Nonprofit · EIN 23-1671562
COMMUNITY LEGAL SERVICES INC
Tax-exempt · PHILADELPHIA, PA 19102
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 30, 2025 | 990 | $28,485,723 | $28,780,136 | -$294,413 | $30,496,561 | $8,164,220 | $22,332,341 |
| June 30, 2024 | 990 | $28,764,701 | $26,460,237 | $2,304,464 | $30,219,428 | $8,660,579 | $21,558,849 |
| June 30, 2023 | 990 | $25,260,692 | $23,871,932 | $1,388,760 | $29,186,096 | $10,000,485 | $19,185,611 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $28,025,280
- of which government grants
- $23,175,640
- Program service revenue
- $264,374
- Investment income
- $196,069
- Other revenue
- $0
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $0
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $236,292
- Other salaries and wages
- $15,643,373
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $22,072,566
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Accounting fees
- $89,627
- Occupancy
- $1,683,181
- Travel
- $84,307
- Depreciation
- $409,868
- Program services (functional)
- $25,906,672
- Management and general (functional)
- $1,768,916
- Fundraising (functional)
- $1,104,548
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $30,219,428
- Total assets, end of year
- $30,496,561
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $8,164,220
- Net assets, end of year
- $22,332,341
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $536,696
- Publicly traded securities
- $995,088
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $21,832,868
- Net assets with donor restrictions
- $499,473
- Gross receipts
- $28,485,723
- Employees
- 390
- Volunteers
- 56
- Year formed
- 1966
- State of legal domicile
- PA
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 June 30, 2025, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DEBORAH FREEDMAN | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Officer | 35 | $185,750 | $32,414 |
| BRENDA MARRERO | CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Highest-paid employee | 35 | $169,458 | $31,464 |
| KATHERINE GOMEZ | SENIOR ATTORNEY Highest-paid employee | 35 | $166,458 | $31,100 |
| WILLIAM E GIBBONS | SENIOR ATTORNEY Highest-paid employee | 35 | $162,933 | $31,198 |
| RICHARD WEISHAUPT | SENIOR ATTORNEY Highest-paid employee | 35 | $162,433 | $31,523 |
| LIBARDO CLAVIJO | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Officer | 35 | $161,458 | $32,104 |
| SHARON DIETRICH | LITIGATION DIRECTOR Highest-paid employee | 35 | $162,042 | $13,018 |
| KIMBERLY TAKACS | PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| PATRICK DEVINE | VICE PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| SHELLY SOLOMON | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| VALENTINE BROWN | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JOHN P LAVELLE JR | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ADRIANNE GUNTER | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DINA SCHLOSSBERG | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CARLTON JOHNSON | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
19 more people on this return
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| KEIR BRADFORD-GREY | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| LARRY BENDESKY | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| CAITLIN G COSLETT | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| ERIC YOON | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| JAMES P FAUNES | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| STEVE LEE | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| SARA RICHMAN | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| MARISA TILGHMAN | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| JANICE LEE | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| MELANIE FOREMAN | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| RONALD LEWIS | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| JUDY LEONE | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| EMILIA MCKEE VASSALLO | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| PATRINA ANDERSON | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| SHERRITA REID ELAM | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| JOSEPH TRAUB | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| DIANA CORTES | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| GEORGE DONNELLY | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| JOSIE PICKENS | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
990 for the year ended June 30, 2024: 40 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DEBORAH FREEDMAN | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Officer | 35 | $171,667 | $33,638 |
| RICHARD WEISHAUPT | SENIOR ATTORNEY Highest-paid employee | 35 | $156,642 | $32,395 |
| WILLIAM E GIBBONS | SENIOR ATTORNEY Highest-paid employee | 35 | $157,142 | $31,732 |
| KATHERINE GOMEZ | SENIOR ATTORNEY Highest-paid employee | 35 | $154,500 | $31,049 |
| LIBARDO CLAVIJO | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Trustee or director, Officer | 35 | $149,500 | $32,434 |
| SHARON DIETRICH | LITIGATION DIRECTOR Highest-paid employee | 35 | $155,250 | $20,953 |
| WESLEY C ALLEN | SENIOR ATTORNEY Highest-paid employee | 35 | $143,907 | $30,497 |
| JOHN P LAVELLE JR | PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KIMBERLY TAKACS ESQ | VICE PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| PATRICK DEVINE | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| SHELLY SOLOMON | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JASON LECKERMAN | BOARD MEMBER THRU FEBRUARY 2024 Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ADRIANNE GUNTER | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| BRIDGET HENRY | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DINA SCHLOSSBERG | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DOROTHY BOYKIN | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| HONORABLE ANNETTE M RIZZO | BOARD MEMBER THRU FEBRUARY 2024 Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| IRV ACKELSBERG ESQ | BOARD MEMBER THRU FEBRUARY 2024 Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CARLTON JOHNSON | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JEFFREY ROSENTHAL | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KEIR BRADFORD-GREY | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| LARRY BENDESKY ESQ | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| LAUREN MCKENNA ESQ | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CAITLIN G COSLETT | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ERIC YOON | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JAMES P FAUNES | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| STEVE LEE | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| THOMAS J DUFFY ESQ | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| VALENTINE BROWN | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| SARA RICHMAN | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MARISA TILGHMAN | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JANICE LEE | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MELANIE FOREMAN | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| RONALD LEWIS | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| TIFFANY BACON | BOARD MEMBER THRU FEBRUARY 2024 Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JUDY LEONE | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| EMILIA MCKEE VASSALLO | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| PATRINA ANDERSON | BOARD MEMBER AS OF FEB 2024 Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| SHERRITA REID ELAM | BOARD MEMBER AS OF APRIL 2024 Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JOSEPH TRAUB | BOARD MEMBER AS OF APRIL 2024 Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended June 30, 2023: 37 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DEBORAH FREEDMAN | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Officer | 35 | $169,167 | $32,431 |
| RICHARD WEISHAUPT | SENIOR ATTORNEY Highest-paid employee | 35 | $154,850 | $31,834 |
| WILLIAM E GIBBONS | SENIOR ATTORNEY Highest-paid employee | 35 | $155,350 | $30,993 |
| KATHERINE GOMEZ | SENIOR ATTORNEY Highest-paid employee | 35 | $150,667 | $30,182 |
| LIBARDO CLAVIJO | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Trustee or director, Officer | 35 | $145,667 | $31,801 |
| SHARON DIETRICH | LITIGATION DIRECTOR Highest-paid employee | 35 | $152,667 | $20,287 |
| CHEYL-LYN BENTLEY | SENIOR ATTORNEY Highest-paid employee | 35 | $144,595 | $18,239 |
| JOHN P LAVELLE JR | PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KIMBERLY TAKACS ESQ | VICE PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| PATRICK DEVINE | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| SHELLY SOLOMON | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JASON LECKERMAN | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ADRIANNE GUNTER | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| BRIDGET HENRY | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DINA SCHLOSSBERG | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DOROTHY BOYKIN | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| HONORABLE ANNETTE M RIZZO | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| IRV ACKELSBERG ESQ | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CARLTON JOHNSON | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JEFFREY ROSENTHAL | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KEIR BRADFORD-GREY | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| LARRY BENDESKY ESQ | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| LAUREN MCKENNA ESQ | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CAITLIN G COSLETT | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ERIC YOON | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JAMES P FAUNES | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| STEVE LEE | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| THOMAS J DUFFY ESQ | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| VALENTINE BROWN | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| SARA RICHMAN | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MARISA TILGHMAN | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JANICE LEE | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MELANIE FOREMAN | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| RONALD LEWIS | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| TIFFANY BACON | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JUDY LEONE | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| EMILIA MCKEE VASSALLO | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 1424 CHESTNUT ST, PHILADELPHIA, PA 19102-2556
- Principal officer (990 for 2024)
- DEBORAH FREEDMAN, 1424 CHESTNUT STREET, PHILADELPHIA, PA 191022505
- Signed the 990
- DEBORAH FREEDMAN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
- Phone
- (215) 981-3700
- Website
- WWW.CLSPHILA.ORG
- Return prepared by
- MAHER DUESSEL CPA'S
Mission
THE MISSION OF COMMUNITY LEGAL SERVICES OF PHILADELPHIA IS TO FIGHT POVERTY, CHALLENGE SYSTEMS THAT PERPETUATE INJUSTICE, AND CHANGE LIVES THROUGH CUTTING-EDGE ADVOCACY AND EXCEPTIONAL LEGAL REPRESENTATION.
Program accomplishments
- COMMUNITY LEGAL SERVICES (CLS) IS NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED AS A MODEL LEGAL SERVICES PROGRAM. CLS ASSISTS CLIENTS WHEN THEY FACE THE THREAT OF LOSING THEIR HOMES, INCOMES, HEALTH CARE, AND EVEN THEIR FAMILIES. CLS ATTORNEYS AND OTHER STAFF PROVIDE A FULL RANGE OF LEGAL SERVICES, FROM INDIVIDUAL REPRESENTATION TO ADMINISTRATIVE ADVOCACY TO CLASS ACTION LITIGATION, AS WELL AS COMMUNITY EDUCATION AND SOCIAL WORK. IN THE PAST YEAR, CLS HELPED 13,600 PHILADELPHIANS, INCLUDING SENIORS FACING FORECLOSURE, VICTIMS OF CONSUMER FRAUD, YOUNG FAMILIES AT RISK OF HOMELESSNESS AND HUNGER, PEOPLE FACING BARRIERS TO EMPLOYMENT, AND SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE WHO NEED HELP ACHIEVING STABILITY. SINCE ITS FOUNDING IN 1966, CLS HAS SERVED HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF INDIVIDUALS AT WHAT IS OFTEN THE MOST CRITICAL TIME OF THEIR LIVES.Expenses $25,906,672 · revenue $264,374
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 June, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.
| Tax year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | June 30, 2026 | November 16, 2026 | Not due yet |
| 2024 | June 30, 2025 | November 17, 2025 | 990 on file |
| 2023 | June 30, 2024 | November 15, 2024 | 990 on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 23-1671562
- 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
- 1967
- Accounting year ends
- June
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Crime and legal-related (I80Z)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $30,496,561
- Income (IRS master file)
- $28,485,723
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | June 2025 | $28,485,723 | $28,780,136 | $30,496,561 | XML |
| 990 | June 2024 | $28,764,701 | $26,460,237 | $30,219,428 | XML |
| 990 | June 2023 | $25,260,692 | $23,871,932 | $29,186,096 | XML |
| 990 | June 2022 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | June 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | June 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | June 2019 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | June 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 23-1671562).
Questions about COMMUNITY LEGAL SERVICES INC
- What is the EIN of COMMUNITY LEGAL SERVICES INC?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of COMMUNITY LEGAL SERVICES INC is 23-1671562.
- Is COMMUNITY LEGAL SERVICES INC tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1967.
- Are donations to COMMUNITY LEGAL SERVICES INC tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does COMMUNITY LEGAL SERVICES 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 COMMUNITY LEGAL SERVICES INC due?
- The return for tax year 2025 (the year ending June 30, 2026) is due November 16, 2026. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did COMMUNITY LEGAL SERVICES INC last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended June 2025.
- Who is the principal officer of COMMUNITY LEGAL SERVICES INC?
- The 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 names DEBORAH FREEDMAN.
- Who are the officers and directors of COMMUNITY LEGAL SERVICES INC?
- The 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 lists 34 people; 7 received compensation from the organization, the highest $185,750 (DEBORAH FREEDMAN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR).
- How much revenue does COMMUNITY LEGAL SERVICES INC have?
- On its 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 it reported revenue of $28,485,723, expenses of $28,780,136 and total assets of $30,496,561 at year end.
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