Nonprofit · EIN 34-0866026
LEGAL AID SOCIETY OF CLEVELAND
Tax-exempt · CLEVELAND, OH 44113
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2025 | 990 | $18,727,557 | $21,542,472 | -$2,814,915 | $20,294,705 | $5,712,123 | $14,582,582 |
| December 31, 2024 | 990 | $19,938,151 | $20,615,718 | -$677,567 | $22,523,771 | $5,608,529 | $16,915,242 |
| December 31, 2023 | 990 | $21,426,692 | $19,208,541 | $2,218,151 | $24,082,914 | $6,764,151 | $17,318,763 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $17,574,727
- of which government grants
- $9,526,264
- Program service revenue
- $11,156
- Investment income
- $536,628
- Net rental income
- $7,186
- Net gain from sales of assets
- $241,140
- Net income from fundraising events
- $539,817
- Other revenue
- $605,046
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $0
- Other salaries and wages
- $12,790,167
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $17,297,836
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Legal fees
- $281,289
- Accounting fees
- $30,533
- Occupancy
- $680,677
- Travel
- $193,645
- Depreciation
- $388,256
- Program services (functional)
- $17,521,593
- Management and general (functional)
- $2,917,326
- Fundraising (functional)
- $1,103,553
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $22,523,771
- Total assets, end of year
- $20,294,705
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $5,712,123
- Net assets, end of year
- $14,582,582
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $3,907,149
- Publicly traded securities
- $6,848,868
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $12,488,300
- Net assets with donor restrictions
- $2,094,282
- Gross receipts
- $21,155,352
- Employees
- 159
- Volunteers
- 788
- Year formed
- 1905
- State of legal domicile
- OH
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COLLEEN COTTER | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Officer | 40 | $231,094 | $51,358 |
| TANZALEA DANIELS | DIRECTOR OF FINANCE Officer | 40 | $189,083 | $56,198 |
| DIANE JAMES | DIRECTOR OF DIVERSITY Officer | 40 | $182,955 | $54,998 |
| THOMAS MLAKAR | DEPUTY DIRECTOR FOR ADVOCA Officer | 40 | $205,828 | $26,922 |
| ROSLYN QUARTO | DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC INIT Officer | 40 | $179,485 | $44,449 |
| MATT VINCEL | MANAGING ATTORNEY Highest-paid employee | 40 | $135,647 | $49,093 |
| TONYA WHITSETT | MANAGING ATTORNEY Highest-paid employee | 40 | $152,041 | $30,500 |
| ABIGAIL STAUDT | MANAGING ATTORNEY Highest-paid employee | 40 | $138,089 | $39,116 |
| KATIE FELDMAN | MANAGING ATTORNEY Highest-paid employee | 40 | $142,171 | $29,359 |
| LAUREN GILBRIDE | MANAGING ATTORNEY Highest-paid employee | 40 | $144,422 | $18,795 |
| MELANIE SHAKARIAN | DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT Former | 40 | $101,172 | $10,567 |
| ROBIN TURNER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| ELIZABETH GROVE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| ERICA BACON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| ROBYN KING | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
16 more people on this return
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JOE RODGERS | VICE PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 |
| QUO VADIS I COBB | PRESIDENT EMERITUS Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 |
| NEIL VAKHARIA | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| MEGAN GURLEY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| RHONDA WILSON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| HARLIN ADELMAN | PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 |
| JAN ROLLER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| PETER R MORRISON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| DAN URBAN | VICE PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 |
| TED TYWANG | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| CAROLE RENDON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| STEPHANIE D ADAMS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| JEREMY TOR | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| SONYA SHAKIR | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| GWENDOLYN GRAFFENREED | VICE PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 |
| JASON BRISTOL | SECRETARY/TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2024: 32 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COLLEEN COTTER | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Officer | 40 | $230,434 | $50,291 |
| MELANIE SHAKARIAN | DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT AN Officer | 40 | $198,444 | $25,963 |
| THOMAS MLAKAR | DEPUTY DIRECTOR FOR ADVOCA Officer | 40 | $197,203 | $25,801 |
| ROSLYN QUARTO | DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC INIT Officer | 40 | $171,445 | $42,564 |
| TONYA WHITSETT | MANAGING ATTORNEY Highest-paid employee | 40 | $146,160 | $39,019 |
| KATHERINE HOLLINGSWORTH | MANAGING ATTORNEY Highest-paid employee | 40 | $137,338 | $47,775 |
| MATT VINCEL | MANAGING ATTORNEY Highest-paid employee | 40 | $126,934 | $46,431 |
| ABIGAIL STAUDT | MANAGING ATTORNEY Highest-paid employee | 40 | $132,297 | $37,345 |
| KATIE FELDMAN | MANAGING ATTORNEY Highest-paid employee | 40 | $133,587 | $27,699 |
| DIANE JAMES | DIRECTOR OF DIVERSITY Officer | 40 | $96,944 | $42,010 |
| TENILLE KAUS | DIRECTOR OF DIVERSITY Officer | 40 | $113,595 | $21,645 |
| TANZALEA DANIELS | DIRECTOR OF FINANCE Officer | 40 | $55,045 | $17,115 |
| SONYA SHAKIR | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| JOE RODGERS | VICE PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| JON LEIKEN | PRESIDENT EMERITUS Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| RHONDA WILSON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| NATHAN GENOVESE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| NEIL VAKHARIA | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| QUO VADIS I COBB | PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| ROBYN KING | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| JASON BRISTOL | SECRETARY/TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| ELIZABETH GROVE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| ROBIN TURNER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| HARLIN ADELMAN | VICE PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| GWENDOLYN GRAFFENREED | VICE PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| ERICA HUGHES | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| DOUG WANG | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| DAN URBAN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| TED TYWANG | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| CAROLE RENDON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| JAN ROLLER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| CAROLYN CRENSHAW | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2023: 33 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COLLEEN COTTER | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Officer | 40 | $211,829 | $46,875 |
| MELANIE SHAKARIAN | DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT AN Officer | 40 | $186,521 | $24,407 |
| THOMAS MLAKAR | DEPUTY DIRECTOR FOR ADVOCA Officer | 40 | $182,005 | $23,815 |
| ROSLYN QUARTO | DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC INITIATIVES Officer | 40 | $161,228 | $23,382 |
| TENILLE KAUS | DIRECTOR OF DIVERSITY Officer | 40 | $143,735 | $32,196 |
| TONYA WHITSETT | MANAGING ATTORNEY Highest-paid employee | 40 | $136,355 | $36,909 |
| KATHERINE HOLLINGSWORTH | MANAGING ATTORNEY Highest-paid employee | 40 | $126,484 | $44,158 |
| ABIGAIL STAUDT | MANAGING ATTORNEY Highest-paid employee | 40 | $126,075 | $35,535 |
| MATTHEW D VINCEL | MANAGING ATTORNEY Highest-paid employee | 40 | $111,412 | $42,893 |
| ANNE SWEENEY | MANAGING ATTORNEY Highest-paid employee | 40 | $135,381 | $17,591 |
| SONYA SHAKIR | VICE PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| JOE RODGERS | VICE PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| JON LEIKEN | PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| STEPHEN M FAZIO | PRESIDENT EMERITUS Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| RHONDA WILSON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| MICHAEL UNGAR | PRESIDENT EMERITUS Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| NATHAN GENOVESE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| NEIL VAKHARIA | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| QUO VADIS I COBB | VICE PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| ROBYN KING | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| JASON BRISTOL | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| ELIZABETH GROVE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| ROBIN TURNER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| HARLIN ADELMAN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| GWENDOLYN GRAFFENREED | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| ERICA HUGHES | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| DOUG WANG | SECRETARY/TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| DAN URBAN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| TED TYWANG | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| CAROLYN BUTLER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| CAROLE RENDON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| HUGH MCKAY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| JAN ROLLER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 1223 W 6TH ST, CLEVELAND, OH 44113-1339
- Principal officer (990 for 2025)
- COLLEEN COTTER, 1223 WEST SIXTH STREET, CLEVELAND, OH 44113
- Signed the 990
- COLLEEN COTTER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
- Phone
- (216) 861-5500
- Website
- WWW.LASCLEV.ORG
- Return prepared by
- BARNES WENDLING CPAS INC
Mission
SEE SCHEDULE O.
Program accomplishments
- LEGAL AID PROMOTES ECONOMIC SECURITY AND EDUCATION: INCREASE ACCESS TO QUALITY EDUCATION, INCREASE INCOME AND ASSETS, REDUCE DEBT, AND REDUCE DISPARITIES IN INCOME AND WEALTH. LEGAL AID'S STRATEGIES IN ACHIEVING THIS GOAL INCLUDE: REMOVING EMPLOYMENT BARRIERS, PROVIDING CONSUMER PROTECTION, INCREASING ACCESS TO PUBLIC BENEFITS, AND IMPROVING CLIENTS' ACCESS TO QUALITY EDUCATION. IN 2025, LEGAL AID REMOVED EDUCATION BARRIERS FOR CLIENTS IN 96% OF RELEVANT CASES. WE ALSO REDUCED DEBT, INCREASED INCOME, AND INCREASED ASSETS FOR OUR CLIENTS BY $12.2 MILLION.Expenses $7,015,247 · revenue $11,156
- LEGAL AID IMPROVES SAFETY AND HEALTH: SECURES SAFETY FOR SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND OTHER CRIMES, INCREASE ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE, IMPROVE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF HOMES, AND MITIGATE THE SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH. LEGAL AID'S STRATEGIES IN ACHIEVING THIS GOAL INCLUDE: SECURING SAFETY FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SURVIVORS AND OTHER VICTIMS OF CRIME; INCREASING ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE; AND IMPROVING HEALTH AND SAFETY OF HOMES AND NEIGHBORHOODS. IN 2025, LEGAL AID INCREASED SAFETY FOR 96% OF CLIENTS FOR WHOM SAFETY WAS AN ISSUE AND EXPANDED OUR MEDICAL LEGAL PARTNERSHIPS WITH LOCAL HEALTH PROVIDERS.Expenses $4,848,719
- LEGAL AID SECURES STABLE AND DECENT HOUSING: INCREASE AVAILABILITY AND ACCESSIBILITY OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING, IMPROVE HOUSING STABILITY, AND IMPROVE HOUSING CONDITIONS. LEGAL AID'S STRATEGIES IN ACHIEVING THIS GOAL INCLUDE INCREASING ACCESS TO RENT ASSISTANCE, IMPROVING HOUSING STABILITY, AND IMPROVING HOUSING CONDITIONS. IN 2025, LEGAL AID PREVENTED EVICTIONS/INVOLUNTARY MOVES FOR 79% OF CLIENTS FOR WHOM THIS WAS AN ISSUE.Expenses $5,657,627 · revenue $58,043
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
- 34-0866026
- 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
- 1951
- Accounting year ends
- December
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $20,294,705
- Income (IRS master file)
- $21,155,352
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | December 2025 | $18,727,557 | $21,542,472 | $20,294,705 | XML |
| 990 | December 2024 | $19,938,151 | $20,615,718 | $22,523,771 | XML |
| 990 | December 2023 | $21,426,692 | $19,208,541 | $24,082,914 | XML |
| 990 | December 2022 | $16,504,708 | $16,632,542 | $19,639,593 | 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 34-0866026).
Questions about LEGAL AID SOCIETY OF CLEVELAND
- What is the EIN of LEGAL AID SOCIETY OF CLEVELAND?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of LEGAL AID SOCIETY OF CLEVELAND is 34-0866026.
- Is LEGAL AID SOCIETY OF CLEVELAND tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1951.
- Are donations to LEGAL AID SOCIETY OF CLEVELAND tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does LEGAL AID SOCIETY OF CLEVELAND 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 LEGAL AID SOCIETY OF CLEVELAND 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 LEGAL AID SOCIETY OF CLEVELAND 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 LEGAL AID SOCIETY OF CLEVELAND?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 names COLLEEN COTTER.
- Who are the officers and directors of LEGAL AID SOCIETY OF CLEVELAND?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 lists 31 people; 11 received compensation from the organization, the highest $231,094 (COLLEEN COTTER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR).
- How much revenue does LEGAL AID SOCIETY OF CLEVELAND have?
- On its 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 it reported revenue of $18,727,557, expenses of $21,542,472 and total assets of $20,294,705 at year end.
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