Nonprofit · EIN 26-1089584
VOLUNTEER LEGAL ADVOCATES
Tax-exempt · WASHINGTON, DC 20015
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2025 | 990 | $5,486,445 | $4,860,110 | $626,335 | $3,983,501 | $149,061 | $3,834,440 |
| December 31, 2024 | 990 | $4,576,643 | $4,186,311 | $390,332 | $3,682,612 | $474,507 | $3,208,105 |
| December 31, 2023 | 990 | $3,529,018 | $3,364,438 | $164,580 | $3,053,095 | $255,305 | $2,797,790 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $5,515,919
- of which government grants
- $2,442,673
- Program service revenue
- $0
- Investment income
- $18,995
- Net income from fundraising events
- -$71,018
- Other revenue
- -$48,469
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $0
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $208,643
- Other salaries and wages
- $3,467,653
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $4,283,989
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Accounting fees
- $66,660
- Occupancy
- $185,362
- Travel
- $6,676
- Program services (functional)
- $4,158,396
- Management and general (functional)
- $327,757
- Fundraising (functional)
- $373,957
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $3,682,612
- Total assets, end of year
- $3,983,501
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $149,061
- Net assets, end of year
- $3,834,440
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $2,796,108
- Net assets with donor restrictions
- $1,038,332
- Gross receipts
- $5,569,963
- Employees
- 58
- Volunteers
- 610
- Year formed
- 2008
- State of legal domicile
- DC
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 | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SARA TENNEN | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Trustee or director, Officer | 40 | $191,689 | $16,955 |
| BRIAN YOURISH | DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS Highest-paid employee | 40 | $135,054 | $16,362 |
| AIDA VINDELL | LEGAL DIRECTOR Highest-paid employee | 40 | $130,412 | $7,829 |
| MARCY BASKIN | DIR. OF GRANTS & FOUNDATIONAL GIVING Highest-paid employee | 40 | $117,370 | $12,201 |
| DANIELA HUERTA GARCIA | DIRECTOR OF LEGAL PARTNERSHIPS Highest-paid employee | 40 | $116,404 | $11,387 |
| BESTY CRUMB | LEGAL DIRECTOR Highest-paid employee | 40 | $108,358 | $11,899 |
| KAREN BARKER MARCOU | PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 10 | $0 | $0 |
| TRACEY COATES | VICE PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ANNETTE M STANLEY | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| HENRY BREWSTER | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JESSICA C ABRAHAMS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MATTHEW COHEN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ALEXIS COLLINS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| PHILLIP HURST | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| HEATHER LAMBERG | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
8 more people on this return
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DAVID LAST | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| MARGARET MCKINNEY | DIRECTOR (FROM 9/17/2025) Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| PRINCESS MCDUFFIE | DIRECTOR (UNTIL 7/31/2025) Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| MAGGIE PRIETO | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| STEPHEN RAPTIS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| KAMIL R SHIELDS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| ILENE WEINREICH | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| KATHARINE WEYMOUTH | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2024: 24 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SARA TENNEN | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Trustee or director, Officer | 40 | $174,481 | $15,320 |
| BRIAN YOURISH | DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS Highest-paid employee | 40 | $122,214 | $14,800 |
| AIDA VINDELL | CO-LEGAL DIRECTOR Highest-paid employee | 40 | $122,415 | $10,850 |
| DANIELA HUERTA GARCIA | CO-LEGAL DIRECTOR Highest-paid employee | 40 | $113,282 | $10,508 |
| MARCY BASKIN | DIR. OF GRANTS & FOUNDATIONAL GIVING Highest-paid employee | 40 | $107,828 | $11,164 |
| KAREN BARKER MARCOU | PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 10 | $0 | $0 |
| HENRY BREWSTER | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| TRACEY COATES | VICE PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| TRISH KELLY | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JESSICA C ABRAHAMS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MATTHEW COHEN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ALEXIS COLLINS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DALE HARBURG | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| PHILLIP HURST | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| HEATHER LAMBERG | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DAVID LAST | DIRECTOR (FROM 9/26/2024) Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| PRINCESS MCDUFFIE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MAGGIE PRIETO | DIRECTOR (FROM 5/29/2024) Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| STEPHEN RAPTIS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| PAM SAUBER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KAMIL R SHIELDS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ANNETTE M STANLEY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ILENE WEINREICH | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KATHARINE WEYMOUTH | DIRECTOR (FROM 9/17/2024) Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2023: 24 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SARA TENNEN | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Trustee or director, Officer | 40 | $161,220 | $13,512 |
| BRIAN YOURISH | DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS Highest-paid employee | 40 | $110,222 | $12,801 |
| AIDA VINDELL | CO-LEGAL DIRECTOR Highest-paid employee | 40 | $108,174 | $7,488 |
| LAUREN SNOW | CO-LEGAL DIRECTOR Highest-paid employee | 40 | $100,286 | $9,701 |
| DANIELA HUERTA GARCIA | CO-LEGAL DIRECTOR Highest-paid employee | 40 | $100,282 | $9,125 |
| KAREN BARKER MARCOU | PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 10 | $0 | $0 |
| HENRY BREWSTER | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ALEXIS COLLINS | VICE PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| TRISH KELLY | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JESSICA C ABRAHAMS | DIRECTOR, FROM 9/26/2023 Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JAMILLIA FERRIS | DIRECTOR, UNTIL 11/14/2023 Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| AMY BARKER | DIRECTOR, UNTIL 3/21/2023 Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| TRACEY COATES | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MATTHEW COHEN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DALE HARBURG | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| TOM HENTOFF | DIRECTOR, UNTIL 11/14/2023 Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| PHILLIP HURST | DIRECTOR, FROM 1/23/2023 Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| HEATHER LAMBERG | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| PRINCESS MCDUFFIE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| STEPHEN RAPTIS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| PAM SAUBER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| RACHEL LOUISE SNYDER | DIRECTOR, UNTIL 3/31/2023 Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ANNETTE M STANLEY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ILENE WEINREICH | DIRECTOR, FROM 3/27/2023 Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 5335 WISCONSIN AVENUE SUITE 44, WASHINGTON, DC 20015-2030
- In care of
- % KAREN BARKER
- Principal officer (990 for 2025)
- SARA TENNEN, 5335 WISCONSIN AVENUE NW 440, WASHINGTON, DC 20015
- Signed the 990
- SARA TENNEN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
- Phone
- (202) 885-5542
- Website
- VOLUNTEERLEGALADVOCATES.ORG
- Return prepared by
- GELMAN ROSENBERG & FREEDMAN
Mission
TO ADVOCATE FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS, AT-RISK CHILDREN, AND OTHER VULNERABLE INDIVIDUALS BY PROVIDING OVER $22.8M IN PRO BONO LEGAL SERVICES, SOCIAL SERVICE REFERRALS, AND ON-GOING SUPPORT; TO TRAIN AND SUPPORT A STRONG NETWORK OF VOLUNTEER LAWYERS AND COMMUNITY ADVOCATES.
Program accomplishments
- DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROGRAM:LEGAL ASSISTANCE: VOLUNTEER AND STAFF LAWYERS REPRESENT LOW-INCOME DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SURVIVORS IN PROTECTION ORDER AND FAMILY LAW CASES AND ADVOCATE FOR VICTIM RIGHTS IN CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS AGAINST ABUSERS. WALK-IN LEGAL CLINICS: OUR LAWYERS PROVIDE LEGAL ASSISTANCE AT COMMUNITY-BASED CLINICS AND AT A COURT-BASED CLINIC. SUPPORT SERVICES: OUR ADVOCATES PROVIDE SAFETY PLANNING, TRAUMA-INFORMED CRISIS INTERVENTION, ONGOING EMOTIONAL SUPPORT, AND ACCESS TO CRITICAL SOCIAL SERVICES. LEGAL HELP LINE: OUR ADVOCATES RESPOND TO HUNDREDS OF CALLERS' REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION ON VICTIM RIGHTS, LEGAL SERVICES, AND PROVIDE REFERRALS TO PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS.Expenses $1,735,115
- IMMIGRATION PROGRAM:VOLUNTEER AND STAFF LAWYERS ASSIST LOW-INCOME IMMIGRANT SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND OTHER FORMS OF GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE AND VULNERABLE CHILDREN WITH VAWA SELF-PETITIONS, BATTERED SPOUSE WAIVERS, U AND T VISAS, AFFIRMATIVE AND DEFENSIVE ASYLUM CLAIMS, SPECIAL IMMIGRANT JUVENILE STATUS, TPS, DACA, WORK AUTHORIZATIONS AND OTHER FORMS OF IMMIGRATION RELIEF. THE GOAL IS TO HELP IMMIGRANT VICTIMS, A MAJORITY OF WHOM ARE NOT PERMITTED TO LEGALLY WORK IN THE U.S., IN ACHIEVING SAFETY, STABILITY, AND SELF-SUFFICIENCY BY PROVIDING COMPREHENSIVE AND TRAUMA-INFORMED LEGAL AND SUPPORT SERVICES.Expenses $1,045,009
- CHILD ADVOCACY PROGRAM:OUR COURT-APPOINTED VOLUNTEER AND STAFF ATTORNEYS ADVOCATE FOR CHILDREN GROWING UP IN HOMES WITH ABUSE, NEGLECT, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND OTHER DANGEROUS CIRCUMSTANCES AND CONNECT THE CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES WITH CRUCIAL SOCIAL SERVICES. IN OVER 95% OF THE CASES, JUDGES ACCEPT OUR ATTORNEYS' RECOMMENDATIONS.Expenses $862,623
- MARYLAND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROGRAM:LEGAL ASSISTANCE: VOLUNTEER AND STAFF LAWYERS PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE TRAUMA-INFORMED LEGAL, ADVOCACY, AND SUPPORT SERVICES TO APPROXIMATELY 220 LOW-INCOME VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MARYLAND. WITH AN EXTENSIVE NETWORK OF ACCESS POINTS, COLLABORATIONS WITH CROSS-REFERRAL PARTNERS, AND TARGETED OUTREACH, WE REACH THE MOST UNDERSERVED VICTIMS IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MARYLAND.Expenses $515,649
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
- 26-1089584
- 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
- 2008
- Accounting year ends
- December
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Housing and shelter (L800)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $3,983,501
- Income (IRS master file)
- $5,569,963
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | December 2025 | $5,486,445 | $4,860,110 | $3,983,501 | XML |
| 990 | December 2024 | $4,576,643 | $4,186,311 | $3,682,612 | XML |
| 990 | December 2023 | $3,529,018 | $3,364,438 | $3,053,095 | XML |
| 990 | December 2022 | $3,381,477 | $2,641,115 | $2,946,883 | IRS |
| 990 | December 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2020 | – | – | – | 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 26-1089584).
Questions about VOLUNTEER LEGAL ADVOCATES
- What is the EIN of VOLUNTEER LEGAL ADVOCATES?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of VOLUNTEER LEGAL ADVOCATES is 26-1089584.
- Is VOLUNTEER LEGAL ADVOCATES tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 2008.
- Are donations to VOLUNTEER LEGAL ADVOCATES tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does VOLUNTEER LEGAL ADVOCATES 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 VOLUNTEER LEGAL ADVOCATES 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 VOLUNTEER LEGAL ADVOCATES 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 VOLUNTEER LEGAL ADVOCATES?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 names SARA TENNEN.
- Who are the officers and directors of VOLUNTEER LEGAL ADVOCATES?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 lists 23 people; 6 received compensation from the organization, the highest $191,689 (SARA TENNEN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR).
- How much revenue does VOLUNTEER LEGAL ADVOCATES have?
- On its 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 it reported revenue of $5,486,445, expenses of $4,860,110 and total assets of $3,983,501 at year end.
Other nonprofits in WASHINGTON
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- STODDARD BAPTIST GLOBAL CARE EIN 27-2281079 · last filed 990 for 2024
- HOUSING COUNSELING SERVICES INC EIN 52-0958568 · last filed 990 for 2025
- FRIENDSHIP PLACE EIN 52-1925494 · last filed 990 for 2025
- LEADINGAGE INC EIN 13-6213525 · last filed 990 for 2025
- MISSION FIRST HOUSING DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION EIN 27-1824650 · last filed 990 for 2025
- NHT COMMUNITIES EIN 31-1662007 · last filed 990 for 2024
All nonprofits in WASHINGTON · District of Columbia · Housing and shelter