Nonprofit · EIN 91-1537479
LAW ADVOCATES
Tax-exempt · BELLINGHAM, WA 98225
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2024 | 990 | $693,073 | $555,558 | $137,515 | $249,442 | $33,079 | $216,363 |
| December 31, 2023 | 990 | $440,321 | $466,843 | -$26,522 | $124,242 | $45,394 | $78,848 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $607,285
- Program service revenue
- $0
- Investment income
- $26
- Net income from fundraising events
- $85,762
- Other revenue
- $85,762
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $0
- Other salaries and wages
- $187,110
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $211,752
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Legal fees
- $7,300
- Accounting fees
- $14,860
- Occupancy
- $3,556
- Travel
- $4,401
- Depreciation
- $15,489
- Program services (functional)
- $385,382
- Management and general (functional)
- $129,811
- Fundraising (functional)
- $40,365
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $124,242
- Total assets, end of year
- $249,442
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $33,079
- Net assets, end of year
- $216,363
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $216,363
- Gross receipts
- $727,091
- Employees
- 4
- Volunteers
- 83
- Year formed
- 1987
- State of legal domicile
- WA
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, 2024, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| HEIDI BODE | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Officer | 40 | $84,000 |
| DAVID HENKEN | BOARD PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 |
| ZIAD YOUSSEF | BOARD TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 |
| ARUNDEL PRITCHETT | BOARD SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 |
| ZAC BRYANT | BOARD VICE PRESIDENT Trustee or director | 4 | $0 |
| JUNGA CHA | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| GAIL SMITH | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| ALEJANDRA CABRALES | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| ADAM ENGST | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| KIRSTEN BARRON | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2023: 13 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JENNIFER ROBERTS | INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Officer | 40 | $40,000 | $0 |
| LESLYE WILSON | INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Officer | 40 | $22,661 | $0 |
| HEIDI BODE | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Officer | 40 | $6,462 | $876 |
| MICHAEL HEATHERLY | PRIOR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Officer | 40 | $4,615 | $0 |
| MIKE MARTUCCI | BOARD PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| ZIAD YOUSSEF | BOARD TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| ZACHARY BRYANT | BOARD SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| GAIL SMITH | BOARD VICE PRESIDENT Trustee or director | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| ARUNDEL PRITCHETT | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| KAREN PHILLIPS | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| JUNG CHA | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| DAVID HENKEN | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| GENISSA RICHARDSON | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 1407 COMMERCIAL ST, BELLINGHAM, WA 98225-4309
- Principal officer (990 for 2024)
- ZIAD YOUSSEF, PO BOX 336, BELLINGHAM, WA 98227
- Signed the 990
- ZIAD YOUSSEF, BOARD TREASURER
- Phone
- (360) 671-6079
- Website
- WWW.LAWADVOCATES.ORG
- Return prepared by
- AIKEN & SANDERS INC PS
Mission
TO PROVIDE FREE CIVIL LEGAL AID.
Program accomplishments
- LAW ADVOCATES OPERATES A VARIETY OF PROGRAMS IN PURSUIT OF ITS VISION OF: A COMPASSIONATE AND JUST SOCIETY WHERE LEGAL AND COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS ARE WORKING TOGETHER, IN EQUITABLE PARTNERSHIP WITH AFFECTED COMMUNITIES, TO ACHIEVE ACCESS TO JUSTICE FOR ALL MARGINALIZED PEOPLE WITH DIGNITY AND RACIAL EQUITY.THESE SERVICES INCLUDE FULL REPRESENTATION, LIMITED SCOPE REPRESENTATION, AND LEGAL ADVICE. THE PROGRAMS OPERATED INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, THE FOLLOWING:KINSHIP CUSTODY CLINIC: THIS CLINIC ENSURES CHILDREN'S NEEDS ARE MET WHEN PARENTS ARE UNABLE TO CARE FOR THEM. LAW ADVOCATES AND OPPORTUNITY COUNCIL MEET THIS NEED WITH A COMMITTED AND COMPASSIONATE LEGAL TEAM TO HELP CAREGIVERS NAVIGATE THE COURTS IN GUARDIANSHIP CASES. WILLS CLINIC: IN OUR WILLS CLINIC, OUR DEDICATED PRO BONO ATTORNEYS DRAFT SIMPLE WILLS AND POWER OF ATTORNEYS FOR CLIENTS WHO ARE SENIORS, WITH DISABILITIES AND/OR TERMINALLY ILL. STREET LAW: STREET LAW (LEGAL ADVICE CLINIC) RETURNED TO IN-PERSON SESSIONS THROUGH A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE BELLINGHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY. WITH DEDICATED VOLUNTEER ATTORNEYS ADVISING ON FAMILY, LANDLORD-TENANT AND GENERAL LEGAL MATTERS, LAW ADVOCATES WITNESSED A SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE IN BOTH ATTORNEY VOLUNTEERS AND CLIENTS SERVED.IN COLLABORATION WITH WHATCOM COMMUNITY COLLEGES PARALEGAL PROGRAM, STREET LAW AT WCC RESUMED ITS OPERATIONS. THIS PARTNERSHIP FACILITATED LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO 649 CLIENTS THROUGHOUT 2024, FURTHER EXTENDING OUR REACH AND IMPACT WITHIN THE COMMUNITY.CONSUMER DEBT CLINIC: LAW ADVOCATES, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE NORTHWEST JUSTICE PROJECT (NJP), OPERATED A CONSUMER DEBT CLINIC AT THE WHATCOM COURTHOUSE. HELD TWICE MONTHLY, THIS CLINIC OFFERS CONSULTATIONS AND DIRECT REPRESENTATION TO INDIVIDUALS NAVIGATING ISSUES SUCH AS DEBT COLLECTION, GARNISHMENT, MEDICAL DEBT, AND CHARITY CARE. YOUTH SERVICES CLINIC: LAW ADVOCATES, IN COLLABORATION WITH NORTHWEST YOUTH SERVICES (NWYS) OPERATES A VITAL SERVICE AT GROUND FLOOR, NWYS DROP-IN CENTER, PROVIDING LEGAL COUNSEL AND DEMONSTRATING A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO ADDRESSING THE CIVIL LEGAL NEEDS OF UNSTABLY HOUSE OR HOMELESS YOUTH.ALL SERVICES ARE PROVIDED IN A MANNER CONSISTENT WITH THE FOLLOWING GUIDING VALUES: RACIAL EQUITY: WE RECOGNIZE THAT HISTORICAL AND INSTITUTIONALIZED RACISM IS ONGOING IN OUR SOCIETY, THE LEGAL SYSTEM AND OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY. WE ALSO RECOGNIZE HISTORICAL AND ONGOING INSTITUTIONALIZED DISCRIMINATION TARGETS OTHER MARGINALIZED AND MINORITY COMMUNITY GROUPS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO IMMIGRANTS, WOMEN, PEOPLE WITHDISABILITIES, NON-HETEROSEXUAL AND NON-BINARY INDIVIDUALS AND RELIGIOUS MINORITIES. WE ARE COMMITTED TO ADDRESSING THIS DISCRIMINATION IN LAW.ADVOCATES' STRATEGIC PLANNING, POLICY- AND PRIORITY- SETTING PROCESS AS WELL AS LISTENING TO AND COLLABORATING WITH LOCAL COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS WITH DIVERSE CONSTITUENCIES SO THAT WE CAN PROVIDE THE LEGAL SERVICES MOST CRITICALLY NEEDED BY THOSE MOST IN NEED OF LEGAL HELP.EMPOWERMENT: "JUSTICE FOR ALL" REQUIRES ACCESS, KNOWLEDGE OF THE SYSTEM, AND DIRECT ACTION. WE SUPPORT AND EMPOWER CLIENTS AND COMMUNITIES WITH HOPE, PRACTICAL INFORMATION, AND TOOLS TO DEAL WITH HOUSING, SOCIAL SERVICES, DEBT, ABUSE, WORKPLACE, AND FAMILY ISSUES TODAY AND IN THE FUTURE. COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT IS A RECOGNITION THATDECISIONS AFFECTING OUR CLIENT COMMUNITIES MUST BE MADE BY THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS RATHER THAN BY AGENCIES AND ORGANIZATIONS PROVIDING SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY.EDUCATION: WHEN SUPPORT IS NEEDED TO INTERPRET LEGAL INFORMATION, WE SHOW CLIENTS HOW TO NAVIGATE PATHWAYS TO JUSTICE AND RELIEF. WE CHAMPION CLIENTS AND THEIR NEEDS WITH DIGNITY, HOPE AND PERSEVERANCE. WE PROVIDE COMMUNITY EDUCATION ON MATTERS THAT AFFECT LOW-INCOME COMMUNITY MEMBERS.ADVOCACY: FREE OR ACCESSIBLE LEGAL SERVICES ARE CRITICAL PATHWAYS TO JUSTICE. OUR VOLUNTEERS, PROFESSIONAL LAWYERS AND STAFF EMPOWER PRO SE CLIENTS WITH KNOWLEDGE AND REMEDIES TO LEVEL THE PLAYING FIELD, AND WHEN APPROPRIATE, ADVOCATE SKILLFULLY TO CHANGE SITUATIONS OF VIOLENCE, DEBT OR UNJUST CONDITIONS IN THE HOME, AT WORK, SCHOOL, OR COMMUNITY.SERVICE: PRINCIPLES OF JUSTICE AND DIGNITY ARE STRONGEST WHEN COMMUNITIES UPHOLD THEM ACTIVELY. WE CONNECT QUALITY LAWYERS AND OTHER COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN WHATCOM COUNTY WITH VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES TO UPHOLD THE PROMISE OF EQUAL JUSTICE FOR ALL.Expenses $385,382
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 | Not 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
- 91-1537479
- 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
- 1993
- Accounting year ends
- December
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $249,442
- Income (IRS master file)
- $727,091
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | December 2024 | $693,073 | $555,558 | $249,442 | XML |
| 990 | December 2023 | $440,321 | $466,843 | $124,242 | XML |
| 990 | December 2022 | $305,688 | $358,294 | $121,606 | IRS |
| 990 | December 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2018 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2017 | – | – | – | 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 91-1537479).
Questions about LAW ADVOCATES
- What is the EIN of LAW ADVOCATES?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of LAW ADVOCATES is 91-1537479.
- Is LAW ADVOCATES tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1993.
- Are donations to LAW ADVOCATES tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does LAW 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 LAW ADVOCATES due?
- The return for tax year 2025 (the year ending December 31, 2025) is due May 15, 2026. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did LAW ADVOCATES last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended December 2024.
- Who is the principal officer of LAW ADVOCATES?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024 names ZIAD YOUSSEF.
- Who are the officers and directors of LAW ADVOCATES?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024 lists 10 people; 1 received compensation from the organization, the highest $84,000 (HEIDI BODE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR).
- How much revenue does LAW ADVOCATES have?
- On its 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024 it reported revenue of $693,073, expenses of $555,558 and total assets of $249,442 at year end.
Other nonprofits in BELLINGHAM
- WHATCOM EDUCATIONAL CREDIT UNION EIN 91-0712539 · last filed 990-N for 2025
- OPPORTUNITY COUNCIL EIN 91-0787820 · last filed 990 for 2024
- SOCIETY OF PHOTO OPTICAL INSTRUMENTATION ENGINEER EIN 95-2142678 · last filed 990 for 2025
- UNITY CARE NORTHWEST EIN 91-2168190 · last filed 990 for 2024
- INDUSTRIAL CREDIT UNION OF WHATCOM COUNTY EIN 91-0587877 · last filed 990-N for 2025
- NORTH SOUND ACCOUNTABLE COMMUNITY OF HEALTH EIN 81-4680689 · last filed 990 for 2024
- CREDIT UNIONS IN THE STATE OF WASHINGTON EIN 91-0581775 · last filed 990 for 2024
- WHATCOM COMMUNITY FOUNDATION EIN 91-1726410 · last filed 990 for 2025