Nonprofit · EIN 16-1497552
WESTERN NEW YORK LAW CENTER INC
Tax-exempt · BUFFALO, NY 14202
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2025 | 990 | $4,956,428 | $4,753,687 | $202,741 | $1,894,516 | $1,050,945 | $843,571 |
| December 31, 2024 | 990 | $4,533,218 | $4,446,489 | $86,729 | $2,148,259 | $1,507,429 | $640,830 |
| December 31, 2023 | 990 | $4,288,363 | $3,968,069 | $320,294 | $2,282,846 | $1,728,745 | $554,101 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $4,842,811
- of which government grants
- $4,156,539
- Program service revenue
- $113,030
- Investment income
- $585
- Other revenue
- $2
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $0
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $603,722
- Other salaries and wages
- $1,841,881
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $3,421,734
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Legal fees
- $75
- Accounting fees
- $6,950
- Occupancy
- $122,240
- Travel
- $34,151
- Depreciation
- $48,329
- Program services (functional)
- $3,999,875
- Management and general (functional)
- $685,949
- Fundraising (functional)
- $67,863
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $2,148,259
- Total assets, end of year
- $1,894,516
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $1,050,945
- Net assets, end of year
- $843,571
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $186,608
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $843,571
- Gross receipts
- $4,956,428
- Employees
- 42
- Volunteers
- 0
- Year formed
- 1996
- State of legal domicile
- NY
From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.
Officers, directors and key employees
As listed on the 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Karen Welch | Executive Director Trustee or director, Officer | 40 | $149,751 |
| Matthew Parham | Director of Litigation and Advocacy Highest-paid employee | 40 | $132,046 |
| Neha Karambelkar | Managing Attorney, Civil Unit Highest-paid employee | 40 | $112,403 |
| Nico Soria | Supervising Attorney, Housing Unit Highest-paid employee | 40 | $109,196 |
| Samantha White | Supervising Attorney, School Discipline Project Highest-paid employee | 40 | $100,326 |
| Catherine Creighton | President Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| Marshall Betram | Vice-President Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| Valerie Malia-Martin | Secretary Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| Melissa Wood | Treasurer Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| Melinda Saran | Board Member Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| Mark Talley | Board Member Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| Sharon Nosenchuk | Board Member Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| Sarah Wooton | Board Member Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| James Harrington | Board Member Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| Ian DAndre Artis Jr | Board Member Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
1 more people on this return
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cat McCulle | Board Member Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2024: 10 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| PAULETTE CAMPBELL | EMPLOYEE Highest-paid employee | 40 | $134,638 |
| KAREN WELCH | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Trustee or director, Officer | 40 | $103,173 |
| MELINDA R SARAN | PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| CATHERINE CREIGHTON | SECRETARY Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| MARSHALL BERTRAM | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| VALERIE MALIA-MARTIN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| MELISSA WOODS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| MARK TALLEY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| SHAREN NOSENCHUK | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| JOHN LAFALCE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2023: 10 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| KEISHA WILLIAMS | EMPLOYEE Highest-paid employee | 40 | $144,307 |
| MELINDA R SARAN | PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| KAREN WELCH | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| CATHERINE CREIGHTON | SECRETARY Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| JOSEPH V MCCARTHY | VICE PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| KATHLEEN LYNCH | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| DENETRA ROBERTS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| MARSHALL BERTRAM | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| ALEXANDER WRIGHT | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| Melissa Woods | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 37 FRANKLIN ST STE 210, BUFFALO, NY 14202-4115
- Principal officer (990 for 2025)
- Karen Welch, 37 Franklin Street 3rd Floor, Buffalo, NY 14202
- Signed the 990
- Karen Welch, Executive Director
- Phone
- (716) 855-0203
- Website
- www.wnylc.net
- Return prepared by
- Allied CPAs PC
Mission
The Western New York Law Center, Inc. (WNYLC) is a nonprofit legal services provider. Founded in 1996, WNYLC's mission is to provide civil legal services to individuals and communities with limited access to legal representation. In furtherance of that mission, WNYLC provides direct legal assistance, legal education, and policy advocacy in areas where legal needs are unmet or underserved. WNYLC also supports legal services providers statewide by promoting effective, affordable use of technology to improve service delivery and expand access to justice.
Program accomplishments
- The Western New York Law Center, Inc. (WNYLC) is a nonprofit legal services provider. Founded in 1996, WNYLC's mission is to provide civil legal services to individuals and communities with limited access to legal representation. In furtherance of that mission, WNYLC provides direct legal assistance, legal education, and policy advocacy in areas where legal needs are unmet or underserved. WNYLC also supports legal services providers statewide by promoting effective, affordable use of technology to improve service delivery and expand access to justice.Expenses $3,999,875 · revenue $113,617
What it must file and when
IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in December, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.
| Tax year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | December 31, 2025 | May 15, 2026 | 990 on file |
| 2024 | December 31, 2024 | May 15, 2025 | 990 on file |
| 2023 | December 31, 2023 | May 15, 2024 | 990 on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 16-1497552
- Tax-exempt status
- 501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
- Foundation status
- Publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(A)(vi))
- Donations deductible (Pub 78)
- Public charity, 50% deduction limit
- Exempt since
- 1996
- Accounting year ends
- December
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Crime and legal-related (I83)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $1,894,516
- Income (IRS master file)
- $4,956,428
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | December 2025 | $4,956,428 | $4,753,687 | $1,894,516 | XML |
| 990 | December 2024 | $4,533,218 | $4,446,489 | $2,148,259 | XML |
| 990 | December 2023 | $4,288,363 | $3,968,069 | $2,282,846 | XML |
| 990 | December 2022 | $3,202,698 | $2,994,361 | $1,978,716 | IRS |
| 990 | December 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2019 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2018 | – | – | – | IRS |
990-N: the IRS bulk file holds only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years come from archived copies of that file since 2020 and can have gaps (the IRS e-Postcard search lists every one). 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS (search EIN 16-1497552).
Questions about WESTERN NEW YORK LAW CENTER INC
- What is the EIN of WESTERN NEW YORK LAW CENTER INC?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of WESTERN NEW YORK LAW CENTER INC is 16-1497552.
- Is WESTERN NEW YORK LAW CENTER INC tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1996.
- Are donations to WESTERN NEW YORK LAW CENTER INC tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does WESTERN NEW YORK LAW CENTER INC file?
- Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.
- When is the next return of WESTERN NEW YORK LAW CENTER INC due?
- The return for tax year 2026 (the year ending December 31, 2026) is due May 17, 2027. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did WESTERN NEW YORK LAW CENTER INC last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended December 2025.
- Who is the principal officer of WESTERN NEW YORK LAW CENTER INC?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 names Karen Welch.
- Who are the officers and directors of WESTERN NEW YORK LAW CENTER INC?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 lists 16 people; 5 received compensation from the organization, the highest $149,751 (Karen Welch, Executive Director).
- How much revenue does WESTERN NEW YORK LAW CENTER INC have?
- On its 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 it reported revenue of $4,956,428, expenses of $4,753,687 and total assets of $1,894,516 at year end.
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