Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
LACSN'S MISSION IS THE PRESERVATION OF ACCESS TO JUSTICE AND THE PROVISION OF QUALITY LEGAL COUNSEL, ADVICE AND REPRESENTATION FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE UNABLE TO PROTECT THEIR RIGHTS BECAUSE THEY CANNOT AFFORD AN ATTORNEY.
- Income
- $39.6 million
- Spending
- $25.4 million
- Spent on programs
- 91%
- Reserves
- 9.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 53%
- Employees
- 246
- Volunteers
- 710
- Highest pay
- $268,468, executive di
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
Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 9.6 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 9% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 36% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 11% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1591% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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 40% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2510 of 13 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 (5)
- $7.7 million spent. CHILDREN'S ATTORNEYS PROJECT PROVIDES FREE COUNSEL, ADVICE AND REPRESENTATION TO ABUSED AND NEGLECTED CHILDREN WHO HAVE BEEN REMOVED FROM THEIR HOMES. GENERALLY, ONCE A CHILD HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM PARENTAL CUSTODY, A COURT HEARING TO DETERMINE FAMILY REUNIFICATION, PERMANENCY PLANNING, OR TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS IS NECESSARY. THE CHILDREN'S ATTORNEYS PROJECT PROVIDES SERVICES TO CHILDREN WHO HAVE NOT HAD THE BENEFIT OF ATTORNEY REPRESENTATION IN COURT.
- $3.5 million spent. ITS GUARDIANSHIP ADVOCACY PROJECT PROVIDES REPRESENTATION TO VULNERABLE SENIOR CITIZENS AND INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES WHOSE CIVIL RIGHTS AND PROPERTY ARE AT SIGNIFICANT RISK OF EXPLOITATION AND LOSS. THE PROJECT PROVIDES A VOICE IN COURT PROCEEDINGS FOR SENIORS AND INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES. LEGAL AID CENTER'S CONSUMER RIGHTS PROJECT HELP FAMILIES REACH SELF-SUFFICIENCY BY RESOLVING CONSUMER-RELATED PROBLEMS SUCH AS FORECLOSURE, PREDATORY LENDING, AND CAR REPOSSESSIONS. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO ASSISTS INDIVIDUALS WITH SERIOUS ILLNESSES WHO HAVE BEEN DENIED SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS. THOSE EXPENSES ARE ALLOCATED UNDER CONSUMER RIGHTS PROJECT IN THE STATEMENT OF FUNCTIONAL EXPENSES. LEGAL AID CENTER'S GUARDIANSHIP ADVOCACY PROGRAM PROVIDES REPRESENTATION TO INDIVIDUALS AND ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES WHO ARE FACING OR UNDER GUARDIANSHIP TO ENSURE THE PERSON'S LEGAL RIGHTS ARE PROTECTED. CASES ARE REFERRED TO THE GUARDIANSHIP ADVOCACY PROGRAM FROM THE COURT. ITS GUARDIANSHIP ADVOCACY PROJECT PROVIDES REPRESENTATION TO VULNERABLE SENIOR CITIZENS AND INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES WHOSE CIVIL RIGHTS AND PROPERTY ARE AT SIGNIFICANT RISK OF EXPLOITATION AND LOSS. THE PROJECT PROVIDES A VOICE IN COURT PROCEEDINGS FOR SENIORS AND INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES. LEGAL AID CENTER'S CONSUMER RIGHTS PROJECT HELP FAMILIES REACH SELF-SUFFICIENCY BY RESOLVING CONSUMER-RELATED PROBLEMS SUCH AS FORECLOSURE, PREDATORY LENDING, AND CAR REPOSSESSIONS. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO ASSISTS INDIVIDUALS WITH SERIOUS ILLNESSES WHO HAVE BEEN DENIED SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS. THOSE EXPENSES ARE ALLOCATED UNDER CONSUMER RIGHTS PROJECT IN THE STATEMENT OF FUNCTIONAL EXPENSES. LEGAL AID CENTER'S GUARDIANSHIP ADVOCACY PROGRAM PROVIDES REPRESENTATION TO INDIVIDUALS AND ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES WHO ARE FACING OR UNDER GUARDIANSHIP TO ENSURE THE PERSON'S LEGAL RIGHTS ARE PROTECTED. CASES ARE REFERRED TO THE GUARDIANSHIP ADVOCACY PROGRAM FROM THE COURT.
- $3.3 million spent. THE FAMILY JUSTICE PROJECT PROVIDES DIRECT LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE WHO OTHERWISE COULD NOT AFFORD LEGAL REPRESENTATION. VICTIMS LEAVING ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIPS OFTEN REQUIRE EXTENDED PROTECTIVE ORDERS AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OR STALKING AND HARASSMENT, CHILD CUSTODY/CHILD SUPPORT ORDERS AND/OR DIVORCES, INTERCESSION WITH LANDLORDS OR EMPLOYERS, AND OTHER ASSISTANCE IN ESTABLISHING AND MAINTAINING A SAFE HOUSEHOLD (I.E. IMMIGRATION ASSISTANCE, COUNSELING ON HOW TO ESTABLISH INDEPENDENT CREDIT, ETC.). THIS PROGRAM LEVELS THE PLAYING FIELD FOR A VICTIM WHO OTHERWISE SUFFERS INTIMIDATION FROM A BETTER FINANCED BATTERER.
- $8.6 million spent. LEGAL AID CENTER OF SOUTHERN NEVADA PROVIDES FREE LEGAL COUNSEL, ADVICE AND REPRESENTATION TO LOW INCOME INDIVIDUALS WHO CANNOT AFFORD AN ATTORNEY. THE PRO BONO PROJECT PROVIDES PLACEMENT SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS NEEDING LEGAL REPRESENTATION WITH AN ISSUE NOT REGULARLY HANDLED BY THE ORGANIZATION'S STAFF ATTORNEYS, OR WITH MATTERS THAT CANNOT BE HANDLED BY THE ATTORNEYS DUE TO LIMITED AVAILABILITY OF RESOURCES. THE PRO BONO PROJECT RECRUITS PRIVATE ATTORNEYS TO VOLUNTEER THEIR TIME TO PROVIDE FREE LEGAL REPRESENTATION TO LOW-INCOME RESIDENTS IN ALL OF OUR PROGRAM AREAS INCLUDING FAMILY LAW, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, ABUSED/NEGLECTED CHILDREN, BANKRUPTCY, REAL ESTATE FRAUD, GUARDIANSHIP, AND CONSUMER FRAUD. THE PRO BONO PROJECT ALSO RUNS A VARIETY OF ASK-A-LAWYER PROGRAMS WHERE UNREPRESENTED PEOPLE CAN MEET ONE-ON-ONE WITH AN ATTORNEY TO DISCUSS THEIR CASE. THE CIVIL LAW SELF-HELP CENTER PROVIDES LEGAL INFORMATION AND FORMS TO THOSE WISHING TO REPRESENT THEMSELVES IN CIVIL MATTERS IN THE CLARK COUNTY COURT SYSTEM. TYPES OF MATTERS INCLUDE SMALL CLAIMS, EVICTIONS, HOUSING, HARASSMENT, AND LAWSUITS AND JUDGMENTS FOR MONEY. THE MISSION OF THE CIVIL LAW SELF-HELP CENTER IS TO INCREASE INFORMED ACCESS TO THE COURT BY PROVIDING EDUCATION, INFORMATION, LEGAL FORMS, COMMUNITY REFERRALS, AND SUPPORT SERVICES TO SELF-REPRESENTED CIVIL LITIGANTS, REGARDLESS OF THEIR INCOME. THE ORGANIZATION OPERATES AND STAFFS THE CIVIL LAW SELF-HELP CENTER UNDER A CONTRACT WITH THE COURTS. THE CIVIL LAW SELF-HELP CENTER ALSO HOUSES A NEIGHBORHOOD JUSTICE CENTER MEDIATOR ON SITE AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO LITIGATION. THE FAMILY LAW SELF-HELP CENTER PROVIDES LEGAL INFORMATION AND FORMS TO THOSE WISHING TO REPRESENT THEMSELVES IN DOMESTIC MATTERS IN THE CLARK COUNTY COURT SYSTEM. TYPES OF MATTERS INCLUDE DIVORCE, CUSTODY AND PATERNITY, SEPARATION, ANNULMENT, PROTECTION ORDERS, CHILD SUPPORT, GUARDIANSHIP, PROBATE, AND JUVENILE MATTERS. THE MISSION OF THE FAMILY LAW SELF-HELP CENTER IS TO INCREASE INFORMED ACCESS TO THE COURT BY PROVIDING EDUCATION, INFORMATION, LEGAL FORMS, COMMUNITY REFERRALS, AND SUPPORT SERVICES TO SELF-REPRESENTED CIVIL LITIGANTS, REGARDLESS OF THEIR INCOME. THE ORGANIZATION OPERATES AND STAFFS THE FAMILY LAW SELF-HELP CENTER UNDER A CONTRACT WITH THE EIGHTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT. THE RESILIENCY AND JUSTICE CENTER, FORMERLY KNOWN AS, THE VEGAS STRONG RESILIENCY CENTER (VSRC) IS A PLACE OF HEALING AND SUPPORT DEDICATED TO SERVING AS A MULTI-AGENCY RESOURCE AND REFERRAL CENTER FOR RESIDENTS, VISITORS AND RESPONDERS AFFECTED BY THE SHOOTING AT THE ROUTE 91 HARVEST FESTIVAL. THE CENTER IS MANAGED BY LEGAL AID CENTER OF SOUTHERN NEVADA, AND IS STAFFED BY KNOWLEDGEABLE AND CARING PROFESSIONALS TO HELP PEOPLE ACCESS RESOURCES TO HELP THEM BUILD STRENGTH AND RESILIENCY IN THE AFTERMATH OF THIS INCIDENT. ANYONE IMPACTED BY 1 OCTOBER OR OTHER VIOLENT CRIME IS WELCOME TO CALL, EMAIL OR VISIT THE RESILIENCY CENTER. SERVICES THAT ARE AVAILABLE INCLUDE VICTIM ADVOCACY AND SUPPORT, CASE MANAGEMENT, COUNSELING AND SPIRITUAL CARE REFERRALS, AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE WITH APPLYING FOR ONLINE SERVICES INCLUDING FBI VICTIM ASSISTANCE SERVICES. FREE CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE INCLUDING LEGAL CONSULTATIONS AND POSSIBLE LEGAL REPRESENTATION FOR ISSUES INVOLVING INSURANCE MATTERS, MEDICAL BILLING PROBLEMS, DEBT COLLECTION, HOUSING AND EVICTIONS, FAMILY LAW MATTERS AND MORE. THE CULINARY & BARTENDERS UNIONS LEGAL SERVICES FUND WAS DEVELOPED THROUGH A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE CULINARY WORKERS UNION LOCAL 226, UNITE HERE BARTENDERS UNION LOCAL 165, PARTICIPATING EMPLOYERS, AND LEGAL AID CENTER OF SOUTHERN NEVADA TO HELP SAFEGUARD THE LEGAL AND ECONOMIC WELLBEING OF ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEES AND THEIR FAMILIES. FOR HOTEL, CASINO, AND OTHER EMPLOYEES ELIGIBLE UNDER THE LEGAL SERVICE FUND, LEGAL AID CENTER OF SOUTHERN NEVADA HAS A TEAM OF ATTORNEYS AND ADVOCATES THAT HELP WITH LEGAL MATTERS INCLUDING IMMIGRATION, BANKRUPTCY, HOUSING, TENANT'S RIGHTS, POWERS OF ATTORNEY AND HEALTHCARE DIRECTIVES, AND FAMILY LAW INFORMATION.
- LEGAL AID CENTER OF SOUTHERN NEVADA PROVIDES FREE LEGAL COUNSEL, ADVICE AND REPRESENTATION TO LOW INCOME INDIVIDUALS WHO CANNOT AFFORD AN ATTORNEY. THE PRO BONO PROJECT PROVIDES PLACEMENT SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS NEEDING LEGAL REPRESENTATION WITH AN ISSUE NOT REGULARLY HANDLED BY THE ORGANIZATION'S STAFF ATTORNEYS, OR WITH MATTERS THAT CANNOT BE HANDLED BY THE ATTORNEYS DUE TO LIMITED AVAILABILITY OF RESOURCES. THE PRO BONO PROJECT RECRUITS PRIVATE ATTORNEYS TO VOLUNTEER THEIR TIME TO PROVIDE FREE LEGAL REPRESENTATION TO LOW-INCOME RESIDENTS IN ALL OF OUR PROGRAM AREAS INCLUDING FAMILY LAW, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, ABUSED/NEGLECTED CHILDREN, BANKRUPTCY, REAL ESTATE FRAUD, GUARDIANSHIP, AND CONSUMER FRAUD. THE PRO BONO PROJECT ALSO RUNS A VARIETY OF ASK-A-LAWYER PROGRAMS WHERE UNREPRESENTED PEOPLE CAN MEET ONE-ON-ONE WITH AN ATTORNEY TO DISCUSS THEIR CASE. THE CIVIL LAW SELF-HELP CENTER PROVIDES LEGAL INFORMATION AND FORMS TO THOSE WISHING TO REPRESENT THEMSELVES IN CIVIL MATTERS IN THE CLARK COUNTY COURT SYSTEM. TYPES OF MATTERS INCLUDE SMALL CLAIMS, EVICTIONS, HOUSING, HARASSMENT, AND LAWSUITS AND JUDGMENTS FOR MONEY. THE MISSION OF THE CIVIL LAW SELF-HELP CENTER IS TO INCREASE INFORMED ACCESS TO THE COURT BY PROVIDING EDUCATION, INFORMATION, LEGAL FORMS, COMMUNITY REFERRALS, AND SUPPORT SERVICES TO SELF-REPRESENTED CIVIL LITIGANTS, REGARDLESS OF THEIR INCOME. THE ORGANIZATION OPERATES AND STAFFS THE CIVIL LAW SELF-HELP CENTER UNDER A CONTRACT WITH THE COURTS. THE CIVIL LAW SELF-HELP CENTER ALSO HOUSES A NEIGHBORHOOD JUSTICE CENTER MEDIATOR ON SITE AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO LITIGATION. THE FAMILY LAW SELF-HELP CENTER PROVIDES LEGAL INFORMATION AND FORMS TO THOSE WISHING TO REPRESENT THEMSELVES IN DOMESTIC MATTERS IN THE CLARK COUNTY COURT SYSTEM. TYPES OF MATTERS INCLUDE DIVORCE, CUSTODY AND PATERNITY, SEPARATION, ANNULMENT, PROTECTION ORDERS, CHILD SUPPORT, GUARDIANSHIP, PROBATE, AND JUVENILE MATTERS. THE MISSION OF THE FAMILY LAW SELF-HELP CENTER IS TO INCREASE INFORMED ACCESS TO THE COURT BY PROVIDING EDUCATION, INFORMATION, LEGAL FORMS, COMMUNITY REFERRALS, AND SUPPORT SERVICES TO SELF-REPRESENTED CIVIL LITIGANTS, REGARDLESS OF THEIR INCOME. THE ORGANIZATION OPERATES AND STAFFS THE FAMILY LAW SELF-HELP CENTER UNDER A CONTRACT WITH THE EIGHTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT. THE RESILIENCY AND JUSTICE CENTER, FORMERLY KNOWN AS, THE VEGAS STRONG RESILIENCY CENTER (VSRC) IS A PLACE OF HEALING AND SUPPORT DEDICATED TO SERVING AS A MULTI-AGENCY RESOURCE AND REFERRAL CENTER FOR RESIDENTS, VISITORS AND RESPONDERS AFFECTED BY THE SHOOTING AT THE ROUTE 91 HARVEST FESTIVAL. THE CENTER IS MANAGED BY LEGAL AID CENTER OF SOUTHERN NEVADA, AND IS STAFFED BY KNOWLEDGEABLE AND CARING PROFESSIONALS TO HELP PEOPLE ACCESS RESOURCES TO HELP THEM BUILD STRENGTH AND RESILIENCY IN THE AFTERMATH OF THIS INCIDENT. ANYONE IMPACTED BY 1 OCTOBER OR OTHER VIOLENT CRIME IS WELCOME TO CALL, EMAIL OR VISIT THE RESILIENCY CENTER. SERVICES THAT ARE AVAILABLE INCLUDE VICTIM ADVOCACY AND SUPPORT, CASE MANAGEMENT, COUNSELING AND SPIRITUAL CARE REFERRALS, AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE WITH APPLYING FOR ONLINE SERVICES INCLUDING FBI VICTIM ASSISTANCE SERVICES. FREE CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE INCLUDING LEGAL CONSULTATIONS AND POSSIBLE LEGAL REPRESENTATION FOR ISSUES INVOLVING INSURANCE MATTERS, MEDICAL BILLING PROBLEMS, DEBT COLLECTION, HOUSING AND EVICTIONS, FAMILY LAW MATTERS AND MORE. THE CULINARY & BARTENDERS UNIONS LEGAL SERVICES FUND WAS DEVELOPED THROUGH A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE CULINARY WORKERS UNION LOCAL 226, UNITE HERE BARTENDERS UNION LOCAL 165, PARTICIPATING EMPLOYERS, AND LEGAL AID CENTER OF SOUTHERN NEVADA TO HELP SAFEGUARD THE LEGAL AND ECONOMIC WELLBEING OF ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEES AND THEIR FAMILIES. FOR HOTEL, CASINO, AND OTHER EMPLOYEES ELIGIBLE UNDER THE LEGAL SERVICE FUND, LEGAL AID CENTER OF SOUTHERN NEVADA HAS A TEAM OF ATTORNEYS AND ADVOCATES THAT HELP WITH LEGAL MATTERS INCLUDING IMMIGRATION, BANKRUPTCY, HOUSING, TENANT'S RIGHTS, POWERS OF ATTORNEY AND HEALTHCARE DIRECTIVES, AND FAMILY LAW INFORMATION.
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 November 6, 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 December 1995.
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 November 4, 2026.
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