Public Counsel is located in Los Angeles, CA. The organization was established in 1971. According to its NTEE Classification (I80) the organization is classified as: Legal Services, under the broad grouping of Crime & Legal-Related and related organizations. As of 08/2021, Public Counsel employed 166 individuals. This organization is an independent organization and not affiliated with a larger national or regional group of organizations. Public Counsel is a 501(c)(3) and as such, is described as a "Charitable or Religous organization or a private foundation" by the IRS.
For the year ending 08/2021, Public Counsel generated $22.6m in total revenue. This represents relatively stable growth, over the past 6 years the organization has increased revenue by an average of 8.3% each year. All expenses for the organization totaled $15.5m during the year ending 08/2021. While expenses have increased by 4.6% per year over the past 6 years. They've been increasing with an increasing level of total revenue. You can explore the organizations financials more deeply in the financial statements section below.
Form
990
Mission & Program ActivityExcerpts From the 990 Filing
TAX YEAR
2021
Describe the Organization's Mission:
Part 3 - Line 1
PROVIDES FREE LEGAL ASSISTANCE AND ADDRESSES SYSTEMIC POVERTY AND CIVIL RIGHTS ISSUES (SEE SCH O).THROUGH A PRO BONO MODEL THAT LEVERAGES THE TALENTS AND DEDICATION OF THOUSANDS OF ATTORNEY AND LAW STUDENT VOLUNTEERS, PUBLIC COUNSEL PROVIDES FREE LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO LOW-INCOME PEOPLE AND ADDRESSES SYSTEMIC POVERTY AND CIVIL RIGHTS ISSUES THROUGH IMPACT LITIGATION AND POLICY ADVOCACY.
Describe the Organization's Program Activity:
Part 3 - Line 4a
IMMIGRANTS' RIGHTS PROJECT: IRP ENVISIONS A WORLD WHERE ALL (IM)MIGRANTS LIVE WITH DIGNITY, POWER, AND OPPORTUNITY. IRP'S TEAM OF ADVOCATES COLLABORATES WITH CLIENTS AND COMMUNITIES TO FIGHT FEARLESSLY FOR LEGAL PROTECTIONS AND A JUST IMMIGRATION SYSTEM. (THE REVENUE REPORTED HERE IS THE AMOUNT OF EXEMPT FUNCTION REVENUE FROM FORM 990, PART VIII, COLUMN (B) ALLOCATED TO THIS PROGRAM.)
CHILDREN'S RIGHTS PROJECT: CRP SERVES CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND THEIR FAMILIES ON A VARIETY OF LEGAL ISSUES, INCLUDING ADOPTION, PROBATE LEGAL GUARDIANSHIP, PUBLIC BENEFITS, SPECIAL EDUCATION AND SCHOOL PUSH-OUT ISSUES, AND ISSUES IMPACTING TRANSITION AGE YOUTH. WE USE A MULTI-DISCIPLINARY APPROACH TO LEGAL ADVOCACY WITH THE TRAUMA-INFORMED AND RESILIENCY-FOCUSED TOOLS OF OUR SOCIAL WORKERS SUPPORTING THE WORK OF OUR LEGAL ADVOCATES TO REMOVE LEGAL BARRIERS FOR CHILDREN, YOUTH, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITIES OF COLOR MOST IMPACTED BY SYSTEMIC RACISM AND ECONOMIC INJUSTICE. WE FIGHT FOR THE DIGNITY OF OUR CLIENTS THROUGH DIRECT LEGAL SERVICES, COMMUNITY-LED LOCAL POLICY WORK, IMPACT LITIGATION, AND STATEWIDE LEGISLATIVE TRANSFORMATION. (THE REVENUE REPORTED HERE IS THE AMOUNT OF EXEMPT FUNCTION REVENUE FROM FORM 990, PART VIII, COLUMN (B) ALLOCATED TO THIS PROGRAM.)
HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION LAW PROJECT: THE PROJECT'S STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS CONTRIBUTE TO THE CREATION OF A STRONG SOCIAL SAFETY NET IN OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES THROUGH SERVICES SUCH AS TENANT COUNSELING, EVICTION DEFENSE, FIGHTING FINES FOR QUALITY-OF-LIFE INFRACTIONS AND MISDEMEANORS, AND GOVERNMENT BENEFITS ADVOCACY. THEY PROVIDE ADVOCACY AND ADVICE TO IMPOVERISHED, HUNGRY, AND HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS TO HELP THEM SECURE SHELTER, FOOD, TRANSPORTATION, HEALTHCARE, AND SOCIAL SERVICES. LEGAL CLINICS IN PARTS OF THE COUNTY WHERE FAMILIES ARE AT GREATER RISK OF HOMELESSNESS HELP CLIENTS ACCESS CASH AID, TRANSITIONAL HOUSING, AND OTHER ESSENTIAL BENEFITS. THE PROJECT ALSO PROVIDES PRO BONO EVICTION DEFENSE REPRESENTATION AS PART OF A PILOT PROGRAM TO DEMONSTRATE THE IMPORTANCE OF LEGAL REPRESENTATION IN EVICTION MATTERS. THE PREVENTING AND ENDING HOMELESSNESS TEAM REPRESENTS HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES, AND PEOPLE AT RISK OF HOMELESSNESS IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY SERVICE PLANNING AREA 6 IN PARTNERSHIP WITH COUNTYWIDE EFFORTS TO END HOMELESSNESS. (THE REVENUE REPORTED HERE IS THE AMOUNT OF EXEMPT FUNCTION REVENUE FROM FORM 990, PART VIII, COLUMN (B) ALLOCATED TO THIS PROGRAM.)
Name (title) | Role | Hours | Compensation |
---|---|---|---|
Margaret Morrow President & CEO | Officer | 55 | $247,388 |
Mark Rosenbaum Directing Attorney | Officer | 55 | $228,629 |
Tracy Rice VP Development & Cdo | Officer | 55 | $190,844 |
Lynne Bolen VP Finance & CFO | Officer | 55 | $183,829 |
Cindy Panuco VP Chief Program Officer | 55 | $146,242 | |
Judith London Directing Attorney | 55 | $140,300 |
Vendor Name (Service) | Service Year | Compensation |
---|---|---|
Public Interest Law Project Legal Services | 8/30/19 | $177,432 |
Gibson Dunn & Crutcher Llp Legal Services | 8/30/19 | $122,425 |
Arnold P Peter Apc Dba Peter Law Grou Legal Services | 8/30/19 | $106,500 |
Statement of Revenue | |
---|---|
Federated campaigns | $0 |
Membership dues | $0 |
Fundraising events | $2,486,094 |
Related organizations | $0 |
Government grants | $5,142,314 |
All other contributions, gifts, grants, and similar amounts not included above | $13,136,783 |
Noncash contributions included in lines 1a–1f | $48,024 |
Total Revenue from Contributions, Gifts, Grants & Similar | $20,765,191 |
Total Program Service Revenue | $1,747,528 |
Investment income | $29,426 |
Tax Exempt Bond Proceeds | $0 |
Royalties | $0 |
Net Rental Income | $11,326 |
Net Gain/Loss on Asset Sales | $164,494 |
Net Income from Fundraising Events | -$103,576 |
Net Income from Gaming Activities | $0 |
Net Income from Sales of Inventory | $0 |
Miscellaneous Revenue | $0 |
Total Revenue | $22,640,331 |
Statement of Expenses | |
---|---|
Grants and other assistance to domestic organizations and domestic governments. | $0 |
Grants and other assistance to domestic individuals. | $15,000 |
Grants and other assistance to Foreign Orgs/Individuals | $0 |
Benefits paid to or for members | $0 |
Compensation of current officers, directors, key employees. | $987,432 |
Compensation of current officers, directors, key employees. | $263,668 |
Compensation to disqualified persons | $0 |
Other salaries and wages | $10,435,597 |
Pension plan accruals and contributions | $430,268 |
Other employee benefits | $1,131,807 |
Payroll taxes | $810,581 |
Fees for services: Management | $0 |
Fees for services: Legal | $79,125 |
Fees for services: Accounting | $77,070 |
Fees for services: Lobbying | $0 |
Fees for services: Fundraising | $0 |
Fees for services: Investment Management | $22,322 |
Fees for services: Other | $545,041 |
Advertising and promotion | $0 |
Office expenses | $111,423 |
Information technology | $0 |
Royalties | $0 |
Occupancy | $302,907 |
Travel | $12,370 |
Payments of travel or entertainment expenses for any federal, state, or local public officials | $0 |
Conferences, conventions, and meetings | $0 |
Interest | $0 |
Payments to affiliates | $0 |
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization | $147,026 |
Insurance | $81,919 |
All other expenses | $44,476 |
Total functional expenses | $15,480,138 |
Balance Sheet | |
---|---|
Cash—non-interest-bearing | $4,857,578 |
Savings and temporary cash investments | $3,498,005 |
Pledges and grants receivable | $3,955,469 |
Accounts receivable, net | $1,345,016 |
Loans from Officers, Directors, or Controlling Persons | $0 |
Loans from Disqualified Persons | $0 |
Notes and loans receivable | $0 |
Inventories for sale or use | $0 |
Prepaid expenses and deferred charges | $209,717 |
Net Land, buildings, and equipment | $4,917,182 |
Investments—publicly traded securities | $7,005,059 |
Investments—other securities | $4,786,503 |
Investments—program-related | $0 |
Intangible assets | $0 |
Other assets | $0 |
Total assets | $30,574,529 |
Accounts payable and accrued expenses | $2,649,413 |
Grants payable | $0 |
Deferred revenue | $2,439,421 |
Tax-exempt bond liabilities | $0 |
Escrow or custodial account liability | $0 |
Loans and other payables to any current Officer, Director, or Controlling Person | $0 |
Secured mortgages and notes payable | $0 |
Unsecured mortgages and notes payable | $0 |
Other liabilities | $997,479 |
Total liabilities | $6,086,313 |
Net assets without donor restrictions | $20,300,224 |
Net assets with donor restrictions | $4,187,992 |
Capital stock or trust principal, or current funds | $0 |
Paid-in or capital surplus, or land, building, or equipment fund | $0 |
Retained earnings, endowment, accumulated income, or other funds | $0 |
Total liabilities and net assets/fund balances | $30,574,529 |
Over the last fiscal year, Public Counsel has awarded $110,000 in support to 4 organizations.
Grant Recipient | Amount |
---|---|
Brooklyn, NY PURPOSE: THIS SERVICES AGREEMENT SUBGRANT IS ENTERED INTO BETWEEN PUBLIC COUNSEL AND COMMUNITY POWER COLLECTIVE ("CPC") | $30,000 |
Brooklyn, NY PURPOSE: THIS SERVICES AGREEMENT SUBGRANT IS ENTERED INTO BETWEEN PUBLIC COUNSEL AND COMMUNITY POWER COLLECTIVE ("CPC") | $30,000 |
Glendale, CA PURPOSE: THIS SERVICES AGREEMENT IS A SUBGRANT UNDER THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE L.A. CARE HEALTH PLAN GRANT AGREEMENT TO PUBLIC COUNSEL FOR A COMMUNITY HEALTH INVESTMENT FUND ("CHIF) HOUSING STABILITY I INITIATIVE | $25,000 |
Glendale, CA PURPOSE: THIS SERVICES AGREEMENT IS A SUBGRANT UNDER THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE L.A. CARE HEALTH PLAN GRANT AGREEMENT TO PUBLIC COUNSEL FOR A COMMUNITY HEALTH INVESTMENT FUND ("CHIF) HOUSING STABILITY I INITIATIVE | $25,000 |
Over the last fiscal year, we have identified 61 grants that Public Counsel has recieved totaling $4,233,387.
Awarding Organization | Amount |
---|---|
Conrad N Hilton Foundation Westlake Village, CA PURPOSE: TO SUPPORT INDIVIDUAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE AND SYSTEMS ADVOCACY TO IMPROVE OUTCOMES FOR YOUTH IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY FOSTER CARE. | $700,000 |
Legal Aid Foundation Of Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA PURPOSE: Client legal assistance through sub-grants | $651,297 |
Conrad N Hilton Foundation Westlake Village, CA PURPOSE: TO SUPPORT INDIVIDUAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE AND SYSTEMS ADVOCACY TO IMPROVE OUTCOMES FOR YOUTH IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY FOSTER CARE. | $650,000 |
Smidt Foundation Beverly Hills, CA PURPOSE: GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $160,000 |
Tides Foundation San Francisco, CA PURPOSE: EQUITY, HUMAN RIGHTS, AND ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT | $150,000 |
James Irvine Foundation San Francisco, CA PURPOSE: TO INCREASE HOUSING JUSTICE IN CA | $150,000 |
Beg. Balance | $914,927 |
Earnings | $375,410 |
Net Contributions | $2,655,127 |
Ending Balance | $3,945,464 |
Organization Name | Assets | Revenue |
---|---|---|
Los Angeles Dependency Lawyers Inc Monterey Park, CA | $39,214,878 | $50,224,701 |
Federal Defenders Of San Diego Inc San Diego, CA | $4,535,681 | $32,559,849 |
Legal Aid Foundation Of Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA | $44,798,042 | $33,430,968 |
Centro Legal De La Raza Inc Oakland, CA | $11,440,171 | $21,545,671 |
Bay Area Legal Aid Oakland, CA | $17,967,093 | $22,860,765 |
Pacific Legal Foundation Sacramento, CA | $76,776,179 | $28,245,541 |
Neighborhood Legal Services Of Los Angeles County Glendale, CA | $15,484,574 | $19,079,887 |
California Rural Legal Assistance Inc Oakland, CA | $14,600,496 | $20,882,280 |
Legal Aid Society Of San Diego San Diego, CA | $15,145,816 | $17,326,996 |
Metropolitan Public Defender Service Inc Portland, OR | $8,044,816 | $18,356,669 |
Inner City Law Center Los Angeles, CA | $17,738,196 | $17,206,542 |
Public Counsel Los Angeles, CA | $30,574,529 | $22,640,331 |