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Nonprofiteer
← LEGAL AID OF WESTERN OHIO INC

Form 990 for tax year 2024

Filed by LEGAL AID OF WESTERN OHIO INC.

Totals

Total revenue
$8,974,773
Total expenses
$9,015,767
Contributions and grants received
$8,833,362
Grants paid
$464,306
Program service revenue
$100,208
Investment income
$255
Other revenue
$40,948
Total assets, end of year
$1,392,227
Total liabilities, end of year
$1,921,284
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
-$529,057
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$8,688,915
Management and general expenses
$318,464
Fundraising expenses
$8,388
Program service expenses (Part III)
$8,688,915

Program services were 96.4% 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.

  • 1a · Federated campaigns

    $7,000

  • 1d · Related organizations

    $1,898,662

  • 1e · Government grants (contributions)

    $2,201,945

  • 1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

    $4,725,755

  • 2a · Program service revenue: CONTRACTED SERVICES

    total $62,918 · related or exempt $62,918

  • 2b · Program service revenue: ATTORNEY FEE AWARDS

    total $25,100 · related or exempt $25,100

  • 2c · Program service revenue: RELATED PARTY RENTAL I

    total $12,190 · related or exempt $12,190

  • 3 · Investment income

    total $255 · excluded $255

  • 11a · Other revenue: MISCELLANEOUS

    total $40,948 · excluded $40,948

  • 11e · Other revenue, total

    $40,948

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 1 · Grants to domestic organizations and governments

    total $464,306 · program services $464,306

  • 5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

    total $197,470 · program services $11,789 · management and general $181,811 · fundraising $3,870

  • 7 · Other salaries and wages

    total $4,829,456 · program services $4,808,462 · management and general $18,908 · fundraising $2,086

  • 8 · Pension plan contributions

    total $182,045 · program services $181,073 · management and general $972

  • 9 · Other employee benefits

    total $867,079 · program services $864,234 · management and general $2,557 · fundraising $288

  • 10 · Payroll taxes

    total $369,981 · program services $360,340 · management and general $9,345 · fundraising $296

  • 11b · Fees: legal

    total $21,666 · program services $21,666

  • 11c · Fees: accounting

    total $45,122 · management and general $45,122

  • 11g · Fees: other

    total $400,326 · program services $400,326

  • 13 · Office expenses

    total $290,256 · program services $290,256

  • 14 · Information technology

    total $82,104 · program services $82,104

  • 16 · Occupancy

    total $260,744 · program services $260,744

  • 17 · Travel

    total $66,316 · program services $66,316

  • 19 · Conferences, conventions and meetings

    total $83,050 · program services $83,050

  • 20 · Interest

    total $7,646 · program services $7,646

  • 23 · Insurance

    total $44,663 · program services $44,663

  • 24a · Other expenses: ALLOCATED OVERHEAD

    total $615,970 · program services $554,373 · management and general $59,749 · fundraising $1,848

  • 24b · Other expenses: DUES & SUBS

    total $81,824 · program services $81,824

  • 24c · Other expenses: SUPPORT AND OTHER SERVI

    total $38,601 · program services $38,601

  • 24d · Other expenses: CLIENT/COMMUNITY ED

    total $27,992 · program services $27,992

  • 24e · All other expenses

    total $39,150 · program services $39,150

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing

    beginning of year $212,914 · end of year $236,956

  • 2 · Savings and temporary cash investments

    beginning of year $15,933 · end of year $53,751

  • 3 · Pledges and grants receivable

    beginning of year $462,825 · end of year $499,449

  • 4 · Accounts receivable

    beginning of year $141,118 · end of year $21,521

  • 9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

    beginning of year $46,239 · end of year $44,999

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

    $42,479

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

    $42,479

  • 10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $0

  • 15 · Other assets

    beginning of year $606,303 · end of year $535,551

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $378,810 · end of year $359,626

  • 19 · Deferred revenue

    beginning of year $338,774 · end of year $405,279

  • 21 · Escrow or custodial account liability

    beginning of year $24,360

  • 25 · Other liabilities

    beginning of year $1,231,451 · end of year $1,156,379

  • 27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

    beginning of year -$490,813 · end of year -$530,307

  • 28 · Net assets with donor restrictions

    beginning of year $2,750 · end of year $1,250

Mission and programs · 2024

Mission

LEGAL AID OF WESTERN OHIO, INC. (LAWO) IS A NON-PROFIT LAW FIRM THAT CHAMPIONS EQUITY AND JUSTICE THROUGH CLIENT-CENTERED COMMUNITY COLLABORATION AND TRANSFORMATIVE LEGAL ADVOCACY.

  • LAWO REPRESENTS CLIENTS IN SEVERAL AREAS OF LAW, INCLUDING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND OTHER FAMILY-LAW RELATED ISSUES; HOUSING, INCLUDING ISSUES SURROUNDING PUBLIC HOUSING AND HOUSING CONDITIONS; ACCESS TO GOVERNMENT BENEFITS; DEBT COLLECTION DEFENSE AND BANKRUPTCY; CONSUMER FRAUD ISSUES; EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT; AND THE LEGAL PROBLEMS THAT AGRICULTURAL WORKERS, VETERANS, THE HOMELESS, AND OLDER ADULTS FACE.EACH YEAR LAWO'S EXPERIENCED STAFF OF ATTORNEYS, PARALEGALS, AND SUPPORT PERSONNEL PROVIDE HIGH QUALITY LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO THOUSANDS OF INDIVIDUALS AND GROUPS LIVING IN POVERTY THROUGHOUT 32 COUNTIES IN NORTHWEST AND WEST CENTRAL OHIO AND AGRICULTURAL WORKERS THROUGHOUT THE STATE. WE HAVE OFFICES LOCATED IN DAYTON, DEFIANCE, FINDLAY, LIMA, SANDUSKY, SPRINGFIELD, AND TOLEDO.IN 2024 WE MET THE LEGAL NEEDS OF OUR CLIENTS WORKING IN CONJUNCTION WITH OUR PARTNER LAW FIRM, ADVOCATES FOR BASIC LEGAL EQUALITY, INC. (ABLE). THE SERVICES WE PROVIDED BENEFITED CHILDREN, OLDER ADULTS, 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, AND AGRICULTURAL WORKERS, AMONG OTHERS. OUR ATTORNEYS AND ADVOCATES WORK IN AREAS THAT PRIVATE ATTORNEYS USUALLY DO NOT, INCLUDING REPRESENTATION OF TENANTS, LOW-INCOME HOMEOWNERS, IMMIGRANTS, VETERANS, PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, AND PEOPLE SEEKING GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE.WHAT WE DO IS IMPORTANT TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY. WE PROVIDE POWERFUL SOLUTIONS TO CRITICAL SOCIETAL ISSUES. THROUGH OUR EFFORTS, MILLIONS OF DOLLARS ARE RETURNED TO THE COMMUNITY OR SAVED FOR OUR CLIENTS. WE CONSERVE VALUABLE COMMUNITY RESOURCES BY ADDRESSING ISSUES BEFORE THEY BECOME A CRISIS AND WORK WITH OTHER NON-PROFIT SERVICE PROVIDERS TO PROVIDE A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO ADVOCACY FOR LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES.TOGETHER LAWO AND ABLE CONSTITUTE THE LARGEST PROVIDERS OF FREE, COMPREHENSIVE CIVIL LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO LOW-INCOME PERSONS IN OHIO. OVER 23% OF OHIO'S POVERTY POPULATION LIVES IN OUR 32 COUNTY SERVICE AREA. LAWO ALSO SERVES AGRICULTURAL WORKERS THROUGHOUT THE STATE. OURADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES AND HEADQUARTERS ARE LOCATED IN TOLEDO AT THE CENTER FOR EQUAL JUSTICE. IN 2024, LAWO RECEIVED 15,721 REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE AND CLOSED 5,198 CASES. OUR ADVOCACY IN 2024 BENEFITED 15,721 INDIVIDUALS. LAWO ALSO SECURED $6,656,240 IN TOTAL MONETARY AWARDS FOR ITS CLIENTS.

    Expenses $8,688,915 · Grants $464,306 · Revenue $100,208

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 Rice

    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
  • Kevin Mulder

    EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (LEFT OCT. 2025)

    Total calculated
    $197,470
    From this org
    $169,102
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $28,368
    Hours/week
    54

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $169,102
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $6,764
    Nontaxable benefits
    $21,604
    Filer's total
    $197,470
  • Patricia Y Hernandez

    DIRECTOR OF ADVOCACY

    Total calculated
    $147,900
    From this org
    $122,183
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $25,717
    Hours/week
    40
  • Veronica L Martinez

    MANAGING ATTORNEY

    Total calculated
    $142,939
    From this org
    $119,180
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $23,759
    Hours/week
    40
  • Nancy Nava-Wade

    SENIOR ATTORNEY

    Total calculated
    $141,656
    From this org
    $108,655
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $33,001
    Hours/week
    40
  • Debra Jennings

    MANAGING ATTORNEY

    Total calculated
    $134,385
    From this org
    $118,700
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $15,685
    Hours/week
    40
  • Lucinda J Weller

    MANAGING ATTORNEY

    Total calculated
    $133,511
    From this org
    $117,873
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $15,638
    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 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
THE COMPARABILITY DATA FOR THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR WAS UPDATED IN NOVEMBER 2023. IN 2023, THE HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE CONDUCTED A PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. AT ITS MEETING ON NOVEMBER 14, 2023, THE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDED THAT THE FINANCE & AUDIT COMMITTEE CONDUCT A MERIT COMPENSATION REVIEW FOR THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. THE FINANCE & AUDIT COMMITTEE CONSIDERED A RECOMMENDATION REGARDING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S COMPENSATION AT ITS MEETING OF MARCH 21, 2024. THE BOARD REVIEWED AND APPROVED THE RECOMMENDATION AT ITS MEETING ON MARCH 28, 2024. IN 2024, THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES AGAIN EVALUATED THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. THE HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE CONSIDERED THE EVALUATION AT ITS MEETING OF DECEMBER 3, 2024. AT ITS MEETING ON DECEMBER 20, 2024, THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES REVIEWED THE EVALUATION AND THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S COMPENSATION AND APPROVED A ONE-TIME PAYMENT.

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
202513219349307746

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