contributions

    total $63,126 · program services $54,997 · management and general $3,249 · fundraising $4,880

  • 9 · Other employee benefits

    total $299,152 · program services $263,184 · management and general $14,904 · fundraising $21,064

  • 10 · Payroll taxes

    total $182,324 · program services $152,862 · management and general $15,583 · fundraising $13,879

  • 11c · Fees: accounting

    total $65,130 · program services $54,515 · management and general $5,569 · fundraising $5,046

  • 11f · Fees: investment management

    total $11,493 · management and general $11,493

  • 11g · Fees: other

    total $568,233 · program services $495,271 · management and general $40,007 · fundraising $32,955

  • 13 · Office expenses

    total $125,128 · program services $88,698 · management and general $18,966 · fundraising $17,464

  • 16 · Occupancy

    total $291,457 · program services $246,468 · management and general $23,578 · fundraising $21,411

  • 17 · Travel

    total $9,432 · program services $8,700 · management and general $579 · fundraising $153

  • 19 · Conferences, conventions and meetings

    total $6,525 · program services $1,972 · management and general $4,097 · fundraising $456

  • 22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    total $50,671 · program services $42,412 · management and general $4,333 · fundraising $3,926

  • 23 · Insurance

    total $29,121 · program services $24,375 · management and general $2,490 · fundraising $2,256

  • 24a · Other expenses: MISCELLANEOUS

    total $36,126 · program services $26,022 · management and general $1,441 · fundraising $8,663

  • 24b · Other expenses: TRAINING AND TUITION

    total $33,896 · program services $17,388 · management and general $15,696 · fundraising $812

  • 24c · Other expenses: OUTREACH

    total $23,810 · program services $22,989 · management and general $746 · fundraising $75

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing

    beginning of year $331,368 · end of year $257,606

  • 2 · Savings and temporary cash investments

    beginning of year $1,730,006 · end of year $1,134,668

  • 3 · Pledges and grants receivable

    beginning of year $457,967 · end of year $363,515

  • 4 · Accounts receivable

    beginning of year $2,500 · end of year $10,701

  • 9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

    beginning of year $46,216 · end of year $20,295

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

    $598,640

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

    $422,192

  • 10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

    beginning of year $136,513 · end of year $176,448

  • 11 · Investments: publicly traded securities

    beginning of year $951,275 · end of year $2,065,119

  • 15 · Other assets

    beginning of year $1,049,492 · end of year $909,041

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $492,218 · end of year $495,545

  • 19 · Deferred revenue

    beginning of year $524,090 · end of year $528,651

  • 25 · Other liabilities

    beginning of year $1,052,995 · end of year $988,482

  • 27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

    beginning of year $2,526,577 · end of year $2,773,329

  • 28 · Net assets with donor restrictions

    beginning of year $109,457 · end of year $151,386

Mission and programs · 2023

Mission

THE MISSION OF THE MARYLAND VOLUNTEER LAWYERS SERVICE (MVLS) IS TO REMOVE BARRIERS TO JUSTICE THROUGH FREE CIVIL LEGAL HELP, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, AND ADVOCACY FOR EQUITABLE LAWS. (SEE SCHEDULE O FOR THE COMPLETE MISSION STATEMENT.)

Activities or mission (Part I)

MVLS REMOVES BARRIERS TO JUSTICE THROUGH FREE CIVIL LEGAL HELP, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, AND ADVOCACY FOR EQUITABLE LAWS.

  • MVLS PROVIDES LEGAL HELP IN A BROAD RANGE OF CIVIL LEGAL MATTERS INCLUDING FAMILY, HOUSING, CONSUMER, CRIMINAL RECORD RELIEF, ESTATE PLANNING & ADMINISTRATION, AND TAX CONTROVERSY. LAST YEAR, MVLS' PRO BONO PROGRAM MATCHED OVER 2,900 LOW-INCOME CLIENTS WITH ATTORNEYS AND TAX PROFESSIONALS FOR FREE REPRESENTATION IN CIVIL CASES. MVLS HAS MORE THAN 800 ACTIVE VOLUNTEERS ON ITS PANEL AND EMPLOYS STAFF ATTORNEYS WITH SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTISE IN ALL LEGAL AREAS LISTED ABOVE TO SUPPORT VOLUNTEERS. MVLS RECRUITS VOLUNTEERS FROM ALL SECTORS OF THE BAR, INCLUDING SMALL AND SOLO FIRMS, LARGE LAW FIRMS, CORPORATIONS AND GOVERNMENT ATTORNEYS, AND FROM ACCOUNTING FIRMS.

    Expenses $1,993,030

  • THE JUDICARE PROJECT IS A REDUCED-FEE PROGRAM DESIGNED TO PROVIDE FREE LEGAL SERVICES TO CLIENTS WHO OTHERWISE WOULD BE UNABLE TO AFFORD REPRESENTATION IN CONTESTED FAMILY LAW CASES. MVLS OPERATES THIS PROJECT IN 15 MARYLAND COUNTIES AND BALTIMORE CITY. EXPERIENCED VOLUNTEER LAWYERS ARE PAID $120/HOUR FOR UP TO 35 HOURS TO RESOLVE THESE DIFFICULT CASES. FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2024. OUR JUDICARE PANEL ATTORNEYS CLOSED 160 CASES, PRIMARILY INVOLVING CONTESTED CUSTODY THAT DIRECTLY BENEFITED 503 FAMILY MEMBERS.

    Expenses $639,634

  • HOUSING STABILITY IS A CORE FOCUS AT MVLS, WITH A PARTICULAR EMPHASIS ON OLDER ADULTS TO ENSURE THEY CAN AGE IN PLACE AND SUCCESSFULLY PASS ON THEIR ASSETS TO THEIR NEXT GENERATION THE ADVANCED PLANNING PROJECT EDUCATES MARYLANDERS ABOUT THE NEED TO DO ESTATE PLANNING SO THEY CAN PASS THEIR MOST IMPORTANT ASSET, THEIR HOME, TO THEIR FAMILY. THIS PROGRAM COMBATS GENERATIONS OF WEALTH EXTRACTION FROM COMMUNITIES OF COLOR, MANY OF WHOM HAD NOT ENGAGED IN ESTATE PLANNING AND HAD LOST THEIR HOMES TO TAX SALE OR FORECLOSURE. THE MY HOME, MY DEED, MY LEGACY PROJECT BUILDS UPON THIS WORK AND PROVIDES PRO BONO LEGAL SERVICES FOR ESTATE PLANNING AND DEED DISENTANGLEMENT TO CLIENTS WHO WERE TRADITIONALLY DENIED ACCESS TO JUSTICE. IN FY24, MVLS HANDLED 348 ESTATES AND DEEDS CASES.

    Expenses $620,663

  • Expenses $267,008 · Revenue $8,010

As filed on the 2023 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Listed in Part VII

  • Susan Francis

    EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $183,372
    From this org
    $166,305
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $17,067
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $150,305
    Bonus
    $16,000
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $4,709
    Nontaxable benefits
    $12,358
    Filer's total
    $183,372

  • Janet Fedder

    MANAGING ATTORNEY, APGRB

    Total calculated
    $127,412
    From this org
    $109,324
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $18,088
    Hours/week
    40

  • Carolyn Malinowski

    SENIOR ATTORNEY, APGRB

    Total calculated
    $114,090
    From this org
    $108,448
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $5,642
    Hours/week
    40

  • Kathleen Sutton

    DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT

    Total calculated
    $112,060
    From this org
    $107,381
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $4,679
    Hours/week
    40

  • Margaret Henn

    DEPUTY DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $114,123
    From this org
    $101,430
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $12,693
    Hours/week
    40

  • Alexandria K Montanio

    PRESIDENT

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • David G Sommer

    VICE-PRESIDENT

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • James Tansey

    SECRETARY

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Penny J Minna

    TREASURER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Tyree Ayers

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Shereefat Balogun

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Brent Bolea

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Jhonell Campbell

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Richard Costella

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Susan Dumont

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Brian Gordon

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • La'Tika Howard

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Ann Irvine

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Lydia E Lawless

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Robin Leone

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Reba Letsa

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Saad Malik

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Anthony May

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Michelee McGeogh

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Chelsea Ortega

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Marc E Shach

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Syma Ahmad Siddiqui

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Sheila Stewart

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • D'Sean Williams-Brown

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Emily Wilson

    DIRECTOR

    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 · Compensation committee
  • 3 · Form 990 of other organizations
  • 3 · Compensation survey or study
  • 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

The filer's explanations (Part III)

PART I, LINE 3
ANNUALLY, THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE PERFORMS AN EVALUATION OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND GATHERS COMPENSATION INFORMATION FOR OTHER SIMILARLY-SIZED ENTITIES.

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
2023
Filed
23 December 2024
IRS schema version
2023v5.1
Source object
202433589349300523

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