Nonprofit · EIN 45-4462410
COUNCIL ON LEGAL EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY INC
Also known as CLEO
Tax-exempt · ALEXANDRIA, VA 22314
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 31, 2025 | 990 | $484,512 | $801,359 | -$316,847 | $813,888 | $516,899 | $296,989 |
| August 31, 2024 | 990 | $585,325 | $1,037,777 | -$452,452 | $1,186,148 | $591,183 | $594,965 |
| August 31, 2023 | 990 | $908,613 | $1,259,133 | -$350,520 | $1,465,060 | $482,708 | $982,352 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended August 31, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $312,709
- Program service revenue
- $116,712
- Investment income
- $55,091
- Net gain from sales of assets
- $1,502
- Other revenue
- $0
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $52,930
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $89,808
- Other salaries and wages
- $225,446
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $353,026
- Professional fundraising fees
- $100,000
- Legal fees
- $719
- Accounting fees
- $24,305
- Occupancy
- $5,735
- Travel
- $13,137
- Depreciation
- $1,265
- Program services (functional)
- $320,844
- Management and general (functional)
- $304,392
- Fundraising (functional)
- $176,123
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $1,186,148
- Total assets, end of year
- $813,888
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $516,899
- Net assets, end of year
- $296,989
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $75
- Publicly traded securities
- $793,043
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $296,989
- Gross receipts
- $942,988
- Employees
- 6
- Volunteers
- 13
- Year formed
- 2012
- 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 August 31, 2025, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JUAN CARLOS POLANCO | FORMER CEO Trustee or director, Officer | 40 | $166,667 |
| ELIZABETH A CAMPBELL | CHAIRPERSON Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 |
| PAMELA V ROTHENBERG | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 4.78 | $0 |
| DARRYL L FRANKLIN | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| SAMANTHA AHUJA | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1.5 | $0 |
| EDUARDO REYES CHAVEZ | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| ANGELA B COX | IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIRPERSON Trustee or director | 3 | $0 |
| MALCOLM L MORRIS | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| HAROLD R HENDERSON | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1.5 | $0 |
| JENNIFER JONES | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| RACHEL OKOLSKI | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| YANERIS M ROSA | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| BRANDY SMITH | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| BERNARDA VILLALONA | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
990 for the year ended August 31, 2024: 15 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JUAN CARLOS POLANCO | CEO Trustee or director, Officer | 40 | $175,000 |
| ELIZABETH A CAMPBELL | CHAIRPERSON Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 |
| HONORABLE DENISE OWENS | VICE CHAIRPERSON Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 |
| PAMELA V ROTHENBERG | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 1.8 | $0 |
| DARRYL L FRANKLIN | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| SAMANTHA AHUJA | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1.5 | $0 |
| EDUARDO REYES CHAVEZ | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| ANGELA B COX | IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIRPERSON Trustee or director | 1.5 | $0 |
| MALCOLM L MORRIS | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 2.5 | $0 |
| HAROLD R HENDERSON | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1.5 | $0 |
| JENNIFER JONES | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| RACHEL OKOLSKI | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 3 | $0 |
| YANERIS M ROSA | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| BRANDY SMITH | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| BERNARDA VILLALONA | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
990 for the year ended August 31, 2023: 13 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JUAN CARLOS POLANCO | CEO Trustee or director, Officer | 40 | $87,500 |
| ELIZABETH A CAMPBELL | CHAIRPERSON Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 |
| HONORABLE DENISE OWENS | VICE CHAIRPERSON Trustee or director, Officer | 2.5 | $0 |
| PAMELA V ROTHENBERG | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 2.24 | $0 |
| MALCOLM L MORRIS | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 2.5 | $0 |
| SAMANTHA AHUJA | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1.5 | $0 |
| ANGELA B COX | IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIRPERSON Trustee or director | 1.5 | $0 |
| ROBERT FALK | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| DARRYL L FRANKLIN | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1.5 | $0 |
| HAROLD R HENDERSON | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1.5 | $0 |
| RACHEL OKOLSKI | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| YANERIS M ROSA | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| BRANDY SMITH | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 2.5 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 2800 EISENHOWER AVE STE 220 # 41, ALEXANDRIA, VA 22314-4587
- Mailing address (990-N for 2012)
- 1101 Merchantile Ln Ste 294, Largo MD 20774
- Principal officer (990 for 2024)
- ELIZABETH A CAMPBELL, 2800 EISENHOWER AVE 220-41, ALEXANDRIA, VA 22314
- Principal officer (990-N for 2012)
- Cassandra Sneed Ogden, 1101 Merchantile Ln Ste 294, Largo MD 20774
- Signed the 990
- ELIZABETH A CAMPBELL, CHAIRPERSON
- Phone
- (240) 582-8600
- Website
- www.cleoscholars.org
- Return prepared by
- KEVIN UBELHART CPA PLLC
Mission
TO ENHANCE THE LEGAL PROFESSION BY SUPPORTING ASPIRING LAWYERS FROM ALL BACKGROUNDS IN ACCESSING A LEGAL EDUCATION AND ACHIEVING PROFESSIONAL SUCCESS.
Program accomplishments
- PROVIDE PROGRAMS FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS AND POSTGRADUATES - CONDUCT SEMINARS, WORKSHOPS AND ONLINE BLOGS TO HELP STUDENTS PREPARE FOR ENTRY INTO LAW SCHOOL. PUBLISH THE CLEO JD REPORT E-NEWSLETTER WHICH IS DESIGNED TO INFORM STUDENTS INTERESTED IN ATTENDING LAW SCHOOL ABOUT THE REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION TO ABA APPROVED LAW SCHOOLS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES.PROGRAMS FOR LAW STUDENTS - PROVIDE ONLINE ACADEMIC SUPPORT FORUM FOR FIRST YEAR LAW STUDENTS WHO PARTICIPATED IN A PRE-LAW PROGRAM TO RECEIVE ONGOING SUPPORT FROM LAW SCHOOL PROFESSORS. PROVIDES A VEHICLE FOR STUDENTS TO EXCHANGE IDEAS AND SUGGESTIONS AND RECEIVE WEEKLY WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT AND TIPS FOR SUCCESS. PROVIDE REGIONAL WORKSHOPS TO ADDRESS THE ACADEMIC CONCERNS OF FIRST AND SECOND YEAR LAW STUDENTS. PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT ACTIVITIES THAT CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR LAW STUDENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN INTERNSHIPS, ATTEND SEMINARS, AND GAIN VALUABLE EXPERIENCE FROM PRACTICING PROFESSIONALS.Expenses $3,971 · revenue $18,182
- PROGRAMS FOR PRE-LAW, INCOMING LAW, AND CURRENT LAW STUDENTS:BAR PREP PROGRAM - IN COLLABORATION WITH THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF BAR EXAMINERS (NCBE), CLEO OFFERS ITS LAW STUDENTS ACADEMIC ENHANCEMENT AND BAR PREP WEBINARS, WEEKLY EMAILS WITH MBE QUESTIONS FOR 2LS AND 3LS, BAR MENTORING, MBE AND MPT ESSAY TUTORING FOR 3LS, DISCOUNTS WITH BAR PREP COURSES, AND BAR PREP STIPENDS.1L-PREP ATTITUDE IS ESSENTIAL (AIE) SEMINARS - THE AIE PROGRAM PROVIDES COLLEGE STUDENTS ADMITTED TO A LAW SCHOOL A HEAD START ON LAW SCHOOL AND LEARNING IN A SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT. THE ONLINE SEMINAR EXPOSES STUDENTS TO THE BEST PRACTICES FOR: CASE BRIEFING, LEGAL RESEARCH AND WRITING, CONQUERING LAW SCHOOL EXAMS, AND MANAGING TIME AND FINANCES. ACHIEVING SUCCESS IN THE APPLICATION PROCESS (ASAP) SEMINARS - THE ASAP PROGRAM PREPARES TALENTED AND MOTIVATED STUDENTS TO GAIN ADMISSION TO AND SUCCEED IN LAW SCHOOL. THE PROGRAM CURRICULUM FOCUSES ON ASPECTS OF THE LAW SCHOOL APPLICATION PROCESS THAT ARE COMMONLY OVERLOOKED OR UNDERVALUED BY STUDENTS WHEN APPLYING TO LAW SCHOOL. THESE SEMINARS ARE OPEN TO COLLEGE JUNIORS AND SENIORS, AS WELL AS POST-GRADUATES. THESE SEMINARS ARE HELD IN VARIOUS CITIES THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES.PRE-LAW SUMMER INSTITUTE PROGRAM - THIS PROGRAM IS A SIX-WEEK SIMULATION OF THE FIRST YEAR OF LAW SCHOOL BEGINNING WITH TWO WEEKS OF VIRTUAL INSTRUCTION FOLLOWED BY FOUR WEEKS ON THE CAMPUS OF A MAJOR LAW SCHOOL IN THE UNITED STATES EACH YEAR. PRE-LAW SCHOOL STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN A RIGOROUS AND DEMANDING FULL-TIME PROGRAM THAT HELPS DEMYSTIFY THE LAW SCHOOL EXPERIENCE TO BUILD SELF-CONFIDENCE AND SELF-ASSURANCE FOR THE ATTENDEES. THE PROGRAM DEVELOPS ABSTRACT THINKING, ANALYSIS, AND SYNTHESIZING SKILLS.Expenses $316,873 · grants $52,930 · revenue $98,530
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 August, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.
| Tax year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | August 31, 2026 | January 15, 2027 | Not due yet |
| 2024 | August 31, 2025 | January 15, 2026 | 990 on file |
| 2023 | August 31, 2024 | January 15, 2025 | 990 on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 45-4462410
- 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
- 2013
- Accounting year ends
- August
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Education (B90)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $813,888
- Income (IRS master file)
- $942,988
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | August 2025 | $484,512 | $801,359 | $813,888 | XML |
| 990 | August 2024 | $585,325 | $1,037,777 | $1,186,148 | XML |
| 990 | August 2023 | $908,613 | $1,259,133 | $1,465,060 | XML |
| 990 | August 2022 | $1,548,300 | $1,484,016 | $1,919,032 | IRS |
| 990 | August 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | August 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | August 2019 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | August 2018 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990-N for 2012 Officer: Cassandra Sneed Ogden | August 31, 2013 | ≤ $50,000 receipts | – | – | e-Postcard |
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 45-4462410).
Questions about COUNCIL ON LEGAL EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY INC
- What is the EIN of COUNCIL ON LEGAL EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY INC?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of COUNCIL ON LEGAL EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY INC is 45-4462410.
- Is COUNCIL ON LEGAL EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY INC tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 2013.
- Are donations to COUNCIL ON LEGAL EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY INC tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does COUNCIL ON LEGAL EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY 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 COUNCIL ON LEGAL EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY INC due?
- The return for tax year 2025 (the year ending August 31, 2026) is due January 15, 2027. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did COUNCIL ON LEGAL EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY INC last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended August 2025.
- Who is the principal officer of COUNCIL ON LEGAL EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY INC?
- The 990 for the year ended August 31, 2025 names ELIZABETH A CAMPBELL.
- Who are the officers and directors of COUNCIL ON LEGAL EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY INC?
- The 990 for the year ended August 31, 2025 lists 14 people; 1 received compensation from the organization, the highest $166,667 (JUAN CARLOS POLANCO, FORMER CEO).
- How much revenue does COUNCIL ON LEGAL EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY INC have?
- On its 990 for the year ended August 31, 2025 it reported revenue of $484,512, expenses of $801,359 and total assets of $813,888 at year end.
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