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Columbia Legal Services

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

EIN: 910974503 ✦ Seattle, WA ✦ Designated as a 501(c)(3)

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Overview

What is Columbia Legal Services?

Columbia Legal Services is a nonprofit organization based in Seattle, Washington, with a mission to promote social, economic, and racial equity. They achieve this by holding various entities accountable for the root causes of racism, leading to unfair treatment and unequal access to resources, power, and opportunities. Their approach is deeply rooted in understanding race equity and employs community-led movement lawyering. They advocate for laws that advance these equities through community engagement, policy advocacy, and impact litigation. Columbia Legal Services envisions a world where individuals are not caged in prisons, jails, or immigration detention, have equitable rights and benefits regardless of incarceration or immigration status, and can collectively build and support healthy, economically stable, and vibrant communities. With a team of 51 dedicated professionals, they strive to end exclusionary policies and invest in people and community power.


Official website here: www.columbialegal.org

What are the reviews and ratings of this charity?

**: Charity Navigator Rating 89% (Three-Star out of Four Stars )**ar rating)**

Columbia Legal Services has achieved a commendable Three-Star rating from Charity Navigator, largely due to its strong accountability and financial management metrics. The organization demonstrates a fully independent board and has no issues with material diversion of assets, which reflects positively on its governance practices. High program expense ratios indicate that the majority of its financial resources are directed toward fulfilling its mission.

While the ratings highlight significant strengths in governance and financial health, limitations exist, particularly in the lack of available financial statements that impact transparency and the overall evaluation. With an efficient fundraising model and a healthy working capital ratio, the organization appears well-positioned to sustain its operations and deliver effective legal services.

Unfortunately, user reviews from GreatNonprofits could not be fetched, leaving a gap in firsthand user experiences. This typically provides additional insights into community engagement and the organization's impact on its clients.


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

What do the Facebook reviews say about Columbia Legal Services?

96% of the 11 reviewers on Facebook recommend Columbia Legal Services. Here's a summary of their reviews:

Overall, the sentiment is quite positive, with many users expressing appreciation for the organization's commitment to advocating for social justice and legal rights. Reviewers commend Columbia Legal Services for their focus on providing assistance in underserved communities and community advocacy efforts, highlighting the importance of their mission to support those in need.

However, there is some dissent regarding the accessibility and responsiveness of their services. One reviewer expressed frustration after a lengthy attempt to reach out without receiving adequate responses, criticizing the perceived focus on immigrant issues at the expense of others. This indicates a potential area for improvement in terms of outreach and communication with the community. Overall, Columbia Legal Services is recognized for its noble mission, but there are calls for broader inclusivity in service offerings.


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

Is Columbia Legal Services legitimate?

Columbia Legal Services is a legitimate nonprofit organization registered as a 501(c)(3) entity. Columbia Legal Services 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: $1,356,658
Professional Fundraising Fees: $0
Other Salaries and Wages: $2,049,178

For more financial information, click here


Official website here: www.columbialegal.org

What is the mission statement of Columbia Legal Services?

Columbia Legal Services advocates for laws that promote social, economic, and racial equity for individuals living in poverty. Their mission is to challenge unfair treatment and limited access to resources, power, and opportunities based on race. They engage with communities and utilize a model of movement lawyering, employing policy, advocacy, and impact litigation to advance their cause. Their goal is to dismantle exclusionary policies that prioritize investment in walls and barriers over people and community empowerment. They envision a world where individuals are not caged in prisons, jails, or immigration detention, have equitable rights and benefits regardless of incarceration or immigration status, and can exercise their collective power to build and sustain healthy, economically stable, and vibrant communities.


Official website here: www.columbialegal.org

Who is the CEO of Columbia Legal Services?

Merf Ehman is the Executive Director of Columbia Legal Services.


Official website here: www.columbialegal.org

What is the revenue of Columbia Legal Services?

Columbia Legal Services's revenue in 2022 was $8,748,661.


Official website here: www.columbialegal.org

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

The average compensation at Columbia Legal Services during 2022 was $66,781. There are 51 employees and 13 volunteers at Columbia Legal Services.


Here are 19 key members and their salaries:


Merf Ehman (Executive Director)
  • Compensation: $153,733
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $21,315
Antonio Ginatta (Attorney)
  • Compensation: $115,699
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $31,047
Amy Crewdson (Attorney)
  • Compensation: $122,022
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $21,372
Nicholas Straley (Asst. Advocacy Director)
  • Compensation: $113,708
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $28,894
Denise Davis (Controller)
  • Compensation: $116,744
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $21,372
Blanca Rodriguez (Asst. Advocacy Director)
  • Compensation: $111,525
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $12,698
Jeff Grant (President)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Ben Golden (Vice President)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Megan Yoshimura (Secretary)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Kathleen Albrecht (Treasurer)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Brenda Carlstrom (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Carmen Mireles (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Matthew Moersfelder (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Brenda Morbauch (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Bernice Blessing (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Viveca Burnette (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Mr Hamilton (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Jamila Johnson (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Steven Marchese (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0


Official website here: www.columbialegal.org

Where can I find the form 990 for Columbia Legal Services?

Columbia Legal Services's most recent form 990 was submitted in 2022 and can be accessed here.


Official website here: www.columbialegal.org

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

Mission Statement of Columbia Legal Services

Columbia Legal Services is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advocating for laws that promote social, economic, and racial equity for individuals living in poverty. Their mission is to challenge and hold accountable entities, including government agencies, businesses, and other actors, for perpetuating unfair treatment and limited access to resources, power, and opportunities based on race. By adopting a model of community engagement and movement lawyering, they employ legal tools such as policy, advocacy, and impact litigation to dismantle these systemic issues.

Columbia Legal Services envisions a world where individuals are not confined within prisons, jails, or immigration detention centers. They strive for a society where everyone, regardless of incarceration or immigration status, is granted equal rights and benefits. Furthermore, they aspire to empower communities to build and sustain healthy, economically stable, and vibrant neighborhoods. Through a systemic approach and community-led movement lawyering, they provide deep legal expertise that is informed and guided by an understanding of race equity. This approach supports communities and movements by addressing the root causes of systemic injustices and working towards a more equitable society.

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Impact




July, 2024

Columbia Legal Services holds government agencies, businesses, and other actors accountable for the root causes of racism and its manifestation in unfair treatment and inequitable access to resources, power, and opportunities based on race. They advocate for laws that advance social, economic, and racial equity through community engagement and movement lawyering. Their impact is seen in their work to envision a world where individuals are free and not caged in prisons, jails, or immigration detention, where everyone has equitable rights and benefits regardless of their incarceration or immigration status, and where collective power is exercised to build and support healthy, economically stable, and vibrant communities. Through their legal services grounded in race equity, Columbia Legal Services supports communities and movements by bringing deep legal expertise to address systemic issues and promote social justice.




This information is meant to be a general summary of Columbia Legal Services. 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
$8,748,661 (2022)
Expenses
$5,668,676 (2022)
Efficiency

Other financial information:

This information is from the most recently submitted tax form from this organization, which was in 2022.

  • Investment Income: $317,389
  • Program Service Revenue: $412,644
  • Gross Receipts: $8,750,563

Assets and Liabilities:

  • Total Assets: $7,027,485
  • Total Liabilities: $724,220
  • Net Assets: $6,303,265

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Programs

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

ATTORNEY FEES

Revenue

$412,644

Organization Details

Founding Year

1976

Principal Officer

Merf Ehman

Main Address

101 YESLER WAY SUITE 300, SEATTLE, WA, 98104

NTEE Category

Code: I800 - Crime

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