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Non-profit

Legal Aid of the District of Columbia

Website:

www.legalaiddc.org/
Location:

Washington, DC
Tax ID:

53-0196600
Tax-Exempt Status:

501(c)(3)

Budget (2022):

Revenue: $12,396,520
Expenses: $10,929,406
Assets: $14,917,002
Type:

Legal advocacy group
Formation:

1932
Executive Director:

Vikram Swaruup
Budget (2023):

Revenue: $14,589,968
Expenses: $11,388,382
Net Assets: $14,149,665

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Legal Aid of the District of Columbia, also known as Legal Aid DC, is a legal advocacy group that provides pro bono legal services to low-income individuals while promoting policies to increase welfare and government housing programs. The organization has received government grants, totaling over $700,000 in 2023, as well as contributions from corporate law firms including Covington & Burling LLP, Kirkland & Ellis LLP, and the Rossotti Foundation. 1 2 3

Background

The Legal Aid Society of the District of Columbia was founded in 1932 to provide legal services to low-income residents of Washington, D.C. The group has received government grants and contributions from corporate law firms. The group provides pro bono work in areas of domestic violence and family law, housing, public benefits, and immigration. In 2022, the group removed the word “society” from its name to become Legal Aid of Washington, D.C. and does business as Legal Aid DC. The group also advocates for left-of-center policy and legal changes to welfare, housing, and immigration. 4

Advocacy

Legal Aid DC has advocated increasing local welfare spending such as adding more funding to the city’s Homeowner Assistance Fund, increasing oversight of the city Department of Human Services, and expanding access to general welfare programs. 5

Litigation and Amicus Briefs

The group’s Barbara McDowell Appellate Advocacy Project was formed in 2004 with funding from the DC Bar Foundation. The project “files “friend of the court” briefs in cases involving matters of importance to people living in poverty. In addition, it “provides appellate instruction, consultation, and advice to the D.C. legal services community.” 6

Immigration

Legal Aid DC has previously assisted individuals in establishing legal residency using the District of Columbia’s Vulnerable Youth Guardianship Protection Act. Following Donald Trump’s second election in November 2024, the group released a statement claiming “[w]ith a second Trump administration promising mass deportations, the work of the immigration team will become even more urgent.” 7

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Legal Aid DC claims to support and promote Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies, with a part of its website reading “[l]egal Aid is committed to advancing diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging in all aspects of our work.” 8

References

  1. “2024 Annual Report: Leadership Cabinet.” Legal Aid DC. Accessed February 15, 2025. https://www.legalaiddc.org/toc/2024-leadership-cabinet#scroll-toc-banner
  2. “2024 Annual Report: Introduction.” Legal Aid DC. Accessed February 15, 2025. https://www.legalaiddc.org/toc/2024-introduction
  3. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax. Legal Aid Society of the District of Columbia. 2023. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/530196600/202422199349300147/full
  4. “Who We Are.” Legal Aid DC. Accessed February 15, 2025. https://www.legalaiddc.org/who-we-are
  5. “Advocacy Updates November 2024.” Legal Aid DC. Accessed February 15, 2025. https://www.legalaiddc.org/blogs/advocacy-updates-november-2024
  6. “Appellate Advocacy.” Legal Aid DC. Accessed February 15, 2025. https://www.legalaiddc.org/practice-areas/appellate-advocacy
  7. “2024 Annual Report: Immigration Law.” Legal Aid DC. Accessed February 15, 2025. https://www.legalaiddc.org/toc/2024-immigration-law#scroll-toc-banner
  8. “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.” Legal Aid DC. Accessed February 15, 2025. https://www.legalaiddc.org/diversity-equity-inclusion
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Nonprofit Information

  • Accounting Period: December - November
  • Tax Exemption Received: August 1, 1942

    • Available Filings

    Period Form Type Total revenue Total functional expenses Total assets (EOY) Total liabilities (EOY) Unrelated business income? Total contributions Program service revenue Investment income Comp. of current officers, directors, etc. Form 990
    2022 Dec Form 990 $12,396,520 $10,929,406 $14,917,002 $4,536,928 N $12,396,017 $32,307 $133,990 $524,677 PDF
    2021 Dec Form 990 $10,485,553 $9,870,278 $11,128,950 $1,487,976 N $10,304,559 $141,839 $121,553 $372,918
    2020 Dec Form 990 $9,330,107 $8,390,545 $11,179,387 $2,611,465 N $9,180,729 $49,302 $82,139 $370,897
    2019 Dec Form 990 $8,176,557 $7,579,755 $8,603,641 $1,322,209 Y $7,881,026 $265,769 $140,610 $344,600 PDF
    2018 Dec Form 990 $7,141,737 $6,561,351 $7,402,340 $898,666 Y $6,903,217 $86,924 $125,083 $328,338 PDF
    2017 Dec Form 990 $8,360,292 $5,594,783 $6,463,316 $494,339 N $8,252,143 $109,791 $65,675 $308,090
    2016 Dec Form 990 $5,799,271 $5,219,764 $3,533,472 $372,364 N $5,740,141 $53,950 $60,058 $280,182 PDF
    2015 Dec Form 990 $5,183,251 $4,984,200 $3,024,292 $460,194 N $5,088,815 $56,071 $69,641 $266,085 PDF
    2014 Dec Form 990 $4,702,986 $4,562,449 $2,893,657 $472,611 N $4,627,024 $24,654 $79,864 $241,311 PDF
    2013 Dec Form 990 $4,257,128 $4,305,512 $2,711,761 $451,643 N $4,160,373 $900 $93,186 $231,584 PDF
    2012 Dec Form 990 $3,945,019 $4,061,461 $2,801,019 $458,467 N $3,850,639 $360 $75,107 $205,457 PDF
    2011 Dec Form 990 $3,360,476 $3,364,952 $2,787,878 $359,771 N $3,323,223 $2,057 $77,425 $207,669 PDF

    Additional Filings (PDFs)

    Legal Aid of the District of Columbia

    1331 H ST NW
    Washington, DC 20005-4706