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CHARITY REVIEW
Issued: May 2024 Expires: May 2026

Legal Aid Society Of Cleveland

Accredited Charity
Accredited Charity

Meets Standards
(888) 817-3777
1223 West Sixth Street
Cleveland, OH, 44113
https://lasclev.org/
📄 Full Report 🖨️ Print 📋 BBB Charity Standards

Standards For Charity Accountability

Governance

  1. Board Oversight
  2. Board Size
  3. Board Meetings
  4. Board Compensation
  5. Conflict of Interest

Measuring Effectiveness

  1. Effectiveness Policy
  2. Effectiveness Report

Finances

  1. Program Expenses
  2. Fundraising Expenses
  3. Accumulating Funds
  4. Audit Report
  5. Detailed Expense Breakdown
  6. Accurate Expense Reporting
  7. Budget Plan

Fundraising & Info

  1. Truthful Materials
  2. Annual Report
  3. Website Disclosures
  4. Donor Privacy
  5. Cause Marketing Disclosures
  6. Complaints

Legal Aid Society Of Cleveland meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.

Stated Purpose:
“to secure justice, equity, and access to opportunity for and with people who have low incomes through passionate legal representation and advocacy for systemic change.”

Year, State Incorporated:
1905, OH

Legal Aid Society Of Cleveland (LAS Cleveland) reports that it provides legal services at no cost to low-income clients in the service areas of Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, and Lorain counties in Ohio and takes cases that impact basic needs such as health, shelter, economics, education, and access to justice. The organization’s attorneys practice in the areas of consumer rights, domestic violence, education, employment, family law, health, housing, foreclosure, immigration, public benefits, utilities, and tax. LAS Cleveland states it has over 70 attorneys on staff and more than 3,000 attorneys who offer pro-bono services, of which 500 are engaged in a case or clinic annually. In 2022, the organization reports it increased assets and income and reduced debt for clients by more than $10.45 million, and served 21,640 people and groups through 7,941 cases.

For the year ended December 31, 2022, Legal Aid Society Of Cleveland's program expenses were:

Improve safety and health $4,042,865
Promote education and economic stability $5,184,236
Secure decent affordable housing $5,795,103
Total Program Expenses $15,022,204

Chief Executive
Colleen M. Cotter, Esq., Executive Director

Compensation*
$241,970

Chair of the Board
Jonathan Leiken, Esq.

Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Attorney, Dollar Tree, Inc.

Board Size
23

Paid Staff Size
145

*2022 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.

Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Grant proposals, Internet, Direct mail appeals, Radio, Special events, Foundation grants

Fundraising costs were 6% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $16,973,923, are donations received as a result of fundraising activities.)

This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.

The following information is based on Legal Aid Society Of Cleveland's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2022.

Source of Funds
Investment loss, net $-1,620,952
Publication income $6,845
Litigation income $10,000
Other income $11,982
Provision for uncollectable pledges and adjustment in present value discount $47,044
Cy Pres funds $438,122
In-kind services $1,052,794
United Way services $1,057,692
Governmental grants and contracts $1,668,936
Legal Services Corporation $2,983,635
Ohio Access to Justice Foundation $4,346,517
Contributions $5,817,305
Total Income $15,819,920

Programs: 84% Fundraising: 6% Administrative: 10%

Total Income $15,819,920
Total expenses: $17,786,292
  Program expenses $15,022,204
  Fundraising expenses $1,012,571
  Administrative expenses $1,751,517
  Other expenses $0
Income in Excess of Expenses $-1,966,372
Beginning Net Assets $16,073,629
Other Changes In Net Assets $0
Ending Net Assets $14,107,257
Total Liabilities $5,532,336
Total Assets $19,639,593

Note: According to LAS Cleveland’s audited financial statements for 2022, the organization received in-kind contributions of $1,052,794 in donated legal services.

An organization may change its practices at any time without notice. A copy of this report has been shared with the organization prior to publication. It is not intended to recommend or deprecate, and is furnished solely to assist you in exercising your own judgment. If the report is about a charity and states the charity meets or does not meet the Standards for Charity Accountability, it reflects the results of an evaluation of information and materials provided voluntarily by the charity. The name Better Business Bureau is a registered service mark of the International Association of Better Business Bureaus.

This report is not to be used for fundraising or promotional purposes.

RELATED CONTENT

Report completed by:
BBB Wise Giving Alliance