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Legal Aid of Western Ohio Inc

EIN 34-1485732 · Toledo, OH

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak38 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It owes more than it owns.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

LEGAL AID OF WESTERN OHIO, INC. (LAWO) IS A NON-PROFIT LAW FIRM THAT CHAMPIONS EQUITY AND JUSTICE THROUGH CLIENT-CENTERED COMMUNITY COLLABORATION AND TRANSFORMATIVE LEGAL ADVOCACY.

Income
$9.0 million
Spending
$9.0 million
Spent on programs
96%
Reserves
-0.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 74%
Employees
83
Volunteers
376
Highest pay
$197,470, executive director (left oct. 2025)

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

Weak: 38 out of 100. Higher than 5% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    0 of 20

    It owes 138% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 5% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    96% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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 57% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    25 of 25 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports 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)
  1. $8.7 million spent. LAWO REPRESENTS CLIENTS IN SEVERAL AREAS OF LAW, INCLUDING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND OTHER FAMILY-LAW RELATED ISSUES; HOUSING, INCLUDING ISSUES SURROUNDING PUBLIC HOUSING AND HOUSING CONDITIONS; ACCESS TO GOVERNMENT BENEFITS; DEBT COLLECTION DEFENSE AND BANKRUPTCY; CONSUMER FRAUD ISSUES; EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT; AND THE LEGAL PROBLEMS THAT AGRICULTURAL WORKERS, VETERANS, THE HOMELESS, AND OLDER ADULTS FACE.EACH YEAR LAWO'S EXPERIENCED STAFF OF ATTORNEYS, PARALEGALS, AND SUPPORT PERSONNEL PROVIDE HIGH QUALITY LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO THOUSANDS OF INDIVIDUALS AND GROUPS LIVING IN POVERTY THROUGHOUT 32 COUNTIES IN NORTHWEST AND WEST CENTRAL OHIO AND AGRICULTURAL WORKERS THROUGHOUT THE STATE. WE HAVE OFFICES LOCATED IN DAYTON, DEFIANCE, FINDLAY, LIMA, SANDUSKY, SPRINGFIELD, AND TOLEDO.IN 2024 WE MET THE LEGAL NEEDS OF OUR CLIENTS WORKING IN CONJUNCTION WITH OUR PARTNER LAW FIRM, ADVOCATES FOR BASIC LEGAL EQUALITY, INC. (ABLE). THE SERVICES WE PROVIDED BENEFITED CHILDREN, OLDER ADULTS, VETERANS, IMMIGRANTS, PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES, SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, PERSONS WITHOUT HEALTH INSURANCE, FAMILIES FACING EVICTION AND FORECLOSURE, HOMELESS CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, CHILDREN STRUGGLING TO SECURE APPROPRIATE EDUCATION SERVICES, AND AGRICULTURAL WORKERS, AMONG OTHERS. OUR ATTORNEYS AND ADVOCATES WORK IN AREAS THAT PRIVATE ATTORNEYS USUALLY DO NOT, INCLUDING REPRESENTATION OF TENANTS, LOW-INCOME HOMEOWNERS, IMMIGRANTS, VETERANS, PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, AND PEOPLE SEEKING GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE.WHAT WE DO IS IMPORTANT TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY. WE PROVIDE POWERFUL SOLUTIONS TO CRITICAL SOCIETAL ISSUES. THROUGH OUR EFFORTS, MILLIONS OF DOLLARS ARE RETURNED TO THE COMMUNITY OR SAVED FOR OUR CLIENTS. WE CONSERVE VALUABLE COMMUNITY RESOURCES BY ADDRESSING ISSUES BEFORE THEY BECOME A CRISIS AND WORK WITH OTHER NON-PROFIT SERVICE PROVIDERS TO PROVIDE A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO ADVOCACY FOR LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES.TOGETHER LAWO AND ABLE CONSTITUTE THE LARGEST PROVIDERS OF FREE, COMPREHENSIVE CIVIL LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO LOW-INCOME PERSONS IN OHIO. OVER 23% OF OHIO'S POVERTY POPULATION LIVES IN OUR 32 COUNTY SERVICE AREA. LAWO ALSO SERVES AGRICULTURAL WORKERS THROUGHOUT THE STATE. OURADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES AND HEADQUARTERS ARE LOCATED IN TOLEDO AT THE CENTER FOR EQUAL JUSTICE. IN 2024, LAWO RECEIVED 15,721 REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE AND CLOSED 5,198 CASES. OUR ADVOCACY IN 2024 BENEFITED 15,721 INDIVIDUALS. LAWO ALSO SECURED $6,656,240 IN TOTAL MONETARY AWARDS FOR ITS CLIENTS.

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

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since October 1985.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. 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.