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← NEIGHBORHOOD DEFENDER SERVICE INC

Form 990 for tax year 2023

Filed by NEIGHBORHOOD DEFENDER SERVICE INC.

What the amendment changed

Compared with the return it replaced , filed 15 May 2025. matched by us Only the Part I totals and the names listed in Part VII are compared. We relate returns by organization, tax year and form, and order them by each return's own timestamp; the filer's own "amended return" checkbox is a separate fact.

Total revenue
$46,618,630 changed to $49,748,829
Total expenses
$48,677,475 changed to $51,030,122
Contributions and grants received
$46,618,527 changed to $49,748,717
Investment income
$0 changed to $112
Other revenue
$103 changed to $0
Total assets, end of year
$8,728,977 changed to $26,214,257
Total liabilities, end of year
$11,431,614 changed to $25,007,764
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
-$2,702,637 changed to $1,206,493
Program services expenses
$48,677,475 changed to $43,373,978
Management and general expenses
$0 changed to $7,611,663
Fundraising expenses
$0 changed to $44,481
Program service expenses (Part III)
$48,677,475 changed to $43,373,978

Listed only on the earlier return

  • JOHN ABADY
  • MATTHEW KNETCH
  • RAINY HAMILTON

Listed only on the later return

  • ANTHONIA IBE
  • CAROLYN KLEMENS
  • EDWARD MCGOWAN
  • JONATHAN ABADY
  • MATTHEW KNECHT
  • RAINY HAMILTON JR
  • SHANNON ANGLERO
  • WILFREDO C STA ANA

Listed under a different title

  • ALICE FRONTIER: MANAGING DIRECTOR then MANAGING DIRECTOR HARLEM
  • ANDREA BRIDGEWATER: CHIEF OPERATING OFFICE then CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
  • DAMARIS HERNANDEZ: TRUSTEE then BOARD MEMBER
  • DAVID KALAAL: NATIONAL TRUSTEE then TRUSTEE
  • DAVID SANFORD: TRUSTEE then BOARD MEMBER
  • DR TOLULUPE SONUYI: TRUSTEE then BOARD MEMBER
  • ELIONOR TATUM: TRUSTEE then BOARD MEMBER
  • GARY KOHLMAN: NATIONAL TREASURER then NATIONAL BOARD TREASURER
  • KRISTINE LONGSTREET: MANAGING DIRECTOR then MANAGING DIRECTOR DETROIT
  • MATTHEW MAZUR: HARLEM BOARD then HARLEM BOARD CHAIR
  • MELODY ROLLINS-DOWNES: TRUSTEE then BOARD MEMBER
  • MIRIAM GOHARA: TRUSTEE then BOARD MEMBER
  • PATRICK JONES: EXECUTIVE then EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
  • PENNY BAILER: TRUSTEE then BOARD MEMBER
  • RALPH JOHNSON: CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICE then CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER (OUTGOING)
  • SAUL GREEN: NATIONAL TRUSTEE then TRUSTEE
  • SUZANNE SUKKAR: TRUSTEE then BOARD MEMBER

Totals

Total revenue
$49,748,829
Total expenses
$51,030,122
Contributions and grants received
$49,748,717
Grants paid
$0
Program service revenue
$0
Investment income
$112
Other revenue
$0
Total assets, end of year
$26,214,257
Total liabilities, end of year
$25,007,764
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$1,206,493
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$43,373,978
Management and general expenses
$7,611,663
Fundraising expenses
$44,481
Program service expenses (Part III)
$43,373,978

Program services were 85.0% 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)

    $47,210,924

  • 1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

    $2,537,793

  • 3 · Investment income

    total $112 · excluded $112

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

    total $1,939,166 · management and general $1,939,166

  • 7 · Other salaries and wages

    total $30,003,605 · program services $26,581,673 · management and general $3,387,316 · fundraising $34,616

  • 8 · Pension plan contributions

    total $996,264 · program services $995,325 · fundraising $939

  • 9 · Other employee benefits

    total $8,052,249 · program services $7,223,648 · management and general $821,783 · fundraising $6,818

  • 10 · Payroll taxes

    total $2,546,832 · program services $2,233,250 · management and general $311,474 · fundraising $2,108

  • 11f · Fees: investment management

    total $270 · management and general $270

  • 11g · Fees: other

    total $1,248,761 · program services $832,630 · management and general $416,131

  • 13 · Office expenses

    total $848,025 · program services $747,655 · management and general $100,370

  • 14 · Information technology

    total $730,779 · program services $632,131 · management and general $98,648

  • 16 · Occupancy

    total $2,438,743 · program services $2,316,417 · management and general $122,326

  • 17 · Travel

    total $572,023 · program services $394,964 · management and general $177,059

  • 19 · Conferences, conventions and meetings

    total $171,533 · program services $162,522 · management and general $9,011

  • 22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    total $225,738 · program services $212,120 · management and general $13,618

  • 23 · Insurance

    total $148,486 · program services $130,511 · management and general $17,975

  • 24a · Other expenses: SUBSCRIPTION & DUES

    total $481,164 · program services $396,945 · management and general $84,219

  • 24b · Other expenses: EQUIPMENT PURCHASES & M

    total $280,982 · program services $236,159 · management and general $44,823

  • 24c · Other expenses: DEFENSE SERVICE

    total $198,431 · program services $196,381 · management and general $2,050

  • 24d · Other expenses: OTHER OPERATING EXPENSE

    total $147,071 · program services $81,647 · management and general $65,424

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing

    beginning of year $1,936,680 · end of year $424,639

  • 2 · Savings and temporary cash investments

    beginning of year $187,275 · end of year $1,099,906

  • 3 · Pledges and grants receivable

    beginning of year $7,024,123 · end of year $13,052,992

  • 4 · Accounts receivable

    beginning of year $17,577

  • 9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

    beginning of year $65,122

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

    $2,487,098

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

    $1,643,321

  • 10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

    beginning of year $1,069,515 · end of year $843,777

  • 11 · Investments: publicly traded securities

    beginning of year $6,281

  • 14 · Intangible assets

    beginning of year $11,457,041

  • 15 · Other assets

    beginning of year $271,081 · end of year $10,792,943

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $4,403,111 · end of year $7,530,335

  • 19 · Deferred revenue

    beginning of year $3,878,918 · end of year $4,368,504

  • 23 · Secured mortgages and notes payable

    beginning of year $268,891 · end of year $208,085

  • 24 · Unsecured notes and loans payable

    end of year $1,050,141

  • 25 · Other liabilities

    beginning of year $14,127,567 · end of year $11,850,699

  • 27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

    beginning of year -$1,391,822 · end of year $681,493

  • 28 · Net assets with donor restrictions

    beginning of year $748,030 · end of year $525,000

Mission and programs · 2023

Mission

NEIGHBORHOOD DEFENDER SERVICE (NDS) PROVIDES HOLISTIC, CLIENT-CENTERED, COMMUNITY-BASED LEGAL SERVICES AND WRAP AROUND SUPPORT TO INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES FACING SYSTEMIC INEQUITIES IN NEW YORK CITY NEIGHBORHOODS OF HARLEM, THE BRONX; WAYNE COUNTY, MICHIGAN; AND IN THE TEXAS COMMUNITIES OF HAYS COUNTY, SAN ANTONIO, AND HOUSTON. OUR MISSION IS TO MAKE JUSTICE A REALITY FOR THOSE FARTHEST FROM ITS REACH AND WE ACCOMPLISH THIS BY ADDRESSING THE ROOT CAUSES OF LEGAL CHALLENGES, WITH A FOCUS ON SYSTEMIC RACISM AND POVERTY.

Activities or mission (Part I)

NDS WAS FORMED FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING LEGAL SERVICES TO INDIGENT PERSONS.

  • NDS PROVIDES FREE LEGAL SERVICES TO INDIGENT PERSONS, IN THE HARLEM OFFICE, NDS HAS GROWN OUR CRIMINAL DEFENSE PRACTICE TO INCLUDE A HOMICIDE PRACTICE. WE EXPANDED OUR FAMILY DEFENSE PRACTICE AND MADE OUR IMMIGRATION AND CIVIL DEFENSE PRACTICES MORE ROBUST. WE ARE UNIQUELY POSITIONED TO PROVIDE A FULL HOST OF LEGAL SERVICES TO THE HARLEM COMMUNITY.

    Expenses $23,151,378

  • IN THE DETROIT OFFICE, WE BEGAN REPRESENTING RESIDENTS OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN WHO HAVE BEEN CHARGED WITH FELONY OFFENSES. WE PROVIDE OUR SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY FREE OF CHARGE.

    Expenses $11,634,041

  • NDS TEXAS PROVIDES FREE LEGAL SERVICES TO INDIGENT PERSONS THROUGH CRIMINAL DEFENSE. THIS YEAR WE ARE RUNNING A PROGRAM OPERATION LONE STAR TO ASSIST WITH DEFENSE OF PERSONS NEEDING IMMIGRATION DEFENSE. WE PROVIDE THESE SERVICES AS WELL AS SOCIAL SERVICES TO OUR CLIENTS USING A HOLISTIC APPROACH.

    Expenses $8,588,559

As filed on the 2023 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Listed in Part VII

  • DAMARIS HERNANDEZ

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • DAVID KALAAL

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • DAVID SANFORD

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • DR TOLULUPE SONUYI

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • ELIONOR TATUM

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • GARY KOHLMAN

    NATIONAL BOARD TREASURER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • JELANI JEFFERSON EXUM

    DETROIT BOARD CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • JONATHAN ABADY

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • KOFI BONNER

    NATIONAL TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • MATTHEW MAZUR

    HARLEM BOARD CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • MELODY ROLLINS-DOWNES

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • MIRIAM GOHARA

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • PAMELA LIPP-HENDRICKS

    NATIONAL BOARD CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • PENNY BAILER

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • RAINY HAMILTON JR

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • SAUL GREEN

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • SUZANNE SUKKAR

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • ANDREA BRIDGEWATER

    CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

    Total calculated
    $236,334
    From this org
    $200,480
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $35,854
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $199,721
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $759
    Deferred
    $10,000
    Nontaxable benefits
    $25,854
    Filer's total
    $236,334
  • ANTHONIA IBE

    CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER (INCOMING)

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    40
  • MATTHEW KNECHT

    CHIEF OF SENIOR MANAGEMENT

    Total calculated
    $275,376
    From this org
    $249,942
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $25,434
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $249,852
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $90
    Deferred
    $12,500
    Nontaxable benefits
    $12,934
    Filer's total
    $275,376
  • PATRICK JONES

    EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $431,550
    From this org
    $400,249
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $31,301
    Hours/week
    60

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $399,853
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $396
    Deferred
    $17,231
    Nontaxable benefits
    $14,070
    Filer's total
    $431,550
  • RALPH JOHNSON

    CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER (OUTGOING)

    Total calculated
    $204,910
    From this org
    $194,808
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $10,102
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $194,473
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $335
    Deferred
    $9,742
    Nontaxable benefits
    $360
    Filer's total
    $204,910
  • SHANNON ANGLERO

    CHIEF ADVANCEMENT OFFICER

    Total calculated
    $194,004
    From this org
    $149,628
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $44,376
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $149,568
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $60
    Deferred
    $7,500
    Nontaxable benefits
    $36,876
    Filer's total
    $194,004
  • ALICE FRONTIER

    MANAGING DIRECTOR HARLEM

    Total calculated
    $241,283
    From this org
    $190,380
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $50,903
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $190,290
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $90
    Deferred
    $9,750
    Nontaxable benefits
    $41,153
    Filer's total
    $241,283
  • KRISTINE LONGSTREET

    MANAGING DIRECTOR DETROIT

    Total calculated
    $208,646
    From this org
    $175,477
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $33,169
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $174,721
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $756
    Deferred
    $7,315
    Nontaxable benefits
    $25,854
    Filer's total
    $208,646
  • CAROLYN KLEMENS

    HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER

    Total calculated
    $170,604
    From this org
    $152,382
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $18,222
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $151,986
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $396
    Deferred
    $3,190
    Nontaxable benefits
    $15,032
    Filer's total
    $170,604
  • EDWARD MCGOWAN

    STAFF ATTORNEY

    Total calculated
    $193,367
    From this org
    $157,871
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $35,496
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $157,109
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $762
    Deferred
    $3,190
    Nontaxable benefits
    $32,306
    Filer's total
    $193,367
  • KAREN HAMBERLIN

    SUPERVISING ATTORNEY

    Total calculated
    $187,854
    From this org
    $150,034
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $37,820
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $149,896
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $138
    Deferred
    $5,186
    Nontaxable benefits
    $32,634
    Filer's total
    $187,854
  • ROXANNA GUTIERREZ

    GENERAL COUNSEL

    Total calculated
    $212,130
    From this org
    $164,096
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $48,034
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $163,700
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $396
    Deferred
    $7,173
    Nontaxable benefits
    $40,861
    Filer's total
    $212,130
  • WILFREDO C STA ANA

    SR. TRIAL ATTORNEY

    Total calculated
    $197,693
    From this org
    $154,387
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $43,306
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $154,294
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $93
    Deferred
    $3,190
    Nontaxable benefits
    $40,116
    Filer's total
    $197,693

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 committee
  • 3 · Form 990 of other organizations
  • 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

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.

Taxable family on this return

Schedule R Parts I, III and IV, as filed. These record ownership and control, not shared board members or money moved.

Disregarded entities

Part I: entities that legally are the filer and file no return of their own.

  • NDS HARLEM LLC

    PROVIDE LEGAL SERVICES TO INDIGENT PERSION · DE · income $27,187,484 · assets $23,958,174

    Directly controlled by NEIGHBORHOOD DEFENDER SERVICE INC

  • NDS TEXAS LLC

    PROVIDE LEGAL SERVICES TO INDIGENT PERSION · DE · income $9,730,283 · assets $1,833,705

    Directly controlled by NEIGHBORHOOD DEFENDER SERVICE INC

  • NDS DETROIT LLC

    PROVIDE LEGAL SERVICES TO INDIGENT PERSION · DE · income $14,272,274 · assets $10,019,011

    Directly controlled by NEIGHBORHOOD DEFENDER SERVICE INC

Provenance

Return type
form_990
Tax year
2023
Filed
18 December 2025
IRS schema version
2023v6.0
Source object
202503529349301425

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