Attach to Form 990 or Form 990-EZ.
Go to
www.irs.gov/Form990 for instructions and the latest information.
| (i) Name of supported organization | (ii) EIN | (iii) Type of organization (described on lines 1- 10 above (see instructions)) | (iv) Is the organization listed in your governing document? | (v) Amount of monetary support (see instructions) | (vi) Amount of other support (see instructions) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | No | |||||
|
Total |
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Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in) ![]() |
(a) 2015 | (b) 2016 | (c) 2017 | (d) 2018 | (e) 2019 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees received. (Do not include any "unusual grant.") .. | 2,744,083 | 1,924,014 | 1,689,370 | 2,853,668 | 2,889,739 | 12,100,874 |
| 2 | Tax revenues levied for the organization's benefit and either paid to or expended on its behalf.... | ||||||
| 3 | The value of services or facilities furnished by a governmental unit to the organization without charge.. | ||||||
| 4 | Total. Add lines 1 through 3 | 2,744,083 | 1,924,014 | 1,689,370 | 2,853,668 | 2,889,739 | 12,100,874 |
| 5 | The portion of total contributions by each person (other than a governmental unit or publicly supported organization) included on line 1 that exceeds 2% of the amount shown on line 11, column (f).. | ||||||
| 6 | Public support. Subtract line 5 from line 4. | 12,100,874 | |||||
Calendar year
(or fiscal year beginning in) ![]() |
(a) 2015 | (b) 2016 | (c) 2017 | (d) 2018 | (e) 2019 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Amounts from line 4.. | 2,744,083 | 1,924,014 | 1,689,370 | 2,853,668 | 2,889,739 | 12,100,874 |
| 8 | Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources... | 38,525 | 33,466 | 38,768 | 35,559 | 20,125 | 166,443 |
| 9 | Net income from unrelated business activities, whether or not the business is regularly carried on.. | ||||||
| 10 | Other income. Do not include gain or loss from the sale of capital assets (Explain in Part VI.).. | 108,237 | 877 | 2,561 | 111,675 | ||
| 11 | Total support. Add lines 7 through 10 | 12,378,992 | |||||
Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in) ![]() |
(a) 2015 | (b) 2016 | (c) 2017 | (d) 2018 | (e) 2019 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees received. (Do not include any "unusual grants.") . | ||||||
| 2 | Gross receipts from admissions, merchandise sold or services performed, or facilities furnished in any activity that is related to the organization's tax-exempt purpose | ||||||
| 3 | Gross receipts from activities that are not an unrelated trade or business under section 513 ..... | ||||||
| 4 | Tax revenues levied for the organization's benefit and either paid to or expended on its behalf... | ||||||
| 5 | The value of services or facilities furnished by a governmental unit to the organization without charge | ||||||
| 6 | Total. Add lines 1 through 5 | ||||||
| 7a | Amounts included on lines 1, 2, and 3 received from disqualified persons | ||||||
| b | Amounts included on lines 2 and 3 received from other than disqualified persons that exceed the greater of $5,000 or 1% of the amount on line 13 for the year. | ||||||
| c | Add lines 7a and 7b.. | ||||||
| 8 | Public support. (Subtract line 7c from line 6.) | ||||||
Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in) ![]() |
(a) 2015 | (b) 2016 | (c) 2017 | (d) 2018 | (e) 2019 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | Amounts from line 6... | ||||||
| 10a | Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources.. | ||||||
| b | Unrelated business taxable income (less section 511 taxes) from businesses acquired after June 30, 1975. | ||||||
| c | Add lines 10a and 10b. | ||||||
| 11 | Net income from unrelated business activities not included in line 10b, whether or not the business is regularly carried on. | ||||||
| 12 | Other income. Do not include gain or loss from the sale of capital assets (Explain in Part VI.) .. | ||||||
| 13 | Total support. (Add lines 9, 10c, 11, and 12.).. | ||||||
| Section A - Adjusted Net Income | (A) Prior Year |
(B) Current Year (optional) |
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| 1 | Net short-term capital gain | 1 | ||||
| 2 | Recoveries of prior-year distributions | 2 | ||||
| 3 | Other gross income (see instructions) | 3 | ||||
| 4 | Add lines 1 through 3 | 4 | ||||
| 5 | Depreciation and depletion | 5 | ||||
| 6 | Portion of operating expenses paid or incurred for production or collection of gross income or for management, conservation, or maintenance of property held for production of income (see instructions) | 6 | ||||
| 7 | Other expenses (see instructions) | 7 | ||||
| 8 | Adjusted Net Income (subtract lines 5, 6 and 7 from line 4) | 8 | ||||
| Section B - Minimum Asset Amount | (A) Prior Year |
(B) Current Year (optional) |
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| 1 | Aggregate fair market value of all non-exempt-use assets (see instructions for short tax year or assets held for part of year): | 1 | ||||
| a | Average monthly value of securities | 1a | ||||
| b | Average monthly cash balances | 1b | ||||
| c | Fair market value of other non-exempt-use assets | 1c | ||||
| d | Total (add lines 1a, 1b, and 1c) | 1d | ||||
| e |
Discount claimed for blockage or other factors (explain in detail in Part VI): |
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| 2 | Acquisition indebtedness applicable to non-exempt use assets | 2 | ||||
| 3 | Subtract line 2 from line 1d | 3 | ||||
| 4 | Cash deemed held for exempt use. Enter 1-1/2% of line 3 (for greater amount, see instructions). | 4 | ||||
| 5 | Net value of non-exempt-use assets (subtract line 4 from line 3) | 5 | ||||
| 6 | Multiply line 5 by .035 | 6 | ||||
| 7 | Recoveries of prior-year distributions | 7 | ||||
| 8 | Minimum Asset Amount (add line 7 to line 6) | 8 | ||||
| Section C - Distributable Amount | Current Year | |||||
| 1 | Adjusted net income for prior year (from Section A, line 8, Column A) | 1 | ||||
| 2 | Enter 85% of line 1 | 2 | ||||
| 3 | Minimum asset amount for prior year (from Section B, line 8, Column A) | 3 | ||||
| 4 | Enter greater of line 2 or line 3 | 4 | ||||
| 5 | Income tax imposed in prior year | 5 | ||||
| 6 | Distributable Amount. Subtract line 5 from line 4, unless subject to emergency temporary reduction (see instructions) | 6 | ||||
| Section D - Distributions | Current Year | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Amounts paid to supported organizations to accomplish exempt purposes | ||
|
2
Amounts paid to perform activity that directly furthers exempt purposes of supported organizations, in excess of income from activity |
||
| 3 Administrative expenses paid to accomplish exempt purposes of supported organizations | ||
| 4 Amounts paid to acquire exempt-use assets | ||
| 5 Qualified set-aside amounts (prior IRS approval required) | ||
| 6 Other distributions (describe in Part VI). See instructions | ||
| 7Total annual distributions. Add lines 1 through 6. | ||
|
8
Distributions to attentive supported organizations to which the organization is responsive (provide details in Part VI). See instructions |
||
| 9 Distributable amount for 2019 from Section C, line 6 | ||
| 10 Line 8 amount divided by Line 9 amount | ||
| Section E - Distribution Allocations (see instructions) |
(i) Excess Distributions |
(ii) Underdistributions Pre-2019 |
(iii) Distributable Amount for 2019 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Distributable amount for 2019 from Section C, line 6 | ||||
|
2
Underdistributions, if any, for years prior to 2019 (reasonable cause required-- explain in Part VI). See instructions. |
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| 3 Excess distributions carryover, if any, to 2019: | ||||
| a From 2014....... | ||||
| b From 2015....... | ||||
| c From 2016....... | ||||
| d From 2017....... | ||||
| e From 2018....... | ||||
| fTotal of lines 3a through e | ||||
| g Applied to underdistributions of prior years | ||||
| h Applied to 2019 distributable amount | ||||
|
i
Carryover from 2014 not applied (see instructions) |
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| j Remainder. Subtract lines 3g, 3h, and 3i from 3f. | ||||
| 4Distributions for 2019 from Section D, line 7: | ||||
| $ | ||||
| a Applied to underdistributions of prior years | ||||
| b Applied to 2019 distributable amount | ||||
| c Remainder. Subtract lines 4a and 4b from 4. | ||||
|
5
Remaining underdistributions for years prior to 2019, if any. Subtract lines 3g and 4a from line 2. If the amount is greater than zero, explain in Part VI. See instructions. |
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|
6
Remaining underdistributions for 2019. Subtract lines 3h and 4b from line 1. If the amount is greater than zero, explain in Part VI. See instructions. |
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|
7 Excess distributions carryover to 2020. Add lines 3j and 4c. |
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| 8 Breakdown of line 7: | ||||
| a Excess from 2015..... | ||||
| b Excess from 2016..... | ||||
| c Excess from 2017..... | ||||
| d Excess from 2018..... | ||||
| e Excess from 2019..... | ||||
| Facts And Circumstances Test |
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| Return Reference | Explanation |
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| Software ID: | |
| Software Version: |
Attach to Form 990 or 990-EZ.
Go to www.irs.gov/Form990 for the latest information.
| Return Reference | Explanation |
|---|---|
| PART III, LINE I | MVLS IS A "FULL-SERVICE" PRO BONO PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES FREE LEGAL REPRESENTATION TO LOW-INCOME MARYLANDERS IN MOST CIVIL MATTERS SUCH AS DIVORCE, CUSTODY, CONSUMER PROBLEMS (COLLECTION AND BANKRUPTCY), CRIMINAL RECORD RELIEF, FORECLOSURE AND TAX SALE, LANDLORD / TENANT DISPUTES, UNINSURED MOTORIST CLAIMS, INCOME TAX DISPUTES AND BACK TAXES, NAME CHANGE, GUARDIANSHIP AND ESTATE PLANNING AND ADMINISTRATION. IN ADDITION, MVLS ALSO HELPS TO STRENGTHEN DISENFRANCHISED COMMUNITES BY PROVIDING REPRESENTATION AND LEGAL ADVICE TO COMMUNITY BASED NONPROFIT ORGANZATIONS. MVLS PROVIDES PRO BONO SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS IN ALL MARYLAND COUNTIES. IN ALLEGANY, MONTGOMERY, PRINCE GEORGE'S AND THE FIVE MID-SHORE COUNTIES, WHERE THERE ARE OTHER PRO BONO PROGRAMS, MVLS LIMITS PROGRAM SERVICES TO THOSE SEEKING HELP WITH TAX DISPUTES, ASSISTANCE THROUGH MVLS HUMAN TRAFFICKING PREVENTION PROJECT, OR WHEN THE LOCAL PRO BONO PROGRAM DOES NOT HAVE THE CAPACITY TO PLACE A CASE. SERVICES TO COMMUNITY-BASED NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE STATEWIDE. THE TARGET POPULATIONS SERVED BY OUR CORE PRO BONO PROGRAM ARE LOW INCOME INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES. THE POVERTY RATE IN MARYLAND, THOUGH LOWER THAN THE NATIONAL AVERAGE, IS STILL RELATIVELY HIGH AT 9%. IN THE JURISDICTIONS THAT MVLS SERVES, THE POVERTY RATE RANGES FROM A HIGH OF 21.8% (BALTIMORE CITY) TO A LOW OF 5.2% (HOWARD COUNTY). DURING THE FISCAL YEAR, CONTESTED FAMILY LAW MATTERS, HOUSING DEFENSE, CONSUMER DEBT, CHAPTER 7 BANKRUPTCY REQUESTS AND CRIMINAL RECORD EXPUNGEMENT PRESENTED THE MOST URGENT PROBLEMS FOR OUR CLIENTS. MVLS HAS A NUMBER OF SPECIAL PROJECTS THAT SUPPLEMENT OUR CORE PRO BONO EFFORTS. THE ADVANCED PLANNING PROJECT IS AN OUTREACH EFFORT DESIGNED TO STABILIZE NEIGHBORHOODS, PRESERVE FAMILY ASSETS AND REDUCE THE NUMBER OF BALTIMORE CITY PROPERTIES WITH DEED AND TITLE ENTANGLEMENTS THAT PREVENT HOMES FROM BEING IN PRODUCTIVE USE. MVLS' WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROJECT PROVIDES LEGAL SERVICES TO JOB TRAINEES. A CONTINUATION OF THE ONE BALTIMORE FOR JOBS DEMONSTRATION GRANT, THIS PROJECT AIMS TO REMOVE BARRIERS TO EMPLOYMENT FOR BALTIMORE'S VULNERABLE POPULATIONS. BANKRUPTCY IS NOT THE BEST OPTION FOR EVERYONE. THROUGH THE BANKRUPTCY BYPASS PROGRAM, VOLUNTEER ATTORNEYS ASSIST CLIENTS IN DETERMINING IF THEY ARE COLLECTION PROOF, MEANING THAT THEIR INCOME AND ASSETS COULD NOT BE GARNISHED BY CONSUMER LENDERS. AT THE REQUEST OF THE BALTIMORE CITY DISTRICT COURT, IN THE FALL OF 2014, MVLS BEGAN COORDINATING A CLINIC OFFERING FREE LEGAL ADVICE TO CONSUMERS WHO ARE FACING DEBT COLLECTION CASES IN DISTRICT COURT. CONSUMERS MEET WITH A VOLUNTEER ATTORNEY FOR A 10 15 MINUTE CONSULTATION TO GET ADVICE ON HIS OR HER CASE. LAUNCHED IN MARCH OF 2008, THE DEBTOR ASSISTANCE PROJECT PROVIDES PRO SE DEBTORS A HALF-HOUR FREE CONSULTATION WITH AN EXPERIENCED BANKRUPTCY ATTORNEY AT THE U.S. BANKRUPTCY COURTS IN BALTIMORE AND GREENBELT. THE ELDER JUSTICE PROGRAM PROVIDES DIRECT LEGAL SERVICES TO ADULTS OVER 60 WHO ARE VICTIMS OF ELDER ABUSE THROUGH FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION AND ARE FACING OTHER CIVIL LEGAL CHALLENGES RELATED TO HOUSING, CONSUMER LAW AND DEBT COLLECTION, ESTATE PLANNING, AND FAMILY LAW. SINCE THE NATIONAL FORECLOSURE CRISIS BEGAN IN 2008, MVLS HAS BEEN THE LARGEST PRO BONO LEGAL SERVICES PROVIDER IN THE STATEWIDE FORECLOSURE PREVENTION PRO BONO PROJECT. MVLS RELIES ON TRAINED FORECLOSURE VOLUNTEER LAWYERS AND FORECLOSURE STAFF ATTORNEYS TO HELP DISTRESSED HOMEOWNERS IN MARYLAND. IN ADDITION TO FULL REPRESENTATION, MVLS ALSO OPERATES A BRIEF ADVICE CLINIC FOR HOMEOWNERS WHO ARE FACING FORECLOSURE IN BALTIMORE CITY, ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, AND CHARLES COUNTY. THE HUMAN TRAFFICKING PREVENTION PROJECT (HTPP) FOCUSES ON REDUCING THE COLLATERAL CONSEQUENCES OF CRIMINAL LEGAL INVOLVEMENT FOR SURVIVORS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND THOSE POPULATIONS MADE MOST VULNERABLE TO EXPLOITATION. THE MVLS LOW-INCOME TAXPAYER CLINIC PROVIDES PRO BONO LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO LOW-INCOME MARYLANDERS WITH IRS AND STATE TAX ISSUES. THESE ISSUES INCLUDE A WIDE VARIETY OF TAX PROBLEMS, INCLUDING DENIAL OF THE EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT, AUDITS, REFUND CLAIMS, INNOCENT SPOUSE RELIEF, US TAX COURT LITIGATION, AND COLLECTION ISSUES (SUCH AS SETTING UP PAYMENT PLANS AND CURRENTLY NOT-COLLECTIBLE STATUS, OFFERS IN COMPROMISE, LEVY AND LIEN RELEASE). THE JUDICARE PROJECT PROVIDES FREE LEGAL SERVICES TO CLIENTS WHO OTHERWISE WOULD BE UNABLE TO AFFORD REPRESENTATION IN HIGH CONFLICT FAMILY LAW CASES. JUDICARE PANEL ATTORNEYS MUST HAVE AT LEAST THREE YEARS OF FAMILY LAW EXPERIENCE. THE MY HOME, MY DEED, MY LEGACY CAMPAIGN PROVIDES HOMEOWNER CLINICS TO HELP BALTIMORE CITY RESIDENTS STABILIZE THEIR HOMES AND SECURE CRITICALLY IMPORTANT RESOURCES FOR THE LONG-TERM ABILITY TO REMAIN IN THEIR HOMES. PROJECT HOUSEHOLD IS A COALITION OF LEGAL SERVICE NONPROFITS WHO PROVIDE LEGAL SERVICES IN BALTIMORE CITY. THE GOAL OF PROJECT HOUSEHOLD IS TO PROVIDE LEGAL HELP IN ORDER TO HELP OLDER BALTIMOREANS REMAIN IN THEIR HOMES. TYPICAL LEGAL ISSUES MAY INCLUDE TAX SALE, FORECLOSURE, DEBT COLLECTION, DEED AND PROBATE ISSUES, AND FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION. MVLS OPERATES A FAMILY LAW SELF-HELP CLINIC IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, WHERE AN EXPERIENCED FAMILY LAW ATTORNEY PROVIDES FREE ADVICE AND OTHER SERVICES TO SELF-REPRESENTED LITIGANTS WITH FAMILY LAW CASES OR MATTERS. FOR OVER 20 YEARS, MVLS HAS RECEIVED FUNDING FROM THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES TO REPRESENT OVER 450 BALTIMORE CITY AND COUNTY ADULTS UNDER PUBLIC GUARDIANSHIP AT SEMI-ANNUAL REVIEW HEARINGS AS WELL AS ADULTS WITH ALLEGED DISABILITIES IN EMERGENCY GUARDIANSHIP HEARINGS. MVLS FY20 AT A GLANCE: MVLS VOLUNTEER AND STAFF CLOSED: 4,459 CIVIL CASES 602 LAWYERS VOLUNTEERED FOR OUR PROGRAM 15,243.6 NUMBER OF VOLUNTEER HOURS SPEND REPRESENTING MVLS CLIENTS AT A VALUE OF $2,300,000. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11B | THE FORM 990 WAS CIRCULATED TO THE FULL BOARD OF DIRECTORS VIA EMAIL TO REVIEW PRIOR TO FILING. ADDITIONALLY, IT IS PRESENTED TO THE BOARD AT THE NOVEMBER BOARD MEETING EACH YEAR. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C | AT THE BEGINNING OF EACH FISCAL YEAR, MVLS STAFF PROVIDES THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY TO EACH BOARD MEMBER AND STAFF MEMBER. THE FORMS ARE COLLECTED, SCANNED, AND SAVED PER THE ORGANIZATION'S DOCUMENT RETENTION POLICY. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15 | THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAS A STANDING COMPENSATION COMMITTEE THAT EVALUATES THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ANNUALLY AND RECOMMENDS SALARY ADJUSTMENTS FOR THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO THE FULL BOARD AT ITS ANNUAL MEETING IN JUNE. THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE USES SALARY SURVEYS OF OTHER SIMILAR LEGAL SERVICES AGENCIES IN MARYLAND AS WELL AS SALARY SURVEYS FOR NONPROFIT EXECUTIVES PUBLISHED BY MARYLAND NONPROFITS. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 | MARYLAND VOLUNTEER LAWYERS SERVICE, INC. PROVIDES ALL OF THE MENTIONED DOCUMENTS TO THE PUBLIC UPON REQUEST. IN ADDITION, THE CURRENT FORM 990 IS AVAILABLE ON THE GUIDESTAR AND MVLS WEBSITE. |
| FORM 990, PART IX, LINE 11G | CONTRACT SERVICES: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES 534,505. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 22,255. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 21,606. TOTAL EXPENSES 578,366. |
| PART XII, LINE 2C | THE ORGANIZATION HAS NOT CHANGED THEIR OVERSIGHT REVIEW PROCESS REGARDING THE AUDIT AND SELECTION OF THEIR INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANT. |
| Software ID: | |
| Software Version: |