named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Central New York Legal Helpline
Toll-free phone service providing free legal advice and counsel to low-income individuals across the 13-county service area
Community Education
Programs to educate communities, agencies, and providers about legal rights in areas such as housing, health, and economic justice
Community-Based Economic Development
Initiative supporting low-income communities to form housing and labor cooperatives and advocating to end childhood lead poisoning in Syracuse by 2025
HIV/AIDS Law Clinic
Specialized legal clinic in partnership with ACR Health providing legal services to people affected by HIV/AIDS
Policy Advocacy
Efforts to change laws, policies, and systems to advance equity, including recent work on tenant protections under the Tenant Dignity and Safe Housing Act
activities · 3 groups
What they do
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Pro Bono Legal Representation and Support 2 activities
- Community legal education and outreachProvides community education on legal rights related to housing, unemployment benefits, consumer rights, and pandemic-related relief measures through fact sheets, FAQs, and other informational materials distributed online and in person.
- Provision of civil legal services to low-income individualsProvides free legal advice, counsel, and representation in civil cases to low-income individuals across a 13-county region in Central New York through in-person, phone, and online services. Services include assistance with housing, economic, and health justice issues, and support for renters filing court cases to compel landlords to repair unsafe conditions under the Tenant Dignity and Safe Housing Act.
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Environmental Policy Advocacy & Litigation 1 activity
- Policy and systems advocacy for low-income communitiesEngages in policy advocacy and participates in coalitions to change laws, policies, and systems affecting low-income communities, including a campaign to end childhood lead poisoning in Syracuse by 2025.
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Civil Rights Advocacy & Litigation 1 activity
- Support for community organizing and cooperative developmentSupports community organizing initiatives such as the formation of housing and labor cooperatives, and provides legal support to low-income communities engaged in such efforts.
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financials · form 990 · fy2025
revenue
Total revenue$9.47M
Contributions & grants$9.42M99%
Program service revenue$24K0%
Investment income$19K0%
Other revenue$15K
expenses
Total expenses$9.83M
Program expenses84%
Admin / overhead16%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$8.19M
Grants paid out$35K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$7.01M
Cash$597K
Investments$0
Liabilities$6.28M
Net assets$724K
Liquid reserves0.7 mo
6 years on record · 2020–2025 · YoY revenue +12.5%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2025
Who runs it
paid leadership · 6
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DENNIS KAUFMAN ESQ | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 35 | $217K |
| SAMUEL YOUNG ESQ | DIRECTOR OF ADVOCACY | 35 | $197K |
| LILA MACDOWELL | FISCAL DIRECTOR | 35 | $184K |
| DONNA PICARRO | HR DIRECTOR | 35 | $178K |
| SUSAN YOUNG | STAFF ATTORNEY | 35 | $165K |
| ROB PEACE | STAFF ATTORNEY | 35 | $165K |
board members · 18
- ANGELA CARTER — DIRECTOR
- ANNE WRIGHT BOGARDUS — 2ND VICE PRESIDENT
- DANIEL B BERMAN ESQ — PRESIDENT
- DANIEL E KORNFELD ESQ — DIRECTOR
- DERRICK JOHNSON — DIRECTOR
- JOANNE PIERSMA ESQ — DIRECTOR
- KIM MILLS — DIRECTOR
- LAWRENCE HASSELER ESQ — TREASURER
- LUCY JOHNSON — DIRECTOR
- MARY ELLEN LUKER CPA — DIRECTOR
- MARY LANNON FANGIO ESQ — DIRECTOR
- MATTHEW SKINNER ESQ — 1RST VICE PRESIDENT
- RANDY J SCHAAL ESQ — DIRECTOR
- RONALD LANOUETTE JR ESQ — DIRECTOR
- SCOTT CLIPPINGER ESQ — DIRECTOR
- STEWART L WEISMAN ESQ — DIRECTOR
- SUBA VISWANATHAN ESQ — DIRECTOR
- WALTER BOWLER ESQ — SECRETARY
relationships · 13
Who they work with
- ACR Health Syracuse Partner — Co-locates an HIV/AIDS Law Clinic to provide legal services.
- Catholic Charities (Otsego County) Partner — Hosts legal services clinics by appointment.
- Cayuga Community College Partner — Hosts legal services clinics on campus.
- Former Chief Judge Jonathan Lippman Government — Endorsed the organization's mission of providing civil legal representation for basic needs.
- Gorman Foundation Community Center Partner — Hosts weekly legal services clinics.
- Hiscock Legal Aid Society Partner — Relocated part of its office into the George H. Lowe Center for Justice, increasing access to free legal services in Syracuse.
- Legal Aid Society of Mid-New York Partner — Partnered to form the Central New York Legal Helpline and co-located services at the George H. Lowe Center for Justice.
- Lewis County Courthouse Partner — Hosts monthly legal services clinics.
- NYC Courts Government — Refers tenants to statewide landlord-tenant forms issued by NYC Courts for legal actions under the Tenant Dignity and Safe Housing Act.
- New York State Unified Court System Government — Partnered to disseminate the official Eviction Hardship Declaration form developed by the court system.
- Syracuse Partner — Collaborates on community organizing initiatives including the effort to end childhood lead poisoning by 2025.
- Volunteer Lawyer Project of Onondaga County Partner — Co-located services at the George H. Lowe Center for Justice to provide integrated free legal services.
- citizen coalition Partner — Collaborates with a citizen coalition on a campaign to end childhood lead poisoning in Syracuse.
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Systemic Legal Advocacy for Equity and Poverty Reduction 121 orgsmethodology: systemic_changeBy using legal advocacy—such as class actions, amicus briefs, and representation in policy reform—to change laws, policies, and systems, the organization produces greater equity and economic mobility, because systemic interventions reach more people and address root causes of poverty.shared approach: Strategic Litigation for Systemic Change →
- Community-Driven Systems Change 29 orgsmethodology: community_driven_changeBy organizing and centering community members—particularly BIPOC individuals—in advocacy, leadership, and decision-making, the organization advances racial and economic justice, because sustainable systemic change emerges most effectively from the collective action and leadership of affected communities.
- Legal Empowerment Through Client-Centered Representation 27 orgsmethodology: legal_empowermentBy providing legal representation that centers clients’ lived experience and agency—especially through tenant-led actions and dignity-affirming defense—the organization strengthens community resilience and justice outcomes, because empowered individuals are better positioned to advocate for their rights and sustain long-term change.shared approach: Tenant Power Building →