Legal Aid of Southeast and Central Ohio
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE MISSION OF LEGAL AID OF SOUTHEAST AND CENTRAL OHIO (LASCO) IS TO PROVIDE CIVIL LEGAL AID AND ADVOCACY TO OVERCOME UNFAIRNESS AND INJUSTICE TO REDUCE POVERTY AND INCREASE OPPORTUNITY. LASCO OFFERS FREE NONCRIMINAL LEGAL HELP FOR PEOPLE WITH LOW INCOMES, VETERANS, AND SENIORS IN 36 OHIO COUNTIES.
- Income
- $23.7 million
- Spending
- $21.9 million
- Spent on programs
- 89%
- Reserves
- 9.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 95%
- Employees
- 201
- Volunteers
- 600
- Highest pay
- $245,229, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 89 out of 100. Higher than 77% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 9.9 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 29% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 8% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 87% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1589% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2540 of 40 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (1)
- $19.5 million spent. LEGAL AID OF SOUTHEAST AND CENTRAL OHIO (LASCO) IS COMMITTED TO SEARCHING OUT THE PATTERNS, CAUSES, AND SOLUTIONS TO THE REPETITIVE AND FUNDAMENTAL LEGAL PROBLEMS FACING LOW INCOME OHIOANS AND PURSUING THE LEGAL RECOURSE NEEDED TO ADDRESS THOSE PROBLEMS THROUGH REPRESENTATION AND ADVOCATION FOR LOW-INCOME OHIOANS IN 36 COUNTIES, AND THE OHIO POVERTY LAW CENTER (OPLC) WHICH ENGAGES IN LEGISLATIVE AND ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY RESEARCH, ANALYSIS AND ADVOCACY. IN 2024, LASCO PROVIDED LEGAL SERVICES TO 14,908 CLIENTS INCLUDING: 793 VETERANS, 4,419 CLIENTS WITH DISABILITIES, 3,325 SENIORS (60+) AND 1,629 SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.SEE SCHEDULE O FOR CONTINUATIONSINCE 1966, LASCO HAS HELPED THOUSANDS OF OHIO'S POOR OBTAIN AND KEEP HOUSING, SECURE PUBLIC BENEFITS, FIGHT VIOLATIONS OF CONSUMER PROTECTION LAWS, AND WORKED WITH FAMILIES TO GAIN AND MAINTAIN ECONOMIC STABILITY. LASCO HAS HELPED DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS TO LIVE FREE OF FEAR AND ABUSE AND TO OBTAIN THE RESOURCES NEEDED TO SUSTAIN THEMSELVES AND THEIR CHILDREN. OUR ADVOCATES ALSO SERVE IN LEADERSHIP ROLES IN COMMUNITY GROUPS, BOARDS, AND TASK FORCES WORKING TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF LOW-INCOME RESIDENTS AT THE LOCAL AND STATE LEVEL.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since May 1966.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.