2015-12-15T06:54:34-06:00 2015-06-30 042571780 ALEXANDER ARONSON FINNING & CO PC 21 EAST MAIN STREET WESTBOROUGH MA 01581 990 2014-07-01 042790762 MASSACHUSETTS LEGAL ASSISTANCE CORP MASS 6173678544 7 WINTHROP SQUARE 2ND FLOOR BOSTON MA 02110 LONNIE A POWERS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 6173678544 2015-12-10 1 SORIE KABA CPA P01317106 5083669100 2015-12-10 2014 2016-03-07 17:11:31Z LONNIE A POWERS 7 WINTHROP SQUARE 2ND FLOOR BOSTON MA 02110 22198752 0 X HTTP://WWW.MLAC.ORG X 1983 MA THE MASSACHUSETTS LEGAL ASSISTANCE CORPORATION PROVIDES LEADERSHIP AND SUPPORT TO IMPROVE CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES TO LOW-INCOME PEOPLE IN MASSACHUSETTS THROUGH COLLABORATION WITH THE LEGAL SERVICES COMMUNITY, THE LEGISLATURE, THE PUBLIC, THE BAR, AND THE JUDICIARY. 11 11 21 2 0 0 19739579 22035441 177959 148925 11660 14386 111973 0 20041171 22198752 17689254 19704354 0 0 1235965 1330447 0 0 0 1183820 1503746 20109039 22538547 -67868 -339795 4806101 5053771 2153218 2740683 2652883 2313088 X THE MASSACHUSETTS LEGAL ASSISTANCE CORPORATION PROVIDES LEADERSHIP AND SUPPORT TO IMPROVE CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES TO LOW-INCOME PEOPLE IN MASSACHUSETTS THROUGH COLLABORATION WITH THE LEGAL SERVICES COMMUNITY, THE LEGISLATURE, THE PUBLIC, THE BAR, AND THE JUDICIARY. 0 0 13171504 13171504 GENERAL SUPPORT TO LEGAL SERVICE PROGRAM - MLAC AWARDS CONTRACTS TO ELIGIBLE NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS IN MASSACHUSETTS WHICH PROVIDE LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO LOW INCOME CLIENTS IN CIVIL LEGAL MATTERS. 2437264 2437264 THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE LEGAL ASSISTANCE PROJECT (DVLAP) OFFERS COMPREHENSIVE CIVIL LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE TO HELP THEM REBUILD THEIR LIVES SAFE FROM ABUSE. DVLAP ADVOCATES HANDLE COMPLEX FAMILY LAW CASES, INCLUDING CHILD CUSTODY AND VISITATION, PATERNITY, CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT AND DIVORCE. THEY ALSO ASSIST BATTERED WOMEN WITH OTHER LEGAL ISSUES ARISING FROM DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, SUCH AS SECURING HOUSING, HEALTH COVERAGE AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE-BASED IMMIGRATION STATUS. 2300904 2300904 61667 DURING FISCAL YEAR 2013, THE MASSACHUSETTS ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE AWARDED MLAC A HOMECORPS GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $9,000,000 FOR A PERIOD OF 3 YEARS, TO BE AWARDED TO QUALIFYING LEGAL ORGANIZATIONS PROVIDING FORECLOSURE WORK IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS. 1561988 168806 13466 PROGRAM SERVICE INITIATIVES - ADVANCES COLLABORATION AMONG LEGAL AID PROGRAMS AND ENSURES THAT LIMITED RESOURCES ARE USED AS EFFECTIVELY AND EFFICIENTLY AS POSSIBLE. 446980 446980 THE MEDICARE ADVOCACY PROJECT (MAP) OPERATES FROM LEGAL AID OFFICES ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH ASSISTING ELDERS AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES IN OBTAINING THE MEDICARE AND MEDICARE-RELATED HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE TO WHICH THEY ARE ENTITLED. MAP ADVOCATES REPRESENT MEDICARE BENEFICIARIES WITH INDIVIDUAL ISSUES AND IN GROUPS TO ADDRESS POLICY ISSUES. 73792 73792 MLAC PROVIDES ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES FOR THE IOLTA COMMITTEE, WHICH OVERSEES THE DISBURSEMENT OF IOLTA FUNDS. 1178896 1178896 THE DISABILITY BENEFITS PROJECT (DBP) WAS CREATED BY THE LEGISLATURE IN 1984 TO PROVIDE LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO LOW-INCOME MASSACHUSETTS RESIDENTS WHO HAVE BEEN WRONGLFULLY DENIED FEDERAL DISABILITY BENEFITS OR WHO HAVE HAD THEIR BENEFITS UNFAIRLY REDUCED OR TERMINATED BY THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION. 3261656 1794682 87258 21171328 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 23 0 1 21 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 11 11 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 MA X FREDDY MATUTE FISCAL MANAGER 6173678544 7 WINTHROP SQUARE 2ND FLOOR BOSTON MA 021101245 RAHSAAN D HALL ESQ BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 MARTHA J KOSTER ESQ BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 SALEA PERRY BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 TIMOTHY P LEE BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 TIMOTHY M LINNEHAN ESQ TREASURER 1.00 X X 0 0 0 GUILLERMO GONZALEZ MD BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 MICHAEL D BADGER ESQ VICE CHAIR 1.00 X X 0 0 0 WILLIAM C NEWMAN ESQ BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 MARIJANE BENNER BROWNE ESQ CHAIR 1.00 X X 0 0 0 MARTHA RUSH O'MARA ESQ BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 MARTIN V TOMASSIAN JR ESQ BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 LONNIE A POWERS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 35.00 X 153835 0 22991 JANNE HELLGREN DEPUTY DIRECTOR 35.00 X 124371 0 20366 TOBEY JOHNSON TECHNOLOGY DIRECTOR 35.00 X 105933 0 20103 384139 0 63460 3 0 1 0 ANTONE G SINGSEN III ESQ 361 SCHOOL STREET WATERTOWN MA 02472 STATE WIDE PLANNING 105939 1 17032404 5003037 22035441 MANAGEMENT FEES 900099 135459 135459 13466 13466 148925 14386 14386 22198752 148925 0 14386 19704354 19704354 176991 176991 922326 473150 449176 90803 57667 33136 121857 48761 73096 18470 9314 9156 25677 25677 72500 72500 675946 487379 188567 364947 302359 62588 294452 82421 212031 34834 5923 28911 35390 35390 22538547 21171328 1367219 0 9865 4208361 4269428 479307 504758 40435 15070 92565 861467 737104 71276 124363 22222 22222 4806101 5053771 278222 359956 1182510 388312 692486 1992415 2153218 2740683 X 2652883 1987762 325326 2652883 2313088 4806101 5053771 -339795 0 X X 0 1 X 1 0 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 1 1 0 1 747 1 9568 0 1 114212 1 11007 0 135534 0 PART II-B, LINE 1: MLAC ADVOCATES WITH MEMBERS OF THE MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL COURT AND THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE TO MAINTAIN AND INCREASE THE COMMONWEALTH'S APPROPRIATION TO MLAC. AS PART OF ITS ADVOCACY, MLAC ENGAGES THE SERVICES OF A LOBBYING FIRM, GOVERNMENTAL STRATEGIES, INC., RECRUITS VOLUNTEERS TO PERSONALLY CONTACT MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE AND THE ADMINISTRATION ON OUR BEHALF, SENDS MAILINGS TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL COURT AND TO THE GOVERNOR AND MEMBERS OF HIS ADMINISTRATION, PRODUCES FACT SHEETS AND OTHER PUBLICATIONS TO SUPPORT OUR ADVOCACY AND ORGANIZES AN ANNUAL WALK TO THE HILL FOR LEGAL SERVICES RALLY AT THE STATE HOUSE. MEMBERS OF THE PAID STAFF PARTICIPATE IN AND OVERSEE MLAC'S LEGISLATIVE EFFORTS. MLAC ALSO WRITES TO AND DIRECTLY CONTACTS MEMBERS OF THE MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION TO URGE THEM TO SUPPORT ADEQUATE FUNDING FOR THE FEDERAL LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION. 25391 25391 836076 737104 98972 124363 X 22266703 67951 67951 22198752 0 22198752 22606498 67951 67951 22538547 0 22538547 PART X, LINE 2: MLAC ACCOUNTS FOR UNCERTAINTY IN INCOME TAXES IN ACCORDANCE WITH ASC TOPIC, INCOME TAXES. THIS STANDARD CLARIFIES THE ACCOUNTING FOR UNCERTAINTY IN TAX POSITIONS AND PRESCRIBES A RECOGNITION THRESHOLD AND MEASUREMENT ATTRIBUTE FOR THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS REGARDING A TAX POSITION TAKEN OR EXPECTED TO BE TAKEN IN A TAX RETURN. MLAC HAS DETERMINED THAT THERE ARE NO UNCERTAIN TAX POSITIONS WHICH QUALIFY FOR EITHER RECOGNITION OR DISCLOSURE IN THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AT JUNE 30, 2015. MLAC'S INFORMATION RETURNS ARE SUBJECT TO EXAMINATION BY THE FEDERAL AND STATE JURISDICTIONS AND GENERALLY REMAIN OPEN FOR THE MOST RECENT THREE YEARS. 1 CHILDRENS LAW CENTER OF MASSACHUSETTS 298 UNION STREET LYNN MA 01901 042622153 501 C (3) 128676 TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR LEGAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS CENTER FOR LAW AND EDUCATION 99 CHAUNCEY STREET BOSTON MA 02111 042594077 501 C (3) 157334 TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR LEGAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS COMMUNITY LEGAL SERVICES AND COUNSELING CENTER 1 WEST STREET CAMBRIDGE MA 02139 042470335 501 C (3) 132664 TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR LEGAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS CENTER FOR PUBLIC REPRESENTATION 22 GREEN STREET NORTHAMPTON MA 01060 042760470 501 C (3) 253504 TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR LEGAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS DISABILITY LAW CENTER 11 BEACON STREET SUITE 925 BOSTON MA 02108 042741869 501 C (3) 436619 TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR LEGAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS GREATER BOSTON LEGAL SERVICES 197 FRIEND STREET BOSTON MA 02114 042103907 501 C (3) 5341143 TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR LEGAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS COMMUNITY LEGAL AID 405 MAIN STREET WORCESTER MA 01608 042446242 501 C (3) 4554498 TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR LEGAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS MASSACHUSETTS ADVOCATES FOR CHILDREN 25 KINGSTON STREET BOSTON MA 02111 042488456 501 C (3) 96887 TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR LEGAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS PRISONERS LEGAL SERVICES 10 WINTHROP SQUARE BOSTON MA 02111 042523362 501 C (3) 164165 TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR LEGAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS MASSACHUSETTS LAW REFORM INSTITUTE 99 CHAUNCY STREET SUITE 500 BOSTON MA 02111 046004303 501 C (3) 2116698 TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR LEGAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS NATIONAL CONSUMER LAW CENTER 7 WINTHROP SQUARE 4TH FLOOR BOSTON MA 02111 042488502 501 C (3) 508656 TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR LEGAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS NORTHEAST LEGAL AID 181 UNION STREET LYNN MA 01901 042430192 501 C (3) 2352169 TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR LEGAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS SOUTH COASTAL COUNTIES LEGAL SERVICES PO BOX 2507 FALL RIVER MA 02722 043330280 501 C (3) 2637878 TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR LEGAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS METRO WEST LEGAL SERVICES 63 FOUNTAIN STREET SUITE 304 FRAMINGHAM MA 01702 043177488 501 C (3) 757797 TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR LEGAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS VOLUNTEER LAWYERS' PROJECT 99 CHAUNCEY STREET BOSTON MA 02111 222486215 501 C (3) 47042 TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR LEGAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS BCLAB 140 COMMONWEALTH AVENUE CHESTNUT HILL MA 02467 042103545 501 C (3) 18028 TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR LEGAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS. 16 PART I, LINE 2: THE MASSACHUSETTS LEGAL ASSISTANCE CORPORATION (MLAC) MONITORS SEVERAL OF ITS GRANTEES IN A GEOGRAPHIC REGION OF THE STATE EACH YEAR. MLAC GOALS FOR THE MONITORING PROCESS ARE: 1)TO SHOW THAT THE PROGRAMS HAVE MET A PARTICULAR LEVEL OF QUALITY AND QUANTITY OF SERVICES. 2)TO IMPROVE THE SUBSTANTIVE WORK OF PROGRAMS. 3)TO IDENTIFY BEST PRACTICES. MLAC USES A PEER REVIEW MODEL TO ASSESS GRANTEES PERFORMANCE AND TAKES A FAIRLY COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH AS NOT ALL PROGRAMS ARE SITE VISITED EACH YEAR. DURING THE INTERIM, MLAC MAINTAINS FOCUS ON THEIR ISSUES BY MONITORING THEIR ANNUAL FUNDING APPLICATIONS, ANNUAL AND MID-YEAR REPORTS AND THEIR FINANCIAL AUDITS. THE PEER REVIEW MODEL CONSISTS OF MLAC CONTRACTING WITH ATTORNEYS OUTSIDE OF MASSACHUSETTS TO SERVE AS INDEPENDENT CONSULTANTS. THESE ARE INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE WORK EXPERIENCE WITH LEGAL AID PROGRAMS AND BACKGROUNDS IN PROGRAM EVALUATION. THEY ASSESS PROGRAM OPERATIONS AGAINST A FRAMEWORK OF PERFORMANCE STANDARDS DEVELOPED BY MLAC (BASED ON THE AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION (ABA) STANDARDS) THAT FOCUS ON THE FOLLOWING AREAS: 1.STRATEGIC AND COLLABORATIVE PLANNING PARTNERSHIP 2.DEVELOPMENT AND UTILIZATION OF RESOURCES 3.CLIENT ACCESS 4.QUALITY ASSURANCE 5.EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION 6.GOVERNANCE PRIOR TO THE ON-SITE VISIT, THE PEER REVIEWERS RECEIVE A FAIRLY EXTENSIVE SET OF INFORMATION ON THE PROGRAM, INCLUDING ANNUAL REPORTS AND INFORMATION THAT IS INDICATIVE OF INTERNAL OPERATIONS SUCH AS STAFF TURNOVER, ATTORNEYS YEARS OF EXPERIENCE, BOARD AND STAFF DIVERSITY. THE PEER REVIEWER REVIEWS THIS INFORMATION, PREPARES AND ADMINISTERS INTERVIEW PROTOCOLS, CONDUCTS A SITE VISIT TO THE PROGRAMS OFFICE(S), AND COMPILES A REPORT IDENTIFYING THE PROGRAMS STRENGTHS, CHALLENGES AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO IMPROVE PERFORMANCE. THE PEER REVIEWERS ARE ALSO REQUIRED TO INTERVIEW BOARD MEMBERS, IN PARTICULAR THE PRESIDENT AND TREASURER, TO DETERMINE HOW WELL THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS IS PERFORMING ITS OVERSIGHT AND FIDUCIARY RESPONSIBILITY. MLAC FISCAL DIRECTOR CONDUCTS A REVIEW OF THE PROGRAM FINANCIAL OPERATIONS MONITORING A VARIETY OF AREAS SUCH AS WHETHER THE PROGRAM HAS SUBMITTED KEY DOCUMENTS, FOR EXAMPLE, IRS 990 AND THE MASSACHUSETTS PUBLIC CHARITIES FORM. THE FISCAL MANAGER ALSO REVIEWS VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THE PROGRAM FINANCIAL OPERATIONS INCLUDING THE PROGRAM AUDITED FINANCIALS, INSURANCE COVERAGE, PERSONNEL AND OTHER MANAGEMENT POLICIES, ACCOUNTING SOFTWARE AND EMPLOYEE BENEFITS. THERE IS CONSIDERABLE POTENTIAL FOR ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE THROUGH THE PEER REVIEW PROCESS. THE SUCCESS OF MLAC PEER REVIEW MODEL RESTS ON THE FACT THAT THE PEER REVIEWERS ARE VERY ADEPT IN IDENTIFYING PROGRAMS' CHALLENGES AND MAKING RECOMMENDATIONS THAT IMPROVE THE SUBSTANTIVE WORK AND MANAGERIAL PRACTICES OF PROGRAMS. THE INDIVIDUAL PROGRAM DIRECTORS REPORT ON WHETHER THEIR PROGRAMS HAVE IMPROVED BECAUSE OF PEER REVIEW WHILE MLAC HAS ALSO OBSERVED ORGANIZATIONAL SHIFTS SUCH AS INCREASED FUNDRAISING AND STAFF DIVERSITY X X 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 LONNIE A POWERS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 153835 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 22991 0 176826 0 0 0 MARIJANE BENNER BROWNE ESQ BOARD CHAIR 100000 MARIJANE BENNER BROWNE, ESQ., BOARD CHAIR, IS A BOARD MEMBER OF THE MASSACHUSETTS EQUAL JUSTICE FUND, WITH WHICH MLAC SIGNED AN AGREEMENT TO LOAN $100,000 AND TO BE THEIR FISCAL AGENT. THE NOTE BEARS INTEREST AT 3% AND MATURES ON JUNE 26, 2018. 0 FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11 FIRST THE 990 IS REVIEWED BY THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, DEPUTY DIRECTOR AND THE FISCAL MANAGER. THEN THE ENTIRE FINANCE COMMITTEE REVIEWS THE 990. THE 990 IS THEN SENT BY EMAIL ATTACHMENT OR PUBLISHED FOR THE BOARD ON THE WEBSITE WITH A NOTE THAT THE FINANCE COMMITTEE AND MANAGEMENT HAVE REVIEWED AND ACCEPTED THE 990. THE BOARD THEN HAS 5 DAYS TO RESPOND. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C MLAC MONITORS AND ENFORCES COMPLIANCE WITH THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY THROUGH THEIR ANNUAL AUDIT. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15 WHEN DIRECTED BY THE BOARD, MLAC CONTRACTS WITH AN OUTSIDE FIRM TO PERFORM A SALARY STUDY. THE STUDY COMPARES SALARIES OF SAME SIZE ORGANIZATIONS AND POSITIONS. SALARY RANGE COMPARISONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ARE PRESENTED TO THE BOARD BY THE CONSULTANT. THE BOARD VOTES ON CHANGES TO THE SALARY SCHEDULE. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 THE ORGANIZATION MAKES ITS FORM 990 AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC VIA WWW.GUIDESTAR.ORG. THE ORGANIZATION MAKES ITS GOVERNING DOCUMENTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC UPON REQUEST. ANNUAL AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ARE ALSO FILED WITH THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS. FORM 990, PART XII, LINE 2C MASSACHUSETTS LEGAL ASSISTANCE CORPORATION DID NOT CHANGE ANY OF THEIR OVERSIGHT PROCESSES IN FISCAL YEAR 2015.