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 | |||||
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Total |
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Calendar year
(or fiscal year beginning in)
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(a) 2018 | (b) 2019 | (c) 2020 | (d) 2021 | (e) 2022 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees received. (Do not include any "unusual grant.") .. | 29,500,933 | 29,471,470 | 25,319,333 | 35,166,861 | 35,498,294 | 154,956,891 |
| 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 | 29,500,933 | 29,471,470 | 25,319,333 | 35,166,861 | 35,498,294 | 154,956,891 |
| 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. | 154,956,891 | |||||
Calendar year
(or fiscal year beginning in)
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(a) 2018 | (b) 2019 | (c) 2020 | (d) 2021 | (e) 2022 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Amounts from line 4.. | 29,500,933 | 29,471,470 | 25,319,333 | 35,166,861 | 35,498,294 | 154,956,891 |
| 8 | Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources... | 233,289 | 315,175 | 175,765 | 63,478 | -152,288 | 635,419 |
| 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.).. | 99,153 | 69,975 | 166,562 | 239,386 | 63,579 | 638,655 |
| 11 | Total support. Add lines 7 through 10 | 156,230,965 | |||||
Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in) ![]() |
(a) 2018 | (b) 2019 | (c) 2020 | (d) 2021 | (e) 2022 | (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) 2018 | (b) 2019 | (c) 2020 | (d) 2021 | (e) 2022 | (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 on 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 0.015 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 0.035 | 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 | 1 | |
|
2
Amounts paid to perform activity that directly furthers exempt purposes of supported organizations, in excess of income from activity |
2 | |
| 3 Administrative expenses paid to accomplish exempt purposes of supported organizations | 3 | |
| 4 Amounts paid to acquire exempt-use assets | 4 | |
| 5 Qualified set-aside amounts (prior IRS approval required - provide details in Part VI) | 5 | |
| 6 Other distributions (describe in Part VI). See instructions | 6 | |
| 7Total annual distributions. Add lines 1 through 6. | 7 | |
|
8
Distributions to attentive supported organizations to which the organization is responsive (provide details in Part VI). See instructions |
8 | |
| 9 Distributable amount for 2022 from Section C, line 6 | 9 | |
| 10 Line 8 amount divided by Line 9 amount | 10 | |
| Section E - Distribution Allocations (see instructions) |
(i) Excess Distributions |
(ii) Underdistributions Pre-2022 |
(iii) Distributable Amount for 2022 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Distributable amount for 2022 from Section C, line 6 | ||||
|
2
Underdistributions, if any, for years prior to 2022 (reasonable cause required-- explain in Part VI).
See instructions. |
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| 3 Excess distributions carryover, if any, to 2022: | ||||
| a From 2017....... | ||||
| b From 2018....... | ||||
| c From 2019....... | ||||
| d From 2020....... | ||||
| e From 2021....... | ||||
| fTotal of lines 3a through e | ||||
| g Applied to underdistributions of prior years | ||||
| h Applied to 2022 distributable amount | ||||
|
i
Carryover from 2017 not applied (see instructions) |
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| j Remainder. Subtract lines 3g, 3h, and 3i from line 3f. | ||||
| 4Distributions for 2022 from Section D, line 7: | ||||
| $ | ||||
| a Applied to underdistributions of prior years | ||||
| b Applied to 2022 distributable amount | ||||
| c Remainder. Subtract lines 4a and 4b from line 4. | ||||
|
5
Remaining underdistributions for years prior to 2022, 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 2022. 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 2023. Add lines 3j and 4c. |
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| 8 Breakdown of line 7: | ||||
| a Excess from 2018..... | ||||
| b Excess from 2019..... | ||||
| c Excess from 2020..... | ||||
| d Excess from 2021..... | ||||
| e Excess from 2022..... | ||||
| 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 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 POLICY WITH RESPECT TO CHANGES IN THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S COMPENSATION HAS BEEN AS FOLLOWS: THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETS TO DISCUSS AND MAKE A RECOMMENDATION AS TO THE PROPOSED COMPENSATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR UPON EVALUATION OF AVAILABLE AND RELEVANT INFORMATION. THE FINANCE COMMITTEE THEN FORWARDS ITS RECOMMENDATION TO THE ENTIRE GOVERNING BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR ITS REVIEW AND APPROVAL. |
| 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 XII, LINE 2C: | THE PROCESS HAS NOT CHANGED FROM PRIOR YEAR. |
| FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4A: | OVERVIEW THROUGHOUT ITS 110-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 LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION (LSC) INCOME-ELIGIBLE RESIDENTS. WITH AN ORGANIZATIONAL VISION TO PROTECT AND ADVANCE HUMAN RIGHTS SO AS TO EFFECT LASTING SOCIAL CHANGE, MLA ACHIEVES ITS CLIENTS' GOALS THROUGH A BROAD CONTINUUM OF SERVICES RANGING FROM BRIEF ADVICE AND COUNSEL, PRO SE ASSISTANCE, PRO BONO COORDINATION AND REFERRALS, COMMUNITY EDUCATION, POLICY AND IMPACT ADVOCACY, TRANSACTIONAL WORK, COLLABORATIVE ENDEAVORS WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS, AND LITIGATION IN STATE AND FEDERAL TRIAL-LEVEL AND APPELLATE COURTS. TO THE EXTENT ITS LIMITED RESOURCES PERMIT, MLA ALSO WORKS WITH COMMUNITY GROUPS ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ISSUES, INCLUDING THE PRESERVATION OR CREATION OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND IMPROVING NEIGHBORHOOD RESOURCES AND PUBLIC SAFETY. MANY OF THE INDIVIDUAL CLIENTS WHO CONTACT MLA DO SO AFTER A MAJOR FAMILY CRISIS OR AN ECONOMIC HARDSHIP, SUCH AS A DEATH IN THE FAMILY, SERIOUS ILLNESS, OR LOSS OF A JOB OR OTHER SOURCE OF INCOME. AS A RESULT, THE LEGAL ASSISTANCE THAT MLA PROVIDES ADDRESSES THE MOST FUNDAMENTAL NEEDS OF INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITIES. MLA HELPS ITS CLIENTS MAINTAIN CUSTODY OF THEIR CHILDREN, RESTORE UTILITY SERVICE, DEAL WITH DEBTS AND DEBT COLLECTORS, OBTAIN CRITICAL HEALTHCARE, DISABILITY BENEFITS AND INSURANCE COVERAGE, RECOVER UNPAID WAGES, EXPUNGE CRIMINAL RECORDS, PREVENT FORECLOSURES AND EVICTIONS, AND IMPROVE SUBSTANDARD AND DANGEROUS HOUSING CONDITIONS. WITHOUT THESE ESSENTIAL SERVICES, THOUSANDS OF MARYLAND CITIZENS WOULD EFFECTIVELY BE DENIED ACCESS TO MARYLAND'S CIVIL JUSTICE SYSTEM TO ADDRESS THEIR MOST BASIC NEEDS RESULTING IN POTENTIALLY LIFE AND DEATH SITUATIONS. |
| FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4A: | HIGHLIGHTS OF 2022 ACHIEVEMENTS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 2022 WAS A YEAR OF TRANSITION FOR MARYLAND LEGAL AID WHICH SAW THE RETIREMENT OF ITS FORMER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, WILHELM JOSEPH, AND THE HIRING OF ITS NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, VICKI SCHULTZ IN JUNE, 2022. WITH THE DEPARTURE OF SEVERAL MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP TEAM, THE NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ENGAGED A SEARCH FIRM AND HIRED A NEW CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, CHIEF LEGAL AND ADVOCACY DIRECTOR AND CHIEF OF HUMAN RESOURCES. THE NEW TEAM HAS BROUGHT TALENT, ENERGY, VISION, AND PASSION FOR THE MISSION OF MLA. ADDITIONALLY, THEY BRING FRESH PERSPECTIVES AND NEW APPROACHES TO HOW MLA CAN IMPROVE ITS EFFECTIVENESS AND EFFICIENCIES TO BRING GREATER JUSTICE FOR OUR CLIENTS. THE ONGOING GLOBAL PANDEMIC AND THE UNCERTAINTIES AND CHALLENGES OF THE ECONOMY IMPACTED MLA'S LOW-INCOME CLIENTS DISPROPORTIONATELY IN 2022, A MAJORITY OF WHOM WERE CLIENTS OF COLOR. SOME FEDERAL RESOURCES THROUGH LOCAL AND STATE GOVERNMENT HELPED TO DEFRAY SOME OF THE ECONOMIC PAIN FELT BY MLA'S LOW-INCOME CLIENTS. FOR EXAMPLE, MLA RECEIVED EVICTION PREVENTION GRANTS FROM COUNTY GOVERNMENTS AND BALTIMORE CITY TO HELP CONNECT ITS CLIENTS FACING EVICTION WITH FINANCIAL RESOURCES, LIKE EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE (ERAP) TO PROMOTE HOUSING STABILITY AND STOP UNNECESSARY EVICTIONS. MLA ADVOCATES WORKED WITH THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AS WELL AS WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO ENSURE THAT MLA CLIENTS WOULD BE ABLE TO ACCESS ERAP FUNDS TO PRESERVE THEIR HOUSING AND STAY IN THEIR HOMES. IMPORTANTLY, THE MARYLAND GENERAL ASSEMBLY PASSED A STATEWIDE LAW THAT PROVIDES ALL LOW-INCOME MARYLANDERS FACING EVICTION WITH A RIGHT TO ACCESS COUNSEL IN 2021. THOUGH SOME CITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AROUND THE COUNTRY HAVE PASSED CIVIL RIGHT-TO-COUNSEL LAWS, PARTICULARLY IN THE AREA OF EVICTIONS, MARYLAND BECAME ONLY THE SECOND STATE TO PASS A LAW PROVIDING SUCH A RIGHT FOR MARYLANDERS FACING EVICTION. THE MARYLAND LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION (MLSC) WAS CHARGED WITH IMPLEMENTING THE MARYLAND ACCESS TO COUNSEL IN EVICTIONS (ACE) PROGRAM IN THE SECOND HALF OF 2022. WITH A NEED FOR AT LEAST TWO LEGAL SERVICES PROVIDERS IN EVERY JURISDICTION TO HANDLE ANY POTENTIAL CONFLICTS, MLA EXPECTS TO BE AN ACE PROVIDER IN EVERY JURISDICTION IN THE STATE. MLA HAS ALREADY BEGUN IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ACE PROGRAM IN THE FIRST SEVERAL JURISDICTIONS WHERE THE ACE PROGRAM HAS STARTED. THE ACE WORK IS CORE TO MLA'S MISSION AND FUNDAMENTAL TO THE LEGAL SERVICES MLA PROVIDES. THE IMPLICATIONS FOR MLA'S GROWTH THIS YEAR AND IN SUBSEQUENT YEARS AS THE ACE PROGRAM IS FULLY IMPLEMENTED ARE SIGNIFICANT, WHILE THE OPPORTUNITIES TO PROVIDE CRITICAL ASSISTANCE AND REPRESENTATION AND ACHIEVE JUSTICE FOR OUR CLIENTS THROUGH THE ACE PROGRAM ARE POTENTIALLY TRANSFORMATIONAL. IN 2022, MORE THAN 4,725 MARYLAND RESIDENTS RECEIVED ASSISTANCE WITH EMPLOYMENT MATTERS, AND 16,844 RESIDENTS RECEIVED DIRECT ASSISTANCE WITH HOUSING MATTERS TO AVERT WRONGFUL EVICTIONS, AVOID FORECLOSURES, CORRECT SUBSTANDARD HOUSING CONDITIONS AND PRESERVE AFFORDABLE HOUSING. HOUSING PRESERVATION WORK FOCUSED ON COLLABORATIONS WITH A VARIETY OF NONPROFIT PARTNERS, ALONG WITH COUNTY AND STATE AGENCIES, TO REMEDY HOUSING ISSUES EXACERBATED BY THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND RESULTING IN ECONOMIC CHALLENGES FOR MARYLAND RENTERS AND HOMEOWNERS. MLA PROCESSED 2,178 EXPUNGEMENT CASES STATEWIDE, AS IN-PERSON LEGAL CLINICS BECAME POSSIBLE WITH UP-TO-DATE PANDEMIC HEALTH AND SAFETY PROTOCOLS, AS WELL AS THROUGH VIRTUAL LEGAL CLINIC SETTINGS. DURING 2022, 3,279 PERSONS BENEFITTED FROM MLA'S DIRECT ASSISTANCE IN CONSUMER MATTERS, RANGING FROM ADVICE ON HOW TO DEAL WITH CREDITORS TO HOW TO AVOID OR MITIGATE THE IMPLICATIONS OF BANKRUPTCY IN THE PANDEMIC ENVIRONMENT. 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, 46 PEOPLE PARTICIPATED IN PRO SE BANKRUPTCY CLINICS OFFERED AT SEVERAL MLA OFFICES. MLA REMAINED COMMITTED TO COMMUNITY OUTREACH TO CLIENTS THROUGHOUT 2022, DESPITE CHALLENGES PRESENTED BY THE PANDEMIC. STAFF SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS AND PARTICIPATION IN COMMUNITY FAIRS AND EVENTS REACHED 16,760 INDIVIDUALS. DURING THE YEAR, LEGAL STAFF DISTRIBUTED 31,539 BROCHURES AND NEWSLETTERS ON SUBSTANTIVE LEGAL TOPICS. IN ADDITION, SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS ON INSTAGRAM, LINKEDIN AND FACEBOOK (LIVE), RADIO AND TELEVISION INTERVIEWS, AS WELL AS ARTICLES IN LEGAL PUBLICATIONS, NEWSPAPERS, AND COMMUNITY NEWSLETTERS FEATURING THE ORGANIZATION'S STAFF AND/OR PROGRAMS REACHED THOUSANDS OF LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS STATEWIDE. DURING 2022, MLA'S FARMWORKER PROGRAM MADE 42 IN-PERSON FARMWORKER CAMP VISITS. AT EACH VISIT, THEY PROVIDED EDUCATION AND OUTREACH MATERIALS TO MIGRANT AND SEASONAL FARM WORKERS. STAFF SHARED INFORMATION ABOUT EMPLOYEE RIGHTS, TAXES, HEALTH INSURANCE AND EMPLOYMENT, HOUSING, TRANSPORTATION, AND FIELD SANITATION RIGHTS. THESE VISITS TOOK PLACE IN BALTIMORE, CAROLINE, CARROLL, CECIL, FREDERICK, HARFORD, KENT, MONTGOMERY, PRINCE GEORGE'S, SOMERSET, ST. MARY'S, WASHINGTON, AND WICOMICO COUNTIES, AND IN DELAWARE. MLA CONTINUED IMPLEMENTATION OF ITS STATEWIDE, CENTRALIZED INTAKE. CENTRALIZED INTAKE CURRENTLY USES A TWO-TIER SYSTEM WHEREBY A PARALEGAL DOES THE INITIAL INTAKE SCREENING TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY, GET NECESSARY INFORMATION, AND IDENTIFY WHAT THE CALLER'S ISSUE(S) IS. ONCE THAT SCREENING IS COMPLETE, THE CALLER SPEAKS TO AN ATTORNEY WHO CAN PROVIDE BRIEF ADVICE OR REFER THE CALLER FOR LEGAL SERVICES IF APPROPRIATE, ONCE FULLY IMPLEMENTED, MLA EXPECTS THE NEW CENTRALIZED INTAKE SYSTEM TO IMPROVE CLIENT ACCESS AND ALLOW ADVOCATES IN MLA'S OFFICES AND UNITS MORE TIME TO PROVIDE EXTENDED SERVICES. THE NEW INTAKE SYSTEM WILL USE A STATEWIDE TOLL-FREE NUMBER TO FURTHER IMPROVE CLIENT ACCESS. MLA STAFF HELPED MARYLANDERS OBTAIN CRITICAL INCOME SUPPORT SUCH AS UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS AND SNAP/FOOD STAMPS DUE TO THE ONGOING IMPACTS OF THE PANDEMIC, ECONOMIC UNCERTAINTIES AND THE HARDSHIPS THAT HAVE ACCOMPANIED THIS CHALLENGING PERIOD. FOR EXAMPLE, MLA CLIENTS HAD CHALLENGES REACHING MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF LABOR (MDOL) STAFF. MLA HAD ESTABLISHED AND CONTINUED TO USE INFORMAL BACK CHANNELS WITH MDOL, WHEREBY MLA WOULD IDENTIFY ELIGIBLE CLIENTS, SUMMARIZE THEIR ISSUES, AND ASK THAT MDOL TIMELY RESOLVE THEIR ISSUES. TO ASSIST WITH SNAP/FOORD STAMP BENEFITS, MLA HAD ESTABLISHED REGULAR COMMUNICATION WITH THE STATE'S DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES (DHS). THIS ALLOWED MLA ADVOCATES TO IDENTIFY AND RESOLVE ONGOING SYSTEMIC ISSUES, AND TO REFER CLIENTS TO DHS FOR SWIFT RESOLUTION. THESE ACTIONS ASSURED MLA CLIENTS COULD ACCESS FINANCIAL HELP WHERE APPROPRIATE SO THEY COULD FEED AND HOUSE THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES. MLA'S COMMUNITY LAWYERING INITIATIVE ESTABLISHED A MEDICAL-LEGAL PARTNERSHIP WITH KAISER PERMANENTE. THE PARTNERSHIP IS PART OF A BROAD SCALE KP PROJECT CALLED "HOUSING, HEALTH & JUSTICE: HELPING COMMUNITIES THRIVE THROUGH MEDICAL-LEGAL PARTNERSHIP", THE AIM OF WHICH IS TO ESTABLISH A COHORT OF MEDICAL-LEGAL PARTNERSHIPS IN AT LEAST FIVE KP REGIONS/MARKETS. MLA WAS CHOSEN AS THE MID-ATLANTIC REGION LEGAL SERVICES PARTNER. THE PROJECT HAS ONE PROGRAM STAFF ATTORNEY. THE STAFF ATTORNEY RECEIVES CLIENT-PATIENT REFERRALS FROM KP CASEWORKERS VIA THE UNITE US/THRIVE LOCAL PORTAL. THE STAFF ATTORNEY PROVIDES REFERRALS, ADVICE, AND FULL REPRESENTATION ON A VARIETY OF HOUSING-RELATED CASES. MLA'S RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT UNIT (RDU) WORKED WITH MEMBERS OF THE EQUAL JUSTICE COUNCIL (EJC) TO PLAN AND EXECUTE THE 2022 CAMPAIGN FOR EQUAL JUSTICE FROM OCTOBER 1 THROUGH DECEMBER 31. FIFTEEN EJC MEMBERS VOLUNTEERED TO HELP RAISE MORE THAN $355,000 FROM LAW FIRMS THROUGHOUT THE STATE AND REGION. THIS WAS $50,000 MORE THAN THE $303,000 RAISED THE PREVIOUS YEAR. MLA AND THE EJC RESUMED ITS ANNUAL BREAKFAST FEATURING MARYLAND'S NEWLY APPOINTED CHIEF MATTHEW FADER AND IT HELD ITS ANNUAL MANAGING PARTNERS MEETING AT BALLARD SPAHR TO INTRODUCE THE NEW LEADERSHIP TEAM, PROMOTE AWARENESS, AND EXCITE SUPPORT FOR MLA'S WORK AMONG THE PRIVATE BAR. EARLIER IN THE YEAR, THE EJC WITH THE MLA BOARD AND OTHERS HELD A RETIREMENT FAREWELL FOR THE OUTGOING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. IN 2022, MLA'S TRAINING & PRO BONO UNIT WENT THROUGH PERIODS OF SIGNIFICANT STAFFING TURNOVER AND RESTRUCTURING. IN MARCH OF 2022, THE DIRECTOR OF TRAINING AND PRO BONO LEFT MLA. THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF TRAINING AND PRO BONO THEN BECAME THE ACTING DIRECTOR FOR TRAINING AND PRO BONO, A ROLE WHICH HE STAYED IN THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. IN JUNE OF 2022, WITH A NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, THE DECISION WAS MADE TO SEPARATE THE TRAINING UNIT FROM THE PRO BONO UNIT. THE PRO BONO UNIT WOULD CONSIST OF A DIRECTOR FOR PRO BONO, PRO BONO COORDINATOR, PROGRAM PARALEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT. WHILE MLA BEGAN THE SEARCH FOR A NEW DIRECTOR OF TRAINING IN NOVEMBER OF 2022, THE NEW DIRECTOR WAS NOT HIRED UNTIL MARCH OF 2023. |
| FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4A: | HIGHLIGHTS OF 2022 ACHIEVEMENTS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS CONTINUED: IN 2022, MLA'S TRAINING AND PRO BONO UNIT HOSTED MULTIPLE LARGE SCALE COMMUNITY CLINICS INVOLVING VOLUNTEER PARTNERS FROM CORPORATE COUNSEL, GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND THE PRIVATE BAR. ADDITIONALLY, THE UNIT ORGANIZED SEVERAL LARGE IN-PERSON TRAINING EVENTS INCLUDING NEW LAWYER TRAINING, A FOUR-DAY IMMERSIVE TRIAL SKILLS BOOT CAMP AND THE ORGANIZATION'S ANNUAL ALL-STAFF RETREAT. IN 2022, MLA'S INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (IT) UNIT FOCUSED ON PREPARATORY STEPS FOR MOVING THE ORGANIZATION TO A CLOUD-FIRST FUTURE. WITH MOST MISSION-CRITICAL APPLICATIONS ALREADY MOVED TO THE CLOUD, IT DECOMMISSIONED A CO-LOCATION FACILITY IN TIDE POINT, MD AND BROUGHT A NUMBER OF SERVERS BACK TO THE BALTIMORE CITY OFFICE WITH THE AIM OF TURNING THEM OFF ENTIRELY IN 2023. MIGRATION OF DOCUMENTS AND RECORDS FROM THOSE SERVERS TO NEW LOCATIONS ON SHAREPOINT WAS ACCOMPLISHED FOR THE EXTENSIVE COLLECTIONS HOUSED BY THE HR AND FINANCE UNITS. CYBERSECURITY INITIATIVES ALSO CONTINUED. ALL MLA STAFF WERE UPGRADED TO MICROSOFT 365 E3 LICENSES IN ANTICIPATION OF IMPLEMENTING NEW 2FA REQUIREMENTS AND UNLOCKING ADDITIONAL SOFTWARE AND SECURITY OPTIONS; AND MANDATORY CYBERSECURITY TRAINING AND PHISHING SIMULATIONS BEGAN USING THE KNOWBE4 PLATFORM. |
| FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4A: | MARYLAND CENTER FOR LEGAL ASSISTANCE AS A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF MLA, THE MARYLAND CENTER FOR LEGAL ASSISTANCE, LLC (MCLA) OPERATES THE MARYLAND COURT HELP CENTERS AND THE DISTRICT COURT HELP CENTERS THROUGH A CONTRACT WITH THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS (AOC). MCLA ALSO OPERATES THE FAMILY LAW SELF HELP CENTER (FLSHC) FOR THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY THROUGH A CONTRACT WITH THE COUNTY. DURING 2022, MCLA OPERATED MARYLAND COURT WALK-IN HELP CENTERS IN BALTIMORE CITY, GLEN BURNIE, UPPER MARLBORO, SALISBURY, CATONSVILLE, ROCKVILLE, LA PLATA, AND FREDERICK, PART-TIME CENTERS IN CAMBRIDGE AND HAGERSTOWN, AND THE MARYLAND COURT REMOTE SERVICES HELP CENTER IN ANNAPOLIS. THE MARYLAND COURT WALK-IN HELP CENTERS ASSIST WITH DISTRICT COURT CIVIL MATTERS ONLY, INCLUDING LANDLORD-TENANT, SMALL CLAIMS, EXPUNGEMENT OF CRIMINAL RECORDS, DEBT COLLECTION AND PROTECTIVE/PEACE ORDERS. IN ADDITION TO THESE MATTERS, THE MARYLAND COURTS REMOTE SERVICES HELP CENTER IS AVAILABLE TO ASSIST WITH A BROAD RANGE OF ISSUES INCLUDING THE DISTRICT COURT MATTERS LISTED ABOVE AND CUSTODY, DIVORCE, AND OTHER CIVIL MATTERS VIA PHONE, LIVE CHAT AND VIDEO CONFERENCE. THE FAMILY LAW SELF HELP CENTER ASSISTS WITH FAMILY LAW MATTERS. WHILE MLA IS FUNDED, IN PART, BY 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 2022, MCLA ASSISTED MORE THAN145,976 VISITORS. OF THOSE SERVED IN 2022, 39,734 RECEIVED WALK-IN ASSISTANCE AND 90,815WERE ASSISTED VIA PHONES. ADDITIONALLY, 13,518 WERE CHAT VISITORS, 1,874 RECEIVED ASSISTANCE VIA E-MAIL, AND 35 THROUGH THE VIDEO CONFERENCE SERVICE. MCLA CONTINUED TO OFFER REMOTE PRO BONO OPPORTUNITIES IN 2022 AND REOPENED IN-PERSON PRO BONO OPPORTUNITIES. IN 2022, 933 VISITORS RECEIVED ASSISTANCE FROM PRO BONO ATTORNEYS. MCLA CONTINUES TO OFFER MONTHLY WEBINARS ON A RANGE OF CIVIL LEGAL ISSUES. THE WEBINARS ARE FREE AND AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC ONLINE. IN 2022, MCLA OFFERED WEBINARS ON FILING FOR CUSTODY, DIVORCE, RENT RELATED DEBT, RENT ESCROW, FAILURE TO PAY RENT FOR LANDLORDS, FAILURE TO PAY RENT FOR TENANTS, AND FILING FOR EXPUNGEMENT IN MARYLAND. MCLA ALSO PRESENTED THE FOLLOWING WEBINARS IN SPANISH IN 2022: "CUSTODIA DE UN MENOR AND "SOLICITUD DE DIVORCIO EN MARYLAND". IN 2022, 47 VISITORS PARTICIPATED IN MCLA'S WEBINARS. |
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