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.") .. | 11,151,191 | 13,084,702 | 15,354,218 | 17,625,265 | 19,438,871 | 76,654,247 |
| 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 | 11,151,191 | 13,084,702 | 15,354,218 | 17,625,265 | 19,438,871 | 76,654,247 |
| 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. | 76,654,247 | |||||
Calendar year
(or fiscal year beginning in) ![]() |
(a) 2015 | (b) 2016 | (c) 2017 | (d) 2018 | (e) 2019 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Amounts from line 4.. | 11,151,191 | 13,084,702 | 15,354,218 | 17,625,265 | 19,438,871 | 76,654,247 |
| 8 | Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources... | 7,223 | 1,145 | 930 | 617 | 695 | 10,610 |
| 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.).. | 184,479 | 430,154 | 439,587 | 221,514 | 74,278 | 1,350,012 |
| 11 | Total support. Add lines 7 through 10 | 78,206,790 | |||||
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 |
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| 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 |
|---|---|
| Form 990, Part III, Line 1, Description of Organization Mission: | Bay Area Legal Aid (BayLegal) services impact clients in significant ways, including preventing homelessness, establishing safety and protection from abuse for domestic violence victims and their children, securing vital healthcare services to treat physical and mental health conditions, and securing income or alleviating predatory debt to help individuals and families living in poverty to provide for food, rent, and other life necessities. Often, BayLegal is able to resolve multiple interconnected issues for families to improve their overall self-sufficiency and quality of life. BayLegal impacts the community through extensive outreach and education, technical assistance provided to other community and governmental agencies, systemic advocacy and impact litigation. The following client story provides a brief example of how BayLegal's services change lives: Johnnie B. moved in with his sister after falling seriously ill, but his housing situation remained unstable, and he cycled in and out of homelessness. A referral from a Contra Costa County social worker connected him with the Reentry Success Center, where he received counseling, transportation assistance, and connections to medical care and legal assistance with an introduction to BayLegal. Johnnie's BayLegal attorney learned that he had been denied a spot for subsidized housing at a public housing complex because he had bad credit. In examining his credit history, the attorney learned that he had been targeted by a predatory lender, and that his credit issues were intrinsically tied to his disability. The attorney advocated that the housing complex waive their credit policy as a reasonable accommodation under the Fair Housing Act, which prohibits discrimination against protected classes, including people with disabilities. Representatives of the housing complex agreed and within a week approved Johnnie for an apartment. Further, Johnnie's BayLegal attorney coordinated donations to help furnish his new apartment. Johnnie took a moment to reflect on others who are unhoused or at risk of homelessness. "Everybody deserves a second chance," he said. "That's why the homeless population is what it is right now. No one wants to give you a second chance. People don't think people change, but they do. I know I have." BayLegal also balances direct individual services with systemic work to address root causes of issues harming low-income residents and extend our impact at a scale far beyond the tens of thousands of individual clients and family members we serve directly each year. By working directly with clients, BayLegal develops expert knowledge of the problems that cause poor people harm and impede their struggle for self-sufficiency. Systemic work, informed by our work with clients, includes impact litigation, legislative and administrative advocacy, and training, technical assistance and policy development for agencies that administer housing, healthcare and benefits programs for the Bay Area's low income residents. The following case provides an example of how BayLegal's systemic work has widespread impact: Anderson vs. City of San Jose: This case was brought in 2016 to challenge San Jose's adoption of a policy that conflicts with the Surplus Land Act and enforce legal protections for the development of affordable housing. Bay Area Legal Aid, along with co-counsel from the Public Interest Law Project and Public Advocates, argued that charter cities like San Jose are not exempt from the state Surplus Land Act. This legislation requires local governments to prioritize affordable housing uses when disposing of surplus government land. In November 2019, California's Sixth Appellate District Court of Appeal affirmed that charter cities must comply with state law. The ruling will affect all 121 charter cities in California-among them the state's largest cities including Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, and Oakland. BayLegal also works in collaboration with public systems to remove barriers to healthcare and benefits access, and design systems, change regulations and procedures to better meet client needs. Please see below for two examples of this work in 2019. In partnership with Tipping Point Community, City and County of San Francisco Human Services Agency, and Positive Resources, Bay Area Legal Aid served over 100 clients through the San Francisco SSI Advocacy Project. The model for the project is rooted in an understanding that nearly two thirds of chronically homeless people report having a psychiatric or emotional health condition, while 40% report having a physical disability. Large numbers of chronically homeless people are thus likely to meet the qualifications for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), but because they are unhoused, they face barriers to enrollment. These barriers are intensified by the application process itself; nationwide, most first-time SSI applications are rejected. When aided by a knowledgeable attorney in the appeals process, however, over 50% of applications are approved, a testament to the complexity of navigating the system and to the essential role of an expert advocate in helping eligible applicants access benefits. The SSI Advocacy Project pairs attorneys with experience in SSI with homeless service offices, intake centers, and street outreach teams, and attorneys attend public health fairs, to reach clients who are otherwise often hard to reach, ultimately providing income stability to help people transition out of homelessness. BayLegal and other community partners collaborated with San Francisco's Financial Justice Project to reform the City and County of San Francisco's fines and fees system. As a result, the San Francisco Traffic Court agreed not to collect $92 million in debts owed to the court; these debts are disproportionately held by low-income people. The Court also agreed to work with the California Department of Motor Vehicles to lift holds on driver's licenses of 88,000 defendants who failed to appear in court, and to implement an online ability-to-pay process to reduce traffic fines for low-income defendants. Whether directly engaged in alleviating the costs of poverty and returning financial assets to low-income families and communities, or addressing conditions of safety and security that in turn make participation in safety net programs, work, and economic activity more accessible to survivors of interpersonal violence, BayLegal's services ultimately work to interrupt the legal inequities that can underlie and reinforce long-term cycles of poverty. Recent studies have confirmed that investing in legal services is a cost effective means of solving issues faced by low-income people, and our own data confirms that every dollar invested in our annual budget has produced between $1.75 and $2.50 in economic benefits to low-income families in each of the past three years. While BayLegal continues to strategically develop our program to ensure it is responsive to the ongoing and emerging needs of the diverse populations it serves, the receipt of flexible funding is increasingly important to ensure high quality services to low-income people and communities, ensuring fairness for all in the justice system. |
| Form 990, Part VI, Section B, line 11b | The Audit/Finance Committee of the Board of Directors reviews the Form 990 before it is filed. |
| Form 990, Part VI, Section B, line 12c | Each member of the Board of Directors is provided a copy of the Conflict of Interest Policy on an annual basis. Board members and key staff have a duty to disclose conflicts of interest, or the appearance of such conflicts, to the Executive Director or the Chair of the Board. |
| Form 990, Part VI, Section B, line 15 | The executive committee of the Board of Directors recommend the level of salary and other compensation of the Executive Director to the Board of Directors based on performance and comparative data for other Legal Aid programs. The Executive Director has the authority to establish compensation of the key management staff, and relies on information from other Legal Services programs and salary surveys. |
| Form 990, Part VI, Section C, line 19 | Copies of the documents are provided upon request, some are also published in the annual report and on BayLegal's website. |
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