Form 990 for tax year 2024
Filed by MARYLAND VOLUNTEER LAWYERS SERVICE INC.
Totals
- Total revenue
- $5,024,696
- Total expenses
- $4,616,740
- Contributions and grants received
- $4,705,067
- Grants paid
- $0
- Program service revenue
- $1,980
- Investment income
- $171,914
- Other revenue
- $145,735
- Total assets, end of year
- $5,909,442
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $2,489,206
- Net assets or fund balances, end of year
- $3,420,236
- Program services expenses (Part IX)
- $3,906,809
- Management and general expenses
- $410,538
- Fundraising expenses
- $299,393
- Program service expenses (Part III)
- $3,906,809
Program services were 84.6% 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
$1,157
-
1e · Government grants (contributions)
$1,208,427
-
1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants
$3,495,483
-
1g · Noncash contributions included above
$10,600
-
2a · Program service revenue: CONTRACT SERVICE REVENUE
total $1,600 · related or exempt $1,600
-
2b · Program service revenue: CLIENT FEES
total $380 · related or exempt $380
-
3 · Investment income
total $151,728 · excluded $151,728
-
7a · Gross sales of assets other than inventory
securities $1,341,606
-
7b · Less cost or other basis and sales expenses
securities $1,321,420
-
7c · Gain or loss
securities $20,186
-
7d · Net gain or loss
total $20,186 · excluded $20,186
-
8a · Fundraising events: gross income
$181,003
-
8a · Fundraising events: contributions included on line 1c
$1,157
-
8b · Fundraising events: direct expenses
$38,708
-
8c · Net income from fundraising events
total $142,295 · excluded $142,295
-
11a · Other revenue: MISCELLANEOUS INCOME
total $3,440 · related or exempt $3,440
-
11e · Other revenue, total
$3,440
Functional expenses
Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.
-
5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
total $194,272 · program services $67,995 · management and general $106,850 · fundraising $19,427
-
7 · Other salaries and wages
total $2,404,838 · program services $2,123,989 · management and general $118,161 · fundraising $162,688
-
8 · Pension plan contributions
total $68,534 · program services $60,736 · management and general $3,515 · fundraising $4,283
-
9 · Other employee benefits
total $319,471 · program services $285,717 · management and general $15,599 · fundraising $18,155
-
10 · Payroll taxes
total $196,898 · program services $166,842 · management and general $16,309 · fundraising $13,747
-
11c · Fees: accounting
total $69,839 · program services $59,150 · management and general $5,811 · fundraising $4,878
-
11f · Fees: investment management
total $20,568 · management and general $20,568
-
11g · Fees: other
total $733,806 · program services $665,999 · management and general $43,396 · fundraising $24,411
-
13 · Office expenses
total $125,602 · program services $85,322 · management and general $24,508 · fundraising $15,772
-
16 · Occupancy
total $275,075 · program services $224,808 · management and general $30,987 · fundraising $19,280
-
17 · Travel
total $10,999 · program services $10,400 · management and general $466 · fundraising $133
-
19 · Conferences, conventions and meetings
total $6,891 · program services $4,301 · management and general $2,522 · fundraising $68
-
22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization
total $67,514 · program services $57,180 · management and general $5,618 · fundraising $4,716
-
23 · Insurance
total $26,253 · program services $22,235 · management and general $2,184 · fundraising $1,834
-
24a · Other expenses: MISCELLANEOUS
total $36,266 · program services $25,832 · management and general $1,564 · fundraising $8,870
-
24b · Other expenses: TRAINING AND TUITION
total $35,500 · program services $22,139 · management and general $12,230 · fundraising $1,131
-
24c · Other expenses: OUTREACH
total $24,414 · program services $24,164 · management and general $250
Balance sheet
Part X, book values.
-
1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing
beginning of year $257,606 · end of year $577,216
-
2 · Savings and temporary cash investments
beginning of year $1,134,668 · end of year $1,687,599
-
3 · Pledges and grants receivable
beginning of year $363,515 · end of year $440,585
-
4 · Accounts receivable
beginning of year $10,701 · end of year $7,885
-
9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges
beginning of year $20,295 · end of year $17,794
-
10a · Land, buildings and equipment: cost or other basis
$633,005
-
10b · Land, buildings and equipment: accumulated depreciation
$489,706
-
10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net
beginning of year $176,448 · end of year $143,299
-
11 · Investments: publicly traded securities
beginning of year $2,065,119 · end of year $2,228,900
-
15 · Other assets
beginning of year $909,041 · end of year $806,164
-
17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses
beginning of year $495,545 · end of year $573,609
-
19 · Deferred revenue
beginning of year $528,651 · end of year $1,039,333
-
25 · Other liabilities
beginning of year $988,482 · end of year $876,264
-
27 · Net assets without donor restrictions
beginning of year $2,773,329 · end of year $3,179,798
-
28 · Net assets with donor restrictions
beginning of year $151,386 · end of year $240,438
Mission and programs · 2024
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 2,266 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 $1,992,660
-
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, 2025. OUR JUDICARE PANEL ATTORNEYS CLOSED 194 CASES, PRIMARILY INVOLVING CONTESTED CUSTODY THAT DIRECTLY BENEFITED 543 FAMILY MEMBERS.
Expenses $750,747
-
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 FY25, MVLS HANDLED 641 ESTATES AND DEEDS CASES.
Expenses $668,021
-
Expenses $495,381 · Revenue $5,440
As filed on the 2024 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.
Listed in Part VII
-
James TanseyJAMES TANSEY
TREASURER
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 1
-
Penny J MinnaPENNY J MINNA
VICE-PRESIDENT
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 1
-
Reba LetsaREBA LETSA
SECRETARY
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 1
-
David G SommerDAVID G SOMMER
PRESIDENT
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 1
-
Robin LeoneROBIN LEONE
DIRECTOR
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 1
-
Lelia ParkerLELIA PARKER
DIRECTOR
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 1
-
Nicole Lacoste FolksNICOLE LACOSTE FOLKS
DIRECTOR
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 1
-
Payal AminPAYAL AMIN
DIRECTOR
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 1
-
Emily WilsonEMILY WILSON
DIRECTOR
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 1
-
D'Sean Williams-BrownD'SEAN WILLIAMS-BROWN
DIRECTOR
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 1
-
Sheila StewartSHEILA STEWART
DIRECTOR
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 1
-
Syma Ahmad SiddiquiSYMA AHMAD SIDDIQUI
DIRECTOR
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 1
-
Chelsea OrtegaCHELSEA ORTEGA
DIRECTOR
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 1
-
Michelee McGeoghMICHELEE MCGEOGH
DIRECTOR
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 1
-
Anthony MayANTHONY MAY
DIRECTOR
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 1
-
Susan DumontSUSAN DUMONT
DIRECTOR
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 1
-
Angela RussellANGELA RUSSELL
DIRECTOR
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 1
-
Rebecca SheppardREBECCA SHEPPARD
DIRECTOR
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 1
-
Richard CostellaRICHARD COSTELLA
DIRECTOR
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 1
-
Jhonell CampbellJHONELL CAMPBELL
DIRECTOR
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 1
-
Brent BoleaBRENT BOLEA
DIRECTOR
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 1
-
Shereefat BalogunSHEREEFAT BALOGUN
DIRECTOR
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 1
-
Tyree AyersTYREE AYERS
DIRECTOR
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 1
-
Brian GordonBRIAN GORDON
DIRECTOR
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 1
-
Lydia E LawlessLYDIA E LAWLESS
DIRECTOR
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 1
-
Susan FrancisSUSAN FRANCIS
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
- Total calculated
- $173,709
- From this org
- $155,546
- From related orgs
- $0
- Other
- $18,163
- Hours/week
- 40
Schedule J breakdown matched by us
- Base
- $155,546
- Bonus
- $0
- Other
- $0
- Deferred
- $4,666
- Nontaxable benefits
- $13,497
- Filer's total
- $173,709
-
Margaret HennMARGARET HENN
DEPUTY DIRECTOR
- Total calculated
- $122,851
- From this org
- $110,590
- From related orgs
- $0
- Other
- $12,261
- Hours/week
- 40
-
Carolyn MalinowskiCAROLYN MALINOWSKI
SENIOR ATTORNEY, APGRB
- Total calculated
- $116,565
- From this org
- $107,674
- From related orgs
- $0
- Other
- $8,891
- Hours/week
- 40
-
Janet FedderJANET FEDDER
MANAGING ATTORNEY, APGRB
- Total calculated
- $131,013
- From this org
- $112,146
- From related orgs
- $0
- Other
- $18,867
- Hours/week
- 40
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
- 2024
- Filed
- 23 January 2026
- IRS schema version
- 2024v5.5
- Source object
- 202640239349300409
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