Form 990 for tax year 2024
Filed by ADVOCATES FOR BASIC LEGAL EQUALITY.
Totals
- Total revenue
- $14,264,636
- Total expenses
- $11,732,867
- Contributions and grants received
- $13,622,740
- Grants paid
- $1,898,662
- Program service revenue
- $755,087
- Investment income
- -$216,056
- Other revenue
- $102,865
- Total assets, end of year
- $17,391,584
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $3,262,991
- Net assets or fund balances, end of year
- $14,128,593
- Program services expenses (Part IX)
- $10,067,729
- Management and general expenses
- $1,340,781
- Fundraising expenses
- $324,357
- Program service expenses (Part III)
- $10,067,729
Program services were 85.8% 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
$41,938
-
1c · Fundraising events
$21,601
-
1d · Related organizations
$42,009
-
1e · Government grants (contributions)
$2,620,774
-
1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants
$10,896,418
-
2a · Program service revenue: CONTRACTED SERVICES
total $662,210 · related or exempt $662,210
-
2b · Program service revenue: RELATED PARTY RENTAL INCOME
total $77,877 · related or exempt $77,877
-
2c · Program service revenue: ATTORNEY FEES RECEIVED
total $15,000 · related or exempt $15,000
-
3 · Investment income
total $413,121 · excluded $413,121
-
7b · Less cost or other basis and sales expenses
securities $21 · other assets $629,156
-
7c · Gain or loss
securities -$21 · other assets -$629,156
-
7d · Net gain or loss
total -$629,177 · excluded -$629,177
-
8a · Fundraising events: gross income
$140,844
-
8a · Fundraising events: contributions included on line 1c
$21,601
-
8b · Fundraising events: direct expenses
$135,479
-
8c · Net income from fundraising events
total $5,365 · excluded $5,365
-
11a · Other revenue: OTHER REVENUE
total $97,500 · excluded $97,500
-
11e · Other revenue, total
$97,500
Functional expenses
Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.
-
1 · Grants to domestic organizations and governments
total $1,898,662 · program services $1,898,662
-
5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
total $474,296 · program services $8,610 · management and general $465,686
-
7 · Other salaries and wages
total $5,622,383 · program services $4,986,980 · management and general $535,177 · fundraising $100,226
-
8 · Pension plan contributions
total $200,779 · program services $182,886 · management and general $14,460 · fundraising $3,433
-
9 · Other employee benefits
total $788,733 · program services $691,026 · management and general $80,991 · fundraising $16,716
-
10 · Payroll taxes
total $459,937 · program services $380,206 · management and general $70,547 · fundraising $9,184
-
11b · Fees: legal
total $94,630 · program services $94,630
-
11c · Fees: accounting
total $48,082 · management and general $48,082
-
11f · Fees: investment management
total $1,113 · management and general $1,113
-
11g · Fees: other
total $365,370 · program services $329,984 · management and general $26,986 · fundraising $8,400
-
13 · Office expenses
total $386,827 · program services $351,090 · management and general $29,882 · fundraising $5,855
-
14 · Information technology
total $154,484 · program services $132,980 · management and general $20,084 · fundraising $1,420
-
16 · Occupancy
total $281,189 · program services $255,221 · management and general $21,931 · fundraising $4,037
-
17 · Travel
total $131,336 · program services $128,746 · management and general $803 · fundraising $1,787
-
19 · Conferences, conventions and meetings
total $17,209 · program services $17,146 · management and general $59 · fundraising $4
-
20 · Interest
total $42,750 · program services $41,165 · management and general $1,336 · fundraising $249
-
22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization
total $170,910 · program services $170,910
-
23 · Insurance
total $50,535 · program services $44,359 · management and general $5,239 · fundraising $937
-
24a · Other expenses: FUNDRAISING DISBURSEMEN
total $168,179 · fundraising $168,179
-
24b · Other expenses: TRAINING
total $78,731 · program services $75,883 · management and general $2,848
-
24c · Other expenses: RECRUITMENT
total $74,790 · program services $64,196 · management and general $10,569 · fundraising $25
-
24d · Other expenses: INTERCOMPANY CHARGES
total $74,473 · program services $74,473
-
24e · All other expenses
total $147,469 · program services $138,576 · management and general $4,988 · fundraising $3,905
Balance sheet
Part X, book values.
-
1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing
beginning of year $1,177,674 · end of year $1,480,450
-
2 · Savings and temporary cash investments
beginning of year $8,391,545 · end of year $10,538,700
-
3 · Pledges and grants receivable
beginning of year $555,219 · end of year $745,522
-
9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges
beginning of year $26,014 · end of year $23,244
-
10a · Land, buildings and equipment: cost or other basis
$6,717,203
-
10b · Land, buildings and equipment: accumulated depreciation
$2,811,232
-
10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net
beginning of year $4,423,745 · end of year $3,905,971
-
11 · Investments: publicly traded securities
beginning of year $115,523 · end of year $130,859
-
15 · Other assets
beginning of year $775,695 · end of year $566,838
-
17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses
beginning of year $527,497 · end of year $647,451
-
19 · Deferred revenue
beginning of year $766,714 · end of year $700,461
-
21 · Escrow or custodial account liability
beginning of year $70,499 · end of year $70,682
-
23 · Secured mortgages and notes payable
beginning of year $1,065,009 · end of year $854,484
-
25 · Other liabilities
beginning of year $1,452,457 · end of year $989,913
-
27 · Net assets without donor restrictions
beginning of year $11,902,381 · end of year $14,458,025
-
28 · Net assets with donor restrictions
beginning of year -$319,142 · end of year -$329,432
Mission and programs · 2024
Mission
ADVOCATES FOR BASIC LEGAL EQUALITY, INC. (ABLE) IS A NON-PROFIT LAW FIRM THAT PROVIDES HIGH QUALITY LEGAL ASSISTANCE IN CIVIL MATTERS TO HELP ELIGIBLE LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS AND GROUPS IN WESTERN OHIO ACHIEVE SELF-RELIANCE, AND EQUAL JUSTICE AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY.
Activities or mission (Part I)
ADVOCATES FOR BASIC LEGAL EQUALITY, INC. (ABLE) IS A NON-PROFIT LAW FIRM THAT PROVIDES HIGH QUALITY LEGAL ASSISTANCE IN CIVIL MATTERS TO HELP ELIGIBLE LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS AND GROUPS TO ACHIEVE SELF-RELIANCE, EQUAL JUSTICE AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY.
-
HOUSING JUSTICE AND COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: NEIGHBORHOOD STABILIZATION, RACIAL JUSTICE, BUSINESS TRANSACTIONAL LEGAL SERVICES, ENTREPRENEUR LEGAL SUPPORT, COOPERATIVE LAW, LAND TRUST LAW, SHARED EQUITY DEVELOPMENT MODELS, FOOD EQUITY, FAIR HOUSING, ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE, TENANTS RIGHTS, EVICTION DEFENSE, HOUSING SUBSIDY PRESERVATION, AFFORDABLE HOUSING PRESERVATION AND LOCATION, FORECLOSURE DEFENSE, LEAD POISONING PREVENTION, RETURNING CITIZENS, MENTAL HEALTH AND HOUSING, CONSUMER RIGHTS.AGRICULTURAL WORKER AND IMMIGRANT RIGHTS: PROTECTING AND EXPANDING THE LEGAL RIGHTS OF AGRICULTURAL WORKERS AND IMMIGRANT FAMILIES BY ADDRESSING UNFAIR OR DISCRIMINATORY EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES AND CIVIL RIGHTS VIOLATIONS, INCLUDING RACIAL OR ETHNIC PROFILING; DISCRIMINATION; UNPAID WAGES & MINIMUM WAGE CLAIMS; IMMIGRATION; NATURALIZATION; CIVIL RIGHTS; KNOW YOUR RIGHTS; IMMIGRANT DETENTION REPRESENTATION; HOUSING CONDITIONS; EDUCATION; HEALTHCARE; SNAP AND OTHER GOVERNMENT BENEFITS; PRESERVE FAMILY UNITY & STABILITY; SAFETY FROM DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, OTHER CRIMES, PERSECUTION, TORTURE & HUMAN TRAFFICKING; COMBAT UNFAIR OR DISCRIMINATORY WORKPLACE PRACTICES; IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR IMMIGRANTS, REFUGEES & THEIR FAMILIES.FAIRNESS IN EDUCATION: EDUCATION ADVOCACY PROJECT PARTNERING WITH PARENTS AND PROVIDING TOOLS AND KNOWLEDGE TO ADVOCATE FOR THEIR CHILDREN'S EDUCATION, COLLABORATION WITH EDUCATORS AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS TO ELIMINATE THE DISPROPORTIONATE DISCIPLINARY MEASURES EXPERIENCED BY BIPOC AND ECONOMICALLY CHALLENGED STUDENTS; DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE CIVIL RIGHTS LITIGATION; LEGAL ADVOCACY FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES, DISCIPLINARY HEARINGS, AND DUE PROCESS PROCEEDINGS; INCREASING OPPORTUNITIES FOR A FREE, APPROPRIATE PUBLIC EDUCATION FOR ALL CHILDREN; LEGAL ADVOCACY FOR STUDENTS IN NEED OF SPECIAL EDUCATION AND ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNER SERVICES. HEALTHCARE AND ECONOMIC STABILITY: PROTECTION AGAINST UNFAIR DEBT COLLECTION, OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING FOR PEOPLE WITH CRIMINAL RECORDS, SECURING MEDICAID BENEFITS FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES, SECURING ACCESS TO CRITICAL FOOD ASSISTANCE (SNAP), EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES FOR JOB SEEKERS, REMOVING BARRIERS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, INCREASING OPPORTUNITIES SO PEOPLE CAN LIVE INDEPENDENTLY IN THEIR HOMES AND COMMUNITY WITH MEDICAID WAIVER FUNDING, CASH ASSISTANCE BENEFITS FOR FAMILIES, SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS FOR ADULTS AND CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES. ABLE REPRESENTS CLIENTS IN SEVERAL AREAS OF LAW, INCLUDING HOUSING, (PUBLIC HOUSING, EVICTION, FORECLOSURE AND HOUSING CONDITIONS); COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE AND GOVERNMENT BENEFITS, EDUCATION, IMMIGRATION, AND THE LEGAL PROBLEMS THAT AGRICULTURAL WORKERS, PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, VETERANS AND SENIOR CITIZENS FACE. EACH YEAR ABLE'S EXPERIENCED STAFF OF ATTORNEYS, PARALEGALS, AND SUPPORT PERSONNEL PROVIDE HIGH QUALITY LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO THOUSANDS OF INDIVIDUALS AND GROUPS THROUGHOUT 32 COUNTIES IN NORTHWEST AND WEST CENTRAL OHIO AND TO AGRICULTURAL WORKERS AND IMMIGRANTS THROUGHOUT OHIO. WE HAVE OFFICES LOCATED IN DAYTON, TOLEDO AND DEFIANCE. WE MEET THE LEGAL NEEDS OF OUR CLIENTS WORKING IN CONJUCTION WITH OUR PARTNER LAW FIRM, LEGAL AID OF WESTERN OHIO, INC. (LAWO). THE SERVICES WE PROVIDE BENEFIT CHILDREN, SENIORS, VETERANS, IMMIGRANTS, PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES, SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, PERSONS WITHOUT HEALTH INSURANCE, FAMILIES FACING EVICTION AND FORECLOSURE, HOMELESS CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, CHILDREN STRUGGLING TO SECURE APPROPRIATE EDUCATION SERVICES, MENTAL HEALTH CONSUMERS, AGRICULTURAL WORKERS, AND NURSING HOME RESIDENTS, AMONG OTHERS. OUR ATTORNEYS AND ADVOCATES WORK IN AREAS THAT PRIVATE ATTORNEYS USUALLY DO NOT, INCLUDING REPRESENTATION OF TENANTS, LOW-INCOME HOMEOWNERS, AGRICULTURAL WORKERS, IMMIGRANTS, VETERANS, PEOPLE WITH DISABILITES AND PEOPLE SEEKING GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE. TOGETHER ABLE AND LAWO CONSTITUTE THE LARGEST PROVIDERS OF FREE, COMPREHENSIVE CIVIL LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO LOW-INCOME PERSONS IN OHIO. NEARLY 25% OF OHIO'S POVERTY POPULATION LIVES IN OUR 32 COUNTY SERVICE AREA. OUR ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES AND HEADQUARTERS ARE LOCATED IN TOLEDO AT THE CENTER FOR EQUAL JUSTICE. IN 2024, ABLE AND LAWO RECEIVED 17,581 REQUESTS FOR HELP, WORKED ON 8,527 CASES, AND CLOSED 6,427 CASES BENEFITTING 27,652 PEOPLE. ABLE AND LAWO ALSO SECURED $7,505,427 IN MONETARY BENEFITS FOR THEIR CLIENTS.
Expenses $10,067,729 · Grants $1,898,662 · Revenue $755,087
As filed on the 2024 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.
Listed in Part VII
-
Cassandra AndresCASSANDRA ANDRES
PRESIDENT
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 1.5 + 2 related
-
Khadijah H AliKHADIJAH H ALI
VICE PRESIDENT
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 1.5 + 2 related
-
Robert TuckerROBERT TUCKER
VICE PRESIDENT
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 1.5 + 2 related
-
Nathan D TurnerNATHAN D TURNER
SECRETARY
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 1.5 + 2 related
-
Brandon E DobynsBRANDON E DOBYNS
TREASURER
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 1.5 + 2 related
-
Heather L AllredHEATHER L ALLRED
TRUSTEE
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 1.5 + 1.5 related
-
Catherine BitwayikiCATHERINE BITWAYIKI
TRUSTEE
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 1.5 + 1.5 related
-
Clayton CratesCLAYTON CRATES
TRUSTEE
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 1.5 + 1.5 related
-
Amanda DavisAMANDA DAVIS
TRUSTEE
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 1.5 + 1.5 related
-
Andrea De La RocaANDREA DE LA ROCA
TRUSTEE
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 1.5 + 1.5 related
-
Anna DelpANNA DELP
TRUSTEE
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 1.5 + 1.5 related
-
Twila R FergusonTWILA R FERGUSON
TRUSTEE
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 1.5 + 1.5 related
-
John F HallJOHN F HALL
TRUSTEE
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 1.5 + 1.5 related
-
Saundra HolmesSAUNDRA HOLMES
TRUSTEE
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 1.5 + 1.5 related
-
Jordan JenningsJORDAN JENNINGS
TRUSTEE
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 1.5 + 1.5 related
-
Alex LavelleALEX LAVELLE
TRUSTEE
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 1.5 + 1.5 related
-
Thomas J Lucente JrTHOMAS J LUCENTE JR
TRUSTEE
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 1.5 + 1.5 related
-
Eve MitroEVE MITRO
TRUSTEE
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 1.5 + 1.5 related
-
Lindsey PoseyLINDSEY POSEY
TRUSTEE
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 1.5 + 1.5 related
-
James StahlerJAMES STAHLER
TRUSTEE
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 1.5 + 1.5 related
-
Carasusana Cara WallCARASUSANA CARA WALL
TRUSTEE
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 1.5 + 1.5 related
-
Ethel Washington-HarrisETHEL WASHINGTON-HARRIS
TRUSTEE
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 1.5 + 1.5 related
-
Kathryn A WatsonKATHRYN A WATSON
TRUSTEE
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 1.5 + 1.5 related
-
Kari L WhiteKARI L WHITE
TRUSTEE
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 1.5 + 1.5 related
-
Mechelle ZarouMECHELLE ZAROU
TRUSTEE
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 1.5 + 1.5 related
-
Heather L HallHEATHER L HALL
DEPUTY DIRECTOR
- Total calculated
- $174,464
- From this org
- $147,336
- From related orgs
- $0
- Other
- $27,128
- Hours/week
- 48 + 1 related
Schedule J breakdown matched by us
- Base
- $147,336
- Bonus
- $0
- Other
- $0
- Deferred
- $5,893
- Nontaxable benefits
- $21,235
- Filer's total
- $174,464
-
Nikoleta I CookNIKOLETA I COOK
DIRECTOR OF FINANCE
- Total calculated
- $151,555
- From this org
- $127,549
- From related orgs
- $0
- Other
- $24,006
- Hours/week
- 40
Schedule J breakdown matched by us
- Base
- $127,549
- Bonus
- $0
- Other
- $0
- Deferred
- $5,102
- Nontaxable benefits
- $18,904
- Filer's total
- $151,555
-
Makiedah MessamMAKIEDAH MESSAM
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (FROM 3/24)
- Total calculated
- $148,274
- From this org
- $134,613
- From related orgs
- $0
- Other
- $13,661
- Hours/week
- 42 + 1 related
-
Kathleen C KershKATHLEEN C KERSH
MANAGING ATTORNEY
- Total calculated
- $142,441
- From this org
- $108,268
- From related orgs
- $0
- Other
- $34,173
- Hours/week
- 42
-
Jesus SalasJESUS SALAS
MANAGING ATTORNEY (THRU 12/24)
- Total calculated
- $140,276
- From this org
- $132,999
- From related orgs
- $0
- Other
- $7,277
- Hours/week
- 38
-
Rebecca SteinhauserREBECCA STEINHAUSER
MANAGING ATTORNEY
- Total calculated
- $131,492
- From this org
- $115,717
- From related orgs
- $0
- Other
- $15,775
- Hours/week
- 44
-
Mark HellerMARK HELLER
SENIOR ATTORNEY
- Total calculated
- $126,985
- From this org
- $120,397
- From related orgs
- $0
- Other
- $6,588
- Hours/week
- 41
-
Matthew N CurrieMATTHEW N CURRIE
MANAGING ATTORNEY
- Total calculated
- $125,896
- From this org
- $119,364
- From related orgs
- $0
- Other
- $6,532
- Hours/week
- 36
-
Janet HalesJANET HALES
FORMER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
- Total calculated
- $97,000
- From this org
- $97,000
- From related orgs
- $0
- Other
- $0
- Hours/week
- 1.5
Schedule J breakdown matched by us
- Base
- $0
- Bonus
- $0
- Other
- $97,000
- Deferred
- $0
- Nontaxable benefits
- $0
- Filer's total
- $97,000
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 survey or study
- 3 · Approval by the board or compensation committee
- 4a · Severance or change-of-control payment
Answered no
- 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
- THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S COMPENSATION IS BASED ON SEVERAL FACTORS, INCLUDING PERFORMANCE AND COMPENSATION PAID FOR COMPARABLE POSITIONS IN OTHER SIMILAR ORGANIZATIONS. A RECOMMENDATION WAS PRESENTED BY THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE TO THE BOARD FOR APPROVAL IN 2023.
- PART I, LINE 4A
- NAME: JANET HALES, DESCRIPTION: SEVERANCE/CHANGE OF CONTROL, CURRENT YEAR AMOUNT: $97,000. PLAN DESCRIPTION: SETTLEMENT
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
-
$1,898,662
SUPPORT
Related organizations on this return
Schedule R Part II: tax-exempt organizations related to the filer by control. It does not record shared board members or money.
-
LEGAL AID FOUNDATION OF WESTERN OHIO INC
501(C)(3) · SUPPORT ADVOCATES FOR BASIC LEGAL EQUALITY, INC. · OH · controlled entity
-
501(C)(3) · FREE LEGAL ASSISTANCE · OH
Provenance
- Return type
- form_990
- Tax year
- 2024
- Filed
- 13 November 2025
- IRS schema version
- 2024v5.2
- Source object
- 202503219349308185
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