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 |
||||||
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.") .. | 25,865,640 | 26,019,065 | 27,083,768 | 29,500,933 | 29,471,470 | 137,940,876 |
| 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 | 25,865,640 | 26,019,065 | 27,083,768 | 29,500,933 | 29,471,470 | 137,940,876 |
| 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. | 137,940,876 | |||||
Calendar year
(or fiscal year beginning in) ![]() |
(a) 2015 | (b) 2016 | (c) 2017 | (d) 2018 | (e) 2019 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Amounts from line 4.. | 25,865,640 | 26,019,065 | 27,083,768 | 29,500,933 | 29,471,470 | 137,940,876 |
| 8 | Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources... | 14,685 | 39,563 | 76,394 | 233,289 | 315,175 | 679,106 |
| 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.).. | 220,940 | 262,503 | 115,371 | 99,153 | 69,975 | 767,942 |
| 11 | Total support. Add lines 7 through 10 | 139,387,924 | |||||
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) |
||||
| 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) |
||||
| 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): |
|||||
| 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. |
||||
| 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) |
||||
| 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. |
||||
|
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. |
||||
|
7 Excess distributions carryover to 2020. Add lines 3j and 4c. |
||||
| 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 |
|---|
| Return Reference | Explanation |
|---|
| Software ID: | |
| Software Version: |
Attach to Form 990 or 990-EZ.
Go to www.irs.gov/Form990 for the latest information.
| Return Reference | Explanation |
|---|---|
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11B | THE FORM 990 IS REVIEWED IN DETAIL BY MANAGEMENT AND THEN MANAGEMENT REVIEWS THE RETURN WITH THE FINANCE COMMITTEE. ONCE APPROVED BY MANAGEMENT AND THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, THE FORM 990 IS DISTRIBUTED TO THE FULL BOARD OF DIRECTORS, WHERE THEY HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS THE RETURN WITH MANAGEMENT AND THE FINANCE COMMITTEE BEFORE THE RETURN IS FILED. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C | ANNUALLY, EACH OFFICER, DIRECTOR, OR MEMBER OF A COMMITTEE WITH GOVERNING BOARD DELEGATED POWERS IS REQUIRED TO SIGN A STATEMENT WHICH AFFIRMS SUCH PERSON HAS RECEIVED A COPY OF THE CONFLICTS OF INTEREST POLICY, HAS READ AND UNDERSTANDS THE POLICY, AND HAS AGREED TO COMPLY WITH THE POLICY. DETERMINATIONS OF WHETHER A CONFLICT EXISTS, AND APPROPRIATE RESOLUTION OF THOSE CONFLICTS, IS MADE EITHER BY THE GOVERNING BOARD OF DIRECTORS OR BY A COMMITTEE APPOINTED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. NO PERSON DETERMINED TO HAVE A CONFLICT OF INTEREST IS ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE DELIBERATIONS OR DECISION REGARDING RESOLUTION OF THAT CONFLICT OR THE APPROVAL OF TRANSACTIONS RELATED TO IT. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15 | THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS USES COMPARABLE COMPENSATION DATA OBTAINED FROM OTHER LEGAL SERVICES PROGRAMS, LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION, MARYLAND ASSOCIATION FOR NONPROFITS, AND STATE, FEDERAL AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO DETERMINE AN APPROPRIATE COMPENSATION LEVEL FOR THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. THE FINANCE COMMITTEE THEN FORWARDS ITS RECOMMENDATION TO THE ENTIRE GOVERNING BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR ITS REVIEW AND APPROVAL. THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR DETERMINES THE COMPENSATION OF ALL KEY EMPLOYEES FOLLOWING REFERENCE TO COMPARABILITY INFORMATION OBTAINED FROM OTHER LEGAL SERVICES PROGRAMS, MARYLAND ASSOCIATION OF NONPROFITS AND STATE, FEDERAL, AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 | THE ORGANIZATION'S GOVERNING DOCUMENTS, CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ARE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC UPON REQUEST. |
| FORM 990, PART XI, LINE 9: | ANNUAL ACTUARIAL PENSION ADJUSTMENT - NON OPERATING REVENUE/LOSS 1,592,851. CHANGE IN NET ASSETS WITH DONOR RESTRICTIONS 343,407. |
| FORM 990, PART XII, LINE 2C: | THE PROCESS HAS NOT CHANGED FROM PRIOR YEAR. |
| FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4A: | THROUGHOUT ITS 109-YEAR HISTORY, MARYLAND LEGAL AID (MLA) HAS PROVIDED FREE, HIGH-QUALITY CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES TO LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES IN MARYLAND, AND IS THE ONLY STATEWIDE PROVIDER OF GENERAL LEGAL SERVICES TO MARYLAND LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION (MLSC) AND THE FEDERAL LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION (LSC) INCOME-ELIGIBLE RESIDENTS. WITH AN ORGANIZATIONAL VISION TO PROTECT AND ADVANCE HUMAN RIGHTS SO AS TO AFFECT LASTING SOCIAL CHANGE, MLA ACHIEVES ITS CLIENTS' GOALS THROUGH A BROAD SPECTRUM OF LEGAL SERVICES RANGING FROM BRIEF LEGAL ADVICE AND SERVICE TO EXTENDED REPRESENTATION, PRO SE ASSISTANCE AND TARGETED REFERRALS, PRO BONO COORDINATION AND REFERRALS, COMMUNITY EDUCATION, POLICY ADVOCACY AND BROAD-BASED IMPACT WORK, COLLABORATIVE ENDEAVORS WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS, TRANSACTIONAL WORK, AND LITIGATION IN ADMINISTRATIVE FORUMS AND STATE AND FEDERAL TRIAL-LEVEL AND APPELLATE COURTS. THE PRIORITY AREAS FOR REPRESENTATION ARE FAMILY/DOMESTIC, HOUSING, INCOME MAINTENANCE (PUBLIC BENEFITS AND EMPLOYMENT), ELDER ISSUES, CHILD ADVOCACY, AND CONSUMER LAW. THIS ASSISTANCE IS ESPECIALLY VITAL BECAUSE, UNLIKE IN CRIMINAL CASES WHERE THERE IS TYPICALLY A CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO COUNSEL, THERE IS NO RIGHT TO A LAWYER IN MOST CIVIL CASES. PURSUANT TO FEDERAL LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION REGULATIONS, MLA SERVES CLIENTS WHOSE INCOMES ARE AT OR BELOW 125 PERCENT OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY GUIDELINES. THESE GUIDELINES, BROKEN DOWN ACCORDING TO HOUSEHOLD SIZE, ARE PUBLISHED ANNUALLY IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER. ACCORDING TO RECENT CENSUS FIGURES FOR MARYLAND, APPROXIMATELY 760,000 PEOPLE FALL AT OR BELOW 125 PERCENT OF POVERTY. FOR VETERANS SERVED THROUGH MLA'S JOINING FORCES PROJECT, INCOMES CAN BE UP TO 200% OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY GUIDELINES. PURSUANT TO MLSC GUIDELINES, MLA ALSO SERVES INDIVIDUALS WHOSE INCOMES FALL BELOW ONE-HALF OF MARYLAND MEDIAN INCOME. MARYLAND SENIORS (60 OR OVER), REGARDLESS OF INCOME, ARE ELIGIBLE FOR SENIOR HELPLINE SERVICES AND LIMITED SERVICES UNDER TITLE III-B CONTRACTS. MLA ALSO MANAGES RYAN WHITE FUNDS, WHICH ENABLE IT TO PROVIDE LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO PERSONS WITH HIV/AIDS WHOSE INCOMES ARE AT OR BELOW 300% OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL. THE BALTIMORE METROPOLITAN AREA (BALTIMORE CITY AND SURROUNDING COUNTIES), FOR WHICH MLA RECEIVES FUNDING, HAS MORE THAN 19,000 INDIVIDUALS LIVING WITH HIV, AND HAS THE THIRD HIGHEST AIDS RATE IN THE NATION. ADDITIONALLY, MLA PROVIDES ASSISTANCE FOR OUT-OF-STATE ELIGIBLE PERSONS WITH LEGAL PROBLEMS IN MARYLAND. MLA SETS PRIORITIES FOR SERVICE DELIVERY BASED ON THE EXPRESSED AND ASSESSED NEEDS OF POTENTIAL CLIENTS. TO DATE, DEMAND FOR SERVICES HAS BEEN HIGHEST ON ISSUES RELATED TO FAMILY/DOMESTIC LAW, HOUSING, CONSUMER, AND INCOME MAINTENANCE (BOTH EMPLOYMENT AND PUBLIC BENEFITS) LAW. IN ADDITION, MLA HAS INCREASED ITS FOCUS ON ADDRESSING THE NEEDS OF LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENT (LEP) POPULATIONS IN MARYLAND AND PROVIDING SERVICES WHICH ARE SENSITIVE TO THE ETHNIC AND CULTURAL DIVERSITY OF MARYLAND'S LOW-INCOME POPULATION. MLA ALSO PROVIDES ASSISTANCE WITH EMERGING AND PERVASIVE COMMUNITY ISSUES SUCH AS THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, THE OPIOID OVERUSE/ADDICTION ISSUE, THE FORECLOSURE CRISIS; THE LACK OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE; THE LACK OF ACCESS TO SERVICES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR LOW-INCOME WORKERS AND THE UNEMPLOYED; THE LACK OF LEGAL ASSISTANCE WITH RESPECT TO LANDLORD/TENANT MATTERS AND CHILD SUPPORT ISSUES; AND THE PROTRACTED DELAY IN THE PROCESSING OF VETERANS' BENEFITS AND OTHER SERVICES TO MEET THE NEEDS OF VETERANS. MLA ATTEMPTS TO STRATEGICALLY COORDINATE ADVOCACY AND RESOURCES TO MEET THESE NEEDS STATEWIDE. EXPERIENCE HAS ENHANCED MLA'S AWARENESS OF THE LEGAL NEEDS OF VETERANS, SENIOR CITIZENS, LONG-TERM AND ASSISTED CARE RESIDENTS, MIGRANT FARMWORKERS, NEGLECTED AND ABUSED CHILDREN, AND INDIVIDUALS WITH EXPUNGABLE CRIMINAL RECORDS, PARTICULARLY THOSE INVOLVED IN DRUG REHABILITATION PROGRAMS. MANY VETERANS FREQUENTLY STRUGGLE WITH THE TRANSITION FROM MILITARY TO CIVILIAN LIFE, AND ARE OFTEN FACED WITH UNIQUE CHALLENGES THAT REQUIRE MORE HIGHLY SKILLED AND SPECIALIZED LEGAL ASSISTANCE. SENIOR CITIZENS ARE CHALLENGED PRIMARILY BY CONSUMER DEBT AND DEBT INCURRED TO MEET BASIC NEEDS SUCH AS HEALTH CARE AND HOUSING; FARMWORKERS BY SUBSTANDARD HOUSING AND EXPLOITATIVE EMPLOYER PRACTICES; AND CHILDREN AND YOUTH BY FAMILY AND COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENTS WHICH ARE UNSAFE AND HINDER HEALTHY DEVELOPMENT. HELPING PEOPLE EXPUNGE THEIR CRIMINAL RECORDS CAN OPEN DOORS TO DECENT JOBS, AFFORDABLE HOUSING, AND EVEN CUSTODY OF THEIR CHILDREN. TARGETED SERVICE DELIVERY GUIDES THE LEGAL ASSISTANCE PROVIDED TO CLIENTS AND PERMITS MLA TO CONTINUALLY ASSESS THE NEEDS OF THE POPULATIONS IT SERVES. SERVICE IS ALSO PROVIDED THROUGH THE USE OF TELEPHONE INTAKE, WHICH ASSISTS CLIENTS OVER AGE 60 AND NON-SENIORS WITHIN MLSC INCOME GUIDELINES AND TELEPHONE HOTLINES (INCLUDING THE FAMILY LAW HOTLINE, SENIOR HELPLINE, AND A VETERANS HOTLINE); THROUGH OUTREACH TO, AND INTAKE OF, SENIOR CITIZENS ELIGIBLE FOR LEGAL ASSISTANCE THROUGH TITLE III-B OF THE OLDER AMERICANS ACT; THROUGH OUTREACH TO COMMUNITY SERVICE PROVIDERS, AND TO OTHER VULNERABLE POPULATIONS. MLA ASSURES THAT ITS SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE TO CLIENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS. LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENT (LEP) CLIENTS, FOR EXAMPLE, ARE SERVED BY A VARIETY OF MEANS. MLA STAFF ARE FLUENT IN AT LEAST 16 FOREIGN LANGUAGES ALONG WITH AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE, AND MLA PROMOTES THE HIRING OF BILINGUAL STAFF, WHO ARE THE FIRST RESOURCE AVAILABLE FOR TRANSLATION AND INTERPRETATION SERVICES. IF STAFF ARE NOT AVAILABLE, PROFESSIONAL INTERPRETER SERVICES ENABLE STAFF TO COMMUNICATE WITH VIRTUALLY ANY LEP CLIENT OR APPLICANT FOR SERVICES. MLA NEGOTIATES AND ADMINISTERS THE LANGUAGE LINE CONTRACT FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL PARTICIPATING PROVIDERS IN MARYLAND. FURTHER, MANY OF MLA'S FORMS AND CLIENT EDUCATION MATERIALS ARE TRANSLATED INTO SPANISH AND, WHERE APPROPRIATE, OTHER LANGUAGES. CLIENTS WITH PHYSICAL DISABILITIES ARE ACCOMMODATED BY MLA'S TELEPHONE INTAKE UNIT AND SPECIALIZED ADVICE AND REFERRAL SERVICES. SERVICES OFFERED THROUGH THE SENIOR LEGAL HELPLINE, AND THE FAMILY LAW HOTLINE OFTEN REDUCE OR ELIMINATE THE NEED FOR FACE-TO-FACE CONTACT. TELEPHONE INTAKE IS DONE AT ALL MLA OFFICES. IF A FACE-TO-FACE MEETING IS NEEDED, ACCESSIBLE INTERVIEW SPACE IS AVAILABLE AT EACH OFFICE AND SPECIAL APPOINTMENTS CAN BE MADE. WHEN NECESSARY, STAFF MAKE HOME VISITS TO CLIENTS AND TO NURSING HOMES, HOSPITALS OR OTHER INSTITUTIONAL SETTINGS. WHERE ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY AND WITH CLIENT CONSENT, THE CLIENT MAY DESIGNATE A REPRESENTATIVE TO ASSIST WITH THE CASE. FOR EXAMPLE, THROUGH A CONTRACT WITH THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, MLA PROVIDES LEGAL ASSISTANCE AND REPRESENTATION TO INDIGENT RESIDENTS IN DEVELOPMENT DISABILITIES ADMINISTRATION'S FACILITIES, INCLUDING THE REGIONAL INSTITUTES FOR CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS, THE THOMAS B. FINAN CENTER, SPRING GROVE HOSPITAL CENTER, AND THE HOLLY CENTER. SERVICES INCLUDE OBTAINING BENEFITS/ENTITLEMENTS, AND REPRESENTATION DURING THE RESIDENT GRIEVANCE PROCESS. IN ADDITION, MLA IDENTIFIES RESIDENTS WHO MAY HAVE LEGAL PROBLEMS, BUT, DUE TO THEIR DISABILITIES, MAY NOT HAVE THE CAPACITY TO REQUEST ASSISTANCE. DESPITE EVER PRESENT FUNDING CHALLENGES, MLA HAS SUCCESSFULLY SOUGHT AND OBTAINED SUPPORT AND FUNDING FROM A BROAD RANGE OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SOURCES, WHICH, COMBINED WITH THE HARD WORK AND DEDICATION OF ITS STAFF, HAS ALLOWED IT TO CONSISTENTLY EXPAND CAPACITY AND TO EXCEL IN THE DELIVERY OF QUALITY LEGAL SERVICES. |
| FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4A: | HIGHLIGHTS OF 2019 ACHIEVEMENTS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS: MORE THAN 22,000 PEOPLE RECEIVED ASSISTANCE WITH CHILD SUPPORT, PROTECTION FROM DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, ABUSE AND NEGLECT, CUSTODY, VISITATION, DIVORCE CASES, AND OTHER FAMILY LAW MATTERS DURING 2019. MORE THAN 2700 PERSONS RECEIVED SERVICES IN CONTESTED OR EMERGENCY CUSTODY MATTERS IN ALLEGANY, ANNE ARUNDEL, BALTIMORE, MONTGOMERY, AND PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTIES, WITH FUNDING PROVIDED BY THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS. MORE THAN 580 PERSONS RECEIVED DIRECT ASSISTANCE WITH MATTERS INVOLVING PUBLIC BENEFITS AND NURSING HOME AND ASSISTED LIVING CARE. MORE THAN 400 (762 HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS) VETERANS' FAMILIES RECEIVED ASSISTANCE WITH A WIDE RANGE OF ISSUES, INCLUDING PUBLIC BENEFITS, HOUSING, FAMILY LAW, AND CONSUMER, EMPLOYMENT, AND HEALTH MATTERS. IN 2019, MORE THAN 570 MARYLAND RESIDENTS, INCLUDING MIGRANT AND SEASONAL FARMWORKERS, RECEIVED ASSISTANCE WITH EMPLOYMENT MATTERS. MORE THAN 11,500 PERSONS RECEIVED DIRECT ASSISTANCE WITH HOUSING MATTERS, PRIMARILY TO AVERT WRONGFUL EVICTIONS, AVOID FORECLOSURES, CORRECT SUBSTANDARD HOUSING CONDITIONS AND, INCREASINGLY, PRESERVE AFFORDABLE HOUSING. HOUSING PRESERVATION WORK FOCUSED ON COLLABORATIONS WITH TENANT GROUPS SEEKING TO PRESERVE AND IMPROVE CONDITIONS IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING THROUGHOUT THE STATE AND TO EXPAND HOUSING OPTIONS FOR LOW-INCOME PERSONS, INCLUDING HOMEOWNERSHIP. MORE THAN 3,600 EXPUNGEMENT CASES WERE HANDLED STATEWIDE, PRIMARILY THROUGH LEGAL CLINICS. OVER 4,300 PERSONS RECEIVED DIRECT ASSISTANCE IN CONSUMER MATTERS, RANGING FROM ADVICE ON HOW TO DEAL WITH CREDITORS TO FULL REPRESENTATION IN CHALLENGES TO ILLEGAL LENDING PRACTICES AND BANKRUPTCY. THE CLOSE CONNECTION BETWEEN MLA'S HOUSING AND CONSUMER WORK HAS ENABLED IT TO FOCUS RESOURCES ON THE PRESSING DEMAND FOR FORECLOSURE AVOIDANCE. IN ADDITION, MORE THAN 100 PEOPLE PARTICIPATED IN PRO SE BANKRUPTCY CLINICS OFFERED AT SEVERAL MLA OFFICES. MLA CONTINUES TO ENGAGE IN OUTREACH TO THE CLIENT COMMUNITY. STAFF SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS AND PARTICIPATION IN COMMUNITY FAIRS AND EVENTS REACHED OVER 53,000 INDIVIDUALS. DURING 2019, MORE THAN 107,000 BROCHURES AND NEWSLETTERS ON SUBSTANTIVE TOPICS WERE DISTRIBUTED. IN ADDITION, RADIO AND TELEVISION INTERVIEWS, AS WELL AS ARTICLES IN LEGAL PUBLICATIONS, NEWSPAPERS, AND COMMUNITY NEWSLETTERS FEATURING MLA STAFF AND/OR PROGRAMS, REACHED HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF ELDERLY AND LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS. SINCE 1998, MLA'S ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY OFFICE HAS OPERATED THE FAMILY LAW SELF-HELP CENTER (FLSHC) FOR THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY. THE FLSHC PROVIDES ASSISTANCE TO SELF-REPRESENTED INDIVIDUALS WITH CIVIL FAMILY LAW CASES PENDING BEFORE THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY. THE FLSHC IS CURRENTLY STAFFED BY TWO ATTORNEYS. DURING 2019, MORE THAN 9,500 SELF-REPRESENTED LITIGANTS WERE ASSISTED BY THE FLSHC. MLA'S FARMWORKER PROGRAM MADE 208 FARMWORKER CAMP VISITS, AND SPOKE TO AND PROVIDED OUTREACH MATERIALS TO 419 WORKERS IN MARYLAND AND DELAWARE. STAFF SPOKE TO WORKERS ABOUT EMPLOYEE RIGHTS, TAXES, HEALTH INSURANCE AND EMPLOYMENT, HOUSING, TRANSPORTATION AND FIELD SANITATION RIGHTS, AND PROVIDED WRITTEN "KNOW YOUR RIGHTS" MATERIALS TO THOSE WHO ATTENDED THE EVENTS AND LEFT MATERIALS FOR WORKERS WHO WERE NOT PRESENT. FARMS WERE VISITED IN BALTIMORE, CAROLINE, CARROLL, CECIL, CHARLES, DORCHESTER, FREDERICK, HARFORD, HOWARD, KENT, MONTGOMERY, PRINCE GEORGE'S, QUEEN ANNE'S, SOMERSET, ST. MARY'S, TALBOT, WASHINGTON, AND WICOMICO COUNTIES. MLA'S BALTIMORE CITY ADMINISTRATIVE LAW UNIT HANDLED APPROXIMATELY 25 FOOD STAMP CASES FOR U.S. CITIZEN MINOR CHILDREN OF UNDOCUMENTED SPANISH SPEAKING PARENTS WHO SOUGHT CHILD-ONLY FOOD STAMP BENEFITS IN 2019. THESE BENEFITS ENSURE THAT CHILDREN HAVE ACCESS TO FOOD IN FAMILIES THAT ARE POOR AND EXPERIENCE SEVERE FOOD INSECURITY. EACH CASE REVOLVES AROUND LEGAL ERRORS THAT SUBJECT THE CLIENT TO AN UNNECESSARY, UNUSUAL, AND ENHANCED VERIFICATION PROCESS. THE ERRORS INCLUDE, AMONG OTHERS, DEMANDING SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS FROM PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT RECEIVING THE FOOD STAMPS AND WHO ARE NOT PERMITTED TO HOLD SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS, AND SENDING TO THE CLIENTS' OFFICIAL DOCUMENTATION IN ENGLISH WHEN IT IS KNOWN THAT THE CLIENTS ONLY SPEAK SPANISH OR OTHER LANGUAGES. MLA HAS OBTAINED SIGNIFICANT SETTLEMENTS IN ALMOST EVERY CASE AND IS CURRENTLY PARTNERING WITH THE CHILDREN'S MEDICAL PRACTICE, HEALTH LEADS, AND CENTRO SOL OUT OF JOHNS HOPKINS BAYVIEW MEDICAL CENTER TO REFER AFFECTED CLIENTS. MLA'S BALTIMORE CITY AND METROPOLITAN MARYLAND STAFF, IN COLLABORATION WITH OTHER LEGAL SERVICES ORGANIZATIONS FILED AN AMICUS BRIEF IN THE CASE OF SMITH V. WAKEFIELD, 462 MD. 713 (2019) REGARDING THE PROPER STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS TO APPLY IN A LAWSUIT BY A LANDLORD TO COLLECT DAMAGES IN A BREACH OF LEASE CLAIM. IN 2007, THE TENANT ENTERED INTO A RESIDENTIAL LEASE FOR AN APARTMENT. IN 2015, THE LANDLORD BROUGHT SUIT IN THE DISTRICT COURT SEEKING TO RECOVER UNPAID RENT IT CLAIMED THE TENANT OWED FROM 2008. THE TENANT CLAIMED THAT THE LANDLORD HAD NOT FILED THE SUIT WITHIN THE THREE-YEAR PERIOD OF LIMITATIONS, AS NOTED IN MD. CODE ANN. CTS & JUD. PROC. (CJ) 5-101, THAT APPLIES TO ACTIONS SEEKING BACK RENT. THE DISTRICT COURT ENTERED JUDGMENT FOR THE LANDLORD IN THE AMOUNT OF $4,035.02, CONCLUDING THAT THE LEASE QUALIFIED AS A "CONTRACT UNDER SEAL AND THAT THE TWELVE-YEAR STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS SET FORTH IN (CJ) 5-102 APPLIED. THE CIRCUIT COURT AFFIRMED. THE MARYLAND COURT OF APPEALS REVERSED THE DECISION. THE COURT HELD THAT THE ACTIONS FOR BACK RENT UNDER RESIDENTIAL LEASES ARE SUBJECT TO A THREE-YEAR PERIOD OF LIMITATIONS REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE LEASE INCLUDES PROVISIONS THAT PURPORT TO CONVERT IT INTO A CONTRACT UNDER SEAL. THE COURT THREW OUT WHAT HAD BECOME THE NORM, THE 12-YEAR STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS, USED BY LANDLORDS TO COLLECT OLD DAMAGES FOR A RESIDENTIAL LEASE. IN RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF STATUTES OF LIMITATIONS, THE COURT PROVIDED A SIGNIFICANT WIN FOR HOUSING AND CONSUMER ADVOCATES AND FOR TENANTS THROUGHOUT MARYLAND. DURING 2019, MLA'S BALTIMORE COUNTY OFFICE INCREASED THE NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS PROVIDED WITH EXTENDED REPRESENTATION IN SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS DENIAL CASES, AND OBTAINED FAVORABLE DECISIONS ON BEHALF OF CLIENTS. WITHOUT THESE BENEFITS, CLIENTS WOULD HAVE NO INCOME TO SUPPORT THEMSELVES OR TO PROVIDE FOR THEIR BASIC NEEDS. DUE TO HAVING A PARALEGAL WHO IS FLUENT IN SPANISH, THE BALTIMORE COUNTY OFFICE HAS BEEN ABLE TO QUICKLY RESPOND TO THE NEEDS OF THE SPANISH-SPEAKING CLIENT POPULATION IN THE COUNTYA POPULATION WHICH IS STEADILY GROWING. MLA'S MONTGOMERY COUNTY OFFICE MAINTAINS A RELATIONSHIP WITH CORNERSTONE MONTGOMERY, WHICH OPERATES THREE MENTAL HEALTH CLINICS IN THE COUNTY. EACH IS VISITED ONCE A WEEK BY AN MLA PARALEGAL TO HELP ADDRESS LEGAL ISSUES THAT MAY IMPACT HEALTH OUTCOMES AND AFFECT THE PATIENTS' LIVES. THE OFFICE ALSO WORKS WITH INTERFAITH WORKS, A COUNTY-BASED NON-PROFIT THAT OPERATES THREE SEPARATE PROGRAMS FOR COUNTY RESIDENTS: A WOMEN'S SHELTER, A CLOTHING DISTRIBUTION CENTER, AND A HOMELESS SHELTER AND CENTER. A STAFF ATTORNEY VISITS ONE OF THE PROGRAMS EACH WEEK TO MEET DIRECTLY WITH INTERFAITH CLIENTS TO ADDRESS THEIR BROAD ARRAY OF LEGAL ISSUES. THESE PARTNERSHIPS RAISE MLA'S PROFILE IN THE COMMUNITY WHILE REACHING OUT TO CLIENTS WHO MIGHT NOT OTHERWISE FIND THEIR WAY TO A LAWYER FOR SERVICES. BOTH INTERFAITH WORKS AND CORNERSTONE MONTGOMERY PROVIDE EXCELLENT SOCIAL WORKER SUPPORT FOR THEIR CLIENTS THAT ALLOWS MLA STAFF TO COLLABORATE ON ISSUES TO FIND SOLUTIONS THAT EXTEND BEYOND THE LIMITED BOUNDARIES OF LEGAL MATTERS. MLA'S SOUTHERN MARYLAND OFFICE HAS SEEN THE GROWTH OF ITS LAWYER IN THE LIBRARY PROGRAM IN THE THREE COUNTIES COVERED BY THE OFFICE. AS A RESULT, A ROTATING SCHEDULE AMONG LIBRARIES IN PRINCE FREDERICK, LEXINGTON PARK, AND WALDORF, ENABLES EACH TO HOST A LAWYER IN THE LIBRARY EVENT ONCE EVERY THREE MONTHS. GROWTH HAS BEEN TREMENDOUS. THE PRINCE FREDERICK LIBRARY HAS BEEN AVERAGING 40 CLIENTS A SESSION, THE CHARLES COUNTY LIBRARY HAS BEEN AVERAGING 10 PEOPLE A SESSION, AND THE ST. MARY'S COUNTY LIBRARY HAS BEEN AVERAGING 5 PEOPLE PER SESSION. THE LIBRARIES HAVE ALSO WORKED WITH THE SOUTHERN MARYLAND OFFICE TO ADD ADDITIONAL COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO SUPPORT THE EVENTS AND TO REFER ADDITIONAL CLIENTS. WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF MLA'S VISTA FELLOWS, THE WESTERN MARYLAND OFFICE WAS ABLE TO SUPPORT THE CREATION OF A TENANTS' COUNCIL AT FORT CUMBERLAND HOMES, ONE OF THE OLDEST HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS OWNED AND MANAGED BY THE CUMBERLAND HOUSING AUTHORITY. THIS HOUSING DEVELOPMENT IS EXPECTED TO UNDERGO REFURBISHMENTS UNDER THE FEDERALLY FUNDED RENTAL ASSISTANCE DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM. |
| FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4A: | IN GARRETT COUNTY, THE STAND TOGETHER CONSORTIUM, OF WHICH MLA'S WESTERN MARYLAND OFFICE IS A PART, APPLIED FOR AND OBTAINED A PLANNING GRANT THROUGH THE RURAL COMMUNITIES OPIOID RESPONSE PROGRAM, A MULTI-YEAR INITIATIVE SUPPORTED BY THE HEALTH RESOURCES AND SERVICES ADMINISTRATION OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. THROUGH THIS FUNDING, THE CONSORTIUM WAS ABLE TO HOST COMMUNITY MEETINGS, LAUNCH A NEEDS-ASSESSMENT REGARDING OPIOID USE IN GARRETT COUNTY, AND PROVIDE SEVERAL OPIOID-AWARENESS PROGRAMS. THE CONSORTIUM THEN SUBMITTED THEIR APPLICATION FOR AN IMPLEMENTATION GRANT IN APRIL, 2019 AND WAS AWARDED A $1,000,000 GRANT OVER A THREE-YEAR PERIOD FOR THE PURPOSE OF PUTTING SERVICES IN PLACE TO ADDRESS PREVENTION, TREATMENT, AND RECOVERY, BASED ON THE NEEDS ASSESSMENT CONDUCTED DURING THE PLANNING STAGE. AS PART OF THIS GRANT, MLA'S WESTERN MARYLAND OFFICE IS PARTNERING WITH THE LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT TO PROVIDE WEEKLY CLINIC HOURS FOR INDIVIDUALS IN SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER RECOVERY. MARYLAND CENTER FOR LEGAL ASSISTANCE AS A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF MLA, THE MARYLAND CENTER FOR LEGAL ASSISTANCE, LLC (MCLA) OPERATES THE MARYLAND COURTS SELF-HELP CENTERS AND THE DISTRICT COURT SELF-HELP RESOURCE CENTERS THROUGH A CONTRACT WITH THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS (AOC). DURING 2019, MCLA OPERATED DISTRICT COURT SELF-HELP CENTERS IN BALTIMORE CITY, GLEN BURNIE, UPPER MARLBORO, SALISBURY AND A PART TIME OFFICE IN CAMBRIDGE, AND THE MARYLAND COURTS SELF-HELP CENTER IN ANNAPOLIS AND FREDERICK. IN JANUARY 2020, MCLA OPENED A SECOND PART-TIME LOCATION IN HAGERSTOWN AND IN MARCH 2020 OPENED A 6TH FULL-TIME SELF-HELP CENTER IN THE NEW BALTIMORE COUNTY DISTRICT COURT BUILDING IN CATONSVILLE. THE DISTRICT COURT SELF-HELP CENTERS ARE WALK-IN FACILITIES THAT ASSIST WITH DISTRICT COURT CIVIL MATTERS ONLY, INCLUDING LANDLORD-TENANT, SMALL CLAIMS, DEBT COLLECTION AND PROTECTIVE ORDERS. IN ADDITION TO THESE MATTERS, THE MARYLAND COURTS SELF-HELP CENTERS ALSO ASSIST WITH A BROAD RANGE OF ISSUES INCLUDING CUSTODY, DIVORCE, AND EXPUNGEMENT OF CRIMINAL RECORDS VIA PHONE, LIVE CHAT AND A WALK-IN. WHILE MLA IS FUNDED, IN PART, BY THE FEDERAL LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION (LSC), MCLA IS A SEPARATE LEGAL ENTITY WHICH DOES NOT RECEIVE LSC FUNDS, AND OPERATES IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE PROGRAM INTEGRITY REGULATIONS ESTABLISHED BY LSC. MCLA IS A SINGLE MEMBER LLC AND, AS SUCH, IS A DISREGARDED ENTITY FOR FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES AND, THEREFORE, IS CONSIDERED A BRANCH OR DIVISION OF MLA. ITS ASSETS, LIABILITIES AND OPERATIONS ARE INCLUDED IN BOTH THIS FORM 990 AND MLA'S AUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. IN 2019, MCLA, ASSISTED MORE THAN 108,000 VISITORS, AN INCREASE OF MORE THAN 12,000 OVER THE LAST CALENDAR YEAR. OF THOSE SERVED IN 2019, 27,765 VISITORS RECEIVED WALK-IN ASSISTANCE AND 67,639 VISITORS WERE ASSISTED VIA PHONE. ADDITIONALLY, 12,293 WERE CHAT VISITORS, 677 VISITORS RECEIVED ASSISTANCE VIA E-MAIL AND 123 THROUGH THE NEWLY LAUNCHED VIDEO CHAT FEATURE. IN JUNE 2019, MCLA LAUNCHED A PILOT VIDEO CHAT SERVICE BASED IN THE HOWARD COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT LAW LIBRARY. VISITORS TO THE HOWARD COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT NOW HAVE THE OPTION OF MEETING WITH AN ATTORNEY VIA VIDEO CONFERENCING. THE SERVICE INCLUDES THE ABILITY FOR THE VISITOR TO SCAN AND SHARE PERTINENT DOCUMENTS WITH THE ATTORNEY AND FOR THE ATTORNEY TO SHARE FORMS AS WELL AS VISUALLY ASSIST THE VISITOR IN COMPLETING THE FORMS. IN MAY 2019, MCLA EXPANDED ITS PRO BONO OPPORTUNITIES TO INCLUDE THE PROVISION OF ASSISTANCE VIA LIVE CHAT AND IN-PERSON AT THE GLEN BURNIE AND UPPER MARLBORO WALK-IN LOCATIONS. THE EXPUNGEMENT CLINIC AT THE UPPER MARLBORO WALK-IN IS CONTINUING WITH THE TWICE MONTHLY SCHEDULE. IN 2019, 219 VISITORS RECEIVED ASSISTANCE FROM PRO BONO ATTORNEYS. MCLA CONTINUES TO OFFER MONTHLY WEBINARS ON A RANGE OF CIVIL LEGAL ISSUES. THESE WEBINARS ARE FREE AND AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC. IN 2019, MCLA OFFERED WEBINARS ON FILING FOR DIVORCE, COLLECTING ON DISTRICT COURT JUDGMENTS AND ON CHILD CUSTODY. IN 2019, 164 VISITORS PARTICIPATED IN MCLA'S WEBINARS. |
| Software ID: | |
| Software Version: |