Non-profit

National Legal Aid and Defender Association (NLADA)

Website:

www.nlada.org/

Location:

Washington, DC

Tax ID:

36-2337880

Tax-Exempt Status:

501(c)(3)

Budget (2020):

Revenue: $5,032,741
Expenses: $5,006,581
Assets: $3,225,640

Formation:

1911

Type:

Criminal Justice Activist Organization

Executive Director:

April Frazier Camara

Contact InfluenceWatch with suggested edits or tips for additional profiles.

National Legal Aid and Defender Association (NLADA) (formerly known as National Legal Aid Association) is a left-of-center organization originally founded in 1911 to provide legal services to low-income individuals. 1 2 NLADA supports the far-left Black Lives Matter movement, 3 4 hosts a critical race theory-influenced racial equity institute, 5 and operates critical race theory-influenced “anti-racism training” courses with the National Alliance of Indigent Defense Educators (NAIDE). 6

NLADA has said the critical race theory-influenced concepts of implicit bias and racial inequality are deeply rooted in the American justice system, 7 views the critical race theory-influenced concept of racial equity as a central part of its delivery of legal services, 8 and asked others to commit to “uncomfortable conversations about race” following the death of George Floyd. 9

A strategic ally of left-of-center John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation’s Safety and Justice Challenge, 10 NLADA received at least $1,900,000 from the MacArthur Foundation between 2015 and 2021 11 as a part of its plan to reduce prison populations by targeting what it calls “misuse of jails.” 12 In 2021, NLADA also received $300,000 from the left-of-center Lumina Foundation for Education 13 and $275,000 from the left-of-center W.K. Kellogg Foundation. 14

History and Leadership

National Legal Aid and Defender Association (NLADA) was founded in 1911 as the National Legal Aid Association when 15 different legal societies joined in an association to support legal services for low-income people. The National Legal Aid Association added a legal defender section in 1956 and became the NLADA in 1958. 15 NLADA’s research efforts in the early 1970s helped lead to the foundation of the federal government-funded Legal Services Corporation (LSC) in 1974. 16

In 2021, NLADA’s board of directors created a critical race theory-influenced racial justice task force to advance the concepts of economic, social, cultural, civil, and political justice. 17

April Frazier Camara is the President and CEO of NLADA. 18 She is a co-founder of NLADA’s Black Public Defender Association. 19

Activities and Funding

National Legal Aid and Defender Association is the oldest and largest nonprofit providing legal services to low-income individuals in the United States. 20 NLADA also supports the research capacity of public defenders and public policy advocacy. 21 22 23

NLADA supports the far-left Black Lives Matter movement 24 25 and has said the critical race theory-influenced concepts of implicit bias and racial inequality are deeply rooted in the American justice system. 26 NLADA values the critical race theory-influenced concepts of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) 27 and views the critical race theory-influenced concept of racial justice as critical to its mission. 28

NLADA hosts a far-left racial equity institute, 29  believes the critical race theory-influenced concept of racial equity should be a central part of its role in promoting the delivery of its legal services, 30 and supports a change from what the group calls “racial equity awareness” to “action and implementation” on the topic. 31

NLADA has also passed a resolution calling upon its member organizations to implement its critical race theory-influenced Fight Against Implicit Bias and Racial Inequality (FAIR) Pledge. The FAIR Pledge calls for critical race theory-influenced implicit bias training, designation of staff diversity officers, and evaluation of progress towards far-left racial justice objectives. 32

NLADA operates critical race theory-influenced “anti-racism training” courses with the National Alliance of Indigent Defense Educators (NAIDE) to advance the left-wing concept of racial equity 33 and asked others to commit to “uncomfortable conversations about race” following the death of George Floyd. 34 In 2018, NLADA released a critical race theory-influenced “racial justice action plan” that said the left-wing concept of racial equity must be present in all of NLADA’s hiring decisions. 35

Following the 2020 presidential election, NLADA released a list of policy recommendations for the incoming Biden administration and said it was standing by to support the new administration on issues of interest to NLADA. 36 37 Previously, the association has convened reports under grants from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance. 38

National Legal Aid and Defender Association is a strategic ally of left-of-center John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation’s Safety and Justice Challenge, a five-year, $100 million initiative present in 40 jurisdictions that works to change legal systems and keep individuals out of jail. 39

NLADA also has a corporate advisory committee whose members include Amazon, AT&T, Bank of America, Ford, Hewlett Packard, Merck, PayPal, Pfizer, P&G, Twitter, Uber, Visa, Walmart, and others. 40

Funding

National Legal Aid and Defender Association receives funding from individual donations and grants. 41 In 2020, NLADA reported revenue of $5,032,741 and expenses of $5,006,581. In 2019, the NLADA reported revenue of $5,834,147 and expenses of $5,404,186. 42

In 2021, NLADA received $300,000 from the left-of-center Lumina Foundation for Education to support its Black Public Defender Association. 43 That same year, NLADA also received $275,000 from the left-of-center W.K. Kellogg Foundation. 44

NLADA has received at least $1,900,000 from the left-of-center John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation between 2015 and 2021. This total includes grants of $650,000 in 2021; $500,000 in 2019; $500,000 in 2017; and $250,000 in 2015. 45 MacArthur Foundation grants to NLADA have worked to reduce prison populations by targeting what it calls “misuse of jails.” 46

NLADA received $10,000 of funding from Greater Washington Community Foundation in 2016; 47 $10,000 from George Washington University in 2015, 48 $40,000 from United Way Miami in 2015, 49 and $10,000 from the Venable Baetjer and Howard Foundation in 2014. 50

NLADA has also received funding from the left-of-center Public Welfare Foundation, left-of-center Kresge Foundation, U.S. Department of Justice, and others to develop and maintain LegalAidResearch.org. 51

References

  1. “National Legal Aid & Defender Association.” MacArthur Foundation. .Accessed October 5, 2022. https://www.macfound.org/grantee/national-legal-aid–defender-association-10045134/.
  2. “Advancing Justice for More than a Century.” National Legal Aid and Defender Association. Accessed October 5, 2022. https://www.nlada.org/about-nlada/history-nlada.
  3. “NLADA Statement on the Killing of George Floyd and Standing Up with Communities to Defeat Racist Violence.” National Legal Aid and Defender Association. June 1, 2020. Accessed October 5, 2022. https://www.nlada.org/node/32531.
  4. “NAIDE Statement on Recent Protests.” National Legal Aid and Defender Association. Accessed October 7, 2022. https://www.nlada.org/naide#:~:text=We%20believe%20unambiguously%20that%20black,community%20doing%20this%20vital%20work.
  5. “Racial Equity Institute.” National Legal Aid and Defender Association. Accessed October 7, 2022. https://nladarei.org/racial-equity-institute/.
  6. [1] “NLADA Statement on the Killing of George Floyd and Standing UP with Communities to Defeat Racist Violence.” National Legal Aid and Defender Association. June 1, 2020. Accessed October 5, 2022. https://www.nlada.org/node/32531.
  7. “The FAIR Pledge: We Commit to Fighting Against Implicit Bias and Racial Inequality.” National Legal Aid and Defender Association. Accessed October 5, 2022. https://www.nlada.org/issues-and-initiatives/racial-justice/fair-pledge.
  8. [1] “Racial Justice.” National Legal Aid and Defender Association. Accessed October 5, 2022. https://www.nlada.org/issues-and-initiatives/racial-justice.
  9. [1] “NLADA Statement on the Killing of George Floyd and Standing UP with Communities to Defeat Racist Violence.” National Legal Aid and Defender Association. June 1, 2020. Accessed October 5, 2022. https://www.nlada.org/node/32531.
  10. “Safety and Justice Challenge.” National Legal Aid and Defender Association. Accessed October 5, 2022. https://www.nlada.org/issues-and-initiatives/safety-and-justice-challenge.
  11. [1] “National Legal Aid & Defender Association.” MacArthur Foundation. .Accessed October 5, 2022. https://www.macfound.org/grantee/national-legal-aid–defender-association-10045134/.
  12.  “National Legal Aid & Defender Association.” MacArthur Foundation. .Accessed October 5, 2022. https://www.macfound.org/grantee/national-legal-aid–defender-association-10045134/.
  13. “National Legal Aid and Defender Association.” Lumina Foundation. August 3, 2021. Accessed October 5, 2022. https://www.luminafoundation.org/grant/2106-1114486/.
  14. “National Legal Aid & Defender Association.” W.K. Kellogg Foundation. July 1, 2020. Accessed October 5, 2022. https://www.wkkf.org/grants/grant/2020/07/covid-19-legal-response-initiative-p0132626.
  15. “Advancing Justice for More than a Century.” National Legal Aid and Defender Association. Accessed October 5, 2022. https://www.nlada.org/about-nlada/history-nlada.
  16. [1] “History of NLADA.” National Legal Aid and Defender Association.” Accessed October 7, 2022. https://www.nlada.org/about-nlada/history-nlada.
  17. “NLADA 2021 Impact Report.” National Legal Aid and Defender Association. 2021. Accessed October 5, 2022. https://www.nlada.org/2021ImpactReport.
  18. [1] “Meet our Staff.” National Legal Aid and Defender Association. Accessed October 5, 2022. https://www.nlada.org/about-nlada/nlada-staff.
  19. “Meet our Staff.” National Legal Aid and Defender Association. Accessed October 5, 2022. https://www.nlada.org/about-nlada/nlada-staff.
  20. “National Legal Aid & Defender Association.” MacArthur Foundation. .Accessed October 5, 2022. https://www.macfound.org/grantee/national-legal-aid–defender-association-10045134/.
  21. “Building Research Capacity.” National Legal Aid and Defender Association. Accessed October 5, 2022. https://www.nlada.org/tools-and-technical-assistance/defender-resources/research.
  22. “Policy and Advocacy Center.” National Legal Aid and Defender Association. Accessed October 5, 2022. https://www.nlada.org/policycenter.
  23. “Corporate Engagement.” National Legal Aid and Defender Association. Accessed October 5, 2022. https://www.nlada.org/issues-and-initiatives/corporate-engagement.
  24. “NLADA Statement on the Killing of George Floyd and Standing Up with Communities to Defeat Racist Violence.” National Legal Aid and Defender Association. June 1, 2020. Accessed October 5, 2022. https://www.nlada.org/node/32531.
  25. “NAIDE Statement on Recent Protests.” National Legal Aid and Defender Association. Accessed October 7, 2022. https://www.nlada.org/naide#:~:text=We%20believe%20unambiguously%20that%20black,community%20doing%20this%20vital%20work.
  26. “The FAIR Pledge: We Commit to Fighting Against Implicit Bias and Racial Inequality.” National Legal Aid and Defender Association. Accessed October 5, 2022. https://www.nlada.org/issues-and-initiatives/racial-justice/fair-pledge.
  27. “National Legal Aid & Defender Association.” MacArthur Foundation. Accessed October 5, 2022. https://www.macfound.org/grantee/national-legal-aid–defender-association-10045134/.
  28. “The FAIR Pledge: We Commit to Fighting Against Implicit Bias and Racial Inequality.” National Legal Aid and Defender Association. Accessed October 5, 2022. https://www.nlada.org/issues-and-initiatives/racial-justice/fair-pledge.
  29. “Racial Equity Institute.” National Legal Aid and Defender Association. Accessed October 7, 2022. https://nladarei.org/racial-equity-institute/.
  30. “Racial Justice.” National Legal Aid and Defender Association. Accessed October 5, 2022. https://www.nlada.org/issues-and-initiatives/racial-justice.
  31.  “Safeguard justice for all – give today!” National Legal Aid and Defender Association. Accessed October 5, 2022. https://secure2.convio.net/nlada/site/Donation2?df_id=1801&mfc_pref=T&1801.donation=form1.
  32. [1] “The FAIR Pledge: We Commit to Fighting Against Implicit Bias and Racial Inequality.” National Legal Aid and Defender Association. Accessed October 5, 2022. https://www.nlada.org/issues-and-initiatives/racial-justice/fair-pledge.
  33. “NAIDE Statement on Recent Protests.” National Legal Aid and Defender Association. Accessed October 7, 2022. https://www.nlada.org/naide#:~:text=We%20believe%20unambiguously%20that%20black,community%20doing%20this%20vital%20work.
  34. [1] “NLADA Statement on the Killing of George Floyd and Standing UP with Communities to Defeat Racist Violence.” National Legal Aid and Defender Association. June 1, 2020. Accessed October 5, 2022. https://www.nlada.org/node/32531.
  35.  “Racial Justice Action Plan.” National Legal Aid and Defender Association. October 2018. Accessed October 7, 2022. https://www.nlada.org/sites/default/files/pictures/NLADA_Racial_Justice_Action_Plan_%28Oct%202018%29.pdf.
  36. “Recommendations to the Biden-Harris Administration.” National Legal Aid and Defender Association. November 2020. Accessed October 5, 2022. https://www.nlada.org/sites/default/files/NLADA%20Recommendations%20to%20the%20Biden-Harris%20Administration.pdf.
  37. “NLADA Recommendations to the Biden-Harris Administration.” National Legal Aid and Defender Association. Accessed October 5, 2022. https://www.nlada.org/node/35516.
  38. “Blue Ribbon Advisory Committee on Indigent Defense Services Findings and Recommendations.” U.S. Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs. 1997. Accessed October 5, 2022. NCJ Number 237554. https://www.ojp.gov/ncjrs/virtual-library/abstracts/blue-ribbon-advisory-committee-indigent-defense-services-findings.
  39. “Safety and Justice Challenge.” National Legal Aid and Defender Association. Accessed October 5, 2022. https://www.nlada.org/issues-and-initiatives/safety-and-justice-challenge.
  40. “Corporate Engagement.” National Legal Aid and Defender Association. Accessed October 7, 2022.
  41. “Support NLADA.” National Legal Aid and Defender Association. October 5, 2022. https://www.nlada.org/node/21406.
  42. “National Legal and Defender Association.” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990). 2020. Part I. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/362337880/202122669349300237/full.
  43. “National Legal Aid and Defender Association.” Lumina Foundation. August 3, 2021. Accessed October 5, 2022. https://www.luminafoundation.org/grant/2106-1114486/.
  44. “National Legal Aid & Defender Association.” W.K. Kellogg Foundation. July 1, 2020. Accessed October 5, 2022. https://www.wkkf.org/grants/grant/2020/07/covid-19-legal-response-initiative-p0132626.
  45. “National Legal Aid & Defender Association.” MacArthur Foundation. Accessed October 5, 2022. https://www.macfound.org/grantee/national-legal-aid–defender-association-10045134/.
  46. “National Legal Aid & Defender Association.” MacArthur Foundation. Accessed October 5, 2022. https://www.macfound.org/grantee/national-legal-aid–defender-association-10045134/.
  47. “Greater Washington Community Foundation.” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990). 2016. Schedule I. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/237343119/201800469349301145/full.
  48. [1] “George Washington University.” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990). 2015. Schedule I. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/530196584/201741319349303099/full.
  49. “United Way Miami Inc.” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990). 2015. Schedule I. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/590830840/201610359349300006/full.
  50. “Venable Baetjer and Howard Foundation.” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990). 2014. Schedule I. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/521283255/201513209349315121/full.
  51. “Civil Legal Aid Research.” National Legal Aid & Defender Association. Accessed October 5, 2022. https://www.nlada.org/tools-and-technical-assistance/civil-resources/civil-legal-aid-research.
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Nonprofit Information

  • Accounting Period: December - November
  • Tax Exemption Received: March 1, 1950

  • 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
    2020 Dec Form 990 $5,032,741 $5,006,581 $3,225,640 $2,089,909 N $2,194,523 $2,576,082 $951 $960,906
    2019 Dec Form 990 $5,834,147 $5,404,186 $3,541,824 $2,432,253 N $2,938,169 $2,739,153 $5,995 $923,741 PDF
    2018 Dec Form 990 $4,785,852 $4,570,775 $3,099,098 $2,419,488 Y $2,046,858 $2,613,488 $2,901 $437,220 PDF
    2017 Dec Form 990 $4,481,009 $4,468,098 $2,905,106 $2,440,573 N $1,790,425 $2,592,491 $1,853 $398,577 PDF
    2016 Dec Form 990 $3,752,247 $4,117,455 $2,909,698 $2,458,076 N $1,212,069 $2,472,213 $769 $403,047 PDF
    2015 Dec Form 990 $4,153,751 $4,086,800 $2,968,889 $2,152,059 N $1,897,630 $2,231,600 $1,623 $401,473 PDF
    2014 Dec Form 990 $4,145,552 $4,089,817 $2,978,723 $2,228,844 N $1,734,909 $2,328,632 $971 $456,343 PDF
    2013 Dec Form 990 $3,377,151 $3,526,999 $1,953,647 $1,260,518 N $1,193,624 $1,937,831 $660 $421,566 PDF
    2012 Dec Form 990 $4,246,023 $4,374,448 $2,291,148 $1,448,171 N $1,555,293 $2,370,895 $1,120 $395,053 PDF
    2011 Dec Form 990 $4,036,723 $4,737,804 $2,178,568 $1,207,166 N $1,334,280 $2,410,607 $4,315 $654,470 PDF

    Additional Filings (PDFs)

    National Legal Aid and Defender Association (NLADA)

    1901 Pennsylvania Ave Northwest, Suite 500
    Washington, DC