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← ADVOCATES FOR BASIC LEGAL EQUALITY

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 Andres

    PRESIDENT

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1.5 + 2 related
  • Khadijah H Ali

    VICE PRESIDENT

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1.5 + 2 related
  • Robert Tucker

    VICE PRESIDENT

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1.5 + 2 related
  • Nathan D Turner

    SECRETARY

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1.5 + 2 related
  • Brandon E Dobyns

    TREASURER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1.5 + 2 related
  • Heather L Allred

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1.5 + 1.5 related
  • Catherine Bitwayiki

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1.5 + 1.5 related
  • Clayton Crates

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1.5 + 1.5 related
  • Amanda Davis

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1.5 + 1.5 related
  • Andrea De La Roca

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1.5 + 1.5 related
  • Anna Delp

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1.5 + 1.5 related
  • Twila R Ferguson

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1.5 + 1.5 related
  • John F Hall

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1.5 + 1.5 related
  • Saundra Holmes

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1.5 + 1.5 related
  • Jordan Jennings

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1.5 + 1.5 related
  • Alex Lavelle

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1.5 + 1.5 related
  • Thomas J Lucente Jr

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1.5 + 1.5 related
  • Eve Mitro

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1.5 + 1.5 related
  • Lindsey Posey

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1.5 + 1.5 related
  • James Stahler

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1.5 + 1.5 related
  • Carasusana Cara Wall

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1.5 + 1.5 related
  • Ethel Washington-Harris

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1.5 + 1.5 related
  • Kathryn A Watson

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1.5 + 1.5 related
  • Kari L White

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1.5 + 1.5 related
  • Mechelle Zarou

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1.5 + 1.5 related
  • Heather 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 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 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 Kersh

    MANAGING ATTORNEY

    Total calculated
    $142,441
    From this org
    $108,268
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $34,173
    Hours/week
    42
  • Jesus 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 Steinhauser

    MANAGING ATTORNEY

    Total calculated
    $131,492
    From this org
    $115,717
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $15,775
    Hours/week
    44
  • Mark Heller

    SENIOR ATTORNEY

    Total calculated
    $126,985
    From this org
    $120,397
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $6,588
    Hours/week
    41
  • Matthew N Currie

    MANAGING ATTORNEY

    Total calculated
    $125,896
    From this org
    $119,364
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $6,532
    Hours/week
    36
  • Janet 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

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.

Provenance

Return type
form_990
Tax year
2024
Filed
13 November 2025
IRS schema version
2024v5.2
Source object
202503219349308185

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