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)
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(a) 2019 | (b) 2020 | (c) 2021 | (d) 2022 | (e) 2023 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees received. (Do not include any "unusual grant.") .. | 641,019 | 1,158,115 | 1,588,874 | 2,798,578 | 2,469,735 | 8,656,321 |
| 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 | 641,019 | 1,158,115 | 1,588,874 | 2,798,578 | 2,469,735 | 8,656,321 |
| 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) .. | 76,519 | |||||
| 6 | Public support. Subtract line 5 from line 4. | 8,579,802 | |||||
Calendar year
(or fiscal year beginning in)
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(a) 2019 | (b) 2020 | (c) 2021 | (d) 2022 | (e) 2023 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Amounts from line 4.. | 641,019 | 1,158,115 | 1,588,874 | 2,798,578 | 2,469,735 | 8,656,321 |
| 8 | Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources... | 143 | 35 | 39 | 24,768 | 9,528 | 34,513 |
| 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.).. | 3,064 | 4,168 | 983 | 8,215 | ||
| 11 | Total support. Add lines 7 through 10 | 8,699,049 | |||||
Calendar year (or fiscal
year beginning in) ![]() |
(a) 2019 | (b) 2020 | (c) 2021 | (d) 2022 | (e) 2023 | (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) 2019 | (b) 2020 | (c) 2021 | (d) 2022 | (e) 2023 | (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 2023 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-2023 |
(iii) Distributable Amount for 2023 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Distributable amount for 2023 from Section C, line 6 | ||||
|
2
Underdistributions, if any, for years prior to 2023 (reasonable cause required-- explain in Part VI).
See instructions. |
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| 3 Excess distributions carryover, if any, to 2023: | ||||
| a From 2018....... | ||||
| b From 2019....... | ||||
| c From 2020....... | ||||
| d From 2021....... | ||||
| e From 2022....... | ||||
| fTotal of lines 3a through e | ||||
| g Applied to underdistributions of prior years | ||||
| h Applied to 2023 distributable amount | ||||
|
i
Carryover from 2018 not applied (see instructions) |
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| j Remainder. Subtract lines 3g, 3h, and 3i from line 3f. | ||||
| 4Distributions for 2023 from Section D, line 7: | ||||
| $ | ||||
| a Applied to underdistributions of prior years | ||||
| b Applied to 2023 distributable amount | ||||
| c Remainder. Subtract lines 4a and 4b from line 4. | ||||
|
5
Remaining underdistributions for years prior to 2023, 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 2023. 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 2024. Add lines 3j and 4c. |
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| 8 Breakdown of line 7: | ||||
| a Excess from 2019..... | ||||
| b Excess from 2020..... | ||||
| c Excess from 2021..... | ||||
| d Excess from 2022..... | ||||
| e Excess from 2023..... | ||||
| Facts And Circumstances Test |
|---|
| Return Reference | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Schedule A, Part II, Line 10, Explanation of Other Income: | Other Income - 2021 Amount: $ 3,064. 2022 Amount: $ 4,168. 2023 Amount: $ 983. |
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| Return Reference | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Form 990, Part III, Line 1 | DC Affordable Law Firm delivers accessible justice to modest-income DC residents who do not qualify for traditional sources of free civil legal services and cannot afford standard representation. Our innovative programming expands access to justice by empowering community members with unmet legal needs while also launching the careers of public interest lawyers committed to accessible justice. Through our dignified no-cost and low-cost representation options, DCALF bridges the gap in legal services, changes DC's legal landscape, and makes accessible justice a reality. |
| Form 990, Part III, Line 4a | DC Affordable Law Firm ("DCALF") believes everyone deserves access to justice and that income should never be a barrier to an individual or family's receipt of high-quality legal representation. DCALF is a cutting-edge nonprofit legal services organization centered on using innovative approaches to deliver free and accessible, low bono legal services to modest- and lower-income Washington, DC residents, the majority of whom earn modest incomes and do not qualify for traditional forms of free legal assistance yet are unable to afford private counsel. DCALF, the central non-profit legal services organization in the District of Columbia catering to modest-means residents, was founded in 2015 to shatter the barriers to legal representation by providing hardworking Washingtonians with affordable, and - now in more than 99% of cases free legal services in family law, immigration, heirs' property, probate, and estate planning matters. As an access to a justice organization, DCALF continues to respond to the economic realities of our client base and fill unmet needs within DC's community through the delivery of innovative programs, including partnering with other nonprofit organizations to deliver rapid-response family law assistance to the District's unrepresented, lower-income family law litigants through the Family Law Assistance Network, delivering a wide range of immigration legal services to immigrant children, individuals, and families, co-leading the District of Columbia's first comprehensive Heirs' Property Legal Assistance (Probate) and estate planning program, and leading community outreach and education initiatives to empower residents with legal information and access to counsel. By now offering free support to qualifying individuals, DCALF clients and their families can keep resources to meet other life demands and are on stronger economic footing to be able to live, work, and thrive in the District of Columbia. In addition to closing the civil justice gap by meeting the legal needs of underserved segments of the population, DCALF also launches the careers of the next generation of public interest attorneys through its one-of-a-kind, annual in-house fellowship program. DCALF fellows are recent graduates from Georgetown University Law Center or the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law, the only public law school in the District of Columbia and one of only six American Bar Association approved law schools at a Historically Black College or University. DCALF Fellows serve in our 15-month fellowship, earning a salary from DCALF and a free Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree from Georgetown University Law Center valued at $78,422 per fellow in FY2024 (a benefit conferred upon all successful fellowship graduates, regardless of their school of origin), and thereafter enter other public interest legal services organizations or professional opportunities upon the conclusion of their fellowship. Since the Organization's 2015 founding, DCALF has grown from a small, seven-person charitable initiative of Georgetown University Law Center, ArentFox Schiff, and DLA Piper LLP, to a robust nonprofit law firm serving more than 2,200 clients in over 2,900 immigration, family law, probate, and estate planning matters. DCALF's model is a lifeline that ensures that individuals and families have high-quality, consistent representation regardless of their ability to pay, and there is a growing population of public interest attorneys to address the many legal needs of DC residents. |
| Form 990, Part VI, Section A, line 2 | Marc Fleischaker, Nancy Noonan, and Cristina Carvalho have a business relationship. Rachel Camp, Peter Edelman, and William Treanor have a business relationship. Benjamin Boyd, Elizabeth Dewey, and Sheldon Krantz have a business relationship. Matthew Fraidin and Twinette Johnson have a business relationship. |
| Form 990, Part VI, Section A, line 6 | The organization has three members: Arent Fox LLP, DLA Piper LLP, and Georgetown University. |
| Form 990, Part VI, Section A, line 7a | The members have the right to appoint directors. |
| Form 990, Part VI, Section B, line 11b | The Form 990 is prepared by the outside accountants and reviewed by the Executive Director. A copy is sent to the Board of Directors prior to filing with the IRS. |
| Form 990, Part VI, Section B, line 12c | Directors, officers and other persons in a position to exercise substantial influence over the company's affairs are required to report actual or possible conflicts of interest to the Chairman or the Board. The disinterested board members are required to review and determine whether a conflict exists. If a conflict exists, these directors are required to determine whether a more advantageous transaction or arrangement exists from a person or entity that would not give rise to a conflict of interest. If there is not a more advantageous transaction or arrangement, these directors must determine whether the transaction or arragement is in the best interest of the company and whether it is fair and reasonable. |
| Form 990, Part VI, Section B, line 15a | The compensation of the Executive Director is initially determined by the Board of Directors using, among other information, comparability data. The compensation of other employees is initially determined by the Executive Director and reviewed and approved by the Board. In 2024, the leadership team (Executive Director, Legal Director, and COO) compared DCALF salaries against other legal service organizations in DC. The organization then changed the salary scales for staff attorneys, supervising attorneys, and managing attorneys. |
| Form 990, Part VI, Section C, line 19 | The Organization's governing documents, Conflict of Interest Policy and financial statements are available upon request. |
| Form 990, Part XII, Line 2c | No changes from prior year. |
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