Nonprofit · EIN 51-0198935
NEIGHBORHOOD LEGAL SERVICES INC
Tax-exempt · BUFFALO, NY 14203
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2025 | 990 | $16,485,971 | $16,201,522 | $284,449 | $7,665,041 | $5,053,134 | $2,611,907 |
| December 31, 2024 | 990 | $16,563,985 | $15,626,861 | $937,124 | $8,333,371 | $6,005,913 | $2,327,458 |
| December 31, 2023 | 990 | $13,145,334 | $12,874,264 | $271,070 | $6,889,955 | $5,499,621 | $1,390,334 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $16,074,247
- of which government grants
- $15,408,171
- Program service revenue
- $9,907
- Investment income
- $396,817
- Other revenue
- $5,000
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $2,498,392
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $863,537
- Other salaries and wages
- $8,686,863
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $11,835,877
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Occupancy
- $631,830
- Travel
- $23,958
- Depreciation
- $31,847
- Program services (functional)
- $14,229,618
- Management and general (functional)
- $1,971,904
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $8,333,371
- Total assets, end of year
- $7,665,041
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $5,053,134
- Net assets, end of year
- $2,611,907
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $164,897
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $2,465,491
- Net assets with donor restrictions
- $146,416
- Gross receipts
- $16,485,971
- Employees
- 155
- Volunteers
- 18
- Year formed
- 1976
- 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 | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MELISSA MENDOLERA | DIRECTOR OF FINANCE Officer | 40 | $186,577 | $24,581 |
| LAUREN E BREEN | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (TO AUGUST 2025) Officer | 40 | $188,385 | $15,435 |
| KEISHA WILLIAMS | DEPUTY DIRECTOR Officer | 40 | $180,000 | $16,279 |
| VERA VENKOVA | DEPUTY DIRECTOR Officer | 32 | $141,930 | $21,674 |
| JOHN M ZONITCH | SUPERVISING ATTORNEY Highest-paid employee | 40 | $139,933 | $23,633 |
| DIANA PROSKE | SUPERVISING ATTORNEY Highest-paid employee | 40 | $125,120 | $34,624 |
| TODD SCHIFFMACHER | SUPERVISING ATTORNEY Highest-paid employee | 40 | $133,241 | $26,322 |
| JENNIFER DILLON | SUPERVISING ATTORNEY Highest-paid employee | 40 | $137,960 | $11,925 |
| CASSANDRA CONNIFF | CONTROLLER Highest-paid employee | 40 | $142,333 | $7,258 |
| WILLIAM O'CONNELL | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (STARTING AUGUST 2025) Officer | 40 | $79,615 | $9,061 |
| KERISHA HAWTHORNE-GREER | PRESIDENT (STARTING JUNE 2025) Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| JONATHAN LACEY | VICE PRESIDENT (STARTING JUNE 2025) Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| PAMELA THIBODEAU | SECRETARY (STARTING JUNE 2025) Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| SHANE GREENE | TREASURER (STARTING JUNE 2025) Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| HEATHER ABRAHAM | BOARD MEMBER (STARTING JUNE 2025) Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
16 more people on this return
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIANA BLOOM | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| ELISE CASSAR | BOARD MEMBER (STARTING JUNE 2025) Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| ELAINE DIALLO | BOARD MEMBER (STARTING JUNE 2025) Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| ROBIN EDWARDS | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| GRACE GOLANDO | BOARD MEMBER (STARTING JUNE 2025) Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| JULIA HEFTKA | BOARD MEMBER (STARTING JUNE 2025) Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| PATRICK HINES | BOARD MEMBER (STARTING JUNE 2025) Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| GRACE PIETROCARLO | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| OCTOBER REED | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| RICHARD J SCHECHTER | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| CARINA SCHOENBERGER | BOARD MEMBER (STARTING JUNE 2025) Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| MICHAELLE SCHWACH | PRESIDENT (TO JUNE 2025) Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 |
| SAM SMITH | TREASURER (TO JUNE 2025) Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 |
| PATRICK LONG | BOARD MEMBER (TO JUNE 2025) Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| MARGARET SROKA | BOARD MEMBER (TO JUNE 2025) Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| DAVID NELSON | BOARD MEMBER (TO JUNE 2025) Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2024: 23 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LAUREN E BREEN | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Officer | 40 | $254,255 | $20,809 |
| KEISHA WILLIAMS | DEPUTY DIRECTOR Officer | 40 | $165,862 | $8,993 |
| MELISSA MENDOLERA | DIRECTOR OF FINANCE Officer | 40 | $159,310 | $9,732 |
| VERA VENKOVA | DEPUTY DIRECTOR Officer | 40 | $137,236 | $17,335 |
| MARY HANSON | ASSISTANT SUPERVISING ATTORNEY Highest-paid employee | 40 | $115,153 | $36,681 |
| JOHN M ZONITCH | MANAGING ATTORNEY Highest-paid employee | 40 | $128,358 | $17,474 |
| CASSANDRA CONNIFF | CONTROLLER Highest-paid employee | 40 | $123,144 | $10,569 |
| NANCY TUCKER | DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCE Highest-paid employee | 40 | $128,557 | $4,927 |
| MATTHEW FINAMORE | MANAGING ATTORNEY - LOCKPORT Highest-paid employee | 40 | $116,696 | $13,108 |
| MICHELLE SCHWACH | PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| KERISHA HAWTHRONE-GREEN | VICE PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| SAM SMITH | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| JONATHAN LACEY | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| PATRICK LONG | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ROBIN EDWARDS | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| SHANE GREENE | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DAVID NELSON | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DIANA BLOOM | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| GRACE PIETROCARLO | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| RICHARD J SCHECHTER | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MARGARET SROKA | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| PAMELA THIBODEAU | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| OCTOBER REED | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2023: 24 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LAUREN E BREEN | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Officer | 40 | $158,037 | $12,800 |
| GRACE A ANDRIETTE | SENIOR SUPERVISING ATTORNEY Highest-paid employee | 40 | $126,863 | $16,903 |
| VERA VENKOVA | DEPUTY DIRECTOR Highest-paid employee | 40 | $130,651 | $9,266 |
| JOHN M ZONITCH | MANAGING ATTORNEY Highest-paid employee | 40 | $118,631 | $15,746 |
| ANDREW F EMBORSKY | ADVOCACY DIRECTOR Highest-paid employee | 40 | $122,830 | $4,365 |
| NANCY TUCKER | DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES Highest-paid employee | 40 | $123,063 | $2,692 |
| MELISSA MENDOLERA | DIRECTOR OF FINANCE Officer | 40 | $15,933 | $729 |
| PATRICK LONG | PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| JOHN DEL MONTE TO 1223 | VICE PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| SAM SMITH | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| MICHELLE SCHWACH | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| CHRISTINE CHARLES | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ROBIN EDWARDS | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| SHANE GREENE | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KERISHA HAWTHRONE-GREER | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JONATHAN LACEY | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ELAINE PAGE TO 923 | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| GRACE PIETROCARLO | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| RICHARD J SCHECHTER | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MARGARET SROKA | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| PAMELA THIBODEAU | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KRISTIN ALLEN TO 823 | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KRISTEN FLICK TO 623 | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| BRITTANY JONES T0 623 | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 237 MAIN ST STE 400, BUFFALO, NY 14203-2725
- Principal officer (990 for 2025)
- WILLIAM O'CONNELL, 237 MAIN STREET STE 400, BUFFALO, NY 14203
- Signed the 990
- WILLIAM O'CONNELL, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
- Phone
- (716) 847-0650
- Website
- WWW.NLS.ORG
- Return prepared by
- TSA ADVISORS LLC
Mission
NEIGHBORHOOD LEGAL SERVICES, INC. (NLS) SEEKS EQUITABLE JUSTICE BY PROVIDING ACCESS TO LEGAL ADVICE, REPRESENTATION, AND EDUCATION TO THOSE IN OUR COMMUNITIES WHO, DUE TO FINANCIAL VULNERABILITY, DISABILITY, DISCRIMINATION, OR ABUSE, REQUIRE ASSISTANCE AND PROTECTION OF THEIR CIVIL LEGAL RIGHTS. SERVING ERIE, NIAGARA, GENESEE, WYOMING, AND ORLEANS COUNTIES, NLS AIMS TO CREATE THE GREATEST ACCESS TO THE JUSTICE SYSTEM FOR LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS AND THOSE LIVING WITH DISABILITIES TO PURSUE GOALS THAT WILL INCREASE BOTH THE STABILITY AND THE QUALITY OF THEIR LIVES.
Program accomplishments
- NEIGHBORHOOD LEGAL SERVICES, INC. (NLS), AS MEASURED BY PROGRAM EXPENSES, DELIVERED ITS LARGEST SERVICE IMPACT THROUGH ITS HOUSING PROGRAM, PROVIDING LEGAL REPRESENTATION, ADVOCACY, AND EVICTION PREVENTION SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES FACING EVICTION, HOMELESSNESS, UNSAFE HOUSING CONDITIONS, AND HOUSING DISCRIMINATION ACROSS ERIE, NIAGARA, GENESEE, WYOMING, AND ORLEANS COUNTIES. SINCE OCTOBER 2021, NLS HAS SUPPORTED THE WESTERN NEW YORK EVICTION PREVENTION PROJECT THROUGH NEW YORK STATE OFFICE OF TEMPORARY AND DISABILITY ASSISTANCE (OTDA) EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (ERAP) LEGAL ASSISTANCE FUNDS. THE PROJECT, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OTHER CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES AGENCIES, CLOSED 22,811 EVICTION MATTERS TO DATE, WITH 42% HANDLED BY NLS. IN ADDITION, 12,226 EVICTIONS WERE PREVENTED AND 3,917 WERE DELAYED, HELPING HOUSEHOLDS SECURE STABLE HOUSING AND AVOID HOMELESSNESS.NLS ALSO PROVIDED CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES TO VULNERABLE POPULATIONS FACING DISABILITY-RELATED BARRIERS, POVERTY, DENIAL OF PUBLIC BENEFITS, UNSAFE HOUSING, AND FAMILY LAW ISSUES, INCLUDING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. THROUGH ITS PUBLIC BENEFITS AND ITS MEDICAL-LEGAL PARTNERSHIPS AND RELATED INITIATIVES, NLS ASSISTED INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES IN ACCESSING SNAP, MEDICAID, SSI/SSDI, AND EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE, AS WELL AS ADDRESSING OTHER HEALTH-RELATED LEGAL NEEDS. IN ITS FAMILY LAW PRACTICE, NLS PROVIDED TRAUMA-INFORMED REPRESENTATION IN MATTERS INVOLVING ORDERS OF PROTECTION, CUSTODY, CHILD SUPPORT, AND DIVORCE.ACROSS ALL PROGRAM AREAS, NLS DELIVERED INTEGRATED LEGAL SERVICES AND COMMUNITY-BASED ADVOCACY THROUGH COURT-BASED, OUTREACH, AND MOBILE LEGAL SERVICE MODELS TO EXPAND ACCESS TO JUSTICE AND IMPROVE HOUSING STABILITY, ECONOMIC SECURITY, AND QUALITY OF LIFE FOR LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS AND PEOPLE LIVING WITH DISABILITIES.Expenses $14,229,618 · grants $2,498,392 · revenue $14,907
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
- 51-0198935
- 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
- 1976
- Accounting year ends
- December
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $7,665,041
- Income (IRS master file)
- $16,485,971
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | December 2025 | $16,485,971 | $16,201,522 | $7,665,041 | IRS |
| 990 | December 2024 | $16,563,985 | $15,626,861 | $8,333,371 | IRS |
| 990 | December 2023 | $13,145,334 | $12,874,264 | $6,889,955 | XML |
| 990 | December 2022 | $9,297,172 | $9,260,808 | $6,308,199 | 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 51-0198935).
Questions about NEIGHBORHOOD LEGAL SERVICES INC
- What is the EIN of NEIGHBORHOOD LEGAL SERVICES INC?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of NEIGHBORHOOD LEGAL SERVICES INC is 51-0198935.
- Is NEIGHBORHOOD LEGAL SERVICES INC tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1976.
- Are donations to NEIGHBORHOOD LEGAL SERVICES INC tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does NEIGHBORHOOD 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 NEIGHBORHOOD LEGAL SERVICES 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 NEIGHBORHOOD LEGAL SERVICES 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 NEIGHBORHOOD LEGAL SERVICES INC?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 names WILLIAM O'CONNELL.
- Who are the officers and directors of NEIGHBORHOOD LEGAL SERVICES INC?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 lists 31 people; 10 received compensation from the organization, the highest $186,577 (MELISSA MENDOLERA, DIRECTOR OF FINANCE).
- How much revenue does NEIGHBORHOOD LEGAL SERVICES INC have?
- On its 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 it reported revenue of $16,485,971, expenses of $16,201,522 and total assets of $7,665,041 at year end.
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