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Maryland Legal Services Corporation

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

EIN: 521266744 ✦ Baltimore, MD ✦ Designated as a 501(c)(3)

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Overview

What is Maryland Legal Services Corporation?

The Maryland Legal Services Corporation (MLSC) is a nonprofit organization, established in 1982 by the Maryland General Assembly to distribute funds to qualifying nonprofits providing civil legal assistance to low-income Marylanders. With over $376 million granted since its inception – funding more than 4.07 million cases – MLSC supports various legal matters, including family, housing, consumer debt, employment, healthcare, and others. In FY 2022, MLSC awarded $22.5 million in grants to 40 legal services providers for operating funds and projects. These initiatives resulted in closing 232,145 cases, benefiting 328,995 people across Maryland. Grantees also engaged 3,200 volunteers, including 2,500 pro bono attorneys, who delivered over 60,000 hours of service. MLSC's mission is to ensure that low-income Marylanders have access to stable, efficient, and effective civil legal assistance through its grant distribution to nonprofit legal services organizations.


Official website here: www.mlsc.org

What are the reviews and ratings of this charity?

Rating from Charity Navigator: 96%, Four-Star out of Four Star rating.

The Maryland Legal Services Corporation has achieved an impressive score of 96%, indicating a strong performance in accountability and finance. This rating reflects the organization's commitment to maintaining a well-governed structure, as evidenced by their independent board members and rigorous financial oversight. The organization scored full points across various metrics, including having a conflict of interest policy and an audit and oversight committee in place.

A key strength of the Maryland Legal Services Corporation is its high program expense ratio of 98.91%, suggesting that a significant majority of its resources are allocated directly to its programs and services. This effective use of funds highlights the nonprofit's focus on delivering its mission, which is crucial in the nonprofit sector where donor trust is paramount.

While the organization exhibits strong financial health and governance practices, there are no noted limitations in the available data. Overall, the Maryland Legal Services Corporation stands out as a well-managed nonprofit dedicated to providing essential legal services in Maryland.


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

Is Maryland Legal Services Corporation legitimate?

Maryland Legal Services Corporation is a legitimate nonprofit organization registered as a 501(c)(3) entity. Maryland Legal Services Corporation 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: $349,259
Professional Fundraising Fees: $0
Other Salaries and Wages: $462,839

For more financial information, click here


Official website here: www.mlsc.org

What is the mission statement of Maryland Legal Services Corporation?

The Maryland Legal Services Corporation (MLSC) is dedicated to ensuring that low-income Marylanders have access to stable, efficient, and effective civil legal assistance. This is achieved through the distribution of funds to nonprofit legal services organizations. Since its establishment in 1982, MLSC has granted over $376 million, enabling the provision of civil legal services related to more than 4.07 million cases. These cases covered various matters such as family, housing, consumer debt, employment, healthcare, and more. In fiscal year 2022, MLSC awarded grants totaling $22,508,962 to 40 legal services providers for operating funds and special projects. The grantees closed over 233,000 cases, benefiting nearly 285,000 people. MLSC's grant programs include operating grants for general civil legal services, special project grants for programs providing services such as foreclosure prevention and employment-related legal services, and the Judicare project, which provides reduced fees to private lawyers for contested family law matters.


Official website here: www.mlsc.org

What is the revenue of Maryland Legal Services Corporation?

Maryland Legal Services Corporation's revenue in 2024 was $70,922,471.


Official website here: www.mlsc.org

Who are the executives of Maryland Legal Services Corporation and what are their salaries?

The average compensation at Maryland Legal Services Corporation during 2024 was $81,210. There are 10 employees at Maryland Legal Services Corporation.

Here are 11 key members and their salaries:


Deborah Seltzer (Former Executive Director)
  • Compensation: $127,228
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $27,673
Dave Pantzer Esquire (Deputy Director/Chief Program Officer)
  • Compensation: $111,046
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $33,918
Debra A Thomas Esq (Chair)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Allison Banks (Treasurer)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Michael D Bellis (Director)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Hon Sidney A Butcher (Director)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Catherine A Bledsoe Esq (Director)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Terry Jackson (Director)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Hon C Philip Nichols Jr (Director)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Hon Martha F Rasin (Director)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Phyllis G Scalettar Phd (Director)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0


Official website here: www.mlsc.org

Where can I find the form 990 for Maryland Legal Services Corporation?

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


Official website here: www.mlsc.org

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

Mission Statement of Maryland Legal Services Corporation

Maryland Legal Services Corporation (MLSC) is a vital organization that aims to ensure low-income Marylanders have access to stable, efficient, and effective civil legal assistance. Established by the Maryland General Assembly in 1982, MLSC distributes funds to nonprofit legal services organizations to support their efforts in providing civil legal assistance to those in need. Over the years, MLSC has made grants totaling over $376 million, contributing to more than 4.07 million civil legal cases covering various matters such as family, housing, consumer debt, employment, healthcare, and more.

In fiscal year 2022 alone, MLSC awarded grants totaling $22,508,962 to 40 legal services providers for operating funds and special projects. These grants enabled grantees to close a total of 213,145 cases, benefiting over 434,995 people across all 24 Maryland jurisdictions. The most common case types included family law, housing, and consumer cases. Family law cases addressed issues such as child custody and protection from domestic violence. Housing cases focused on eviction and foreclosure prevention, while consumer cases dealt with financial exploitation and redress for fraudulent practices. Additionally, grantees closed cases related to healthcare, employment, veterans' benefits, immigration, and various other matters.

MLSC's support extended beyond operating grants, as it also administered special project grants for programs providing services such as foreclosure prevention, workforce development-related legal services, and eviction prevention. Through these projects, grantees closed 3,253 cases, benefiting 6,005 individuals. MLSC's grants from the Maryland Judiciary's Access to Justice Department and additional MLSC funds also supported the Judicare project, providing reduced fees for private lawyers serving low-income Marylanders who could not otherwise afford civil legal services in contested family law matters. In fiscal year 2022, Judicare grantees closed 612 cases, benefiting 1,716 individuals and families in almost all Maryland jurisdictions. Over 150 attorneys provided more than 14,000 hours of paid and pro bono services through the reduced-fee approach, incentivizing attorneys to take complex and difficult cases and ensuring both parties have representation.

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Impact




October, 2024

Maryland Legal Services Corporation (MLSC) significantly enhances access to justice for low-income residents across Maryland by providing essential funding to legal services organizations. Established in 1982, MLSC has distributed over $376 million to legal service providers, facilitating assistance in more than 4.07 million civil legal cases.

In fiscal year 2022 alone, MLSC awarded $22.5 million in grants to 40 different legal services providers. These grants were instrumental in helping grantees close 209,892 cases, directly benefiting 268,940 individuals. The most prevalent issues addressed included family law cases, such as child custody and domestic violence protection, alongside critical housing and consumer matters.

MLSC’s funding also supports specialized projects aimed at addressing pressing legal needs. For instance, initiatives focusing on foreclosure prevention and eviction assistance have enabled the closure of 3,253 cases, aiding another 6,005 people. Furthermore, the Judicare project allows low-income Marylanders to access reduced-fee legal services, resulting in the resolution of 612 cases in FY 2022 and benefiting 1,716 families and individuals.

The corporation actively mobilizes community involvement, engaging over 3,200 volunteers, including nearly 2,500 pro bono attorneys who contributed more than 60,000 hours of service. Through these efforts, MLSC plays a vital role in ensuring that all Marylanders, regardless of income, have the legal support necessary to navigate civil matters effectively.




This information is meant to be a general summary of Maryland Legal Services Corporation. 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
$70,922,471 (2024)
Expenses
$50,301,730 (2024)
Efficiency

Other financial information:

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

  • Investment Income: $933,489
  • Program Service Revenue: $280,500
  • Gross Receipts: $73,147,522

Assets and Liabilities:

  • Total Assets: $18,648,329
  • Total Liabilities: $4,107,316
  • Net Assets: $14,541,013

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Programs

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

OUTREACH AND EDUCATION REIMBURSEM

Revenue

$280,500

Organization Details

Founding Year

1982

Principal Officer

Deb Seltzer

NTEE Category

Code: I80Z - Crime

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