Form 990 for tax year 2025

Totals

Total revenue

$1,105,723

Total expenses

$1,058,628

Contributions and grants received

$1,060,170

Grants paid

$0

Program service revenue

$15,776

Investment income

$29,777

Other revenue

$0

Total assets, end of year

$506,871

Total liabilities, end of year

$89,382

Net assets or fund balances, end of year

$417,489

Program services expenses (Part IX)

$736,187

Management and general expenses

$158,559

Fundraising expenses

$163,882

Program service expenses (Part III)

$736,187

Program services were 69.5% 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.

Mission and programs · 2025

• IN 2025, CLC'S LEGAL CARE PROGRAM (LCP), OUR LARGEST COMBINED PROGRAM, PROVIDED FREE LEGAL SERVICES TO A TOTAL OF 647 MINNESOTANS WHO HAD A COMBINED 858 DIFFERENT LEGAL MATTERS; MAINTAINING THE 20+% GROWTH IN CLIENTS SINCE 2023. THE BIGGEST AREAS OF NEEDED LEGAL CARE WERE SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY INSURANCE, ESTATE PLANNING, AND INSURANCE COVERAGE ISSUES. AS HAS BEEN THE TREND FOR THE LAST FEW YEARS, A GROWING NUMBER OF CLIENTS HAVE STAGE IV CANCER. IN 2015, 26% OF OUR CLIENTS WERE STAGE IV. IN 2025, 52% OF OUR CLIENTS WERE LIVING WITH STAGE IV CANCER. THE LCP IS DESIGNED TO HELP OUR CLIENTS MAINTAIN FINANCIAL SECURITY AND FAMILY STABILITY EFFECTIVELY AND EFFICIENTLY. THE FOLLOWING IS A BREAKDOWN OF CLIENT'S LEGAL NEEDS AND AREAS OF LEGAL CARE PROVIDED: 18% - INSURANCE COVERAGE (HEALTH INSURANCE, SHORT/LONG TERM DISABILITY)8% - HOUSING AND FINANCIAL (EVICTION, FORECLOSURE, CREDITOR ISSUES, BANKRUPTCY) 8% - EMPLOYMENT (ADA/MHRA DISCRIMINATION/REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION, FMLA) 23% - LEGAL PLANNING (HEALTH CARE DIRECTIVES, GUARDIANSHIP, WILLS, POWERS OF ATTORNEY) 34% - PUBLIC BENEFITS (SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY, MEDICAID) 9% - OTHER (IMMIGRATION, TAX, FAMILY).80% OF OUR CLIENTS NEEDED ADVICE OR INFORMATION ON A PARTICULAR LEGAL ISSUE OR POINT OF CONFUSION (WHY AM I NOT GETTING PAID FOR MY FMLA TIME OFF? CAN I BE FIRED BECAUSE OF MY CANCER? AM I ELIGIBLE FOR SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY BENEFITS?) OR A REFERRAL TO A MORE APPROPRIATE AGENCY FOR THEIR NEEDS.20% OF OUR CLIENTS NEEDED EXTENDED LEGAL REPRESENTATION IN LARGER, ONGOING MATTERS (A COMPLEX INSURANCE APPEAL DENYING THEIR TREATMENT BASED ON MEDICAL NECESSITY, CREATION OF AN ESTATE PLAN INCLUDING GUARDIANSHIP FOR THEIR MINOR CHILDREN, APPLICATION ASSISTANCE FOR SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY BENEFITS). FOR THESE LONGER PERIODS OF ENGAGEMENT, A CLC STAFF ATTORNEY OR ONE OF OUR 70+ VOLUNTEER ATTORNEYS WILL TAKE THE MATTER ON.OUR CLIENTS IN 2025:- WOMEN 58%, MEN 42%- 50% HAVE A HOUSEHOLD INCOME UNDER 200% OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY GUIDELINES- AFRICAN AMERICAN 11%, AI/AN 1% ASIAN 4%, HISPANIC 4%, UNKNOWN/PREFER NOT TO STATE 2%, WHITE 78%- 76% RESIDE IN THE TWIN CITIES METRO; 24% IN GREATER MINNESOTA- 36% LIVE ALONE- 22% HAVE MINOR CHILDREN IN THEIR HOME AND CARE- 74% ARE STILL OF WORKING AGE- 52% ARE LIVING WITH A STAGE IV CANCER - 34% SOUGHT HELP WITH A SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY BENEFIT ISSUE OR OTHER GOVERNMENT BENEFITS ISSUE (UP FROM 17% IN 2022).WORDS OF IMPACT FROM OUR CLIENTS:"EVERYONE HAS A PLAN UNTIL THEY GET PUNCHED IN THE FACE. I KNEW I NEEDED TO GET LEGAL REPRESENTATION FOR THE INSURANCE SIDE OF THINGS. I HAD TO COME TO CANCER LEGAL CARE TO GET THE FOLLOW THROUGH.""CANCER LEGAL CARE WAS AS MANDATORY TO ME AND MY CANCER AS MY CT SCANS, BLOODWORK, EVERYTHING.""THE SOONER YOU CAN GET THE HELP YOU NEED, THE BETTER. THE STRESS, THE WORRY CANCER LOVES THAT AND IT WILL MAKE YOU SICKER. CANCER LEGAL CARE IS THE HUMAN SIDE OF THE LAW, AND PEOPLE CAN MAKE ALL THE LAWYER JOKES THEY WANT, BUT YOU CANNOT DO THIS ALONE. CANCER LEGAL CARE WILL GIVE YOU THE ABILITY TO CALL IT LIKE IT IS WITH YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY."

  Expenses $451,209 · Revenue $15,776

• ICARE - A SIGNIFICANT EXPANSION OF OUR WORK TOOK PLACE IN 2020 WITH THE CREATION OF OUR ICARE PROGRAM UNDER THE UMBRELLA OF OUR LEGAL CARE PROGRAM OFFERINGS. ICARE (INSURANCE CLAIM ADVOCACY AND RESOLUTION) ADDRESSES THE GROWING NUMBER OF HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE DENIALS DUE TO MANY FACTORS INCLUDING SHRINKING NETWORKS AND EVER-CHANGING PRE-AUTHORIZATION REQUIREMENTS. OUR GOAL WITH ICARE IS TO MAKE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON THE HEALTH AND FINANCIAL WELL-BEING OF OUR CLIENTS BY WAY OF ENSURING THAT THEIR INSURANCE COVERS WHAT IT SHOULD, AND THAT HOSPITAL BILLING AND CODING ERRORS ARE CORRECTED SO THAT OUR CLIENTS ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR BILLS THAT ARE NOT THEIRS TO PAY. SINCE PILOTING THIS WORK IN 2019, WE HAVE CLOSED 176 COMPLICATED INSURANCE MATTERS WITH A 94% SUCCESS RATE FOR OUR CLIENTS. OF THESE CLOSED MATTERS, SUCCESS INCLUDED PROTECTING OR RECOVERING $4,471,875.94 IN HEALTH, DISABILITY, OR LIFE INSURANCE BENEFITS THAT HAD INITIALLY BEEN DENIED TO 85 OF OUR CLIENTS BY THEIR INSURANCE COMPANY. THE INDIVIDUAL CLIENT DOLLAR AMOUNT RANGES FROM $150 TO $565,000, WITH AN AVERAGE RECOVERY/PROTECTION OF $52,610.31 PER CLIENT. "YOUR SUPPORT MEANS THE WORLD TO ME, AND I TRULY COULDN'T HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT YOU.""THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT. IT TRULY FEELS LIKE SOMEONE IS FINALLY ON OUR SIDE, AND MY FAMILY AND I DEEPLY APPRECIATE IT.""THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL YOU ARE DOING FOR ME. IT ALLOWS ME TO FOCUS MY ENERGY ON GETTING MY HEALTH BACK ON TRACK. DON'T KNOW HOW I WOULD HANDLE ALL THIS WITHOUT YOUR HELP."OUR ICARE PROGRAM PROVIDES SERVICES TO CLIENTS ON THE FULL SPECTRUM OF ASSISTANCE LEVELS, FROM EDUCATING CLIENTS ON PROTECTIONS OF THE LAW (SUCH AS THE NO SURPRISES ACT AND THE MINNESOTA DEBT FAIRNESS ACT), EXPLAINING BENEFITS AND CLAIM DETERMINATIONS, "COACHING" CLIENTS THROUGH THEIR OWN CLAIM DENIAL APPEALS, AND PROVIDING FULL REPRESENTATION AND CLAIM DENIAL APPEAL AND/OR MEDICAL BILLING DISPUTE HANDLING. WE TACKLE A WIDE VARIETY OF CLAIM DENIAL AND BILLING ISSUES SUCH AS MEDICAL NECESSITY, PRIOR AUTHORIZATION, OUT-OF-NETWORK, EXPERIMENTAL AND INVESTIGATIONAL PROCEDURES AND MEDICATIONS, OFF-LABEL MEDICATION USE, BILLING CODING ERRORS, PROVIDER FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, AND GENERAL NAVIGATION OF THE INTERPLAY BETWEEN MEDICAL TREATMENT AND THE INSURANCE CLAIM PROCESS. OUR MODEL OF PROVIDING THESE SERVICES FREE OF CHARGE PROTECTS OUR CLIENTS' FINANCIAL STABILITY BY ENSURING THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE TO PAY MONEY TO RECOVER BENEFITS OR KEEP FUNDS THAT ARE RIGHTFULLY THEIRS TO BEGIN WITH. IN ADDITION TO DEALING WITH CANCER AND THE STRESSORS OF INSURANCE DENIALS, OUR ICARE CLIENTS ARE FACING INCREDIBLE FINANCIAL STRAIN. FULLY 29% OF OUR ICARE CLIENTS ARE UNDER 200% FPG (UP FROM 24% IN 2021), WITH ANOTHER 18% IN BETWEEN 200%-300% FPG. ALL OF THE ICARE WORK IS DONE AT NO CHARGE AND WITHOUT ANY INCOME ELIGIBILITY LIMITATIONS. WHY?1. VERY FEW FAMILIES COULD AFFORD AN ATTORNEY'S HELP IN LIGHT OF CANCER'S GROWING FINANCIAL TOXICITY.2. ANY BARRIER TO REACHING OUT OR GETTING HELP MORE OFTEN THAN NOT BECOMES A NON-STARTER FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE AT THEIR PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, AND FINANCIAL BREAKING POINT. WE KNOW THAT INSURANCE ISSUES ARE AT THE TOP OF THE MOST STRESSFUL THINGS OUR CLIENTS FACE.

  Expenses $129,925

• SOCIAL SECURITY APPLICATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SSAAP) - IN 2025, OUR SSAAP PROGRAM ENTERED ITS 3RD YEAR, AND WE SURPASSED $1 MILLION IN BENEFITS RECOVERED ON BEHALF OF CLIENTS. WHEN THIS PROGRAM STARTED IN JANUARY 2023, OUR WORK FOCUSED ON COMPLETING SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY BENEFIT (EITHER SSDI OR SSI) APPLICATIONS ON BEHALF OF CANCER PATIENTS. THIS WORK CONTINUES, REDUCING BARRIERS AND ASSISTING CANCER PATIENTS WHOSE HIGH COST OF TREATMENT AND INABILITY TO WORK ARE IMPACTING THEIR ECONOMIC SECURITY AND INCREASING THEIR RISK FOR FINANCIAL TOXICITY.AFTER THREE YEARS WE HAVE LEARNED A LOT FROM OUR CLIENTS AND HOW TO BEST SUPPORT THEM IN ACCESSING THESE ESSENTIAL FINANCIAL SUPPORTS. ONE THING WE HAVE LEARNED IS THAT SOME OF OUR CLIENTS WANT TO APPLY FOR BENEFITS ON THEIR OWN BUT WITH THE KNOWLEDGE AND SUPPORT FROM A TRUSTED GUIDE TO GET THEM FROM START TO FINISH. THIS IS WHERE CANCER LEGAL CARE CAN HELP. IN THE LAST YEAR CLC ATTORNEYS HAVE GUIDED 33 CANCER PATIENTS AND CAREGIVERS THROUGH THE PROCESS OF APPLYING FOR SSDI OR SSI ON THEIR OWN.WHAT DOES THIS LOOK LIKE? OUR ATTORNEYS HELP TO ANSWER SPECIFIC QUESTIONS ON THE APPLICATION, REVIEW LETTERS FROM SOCIAL SECURITY, PROVIDE GUIDANCE ON HOW TO COMPLETE SPECIFIC FORMS, AND REMAIN A REASSURING PRESENCE THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS. WHILE WE WILL CONTINUE TO BE HERE TO COMPLETE APPLICATIONS FOR THOSE CLIENTS WHO NEED FULL ASSISTANCE, THIS WORK IS A WAY TO SUPPORTS CANCER PATIENTS WHO WANT TO ADVOCATE FOR THEMSELVES IN COMPETING THE APPLICATION ON THEIR OWN DURING A TIME OF MUCH UNCERTAINTY. AS ONE CAREGIVER RECENTLY SHARED AFTER LEARNING THEY HAD SUCCESSFULLY APPLIED FOR BENEFITS FOR A LOVED ONE ON THEIR OWN WITH THE SUPPORT FROM CLC:YOU'VE BEEN SO HELPFUL IN EXPLAINING EVERYTHING TO US IN DETAIL. WE ARE SO FORTUNATE TO HAVE YOU AS A RESOURCE, AND ARE GRATEFUL FOR YOU, YOUR EXPERTISE, AND YOUR WILLINGNESS TO HELP US DURING THIS VERY DIFFICULT TIME OF OUR FAMILY'S LIVES.NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS FILED: 104SUCCESS RATE (START OF THE PROGRAM): 80%DOLLARS RECOVERED FOR OUR CLIENTS SINCE THE START OF THE PROGRAM: $1,398,864HOUSEHOLD INCOME BELOW 200% (SINCE THE START OF THE PROGRAM): 66%NO INCOME (SINCE THE START OF THE PROGRAM): 35%GOV'T BENEFIT BASED ON NEED (SINCE THE PROGRAM STARTED): 68%

  Expenses $155,053

As filed on the 2025 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Listed in Part VII

• DAVID MURPHY ESQ

  BOARD CHAIR

  Total calculated

  $0

  Hours/week

  5

• MATTHEW BREDESEN ESQ

  VICE CHAIR/SECRETARY

  Total calculated

  $0

  Hours/week

  5

• KEVIN WEHBER

  TREASURER

  Total calculated

  $0

  Hours/week

  5

• HOWARD BOLTER ESQ

  BOARD MEMBER (THRU 12/2025)

  Total calculated

  $0

  Hours/week

  3

• ALEX ESCHENROEDER ESQ

  BOARD MEMBER

  Total calculated

  $0

  Hours/week

  3

• ALEX GINSBERG ESQ

  BOARD MEMBER

  Total calculated

  $0

  Hours/week

  3

• KRISTY GRAUME

  BOARD MEMBER

  Total calculated

  $0

  Hours/week

  3

• JENNIFER HANNAN

  BOARD MEMBER

  Total calculated

  $0

  Hours/week

  3

• LASHAUNE JOHNSON PHD

  BOARD MEMBER

  Total calculated

  $0

  Hours/week

  3

• JENNIFER KUYAVA MD

  BOARD MEMBER (THRU 12/2025)

  Total calculated

  $0

  Hours/week

  3

• CATHERINE LONDON JD MPH

  BOARD MEMBER (THRU 12/2025)

  Total calculated

  $0

  Hours/week

  3

• JULIA MIGLETS-NELSON PHD

  BOARD MEMBER

  Total calculated

  $0

  Hours/week

  3

• AUSTIN MILLER ESQ

  BOARD MEMBER

  Total calculated

  $0

  Hours/week

  3

• PAULA MONTGOMERY ESQ

  BOARD MEMBER (THRU 12/2025)

  Total calculated

  $0

  Hours/week

  3

• WALTER MYERS

  BOARD MEMBER

  Total calculated

  $0

  Hours/week

  3

• SUNG JA SHIN

  BOARD MEMBER (THRU 12/2025)

  Total calculated

  $0

  Hours/week

  3

• LINDY YOKANOVICH ESQ

  EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

  Total calculated

  $181,101

  From this org

  $140,195

  From related orgs

  $0

  Other

  $40,906

  Hours/week

  50

  Schedule J breakdown matched by us

  Base

  $140,195

  Bonus

  $0

  Other

  $0

  Deferred

  $6,292

  Nontaxable benefits

  $34,614

  Filer's total

  $181,101

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

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

2025

Filed

16 June 2026

IRS schema version

2025v4.1

Source object

202621699349301682

Check it against the return as filed: the GivingTuesday Data Lake hosts a public copy of the original XML.

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