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Community Legal Services Inc

Learn about this cause: What are the reviews? Is it Legit? Do I like the mission? What is the CEO's salary?

EIN: 231671562 ✦ Philadelphia, PA ✦ Designated as a 501(c)(3)

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Overview

What is Community Legal Services Inc?

Community Legal Services Inc, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is a distinguished nonprofit organization with over 56 years of experience. For nearly six decades, they have dedicated themselves to providing top-tier legal assistance to low-income residents of Philadelphia. Their influence extends beyond the local community, with a strong advocacy presence at the local, state, and national levels for policy and legislative changes. Widely regarded as one of the most sophisticated and respected legal services programs in the nation, Community Legal Services Inc employs 232 individuals. In the past year alone, they have helped approximately 9,100 Philadelphians, addressing consumer fraud, preventing homelessness, ensuring fair treatment in the workplace, and protecting women, children, and the elderly. Since its inception, the organization has served hundreds of thousands of individuals during critical times in their lives and influenced policy changes impacting millions more. Their mission is to challenge systems perpetuating injustice, fight poverty, and change lives through innovative advocacy and exceptional legal representation.


Official website here: www.clsphila.org

What are the reviews and ratings of this charity?

Charity Navigator Rating: 96% (Four-Star out of Four Stars)

Community Legal Services Inc has achieved an impressive Four-Star rating from Charity Navigator, with an overall score derived solely from its outstanding accountability and finance practices. This high score indicates a strong commitment to transparency and responsible financial management, which is essential for fostering donor trust.

The organization boasts a fully independent board with a robust size of 33 members, ensuring diverse perspectives and governance accountability. It has also implemented comprehensive policies regarding conflict of interest, whistleblowing, and document management, which further enhance its operational integrity. Additionally, the charity demonstrates effective use of funds, with a program expense ratio of nearly 91%, meaning that a significant portion of its resources is directed towards its programs.

Despite its strengths, the data does not indicate any limitations that could affect its performance negatively. Overall, Community Legal Services Inc exhibits a strong financial health and governance structure, positioning it well to achieve its mission and serve its community effectively.


This AI summary has been generated from information found on Charity Navigator.

What do the Facebook reviews say about Community Legal Services Inc?

96% of 59 reviewers on Facebook recommend Community Legal Services Inc. Here is a summary of their reviews:

Many reviewers highlight the organization's role as a strong advocate for liberty and justice, emphasizing their commitment to serving the community's legal needs. Users appreciate the dedication and support provided by the staff, noting their professionalism and compassion in handling cases.

Overall, individuals express gratitude for the services rendered by Community Legal Services Inc., feeling that the organization effectively delivers on its mission to promote access to justice for all. The high recommendation rate underscores a positive sentiment towards the nonprofit's impact and the trust placed in their capabilities.


This AI summary has been generated from reviews found on Facebook.

Is Community Legal Services Inc legitimate?

Community Legal Services Inc is a legitimate nonprofit organization registered as a 501(c)(3) entity. Community Legal Services Inc submitted a form 990, which is a tax form used by tax-exempt organizations in the U.S., indicating its operational transparency and adherence to regulatory requirements. Donations to this organization are tax deductible.


Heare are some key statistics you may want to consider:

Executive Compensation: $205,130
Professional Fundraising Fees: $0
Other Salaries and Wages: $14,961,231

For more financial information, click here


Official website here: www.clsphila.org

What is the mission statement of Community Legal Services Inc?

Community Legal Services Inc is dedicated to providing free civil legal representation to those who cannot afford it. The organization's mission reaches beyond offering legal assistance, as it also advocates for policy and legislative changes to challenge systems perpetuating injustice and change lives through innovative advocacy and exceptional legal representation. With over 56 years of experience, CLS has become one of the most sophisticated and respected legal services programs in the nation, helping nearly 9,100 individuals in the past year alone. The organization has prevented homelessness, ensured fair treatment in the workplace, and protected women, children, and the elderly from various forms of exploitation. Since its inception, CLS has served hundreds of thousands of individuals at critical junctures in their lives, while influencing policy changes that benefit millions more.


Official website here: www.clsphila.org

What is the revenue of Community Legal Services Inc?

Community Legal Services Inc's revenue in 2024 was $28,764,701.


Official website here: www.clsphila.org

Who are the executives of Community Legal Services Inc and what are their salaries?

The average compensation at Community Legal Services Inc during 2024 was $41,896. There are 362 employees and 56 volunteers at Community Legal Services Inc.

Here are 40 key members and their salaries:


John P Lavelle Jr (President)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Kimberly Takacs Esq (Vice President)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Patrick Devine (Treasurer)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Shelly Solomon (Secretary)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Jason Leckerman (Board Member Thru February 2024)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Adrianne Gunter (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Bridget Henry (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Dina Schlossberg (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Dorothy Boykin (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Honorable Annette M Rizzo (Board Member Thru February 2024)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Irv Ackelsberg Esq (Board Member Thru February 2024)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Carlton Johnson (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Jeffrey Rosenthal (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Keir Bradford-Grey (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Larry Bendesky Esq (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Lauren Mckenna Esq (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Caitlin G Coslett (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Eric Yoon (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
James P Faunes (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Steve Lee (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Thomas J Duffy Esq (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Valentine Brown (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Sara Richman (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Marisa Tilghman (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Janice Lee (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Melanie Foreman (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Ronald Lewis (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Tiffany Bacon (Board Member Thru February 2024)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Judy Leone (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Emilia Mckee Vassallo (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Patrina Anderson (Board Member As Of Feb 2024)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Sherrita Reid Elam (Board Member As Of April 2024)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Joseph Traub (Board Member As Of April 2024)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Libardo Clavijo (Chief Financial Officer)
  • Compensation: $149,500
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $32,434
Deborah Freedman (Executive Director)
  • Compensation: $171,667
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $33,638
William E Gibbons (Senior Attorney)
  • Compensation: $157,142
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $31,732
Sharon Dietrich (Litigation Director)
  • Compensation: $155,250
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $20,953
Richard Weishaupt (Senior Attorney)
  • Compensation: $156,642
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $32,395
Katherine Gomez (Senior Attorney)
  • Compensation: $154,500
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $31,049
Wesley C Allen (Senior Attorney)
  • Compensation: $143,907
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $30,497


Official website here: www.clsphila.org

Where can I find the form 990 for Community Legal Services Inc?

Community Legal Services Inc's most recent form 990 was submitted in 2024 and can be accessed here.


Official website here: www.clsphila.org

Learn more at the official website: www.clsphila.org

Mission Statement of Community Legal Services Inc

Community Legal Services Inc, an esteemed organization, is dedicated to providing free civil legal representation for the underprivileged. With a mission to combat poverty, challenge unjust systems, and transform lives, the organization offers top-tier advocacy and exceptional legal assistance.

For over five decades, this renowned legal services program has been a beacon of hope for low-income Philadelphia residents. It is widely recognized as one of the most sophisticated, respected organizations of its kind in the nation, and one of the largest and most experienced. In the past year alone, Community Legal Services Inc helped approximately 9,100 individuals, addressing issues such as consumer fraud, predatory lending, imminent homelessness, unequal treatment in the workplace, and the protection of women, children, and the elderly.

Through its cutting-edge advocacy and tireless legal representation, Community Legal Services Inc not only fights for the rights of its clients but also advocates locally, state-wide, and nationally for policy and legislative changes. By providing the highest quality legal assistance, this organization has served hundreds of thousands of individuals at crucial moments in their lives and influenced positive change for millions more.

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Impact




October, 2024

Community Legal Services Inc. has been a transformative force in Philadelphia for over 56 years, providing free civil legal representation to low-income residents. In the past year alone, CLS has directly aided nearly 9,100 individuals, addressing critical issues such as consumer fraud, predatory lending, homelessness prevention, workplace fairness, and the protection of vulnerable populations, including women, children, and the elderly.

With a reputation as one of the most sophisticated and respected legal services programs in the nation, CLS actively advocates for policy and legislative changes at local, state, and national levels, amplifying the voices of those it serves. The organization has significantly impacted the lives of hundreds of thousands and contributed to system-wide improvements that benefit millions more, particularly during pivotal and challenging moments in their clients' lives. Through cutting-edge advocacy and exceptional legal representation, CLS strives to fight poverty and challenge the injustices that perpetuate economic disparities, ultimately changing lives and strengthening the community.




This information is meant to be a general summary of Community Legal Services Inc. Please take the time to review official sources before making any decisions based upon the content provided here.


Financials

This financial information is from Propublica.

Revenue
$28,764,701 (2024)
Expenses
$26,460,237 (2024)
Efficiency

Other financial information:

This information is from the most recently submitted tax form from this organization, which was in 2024.

  • Investment Income: $216,166
  • Program Service Revenue: $177,659
  • Gross Receipts: $28,764,701

Assets and Liabilities:

  • Total Assets: $20,694,601
  • Total Liabilities: $2,897,750
  • Net Assets: $17,796,851

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Programs

Programs are reported by nonprofits in their tax forms and are normally their tax-exempt activities.

ATTORNEY & SSI FEES

Revenue

$123,639

FEE FOR SERVICE

Revenue

$54,020

Organization Details

Founding Year

1966

Principal Officer

Deborah Freedman

NTEE Category

Code: I80Z - Crime

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