Better Business Bureau Report for
Legal Assistance Foundation of Metropolitan Chicago

Better Business Bureau Report issued March 2011
Better Business Bureau Report expires March 2013


This BBB Accredited charity meets all 20 Standards for Charity Accountability. Find out more...


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Charity Contact Information

Name: Legal Assistance Foundation of Metropolitan Chicago
Address: 111 W. Jackson Blvd
  Chicago, IL 60604
Phone: 312-341-1070
Web Address: www.lafchicago.org
Also known as:LAF
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Better Business Bureau Comments

Formerly known as:Legal Assistance Foundation of Chicago

Year, State Incorporated: 1972, Illinois
Affiliates: None
Stated Purpose: At the Legal Assistance of Metropolitan Chicago we work together to provide high-quality civil legal services to low-income and disadvantaged people and communities. Through advocacy, education, collaboration and litigation we empower individuals, protect fundamental rights, strengthen communities, create opportunities and achieve justice. In carrying out our mission we treat all people with compassion and respect.

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Evaluation Conclusions

               

Legal Assistance Foundation of Metropolitan Chicago meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.
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Programs

               

The Legal Assistance Foundation of Metropolitan Chicago (LAF) serves over 25,000 of the poorest and most vulnerable people in Cook County every year by providing free legal services in a variety of non-criminal matters across the spectrum of poverty law. Over 60% of LAF's clients are women, most of whom are single mothers and grandmothers. Our work spans many areas of poverty law including preventing unfair evictions and foreclosures, protecting elderly consumers from fraud, and helping women and children to escape domestic violence.

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, Legal Assistance Foundation of Metropolitan Chicago's program expenses were:

  
Program Services 13,588,609
Total Program Expenses: $13,588,609
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Governance

               

Chief Executive : Diana C. White, Executive Director
Compensation*:
 $160,141

Chair of the Board: Richard F. Klawiter
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation: Attorney

Board Size: 39

Paid Staff Size: 173

*Compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
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Fund Raising

               

Method(s) Used:

direct mail, invitations to fund raising events, grant proposals, internet, membership
Fund raising costs were 9% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $3,728,186, are donations received as a result of fund raising activities.)
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Tax Status

               

This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.
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Financial

               

The following information is based on Legal Assistance Foundation of Metropolitan Chicago's audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009.

Source of Funds  
Grants and contracts - LSC 7,159,885
Foundations, United Way, others 2,482,530
Grants and contracts - other gov 1,982,993
Special Event - Luncheon 513,308
Contributions 370,850
Services, In-kind 361,498
Miscellaneous 248,120
Realized and unrealized gains on investments 188,555
Interest and Dividend income 76,270
Attorney fees - costs recovered 5,168
Total Income $13,389,177


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Uses of Funds as a % of Total Expenses

Programs: 93%  Fund Raising: 2%  Administrative: 5% 

Total income   $13,389,177
  Program expenses $13,588,609
  Fund raising expenses 324,208
  Administrative expenses 661,428
 
Total expenses   $14,574,245
Expenses in Excess of Income   (1,185,068)
Beginning net assets   5,516,814
Ending net assets   4,331,746
Total liabilities   1,158,626
Total assets   $5,490,372


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This report is not to be used for fund raising or promotional purposes.

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