| (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) 2021 | (b) 2022 | (c) 2023 | (d) 2024 | (e) 2025 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees received. (Do not include any "unusual grant.") .. | 35,166,861 | 35,498,294 | 34,303,369 | 45,045,841 | 23,896,495 | 173,910,860 |
| 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 | 35,166,861 | 35,498,294 | 34,303,369 | 45,045,841 | 23,896,495 | 173,910,860 |
| 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. | 173,910,860 | |||||
| Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in) | (a) 2021 | (b) 2022 | (c) 2023 | (d) 2024 | (e) 2025 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Amounts from line 4.. | 35,166,861 | 35,498,294 | 34,303,369 | 45,045,841 | 23,896,495 | 173,910,860 |
| 8 | Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources... | 63,478 | -152,288 | 1,141,867 | 1,163,158 | 527,224 | 2,743,439 |
| 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.).. | 239,386 | 63,579 | 142,464 | 179,496 | 77,227 | 702,152 |
| 11 | Total support. Add lines 7 through 10 | 177,356,451 | |||||
| Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in) | (a) 2021 | (b) 2022 | (c) 2023 | (d) 2024 | (e) 2025 | (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) 2021 | (b) 2022 | (c) 2023 | (d) 2024 | (e) 2025 | (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) |
||||
| 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 | |
| 6Total annual distributions. Add lines 1 through 5. | 6 | |
|
7
Distributions to attentive supported organizations to which the organization is responsive (provide details in Part VI). See instructions |
7 | |
| 8 Distributable amount for 2025 from Section C, line 6 | 8 | |
| 9 Line 7 amount divided by Line 8 amount | 9 | |
| Section E - Distribution Allocations (see instructions) |
(i) Excess Distributions |
(ii) Underdistributions Pre-2025 |
(iii) Distributable Amount for 2025 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Distributable amount for 2025 from Section C, line 6 | ||||
|
2
Underdistributions, if any, for years prior to 2025 (reasonable cause required-- explain in Part VI).
See instructions. |
||||
| 3 Excess distributions carryover, if any, to 2025: | ||||
| a From 2020....... | ||||
| b From 2021....... | ||||
| c From 2022....... | ||||
| d From 2023....... | ||||
| e From 2024....... | ||||
| fTotal of lines 3a through e | ||||
| g Applied to underdistributions of prior years | ||||
| h Applied to 2025 distributable amount | ||||
|
i
Carryover from 2020 not applied (see instructions) |
||||
| j Remainder. Subtract lines 3g, 3h, and 3i from line 3f. | ||||
| 4Distributions for 2025 from Section D, line 6: | ||||
| $ | ||||
| a Applied to underdistributions of prior years | ||||
| b Applied to 2025 distributable amount | ||||
| c Remainder. Subtract lines 4a and 4b from line 4. | ||||
|
5
Remaining underdistributions for years prior to 2025, 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 2025. 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 2026. Add lines 3j and 4c. |
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| 8 Breakdown of line 7: | ||||
| a Excess from 2021..... | ||||
| b Excess from 2022..... | ||||
| c Excess from 2023..... | ||||
| d Excess from 2024..... | ||||
| e Excess from 2025..... | ||||
| Facts And Circumstances Test |
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| Return Reference | Explanation |
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| Software ID: | |
| Software Version: |
| Return Reference | Explanation |
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| 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 THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S COMPENSATION IS AS FOLLOWS: WITH ITS NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR WHO JOINED IN JUNE 2022, THE BOARD REVIEWED HER PERFORMANCE AT ITS MEETING IN DECEMBER 2023. THE BOARD CONSIDERED THE ORGANIZATIONAL ASSESSMENT SURVEY THAT WAS DONE BY A 3RD PARTY CONSULTANT, THE SITE VISIT REVIEW BY LSC IN THE SUMMER OF 2023, ITS OWN OBSERVATIONS AND PARTICIPATION IN THE STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS AND ALL-STAFF AND BOARD RETREAT, AND THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REGULAR REPORTS ON PROGRESS REGARDING THE ORGANIZATIONAL GOALS. GOING FORWARD, THE BOARD'S EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE WILL EVALUATE THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR 2024 AND WILL REPORT ITS CONCLUSIONS, INCLUDING ANY SALARY ADJUSTMENTS, TO THE ENTIRE BOARD FOR THEIR APPROVAL. THE BOARD IS NOW CONSIDERING CHANGING THE TIMING FOR THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S EVALUATION FROM DECEMBER TO JUNE. THIS CHANGE WOULD BE IN ANTICIPATION OF AND TO ALIGN WITH THE CHANGE OF MARYLAND LEGAL AID'S FISCAL YEAR FROM A CALENDAR-BASED FISCAL YEAR TO A JULY-THROUGH-JUNE FISCAL YEAR IN 2025. |
| 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: | MARYLAND LEGAL AID (LEGAL AID BUREAU, INC.) IS THE LARGEST PROVIDER OF FREE CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES IN THE STATE. IN 2025, MARYLAND LEGAL AID TRANSITIONED FROM A CALENDAR-BASED FISCAL YEAR TO A JULY 1 TO JUNE 30 FISCAL YEAR TO ALIGN WITH THE MAJORITY OF OUR FUNDERS. THUS, THE NARRATIVE IN THIS SCHEDULE REFLECTS MARYLAND LEGAL AID'S WORK FOR SIX MONTHS, FROM JANUARY TO JUNE IN 2025. IN THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF 2025, WE CLOSED 7,631 CASES, BENEFITING 17,025 LOW-INCOME AND VULNERABLE MARYLANDERS. FROM OUR 11 REGIONAL OFFICES AND NUMEROUS COMMUNITY-BASED CLINICS, OUR ATTORNEYS AND ADVOCATES PROVIDED ESSENTIAL LEGAL SUPPORT THAT HELPED CLIENTS STAY SAFELY HOUSED, MAINTAIN CUSTODY OF THEIR CHILDREN, AND ESCAPE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. WE INCREASED ECONOMIC SECURITY BY DEFENDING AGAINST CONSUMER DEBT, FORECLOSURES, AND TAX SALES, REMOVING BARRIERS TO EMPLOYMENT, AND ASSISTING CLIENTS IN ACCESSING VITAL INCOME SUPPORTS SUCH AS UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS AND FOOD ASSISTANCE. OUR ADVOCATES REPRESENTED VULNERABLE POPULATIONS, INCLUDING VETERANS, SENIORS, CHILDREN IN ABUSE AND NEGLECT CASES, PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, VICTIMS OF CRIME, MIGRANT FARMWORKERS, AND INDIVIDUALS IN MENTAL HEALTH INSTITUTIONS. MARYLAND LEGAL AID RESOLVES FUNDAMENTAL LEGAL PROBLEMS THAT BRING STABILITY AND OPPORTUNITY TO CLIENTS' LIVES. WHILE MANY CLIENTS RECOGNIZE THEIR CRISIS, THEY OFTEN DO NOT REALIZE THE LEGAL PROBLEMS THEY ARE EXPERIENCING OR HOW THEY CAN BE RESOLVED. OUR DEDICATED LEGAL STAFF CAREFULLY IDENTIFY AND ADDRESS THESE LEGAL NEEDS, PROVIDING RESPECTFUL AND ACCESSIBLE ASSISTANCE WHETHER CLIENTS FIND US ONLINE, BY PHONE, OR IN PERSON. WE ARE BUILDING FOR OUR FUTURE. MARYLAND LEGAL AID LAUNCHED ITS BOLD NEW STRATEGIC PLAN IN 2024 THAT RENEWED OUR MISSION, VISION, AND CORE VALUES, AND WILL GUIDE THE ORGANIZATION INTO THE FUTURE. THE PLAN FOCUSES ON HOLISTIC LAWYERING, EMPOWERING CLIENTS AND COMMUNITIES, CHALLENGING SYSTEMS THAT PERPETUATE INEQUITY, FOSTERING A HIGH-PERFORMING AND DIVERSE STAFF, AND BUILDING AN INNOVATIVE, DATA-DRIVEN ORGANIZATION WITH THE RESOURCES NECESSARY TO SUPPORT OUR MISSION. WE'RE TAKING CASES THAT ADVANCE OUR PRIORITIES. OUR LEGAL PRACTICE INTEGRATES A HOLISTIC APPROACH, RECOGNIZING THE COMPLEX INTERPLAY OF LEGAL ISSUES THAT PLAGUE THOSE EXPERIENCING POVERTY. UNDERSTANDING THAT UNJUST SYSTEMS PERPETUATE INEQUALITY, MARYLAND LEGAL AID IS COMMITTED TO CHALLENGING THOSE SYSTEMS TO ACHIEVE FAIRNESS AND JUSTICE. TO ALIGN WITH THIS VISION, WE REVISED OUR CASE ACCEPTANCE PRIORITIES TO ADDRESS FUNDAMENTAL CIVIL LEGAL NEEDS CONSISTENTLY ACROSS OUR OFFICES, EMPHASIZING CASES THAT WILL IMPACT INDIVIDUALS AND SYSTEMS, AND PRIORITIZING VULNERABLE POPULATIONS SUCH AS YOUNG ADULTS AGING OUT OF CHILD WELFARE AND SENIORS OR DISABLED PERSONS AT RISK OF WRONGFUL DISCHARGE FROM NURSING HOMES. THE PRIORITIES ALSO HAVE LED TO THE EXPANSION OF REPRESENTATION FOR LOW-WAGE WORKERS, ADDRESSING A CRITICAL SERVICE GAP. |
| FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4A: | WE TACKLED BARRIERS TO EMPLOYMENT. MARYLAND LEGAL AID HELPED 2,082 PEOPLE BENEFIT FROM CRIMINAL RECORD EXPUNGEMENTS, ELIMINATING THAT BARRIER TO EMPLOYMENT. WE ADVOCATED FOR THE REMOVAL OF STRINGENT LICENSING REQUIREMENTS THAT UNNECESSARILY BAR OUR CLIENTS FROM CERTAIN OCCUPATIONS. WE ARE ENGAGED IN ONGOING ADVOCACY TO IMPROVE THE BROKEN UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE SYSTEM. WE FILED CLAIMS AGAINST THE STATE ON BEHALF OF CLIENTS WHOSE DRIVER'S LICENSES WERE UNLAWFULLY SUSPENDED DUE TO CHILD SUPPORT OBLIGATIONS, WITHOUT CRITICAL DUE PROCESS PROTECTIONS AND PRESSING FOR SYSTEMIC REFORM. WE STOOD UP FOR TENANTS' RIGHTS. MARYLAND LEGAL AID SUED AN EASTERN SHORE LANDLORD FOR VIOLATIONS OF LANDLORD TENANT AND CONSUMER PROTECTION LAWS. WE REFERRED THIS CASE TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S CIVIL RIGHTS DIVISION, WHICH BROUGHT A SEX DISCRIMINATION CASE AGAINST THE LANDLORD FOR A PAY-TO-PLAY SEX SCHEME PERPETRATED AGAINST VULNERABLE LOW-INCOME WOMEN TENANTS. MARYLAND LEGAL AID FURTHERED THE TENANT RIGHT TO COUNSEL PROJECT (TRCP) AS PART OF MARYLAND'S STATEWIDE ACCESS TO COUNSEL IN EVICTIONS (ACE) PROGRAM. BEING THAT MARYLAND IS ONE OF ONLY THREE STATES THAT PROVIDE A RIGHT TO FREE COUNSEL FOR ITS LOW-INCOME RESIDENTS FACING EVICTION, WE HELPED CLIENTS EXERCISE THIS RIGHT, CLOSING NEARLY 2106 CASES AND EXPANDING OUR REACH ACROSS THE STATE. MARYLAND LEGAL AID WAS PRESENT IN EVERY JURISDICTION THAT OFFERS SAME-DAY COURT ASSISTANCE FOR TENANTS, INCLUDING BALTIMORE CITY, WASHINGTON COUNTY, CARROLL COUNTY, CHARLES COUNTY, MONTGOMERY COUNTY AND FREDERICK COUNTY. MARYLAND LEGAL AID'S STAFF AND ITS EQUAL JUSTICE WORKS HOUSING JUSTICE FELLOWS HAVE BEEN ENGAGED IN COMMUNITY-BASED OUTREACH EFFORTS TO INFORM TENANTS ABOUT THEIR RIGHTS. WE ALSO LAUNCHED A PUBLIC CAMPAIGN TO EDUCATE MARYLANDERS USING BUS ADS, BILLBOARDS, AND DIGITAL MARKETING. OUR ROBUST BANKRUPTCY PRACTICE, FOCUSED ON HOMEOWNERSHIP PRESERVATION, CONTINUED TO HELP CLIENTS ESTABLISH VIABLE REPAYMENT PLANS AND LITIGATE THEIR CLAIMS. RECENTLY, MARYLAND LEGAL AID HAD SUCCESS IN GETTING STUDENT LOAN RELIEF AS PERMITTED BY FEDERAL REGULATIONS. WE KEPT WOMEN AND CHILDREN SAFE. WORKING WITH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROVIDERS, MARYLAND LEGAL AID REPRESENTED 45 SURVIVORS IN OBTAINING PROTECTIVE ORDERS. WE HELPED CLIENTS FILE FOR DIVORCE AND CHILD CUSTODY AND ACCESS THE RESOURCES NECESSARY TO REBUILD THEIR LIVES FREE FROM ABUSE. IN PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MARYLAND LEGAL AID JOINED THE COLLABORATIVE JUSTICE LAW CENTER AND THE CIRCUIT COURT OF PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY IN A CREATIVE CHILD CUSTODY DETERMINATION PROGRAM. CASES IN WHICH BOTH PARENTS ARE UNREPRESENTED WILL BE REFERRED TO THE COLLABORATIVE LAW PILOT PROJECT WHICH OFFERS NON-ADVERSARIAL APPROACH TO CHILD CUSTODY DISPUTES FOSTERING HEALTHIER CO-PARENTING RELATIONSHIPS THROUGH MEDIATED AGREEMENTS FORMALIZED BY THE COURT. |
| FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4A: | WE HELPED SENIORS AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES ACCESS THEIR BENEFTS. MARYLAND LEGAL AID, AN ACTIVE PARTICIPANT IN THE GOVERNOR'S TASK FORCE ON THE PREVENTION OF ELDER ABUSE, CONTRIBUTED TO RECOMMENDATIONS FOR STRENGTHENING PROTECTIONS FOR LOW-INCOME SENIORS. OUR ADVOCATES CONTINUE TO ADDRESS FLAWS IN THE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE SYSTEM, SECURING INDIVIDUAL CASE RESOLUTIONS AND ADVOCATING FOR SYSTEMIC REFORMS. WE ASSISTED CLIENTS WITH DISABILITIES APPLYING FOR SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS BY HELPING THEM ACCESS INTERIM STATE SUPPORTS TO MAINTAIN HOUSING AND BASIC NEEDS DURING THE OFTEN LENGTHY APPLICATION PROCESS. ADDITIONALLY, WE HAVE SUCCESSFULLY REPRESENTED CLIENTS WRONGLY CHARGED WITH BENEFIT OVERPAYMENTS DUE TO AGENCY ERRORS, PREVENTING UNJUST GARNISHMENTS. WE ADVOCATED TO CHANGE THE SYSTEMS THAT KEEP MARYLANDERS IN POVERTY. MARYLAND LEGAL AID FILED A LAWSUIT IN FEDERAL COURT CLAIMING BALTIMORE CITY'S TAX SALE PROCESS VIOLATES THE CONSTITUTION FOR FAILING TO PROVIDE JUST COMPENSATION TO PROPERTY OWNERS. THIS SYSTEM STRIPS LOW-INCOME HOMEOWNERS, PRIMARILY ELDERLY AND OF COLOR, OF THEIR HOMES AND THEIR EQUITY, HARMING THEIR ABILITY TO GENERATE INTERGENERATIONAL WEALTH AND DE-STABILIZING COMMUNITIES. THE DEFENDANTS' MOTION TO DISMISS AND OUR OPPOSITION ARE PENDING BEFORE THE COURT. IN BALTIMORE CITY, WE FILED A LAWSUIT ON BEHALF OF SENIOR CITIZENS, MANY OF WHOM HAVE DISABILITIES AND ARE LIVING IN UNLICENSED FEDERALLY SUBSIDIZED PROPERTIES WITH NUMEROUS HOUSING CODE VIOLATIONS. MARYLAND LEGAL AID ALSO JOINED AMICUS BRIEFS TO CLARIFY CRITICAL STATUES AND POINTS OF LAW AND SUPPORT THE RIGHTS OF OUR CLIENTS. WE SUCCESSFULLY LED ADVOCACY TO AMEND COURT FEE WAIVER RULES, ELIMINATING THE BURDEN FOR LEGAL SERVICES ATTORNEYS AND PRO SE LITIGANTS OF HAVING TO FILE A SECOND, UNNECESSARY FEE WAIVER REQUEST AT THE CONCLUSION OF THEIR CASE. MARYLAND LEGAL AID WAS ALSO INVITED TO PROVIDE INPUT ON A NUMBER OF BILLS DURING THE STATE'S LEGISLATIVE SESSION INCLUDING EXTENDING FUNDING FOR THE ACCESS TO COUNSEL IN EVICTIONS (ACE) PROGRAM; EXPANDING RENTERS' RIGHTS; AND CODIFYING BEST INTERESTS STANDARDS IN FAMILY LAW CASES. FURTHER, WE PAIRED OUR LEGISLATIVE WORK WITH UNDERLYING LITIGATION (INCLUDING IMPACT LITIGATION AND APPEALS) TO HELP DRIVE CRITICAL SYSTEMIC REFORMS. AT THE AGENCY LEVEL, MARYLAND LEGAL AID ENGAGED WITH AGENCY LEADERS TO URGE IMPROVEMENTS TO SYSTEMS AND REGULATIONS. THIS INTEGRATED, HOLISTIC, COMMUNITY-CENTERED APPROACH TO ADVOCACY LAYS THE GROUNDWORK FOR ACHIEVING OUR STATED GOAL OF ENSURING DIGNITY, EQUITY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. |
| FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4A: | WE MADE GETTING LEGAL HELP EASIER. HAVING STOOD UP MARYLAND LEGAL AID'S CENTRALIZED INTAKE SYSTEM IN 2024, WE HAVE CONTINUED TO IMPROVE STATEWIDE ACCESS BY ENABLING CLIENTS TO CONNECT WITH SERVICES THROUGH PHONE OR ONLINE PLATFORMS, STREAMLINING INTAKE PROCESSES AND ALLOWING REAL-TIME DATA MONITORING TO INCREASE EFFICIENCY AND SERVICE. PUBLIC OUTREACH CAMPAIGNS ACROSS SOCIAL AND TRADITIONAL MEDIA RAISED AWARENESS OF RIGHTS AND SERVICES RELATED TO EXPUNGEMENT, EVICTION PREVENTION, AND FORECLOSURE DEFENSE. TO BETTER SERVE LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENCY CLIENTS, WE ARE ENACTING A COMPREHENSIVE LANGUAGE JUSTICE PLAN, TRANSLATING KEY MATERIALS AND USING BEST PRACTICES FOR LANGUAGE ACCESS. THROUGH OUR STAFF LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY PROGRAM, MORE THAN 40 STAFF MEMBERS HAVE TESTED PROFICIENT IN MULTIPLE LANGUAGES AND CAN RECEIVE A STIPEND TO ACT AS A LANGUAGE RESOURCE TO CLIENTS. WE LEVERAGED TECHNOLOGY TO EFFICIENTLY EXPAND ACCESS TO JUSTICE. TO ENHANCE INTERNAL EFFICIENCY AND COLLABORATION, MARYLAND LEGAL AID HAS UTILIZED ITS NEW INTRANET, BRIEFCASE, CONSOLIDATING POLICIES, FORMS, AND TRAINING RESOURCES INTO A SINGLE, SEARCHABLE PLATFORM. WE CONTINUED DEVELOPMENT OF MLAGPT, A SECURE, INTERNALLY CONTROLLED GENERATIVE AI TOOL TO ASSIST LEGAL STAFF WITH DRAFTING AND RESEARCH WHILE ENSURING CONFIDENTIALITY. ADDITIONALLY, A NEW WEB-BASED HELP DESK CONTINUES TO IMPROVE IT SUPPORT RESPONSIVENESS, AND ADOPTION OF THE CLOUD-BASED COUPA SYSTEM STREAMLINED EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENTS, REDUCING ADMINISTRATIVE BURDENS AND INCREASING ACCURACY. OUR DECISIONS WERE DATA-DRIVEN. MARYLAND LEGAL AID HAS DEVELOPED DASHBOARDS THAT ENHANCE DATA VISUALIZATION FOR BOARD REPORTING, SUPERVISORY INSIGHT AND OVERSIGHT, PRIVATE ATTORNEY INVOLVEMENT (PAI) TIME, STRATEGIC BENCHMARKS, LEGISLATIVE TRACKING, AND OUR CALL CENTER, STRENGTHENING OUR DATA-DRIVEN DECISION-MAKING CAPACITY. A NEW DATA GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE AND A COMPREHENSIVE DATA DICTIONARY ENSURE DATA QUALITY AND CONSISTENCY, SUPPORTING MORE EFFECTIVE SERVICE DELIVERY AND STRATEGIC PLANNING. WE INVESTED IN OUR TALENT. RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF A SKILLED AND SUPPORTED WORKFORCE, MARYLAND LEGAL AID CONTINUED ITS INAUGURAL YEAR UTILIZING NEW SUPERVISION STANDARDS AND PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT TOOLS, AND WORK PLANNING PROCESSES. WE CONVENED TRAINING RETREATS FOR SUPERVISORS AND HAVE OFFERED ONGOING SUPPORT SESSIONS, FOSTERING A CULTURE OF ACCOUNTABILITY AND PROFESSIONAL GROWTH. OUR NEW TRAINING DEPARTMENT IS WORKING ON A COMPREHENSIVE TRAINING PROGRAM FOR ALL STAFF MEMBERS INCLUDING HR-MANDATED PROGRAMS ON UNCONSCIOUS BIAS, SEXUAL HARASSMENT PREVENTION, AND CYBERSECURITY TO EQUIP ALL STAFF WITH CRITICAL SKILLS. WE MADE OUR OFFICES SAFER. WE ENHANCED WORKPLACE SAFETY WITH SIGNIFICANT SECURITY UPGRADES AT OUR BALTIMORE CITY HEADQUARTERS, INCLUDING ACCESS CONTROL, CCTV MONITORING, INTRUSION ALARMS, EMERGENCY INTERCOMS, AND A MODERNIZED FIRE ALARM SYSTEM. SAFETY ASSESSMENTS WERE CONDUCTED STATEWIDE TO PROTECT STAFF AND CLIENTS. WE CONDUCTED SAFETY DRILLS TO PREPARE OUR STAFF FOR EMERGENCIES. TO ACCOMMODATE ORGANIZATIONAL GROWTH, WE CONTINUE TO MAXIMIZE SPACE IN A HYBRID ENVIRONMENT WHILE ALSO CREATING A WELCOMING, PROFESSIONAL ENVIRONMENT THAT SUPPORTS OUR LEGAL ADVOCATES IN DELIVERING LIFE-CHANGING SERVICES TO OUR CLIENTS. |
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