Skip to content
Nonprofiteer
← CENTRAL JERSEY LEGAL SERVICES INC

Form 990 for tax year 2024

Filed by CENTRAL JERSEY LEGAL SERVICES INC.

Totals

Total revenue
$15,047,866
Total expenses
$14,896,352
Contributions and grants received
$14,235,513
Grants paid
$0
Program service revenue
$716,083
Investment income
$95,994
Other revenue
$276
Total assets, end of year
$6,640,692
Total liabilities, end of year
$3,277,660
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$3,363,032
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$13,024,682
Management and general expenses
$1,871,670
Fundraising expenses
$0
Program service expenses (Part III)
$13,024,682

Program services were 87.4% 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.

  • 1e · Government grants (contributions)

    $14,217,401

  • 1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

    $18,112

  • 2a · Program service revenue: LEGAL SERVICES

    total $716,083 · related or exempt $716,083

  • 3 · Investment income

    total $83,006 · excluded $83,006

  • 7a · Gross sales of assets other than inventory

    securities $2,191,475

  • 7b · Less cost or other basis and sales expenses

    securities $2,178,487

  • 7c · Gain or loss

    securities $12,988

  • 7d · Net gain or loss

    total $12,988 · excluded $12,988

  • 11a · Other revenue: MISCELLANEOUS REVENUE

    total $276 · excluded $276

  • 11e · Other revenue, total

    $276

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

    total $451,684 · program services $395,720 · management and general $55,964

  • 7 · Other salaries and wages

    total $9,607,201 · program services $8,376,710 · management and general $1,230,491

  • 8 · Pension plan contributions

    total $888,422 · program services $778,346 · management and general $110,076

  • 9 · Other employee benefits

    total $1,831,909 · program services $1,604,934 · management and general $226,975

  • 10 · Payroll taxes

    total $789,937 · program services $692,063 · management and general $97,874

  • 11c · Fees: accounting

    total $31,999 · program services $18,399 · management and general $13,600

  • 11g · Fees: other

    total $219,510 · program services $212,185 · management and general $7,325

  • 16 · Occupancy

    total $685,107 · program services $608,264 · management and general $76,843

  • 17 · Travel

    total $7,926 · program services $7,540 · management and general $386

  • 22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    total $21,694 · program services $21,694

  • 23 · Insurance

    total $101,412 · program services $95,085 · management and general $6,327

  • 24a · Other expenses: OTHER DIRECT COSTS

    total $66,840 · program services $64,749 · management and general $2,091

  • 24b · Other expenses: SUPPLIES & SMALL EQUIPM

    total $44,710 · program services $44,710

  • 24c · Other expenses: CREDIT LOSS

    total $36,704 · management and general $36,704

  • 24d · Other expenses: LITIGATION

    total $30,526 · program services $30,526

  • 24e · All other expenses

    total $80,771 · program services $73,757 · management and general $7,014

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing

    beginning of year $168,551 · end of year $516,378

  • 2 · Savings and temporary cash investments

    beginning of year $3,697,316 · end of year $2,991,296

  • 3 · Pledges and grants receivable

    beginning of year $1,986,876 · end of year $827,828

  • 9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

    beginning of year $50,214 · end of year $44,932

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

    $846,225

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

    $549,543

  • 10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

    beginning of year $278,615 · end of year $296,682

  • 11 · Investments: publicly traded securities

    beginning of year $434,313 · end of year $1,578,770

  • 15 · Other assets

    beginning of year $770,099 · end of year $384,806

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $1,702,404 · end of year $2,236,787

  • 21 · Escrow or custodial account liability

    beginning of year $1,216 · end of year $338

  • 25 · Other liabilities

    beginning of year $2,501,669 · end of year $1,040,535

  • 29 · Capital stock, trust principal or current funds

    beginning of year $2,902,080 · end of year $3,066,350

  • 30 · Paid-in or capital surplus, or land, building or equipment fund

    beginning of year $278,615 · end of year $296,682

  • 31 · Retained earnings, endowment or other funds

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $0

Mission and programs · 2024

Mission

PROVIDES FREE LEGAL ASSISTANCE IN NON-CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS OR MATTERS TO PERSONS FINANCIALLY UNABLE TO AFFORD LEGAL ASSISTANCE IN MERCER COUNTY, MIDDLESEX COUNTY, AND UNION COUNTY, NEW JERSEY

Activities or mission (Part I)

PROVIDES FREE LEGAL ASSISTANCE IN NON-CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS OR MATTERS TO PERSONS FINANCIALLY UNABLE TO AFFORD LEGAL ASSISTANCE IN MERCER COUNTY, MIDDLESEX COUNTY, AND UNION COUNTY NEW JERSEY

  • CENTRAL JERSEY LEGAL SERVICES (CJLS) IS A NONPROFIT LAW FIRM THAT SERVES LOW-INCOME RESIDENTS OF MIDDLESEX, MERCER, AND UNION COUNTIES. CJLS HAS ATTORNEYS AND PARALEGALS AS WELL AS OTHER SUPPORT STAFF IN FIVE LOCATIONS ACROSS THE REGIONS. OFFICES ARE OPEN MONDAY-FRIDAY, 9 A.M. TO 5 P.M. THERE ARE PRIVATE ATTORNEYS WHO HAVE VOLUNTEERED THEIR TIME AND EXPERTISE TO PROVIDE LEGAL SERVICES TO ELIGIBLE CLIENTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES FREE CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WITH INCOME LESS THAN 250% OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL. CJLS ATTORNEYS AND PARALEGALS PROVIDE CLIENTS WITH ADVICE AND REPRESENTATION TO PROTECT THEIR HOUSING AND INCOME, IMPROVE FAMILY STABILITY, REMOVE BARRIERS TO PRODUCTIVE EMPLOYMENT, WIDEN ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE AND CJLS ASSISTS SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OBTAIN RESTRAINING ORDERS, SUPPORT AND CUSTODY. CJLS ASSISTS OTHERS WITH FAMILY ISSUES PROVIDING ADVICE, ASSISTANCE AND REPRESENTATION. CJLS SERVICES OFFERS THREE LEVELS OF SERVICES TO SUPPORT THE CLIENT COMMUNITY AND RESOLVE INDIVIDUAL CLIENT PROBLEMS. FIRST, CASE HANDLERS PROVIDE LEGAL ASSESSMENT, ADVICE AND REFERRAL IN CASES WHERE THE CLIENT IS ABLE TO RESOLVE THEIR LEGAL PROBLEM ON THEIR OWN. INFORMATION AND INSTRUCTION FROM AN ATTORNEY OR PARALEGAL IMPROVES CLIENTS' ABILITY TO ADVOCATE ON THEIR OWN BEHALF AND ACHIEVE THEIR DESIRED OUTCOME. SECOND, IN COMPLEX MATTERS OR THOSE WITH SERIOUS LEGAL CONSEQUENCES, CJLS, PROVIDES LEGAL REPRESENTATION IN ADMINISTRATIVE AND COURT PROCEEDINGS. FINALLY THE PROGRAM DELIVERS COMMUNITY LEGAL EDUCATION TO THE TARGET POPULATION. THROUGH WORKSHOPS AND CLINICS, AND COORDINATION WITH OTHER SOCIAL SERVICE PROVIDER AGENCIES, CJLS RAISES COMMUNITY AWARENESS OF LEGAL PROTECTIONS AND PROVIDES COMMUNITY MEMBERS WITH THE TOOLS NECESSARY TO ASSERT THEIR RIGHTS AND PROMOTE THEIR LEGAL INTERESTS. CJLS HELPS CLIENTS AVOID EVICTION OR OVERCOME FORECLOSURE, DEFEND THEIR RIGHTS UNDER THE TERMS OF THE LEASE, IMPROVE SUBSTANDARD HOUSING CONDITIONS, AND SECURE VITAL HOUSING SUBSIDIES. CJLS HELPED CLIENTS SECURE BANKRUPTCY PROTECTION, END CREDITOR HARASSMENT, DEFEND AGAINST FORCLOSURE, NEGOTIATE RESOLUTION OF DEBT, AND FIGHT UNFAIR AND ILLEGAL SALES PRACTICES. CJLS ASSISTED CLIENTS TO OBTAIN, INCREASE OR PROTECT IMPORTANT SOURCES OF INCOME FROM SOCIAL SECURITY, DISABILITY, UNEMPLOYMENT, FOOD STAMPS, AND TANF, SO THEY COULD PROVIDE FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES.

    Expenses $13,024,682 · Revenue $716,083

As filed on the 2024 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Listed in Part VII

  • April C Bauknight Esq

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Robert Calchi

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Valerie J Camara Esq

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • E Martin Davidoff CPA Esq

    BOARD MEMEBR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Nikki J Davis Esq

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Joan Douglass

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • The Honorable Travis Francis

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Richard B Gelade Esq

    VICE-PRESIDENT

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2
  • William P Isele Esq

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Maurisna Joseph

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • W Lois Kahagi Esq

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Eric B Levine Esq

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Nerlene Mayers

    SECRETARY

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2
  • Michael B McCulley Esq

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Michelle McNair

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Demetrice R Miles Esq

    TREASURER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2
  • Maritza Rodriguez Esq

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Stephen A Satkin Esq

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Angelo A Stio III

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • James A Tarella Esq

    PRESIDENT

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2
  • Maria Velez Esq

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Jaqueline Williams

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Elise Woolford

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Janice Chapin

    EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $216,330
    From this org
    $193,532
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $22,798
    Hours/week
    35

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $193,532
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $20,390
    Nontaxable benefits
    $2,408
    Filer's total
    $216,330
  • Wendy Cuffs-Lake

    CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

    Total calculated
    $235,354
    From this org
    $173,749
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $61,605
    Hours/week
    35

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $173,749
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $16,912
    Nontaxable benefits
    $44,693
    Filer's total
    $235,354
  • Daniel Rubin

    DEPUTY DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $228,036
    From this org
    $167,370
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $60,666
    Hours/week
    35

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $167,370
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $16,398
    Nontaxable benefits
    $44,268
    Filer's total
    $228,036
  • Luis Franco

    SENIOR STAFF ATTORNEY

    Total calculated
    $196,949
    From this org
    $177,339
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $19,610
    Hours/week
    35

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $177,339
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $16,751
    Nontaxable benefits
    $2,859
    Filer's total
    $196,949
  • Jennifer Tanner

    DIRECTOR OF GRANTS

    Total calculated
    $234,636
    From this org
    $172,905
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $61,731
    Hours/week
    35

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $172,905
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $16,912
    Nontaxable benefits
    $44,819
    Filer's total
    $234,636
  • Marysol Rosado Thomas

    DEPUTY DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $182,896
    From this org
    $165,888
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $17,008
    Hours/week
    35

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $165,888
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $15,809
    Nontaxable benefits
    $1,199
    Filer's total
    $182,896
  • Debbie Morgan

    DEPUTY DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $252,713
    From this org
    $189,346
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $63,367
    Hours/week
    35

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $189,346
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $18,635
    Nontaxable benefits
    $44,732
    Filer's total
    $252,713

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

None.

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

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
19 February 2026
IRS schema version
2024v5.5
Source object
202600579349301210

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

The source document this was parsed from is served over the API, which is where bulk and document access live.