VOLUNTEER LEGAL ADVOCATES

EIN: 261089584 501(c)(3) Housing & Shelter

WASHINGTON, DC

Total Revenue
$5,486,445
Total Expenses
$4,860,110
Total Assets
$3,983,501
Net Assets
$3,834,440
🔒

Financial Vulnerability Assessment (Tuckman-Chang)

4 risk indicators measuring financial stability and operational resilience

Sign in with your work email to view Tuckman-Chang indicators

Sign In — Free (10 views/day)

Financial Trends

Organization Details

Formation Year
2008
Legal Domicile
DC
Principal Officer
SARA TENNEN
Phone
2028855542
Tax Period
2025-01-01 to 2025-12-31

VOLUNTEER LEGAL ADVOCATES, founded in 2008, is a community nonprofit in the Housing & Shelter sector that reported $5.5M in total revenue in fiscal year 2025. Revenue grew 20% year-over-year, indicating healthy expansion. Expenses of $4.9M left a modest 11% surplus.

Mission

TO ADVOCATE FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS, AT-RISK CHILDREN, AND OTHER VULNERABLE INDIVIDUALS BY PROVIDING OVER $22.8M IN PRO BONO LEGAL SERVICES, SOCIAL SERVICE REFERRALS, AND ON-GOING SUPPORT; TO TRAIN AND SUPPORT A STRONG NETWORK OF VOLUNTEER LAWYERS AND COMMUNITY ADVOCATES.

Program Service Accomplishments

Program 1
Expenses: $1,735,115

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROGRAM:LEGAL ASSISTANCE: VOLUNTEER AND STAFF LAWYERS REPRESENT LOW-INCOME DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SURVIVORS IN PROTECTION ORDER AND FAMILY LAW CASES AND ADVOCATE FOR VICTIM RIGHTS IN...

Read more

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROGRAM:LEGAL ASSISTANCE: VOLUNTEER AND STAFF LAWYERS REPRESENT LOW-INCOME DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SURVIVORS IN PROTECTION ORDER AND FAMILY LAW CASES AND ADVOCATE FOR VICTIM RIGHTS IN CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS AGAINST ABUSERS. WALK-IN LEGAL CLINICS: OUR LAWYERS PROVIDE LEGAL ASSISTANCE AT COMMUNITY-BASED CLINICS AND AT A COURT-BASED CLINIC. SUPPORT SERVICES: OUR ADVOCATES PROVIDE SAFETY PLANNING, TRAUMA-INFORMED CRISIS INTERVENTION, ONGOING EMOTIONAL SUPPORT, AND ACCESS TO CRITICAL SOCIAL SERVICES. LEGAL HELP LINE: OUR ADVOCATES RESPOND TO HUNDREDS OF CALLERS' REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION ON VICTIM RIGHTS, LEGAL SERVICES, AND PROVIDE REFERRALS TO PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS.

Program 2
Expenses: $1,045,009

IMMIGRATION PROGRAM:VOLUNTEER AND STAFF LAWYERS ASSIST LOW-INCOME IMMIGRANT SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND OTHER FORMS OF GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE AND VULNERABLE CHILDREN WITH VAWA SELF-PETITIONS...

Read more

IMMIGRATION PROGRAM:VOLUNTEER AND STAFF LAWYERS ASSIST LOW-INCOME IMMIGRANT SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND OTHER FORMS OF GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE AND VULNERABLE CHILDREN WITH VAWA SELF-PETITIONS, BATTERED SPOUSE WAIVERS, U AND T VISAS, AFFIRMATIVE AND DEFENSIVE ASYLUM CLAIMS, SPECIAL IMMIGRANT JUVENILE STATUS, TPS, DACA, WORK AUTHORIZATIONS AND OTHER FORMS OF IMMIGRATION RELIEF. THE GOAL IS TO HELP IMMIGRANT VICTIMS, A MAJORITY OF WHOM ARE NOT PERMITTED TO LEGALLY WORK IN THE U.S., IN ACHIEVING SAFETY, STABILITY, AND SELF-SUFFICIENCY BY PROVIDING COMPREHENSIVE AND TRAUMA-INFORMED LEGAL AND SUPPORT SERVICES.

Program 3
Expenses: $862,623

CHILD ADVOCACY PROGRAM:OUR COURT-APPOINTED VOLUNTEER AND STAFF ATTORNEYS ADVOCATE FOR CHILDREN GROWING UP IN HOMES WITH ABUSE, NEGLECT, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND OTHER DANGEROUS...

Read more

CHILD ADVOCACY PROGRAM:OUR COURT-APPOINTED VOLUNTEER AND STAFF ATTORNEYS ADVOCATE FOR CHILDREN GROWING UP IN HOMES WITH ABUSE, NEGLECT, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND OTHER DANGEROUS CIRCUMSTANCES AND CONNECT THE CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES WITH CRUCIAL SOCIAL SERVICES. IN OVER 95% OF THE CASES, JUDGES ACCEPT OUR ATTORNEYS' RECOMMENDATIONS.

🔒

Trantor Score

Financial Health Score (300–850) · Liquidity · Solvency · Sustainability · Efficiency

Sign in to view Trantor Score and financial metrics

Liquidity (40%) • Solvency (30%) • Sustainability (20%) • Efficiency (10%)

Sign In — Free (10 views/day)

Financial Overview (2025)

Revenue Breakdown

Contributions & Grants $5,515,919
Program Service Revenue $0
Investment Income $18,995
Other Revenue $-48,469
TOTAL REVENUE $5,486,445

Expense Breakdown

Grants Paid $0
Salaries & Benefits $4,283,989
Fundraising Expenses $373,957
Program Expenses $4,158,396
Other Expenses $576,121
TOTAL EXPENSES $4,860,110

Year-over-Year Comparison

2025 2024 Change
Revenue $5,486,445 $4,576,643 +0.2%
Expenses $4,860,110 $4,186,311 +0.2%
Net Income $626,335 $390,332 +0.6%
Key Indicators
✗ Grants to Organizations ✗ Grants to Individuals ✓ Lobbying ✗ Political Activity ✗ Foreign Activities ✗ Donor Advised Fund ✓ Schedule B Required
🔒

Financial Health Indicators

Comprehensive financial analysis: Altman Z-Score, liquidity, solvency, sustainability, efficiency, and growth metrics

Financial Distress Indicator

Liquidity & Cash Position

Sign in to view all financial metrics

Altman Z-Score • Liquidity Ratios • Solvency Analysis • Growth Indicators • Efficiency Metrics

Sign In

Governance

Voting Members
17
Independent Members
16
Employees
58
Volunteers
610

Governance Policies

✓ Conflict of Interest Policy
✓ Whistleblower Policy
✓ Document Retention Policy

Special Practices & Reported Activities

✗ Operated a School
✗ Operated a Hospital
✗ Provided First Class Travel
✗ Reported Conflict of Interest
✗ Reported Asset Diversion
✗ Excess Benefit Transaction
✗ Made Political Expenditures
✓ Engaged in Lobbying
✗ Operated Donor Advised Fund
✗ Maintained Art Collections
✗ Filed Form 720

Compensation of Officers, Directors & Key Employees

Total Officers
5
$208,644
Total Directors
18
$208,644
Key Employees
0
$0
Highest Compensated
5
reported
Name Title Hours/Week Role Reportable Comp Other Comp Total
SARA TENNEN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 40.00
Officer Director
$191,689 $16,955 $208,644
KAREN BARKER MARCOU PRESIDENT 10.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
TRACEY COATES VICE PRESIDENT 1.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
ANNETTE M STANLEY TREASURER 1.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
HENRY BREWSTER SECRETARY 1.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
JESSICA C ABRAHAMS DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
MATTHEW COHEN DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
ALEXIS COLLINS DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
PHILLIP HURST DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
HEATHER LAMBERG DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
DAVID LAST DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
MARGARET MCKINNEY DIRECTOR (FROM 9/17/2025) 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
PRINCESS MCDUFFIE DIRECTOR (UNTIL 7/31/2025) 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
MAGGIE PRIETO DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
STEPHEN RAPTIS DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
KAMIL R SHIELDS DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
ILENE WEINREICH DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
KATHARINE WEYMOUTH DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
BRIAN YOURISH DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS 40.00
Highest
$135,054 $16,362 $151,416
AIDA VINDELL LEGAL DIRECTOR 40.00
Highest
$130,412 $7,829 $138,241
MARCY BASKIN DIR. OF GRANTS & FOUNDATIONAL GIVING 40.00
Highest
$117,370 $12,201 $129,571
DANIELA HUERTA GARCIA DIRECTOR OF LEGAL PARTNERSHIPS 40.00
Highest
$116,404 $11,387 $127,791
BESTY CRUMB LEGAL DIRECTOR 40.00
Highest
$108,358 $11,899 $120,257
Note: Compensation data is self-reported by the organization on their Form 990. "Reportable Comp" includes salary, bonuses, and other reportable compensation from the organization and related organizations. "Other Comp" includes benefits, deferred compensation, and non-taxable benefits.

Historical Data

Year Revenue Expenses Assets Net Income
2025 $5,486,445 $4,860,110 $3,983,501 $626,335
2024 $4,576,643 $4,186,311 $3,682,612 $390,332
2023 $3,529,018 $3,364,438 $3,053,095 $164,580
2022 $3,381,477 $2,641,115 $2,946,883 $740,362
2021 $2,766,602 $1,833,621 $1,904,409 $932,981
2020 $1,847,073 $1,657,673 $1,226,785 $189,400
2019 $1,437,337 $1,630,569 $846,245 $-193,232
2018 $1,808,998 $1,465,499 $1,043,107 $343,499
Explore More Nonprofits
→Top 100 Nonprofits in District of Columbia →Largest U.S. Nonprofits →Best Rated Nonprofits →Most Efficient Nonprofits

Compare VOLUNTEER LEGAL ADVOCATES with other nonprofits in District of Columbia and across the country.

We Value Your Privacy
We use cookies and similar technologies to analyze site traffic and improve your experience. By clicking "Accept All", you consent to our use of cookies for analytics and measurement.