The Commons Law Center
- Assets
- $331.2k
- Revenue
- $1.0m
- Investments
- $0.0
- Employees
- 23
- Location
- Portland, OR
- Founding
- 03/2017
- Data as of
- 12/2022
- EIN
- 81-2672973
Organization Overview
The Commons Law Center is located in Portland, OR. The organization was established in 2017. According to its NTEE Classification (B60) the organization is classified as: Adult Education, under the broad grouping of Education and related organizations. As of 12/2022, Commons Law Center employed 23 individuals. This organization is an independent organization and not affiliated with a larger national or regional group of organizations. Commons Law Center 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 12/2022, Commons Law Center generated $1.0m in total revenue. This organization has experienced exceptional growth, as over the past 4 years, it has increased revenue by an average of 46.2% each year . All expenses for the organization totaled $932.2k during the year ending 12/2022. While expenses have increased by 48.7% per year over the past 4 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
2022
Describe the Organization's Mission:
Part 3 - Line 1
PROVIDE COMMUNITY LEGAL EDUCATION, PRACTICING TRAINING FOR LAWYERS AND LAW STUDENTS, AND SLIDING SCALE LEGAL SERVICES TO INCOME QUALIFIED PEOPLE.
Describe the Organization's Program Activity:
Part 3 - Line 4a
WITH AN ALARMING LACK OF TENANTDEFENSELAWYERS IN OREGON, THE COMMONSASSISTED MORE THAN390 RENTERS ON THEIR RIGHTS, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE OPTIONS.SINCE RE-LAUNCHINGTHE PROGRAM,WE RECEIVED 786INQUIRIES VIA PHONE AND WEBSUBMISSION, PROVIDEDLEGAL ADVICE TO 236 PEOPLE,ANDTAKEN ON 57 CLIENTS FOR REPRESENTATION OR TARGETED LEGAL ADVICE. INQUIRIES HAVE COME IN FROM 26 COUNTIES, 36% MULTNOMAH, 13% WASHINGTON, 8% JACKSON, 5% CLACKAMAS, 3% MARION, 3% UMATILLA. OUR CLIENTSLIVE IN17 COUNTIES ACROSS OREGON, WITH 25% FROM MULTNOMAH.
THE COMMONS PARTNERED WITH THREE OREGON LAW SCHOOLS TO LAUNCH A COLLABORATIVE AND INNOVATIVE TENANT DEFENSE SKILLS COURSE, INCLUDING DEVELOPMENT OF A CURRICULUM FOCUSED ON PRACTICAL SKILLS TO TEACH A COHORT OF 18 STUDENTS (6 FROM EACH SCHOOL). THE CLASS PROVIDES TRAINING IN THE SKILLS NEEDED FOR STUDENTS TO PRACTICE TENANT DEFENSE AS WELL AS LEARN THE BASICS OF CLIENT INTAKE AND REPRESENTATION. WE PILOTED THE COURSE IN JANUARY 2023 AFTER COLLABORATING WITH THE LAW SCHOOLS TO BUILD CURRICULUM IN 2022.
WITH AN ALARMING LACK OF TENANT DEFENCE LAWYERS IN OREGON, THE COMMONS PARTNERED WITH THE THREE OREGON LAW SCHOOLS TO LAUNCH A COLLABORATIVE AND INNOVATE TENANT DEFENSE SKILLS CLASS. THE COMMONS DEVELOPED A CURRICULUM FOCUSED ON PRACTICAL SKILLS TO TEACH A COHORT OF 18 (6 STUDENTS FROM EACH SCHOOL). THE PURPOSE OF THE CLASS IS PROVIDE THE PRACTICAL SKILLS NEEDED FOR STUDENTS TO PRACTIVE TENANT DEFENSE, HAVE ACTUAL SKILLS USEFUL FOR THIER PRACTICE AND TO LEARN THE BASIC OF INTAKE AND REPRESENTATION. CURRICULUM BUILDING AND COLLABORATION OCCURED IN 2022. THE CLASS LAUNCHED IN JANUARY 2023.
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Board, Officers & Key Employees
| Name (title) | Role | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
Amanda Caffall Executive Dir/secretary | OfficerTrustee | 45 | $55,244 |
Kimberly Pray Board Secretary | OfficerTrustee | 2 | $0 |
John Grant Board President | OfficerTrustee | 8 | $16,000 |
Lewis Landerholm Board Treasurer | OfficerTrustee | 2 | $0 |
Carlotta Alverson Board Director | Trustee | 2 | $0 |
Tom Brim Board Director | Trustee | 2 | $0 |
Financial Statements
| Statement of Revenue | |
|---|---|
| Federated campaigns | $0 |
| Membership dues | $0 |
| Fundraising events | $0 |
| Related organizations | $0 |
| Government grants | $0 |
| All other contributions, gifts, grants, and similar amounts not included above | $543,722 |
| Noncash contributions included in lines 1a–1f | $0 |
| Total Revenue from Contributions, Gifts, Grants & Similar | $543,722 |
| Total Program Service Revenue | $501,097 |
| Investment income | $1,145 |
| Tax Exempt Bond Proceeds | $0 |
| Royalties | $0 |
| Net Rental Income | $0 |
| Net Gain/Loss on Asset Sales | $0 |
| Net Income from Fundraising Events | $0 |
| Net Income from Gaming Activities | $0 |
| Net Income from Sales of Inventory | $0 |
| Miscellaneous Revenue | $0 |
| Total Revenue | $1,045,964 |
| Statement of Expenses | |
|---|---|
| Grants and other assistance to domestic organizations and domestic governments. | $0 |
| Grants and other assistance to domestic individuals. | $200 |
| Grants and other assistance to Foreign Orgs/Individuals | $0 |
| Benefits paid to or for members | $0 |
| Compensation of current officers, directors, key employees. | $76,369 |
| Compensation of current officers, directors, key employees. | $8,662 |
| Compensation to disqualified persons | $0 |
| Other salaries and wages | $536,560 |
| Pension plan accruals and contributions | $0 |
| Other employee benefits | $22,294 |
| Payroll taxes | $63,151 |
| Fees for services: Management | $0 |
| Fees for services: Legal | $17,129 |
| Fees for services: Accounting | $14,626 |
| Fees for services: Lobbying | $0 |
| Fees for services: Fundraising | $0 |
| Fees for services: Investment Management | $0 |
| Fees for services: Other | $71,636 |
| Advertising and promotion | $1,578 |
| Office expenses | $24,949 |
| Information technology | $9,107 |
| Royalties | $0 |
| Occupancy | $19,000 |
| Travel | $31 |
| 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 | $2,306 |
| Insurance | $24,709 |
| All other expenses | $0 |
| Total functional expenses | $932,249 |
| Balance Sheet | |
|---|---|
| Cash—non-interest-bearing | $290,247 |
| Savings and temporary cash investments | $0 |
| Pledges and grants receivable | $0 |
| Accounts receivable, net | $32,839 |
| 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 | $0 |
| Net Land, buildings, and equipment | $8,154 |
| Investments—publicly traded securities | $0 |
| Investments—other securities | $0 |
| Investments—program-related | $0 |
| Intangible assets | $0 |
| Other assets | $0 |
| Total assets | $331,240 |
| Accounts payable and accrued expenses | $4,057 |
| Grants payable | $0 |
| Deferred revenue | $0 |
| 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 | $24,400 |
| Other liabilities | $57,543 |
| Total liabilities | $86,000 |
| Net assets without donor restrictions | $0 |
| Net assets with donor restrictions | $0 |
| 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 | $331,240 |