Form 990 for tax year 2024
Filed by SOUTHERN MINNESOTA REGIONAL LEGAL SERVICES INC.
Totals
- Total revenue
- $19,792,136
- Total expenses
- $18,273,321
- Contributions and grants received
- $19,412,345
- Grants paid
- $0
- Program service revenue
- $199,442
- Investment income
- $203,243
- Other revenue
- -$22,894
- Total assets, end of year
- $10,632,099
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $4,777,722
- Net assets or fund balances, end of year
- $5,854,377
- Program services expenses (Part IX)
- $14,884,346
- Management and general expenses
- $2,821,451
- Fundraising expenses
- $567,524
- Program service expenses (Part III)
- $14,884,346
Program services were 81.5% 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.
Revenue
Part VIII, the statement of revenue.
-
1a · Federated campaigns
$171,900
-
1c · Fundraising events
$143,250
-
1e · Government grants (contributions)
$18,536,420
-
1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants
$560,775
-
2a · Program service revenue: SPECIAL SERVICES FEES
total $199,442 · related or exempt $199,442
-
3 · Investment income
total $203,243 · excluded $203,243
-
8a · Fundraising events: gross income
$21,784
-
8a · Fundraising events: contributions included on line 1c
$143,250
-
8b · Fundraising events: direct expenses
$44,678
-
8c · Net income from fundraising events
total -$22,894 · excluded -$22,894
Functional expenses
Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.
-
5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
total $346,949 · program services $287,136 · management and general $48,287 · fundraising $11,526
-
7 · Other salaries and wages
total $11,291,074 · program services $9,341,267 · management and general $1,574,621 · fundraising $375,186
-
8 · Pension plan contributions
total $234,526 · program services $195,853 · management and general $30,934 · fundraising $7,739
-
9 · Other employee benefits
total $2,894,597 · program services $2,416,909 · management and general $382,158 · fundraising $95,530
-
10 · Payroll taxes
total $850,524 · program services $710,164 · management and general $112,290 · fundraising $28,070
-
11b · Fees: legal
total $149,549 · program services $149,549
-
11c · Fees: accounting
total $131,517 · management and general $131,517
-
11g · Fees: other
total $236,974 · program services $189,675 · management and general $46,141 · fundraising $1,158
-
12 · Advertising and promotion
total $8,719 · program services $8,719
-
13 · Office expenses
total $265,767 · program services $4,692 · management and general $260,883 · fundraising $192
-
14 · Information technology
total $252,621 · program services $190,259 · management and general $55,529 · fundraising $6,833
-
16 · Occupancy
total $741,639 · program services $634,496 · management and general $107,143
-
17 · Travel
total $99,173 · program services $94,562 · management and general $4,611
-
22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization
total $53,409 · management and general $53,409
-
23 · Insurance
total $59,365 · program services $59,365
-
24a · Other expenses: COALITION SUPPORT
total $359,432 · program services $359,432
-
24b · Other expenses: TRAINING DUES & SUBSCRI
total $150,185 · program services $142,004 · management and general $7,663 · fundraising $518
-
24c · Other expenses: MISCELLANEOUS
total $61,308 · program services $51,097 · management and general $6,265 · fundraising $3,946
-
24d · Other expenses: COUNTY & OTHER SUPPORT
total $49,167 · program services $49,167
-
24e · All other expenses
total $36,826 · fundraising $36,826
Balance sheet
Part X, book values.
-
1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing
beginning of year $5,751,569 · end of year $3,937,490
-
3 · Pledges and grants receivable
beginning of year $624,396 · end of year $433,095
-
9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges
beginning of year $119,230 · end of year $154,418
-
10a · Land, buildings and equipment: cost or other basis
$1,148,246
-
10b · Land, buildings and equipment: accumulated depreciation
$1,054,008
-
10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net
beginning of year $126,147 · end of year $94,238
-
11 · Investments: publicly traded securities
end of year $3,408,093
-
12 · Investments: other securities
beginning of year $17,798 · end of year $0
-
15 · Other assets
beginning of year $3,057,827 · end of year $2,604,765
-
17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses
beginning of year $1,267,523 · end of year $1,473,089
-
19 · Deferred revenue
beginning of year $1,055,948 · end of year $590,650
-
25 · Other liabilities
beginning of year $3,158,061 · end of year $2,713,983
-
27 · Net assets without donor restrictions
beginning of year $4,194,699 · end of year $5,753,484
-
28 · Net assets with donor restrictions
beginning of year $20,736 · end of year $100,893
Mission and programs · 2024
Mission
TO PROVIDE A FULL RANGE OF HIGH QUALITY LEGAL SERVICES TO LOW INCOME PERSONS AND ELIGIBLE CLIENT GROUPS IN CIVIL MATTERS, IN A RESPECTFUL MANNER WHICH ENABLES CLIENTS TO: 1.) ENFORCE THEIR LEGAL RIGHTS, 2.) OBTAIN EFFECTIVE ACCESS TO THE COURTS, ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCIES AND FORUMS WHICH CONSTITUTE OUR SYSTEM OF JUSTICE, 3.) MAINTAIN FREEDOM FROM HUNGER, HOMELESSNESS, SICKNESS AND ABUSE, AND 4.) EMPOWER PERSONS AND ASSURE EQUAL OPPORTUNITY, THUS HELPING PEOPLE TO HELP THEMSELVES AND BECOME ECONOMICALLY SELF-RELIANT, TO THE EXTENT THEIR INDIVIDUAL ABILITIES AND CIRCUMSTANCES PERMIT.
-
SOUTHERN MINNESOTA REGIONAL LEGAL SERVICES, INC. (SMRLS OR THE ORGANIZATION) WAS FORMED IN 1909 IN ST. PAUL AS A BRANCH OF ASSOCIATED CHARITIES TO PROVIDE LEGAL ADVICE AND REPRESENTATION TO LOW-INCOME PEOPLE. IN 1977, SMRLS EXPANDED ITS SERVICES TO 32 ADDITIONAL COUNTIES IN THE SOUTHERN THIRD OF THE STATE AND TO MIGRANT FARM WORKERS IN MINNESOTA AND NORTH DAKOTA. IN 2016, THE DEFINITION OF CLIENTS ELIGIBLE TO BE SERVED THROUGH THE MIGRANT PROGRAM WAS BROADENED TO AGRICULTURAL WORKERS AND THAT PROGRAM HAS BEEN RENAMED.A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF SMRLS' OPERATIONS IS FUNDED THROUGH GRANTS FROM THE LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION (LSC), A PRIVATE, NOT-FOR-PROFIT CORPORATION ESTABLISHED BY CONGRESS IN 1974 TO ASSURE EQUAL ACCESS TO JUSTICE UNDER THE LAW FOR ALL AMERICANS. LSC IS HEADED BY A BIPARTISAN BOARD OF DIRECTORS APPOINTED BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES AND CONFIRMED BY THE UNITED STATES SENATE.DURING 2024, SMRLS SERVED 11,939 CLIENTS (33,722 HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS) WITH MORE THAN 13,610 LEGAL MATTERS. IN ADDITION, APPROXIMATELY 6,630 FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS BENEFIT FROM SMRLS' PREVENTATIVE LAW AND COMMUNITY EDUCATION WORK AND APPROXIMATELY 51,061 PEOPLE ACCESSED THE WEBSITE.SMRLS EMPLOYS 68 ATTORNEYS AND 57 NON-ATTORNEY STAFF. SMRLS CURRENTLY HAS OFFICES IN ST. PAUL, MANKATO, ROCHESTER, WINONA, ALBERT LEA, WORTHINGTON AND MOORHEAD, AS WELL AS WITHIN SEVERAL COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS INCLUDING MEDICAL-LEGAL PARTNERSHIPS AT A HOSPITAL AND COMMUNITY CLINICS. SMRLS HAS GAINED NATIONAL RECOGNITION FOR ITS TRADITION OF SOUND MANAGEMENT AND INNOVATIVE APPROACHES TO PROVIDE LEGAL SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME PEOPLE. SMRLS' NATIONALLY RESPECTED COMPREHENSIVE NEEDS ASSESSMENT PROCESS, AND ITS DIVERSITY AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT WORK, HAVE RESULTED IN AN EFFECTIVE, COMMUNITY-BASED AND COLLABORATIVE LAW PRACTICE.IN JUNE 2024, THE SMRLS BOARD OF DIRECTORS ADOPTED A PLAN FOR THE NEXT STAGE OF SMRLS' STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT, 2024+ BEYOND STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK. THE STRATEGIC PLAN WILL FOCUS ON 5 KEY POINTS. TO IMPROVE SMRLS' ABILITY TO RESPOND TO THE NEW NEEDS OF THE CLIENT POPULATION IN OUR SERVICES AREA. TO MAKE EFFORT AND KEEP SMRLS A DIVERSE, ADEPT, AND RESPONSIVE LAW FIRM TO FOCUS LEGAL WORK ON RACIAL JUSTICE. TO BE VIEWED AS THE STATEWIDE LEADER IN LEGAL AID. TO CREATE A CULTURAL VIBRANCY IN SUPPORTING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, WORK/LIFE BALANCE AND PERSONAL WELLNESS FOR ITS STAFF. TO RETAIN FINANCIAL STABILITY ON EXISTING FUNDING WHILE ACTIVELY CULTIVATING NEW FUNDING SOURCES.SMRLS HAS STRONG WORKING RELATIONSHIPS WITH STATEWIDE LOCAL BAR ASSOCIATIONS, LAWYERS, THE STATE LEGISLATURE, BUSINESS AND GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES AND CLIENT GROUPS. THROUGH A SERIES OF INNOVATIVE URBAN AND RURAL VOLUNTEER ATTORNEY PROGRAMS, 80 VOLUNTEER ATTORNEYS DONATED APPROXIMATELY 1,543 HOURS OF CASE REPRESENTATION TIME TO ELIGIBLE CLIENTS IN 2024.
Expenses $14,884,346 · Revenue $20,481,809
As filed on the 2024 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.
Listed in Part VII
-
Brett W OlanderBRETT W OLANDER
PRESIDENT
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 5
-
Brenda DevlinBRENDA DEVLIN
1ST VICE PRESIDENT
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 5
-
Terrance Cs NewbyTERRANCE CS NEWBY
2ND VICE PRESIDENT
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 5
-
Thomas B HatchTHOMAS B HATCH
TREASURER
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 5
-
Andrew M BaeseANDREW M BAESE
SECRETARY
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 5
-
Abdi SabrieABDI SABRIE
DIRECTOR
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 1
-
Dan IdenDAN IDEN
DIRECTOR
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 1
-
Elizabeth WebsterELIZABETH WEBSTER
DIRECTOR
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 1
-
Gretchen CepekGRETCHEN CEPEK
DIRECTOR
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 1
-
Jan Marie LungrenJAN MARIE LUNGREN
DIRECTOR
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 1
-
Pam JamesPAM JAMES
DIRECTOR
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 1
-
Samantha SuttonSAMANTHA SUTTON
DIRECTOR
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 1
-
Tashonda WilliamsonTASHONDA WILLIAMSON
DIRECTOR
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 1
-
Josh MurphyJOSH MURPHY
DIRECTOR (RESIGNED 12/24)
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 1
-
Jim SukJIM SUK
DIRECTOR (RESIGNED 12/24)
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 1
-
Jessie R NicholsonJESSIE R NICHOLSON
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
- Total calculated
- $211,571
- From this org
- $205,052
- From related orgs
- $0
- Other
- $6,519
- Hours/week
- 50
Schedule J breakdown matched by us
- Base
- $205,052
- Bonus
- $0
- Other
- $0
- Deferred
- $0
- Nontaxable benefits
- $6,519
- Filer's total
- $211,571
-
Vannam KhenVANNAM KHEN
DIRECTOR OF FINANCE
- Total calculated
- $135,377
- From this org
- $124,871
- From related orgs
- $0
- Other
- $10,506
- Hours/week
- 45
-
Laura S MelnickLAURA S MELNICK
LEAD ATTORNEY
- Total calculated
- $191,993
- From this org
- $176,677
- From related orgs
- $0
- Other
- $15,316
- Hours/week
- 45
Schedule J breakdown matched by us
- Base
- $176,677
- Bonus
- $0
- Other
- $0
- Deferred
- $4,945
- Nontaxable benefits
- $10,371
- Filer's total
- $191,993
-
Valerie K SnyderVALERIE K SNYDER
LEAD ATTORNEY
- Total calculated
- $188,548
- From this org
- $172,523
- From related orgs
- $0
- Other
- $16,025
- Hours/week
- 45
Schedule J breakdown matched by us
- Base
- $172,523
- Bonus
- $0
- Other
- $0
- Deferred
- $5,311
- Nontaxable benefits
- $10,714
- Filer's total
- $188,548
-
Margaret EricksonMARGARET ERICKSON
SUPERVISING ATTORNEY
- Total calculated
- $181,716
- From this org
- $170,808
- From related orgs
- $0
- Other
- $10,908
- Hours/week
- 45
Schedule J breakdown matched by us
- Base
- $170,808
- Bonus
- $0
- Other
- $0
- Deferred
- $4,432
- Nontaxable benefits
- $6,476
- Filer's total
- $181,716
-
Laura K JelinekLAURA K JELINEK
SENIOR LEADERSHIP ATTORNEY
- Total calculated
- $187,272
- From this org
- $167,065
- From related orgs
- $0
- Other
- $20,207
- Hours/week
- 45
Schedule J breakdown matched by us
- Base
- $167,065
- Bonus
- $0
- Other
- $0
- Deferred
- $5,108
- Nontaxable benefits
- $15,099
- Filer's total
- $187,272
-
Lisa R HollingsworthLISA R HOLLINGSWORTH
DIRECTOR OF LITIGATION & ADVOCACY
- Total calculated
- $168,179
- From this org
- $153,573
- From related orgs
- $0
- Other
- $14,606
- Hours/week
- 45
Schedule J breakdown matched by us
- Base
- $153,573
- Bonus
- $0
- Other
- $0
- Deferred
- $3,977
- Nontaxable benefits
- $10,629
- Filer's total
- $168,179
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 · 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.
Provenance
- Return type
- form_990
- Tax year
- 2024
- Filed
- 7 November 2025
- IRS schema version
- 2024v5.2
- Source object
- 202513219349313291
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