Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles
Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles (LAFLA) is a public charity based in Los Angeles, California, and a nonprofit law firm providing free legal services to low-income people. Its mission spans Greater Los Angeles, where it provides direct representation, legal advice, referrals, and community legal education.
Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles at a glance
In short: Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles gave $26.6M across 14 grants in 2024 (avg $1.9M), mostly in California. 7% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $26,561,503
- +90.1% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 14
- +7.7% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $1,897,250
- +76.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $1,259,566
- Total assets
- $61,718,333
- +6.4% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 7% first-time grantees (1 of 14, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- California (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles
- Contact
Mailing address: 1550 West 8Th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90017
Phone: (323) 801-7916
Website: https://lafla.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles
Who Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Housing Rights Center ($5.7M). Together the top 10 received $26.3M.
Grant Size Distribution
61 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 19 grants of 61 (31%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
LAFLA describes its service area as Greater Los Angeles. All grant dollars reported for 2024 went to recipients in California.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 14 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles open to new grantees?
7%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 1 of 14 grantees (7%) were first-time recipients. With only 14 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 7 points. First grants averaged $99K; repeat grants $2M. How we count
Medians: $99K first-time, $1.3M repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2021–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $6.7M (2021) to $26.6M (2024). In 2024 it made 14 grants totaling $26.6M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Housing Rights Center Los Angeles, CA | Client legal assistance through sub-grants | $5,684,447 |
| Inner City Law Center Los Angeles, CA | Client legal assistance through sub-grants | $4,435,587 |
| Liberty Hill Foundation Los Angeles, CA | Client legal assistance through sub-grants | $4,188,507 |
| Basta Universal Los Angeles, CA | Client legal assistance through sub-grants | $3,046,286 |
| Neighborhood Legal Services Pacoima, CA | Client legal assistance through sub-grants | $2,883,612 |
| Eviction Defense Network Los Angeles, CA | Client legal assistance through sub-grants | $2,786,269 |
| Bet Tzedek Los Angeles, CA | Client legal assistance through sub-grants | $1,324,739 |
| Community Legal Aid SoCal Santa Ana, CA | Client legal assistance through sub-grants | $1,194,392 |
| Public Counsel Los Angeles, CA | Client legal assistance through sub-grants | $483,735 |
| Mental Health Advocacy Services Los Angeles, CA | Client legal assistance through sub-grants | $271,129 |
Ready to take the next step with Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $61,718,333 | $58,614,099 | $58,854,736 | $26,561,503 | 14 | $470,642 |
| 2023 | $57,986,384 | $57,454,858 | $52,799,777 | $13,975,152 | 13 | $408,534 |
| 2022 | $50,233,932 | $37,571,083 | $37,354,022 | $10,614,671 | 19 | $441,204 |
| 2021 | $44,798,042 | $33,430,968 | $29,835,359 | $6,700,242 | 15 | $367,639 |
| 2020 | $46,085,162 | $35,112,937 | $22,789,141 | — | — | $197,083 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
LAFLA’s stated mission is to achieve equal justice for low-income people. Its stated legal priorities include supporting families, preserving affordable housing, maintaining economic stability, promoting safety and health, serving people with special vulnerabilities, and protecting human and civil rights.
Its programs include eviction defense and housing advocacy; survivor and family legal services; immigration assistance; economic stability services; legal support for veterans and people affected by the criminal justice system; medical-legal partnerships; and self-help services for court users. In its own descriptions of funded organizations, Inner City Law Center says it helps vulnerable Angelenos remain housed and recover financial benefits; Neighborhood Legal Services describes individual representation, litigation, and policy advocacy addressing poverty; and Community Legal Aid SoCal describes civil legal services for low-income people, including counseling, representation, self-help, and community education.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, LAFLA reported 14 grants totaling $26,561,503. Grants ranged from $32,500 to $5,684,447, with a median of $1,259,566. The listed grant purposes were client legal assistance through subgrants.
The largest listed awards were $5,684,447 to Housing Rights Center, $4,435,587 to Inner City Law Center, $4,188,507 to Liberty Hill Foundation, $3,046,286 to Basta Universal, $2,883,612 to Neighborhood Legal Services, and $2,786,269 to Eviction Defense Network. Other listed recipients included Bet Tzedek ($1,324,739), Community Legal Aid SoCal ($1,194,392), Public Counsel ($483,735), and Mental Health Advocacy Services ($271,129).
Separately, LAFLA’s LEIF Fellowship provides eligible summer law clerks with up to $10,000 in educational reimbursement. It is a participant fellowship, not an outside-organization grant program.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Officers and directors listed on the 2024 filing include Amy Lerner-Hill, President/Board Member; Kahn A Scolnick, Vice President/President; Brianne Wiese, Secretary/Board Member; Joseph B Farrell, Board Member/Secretary; Lynette M Jones, Treasurer/Vice President; C Cleo Ray, Community Chair; and board members Eric J Bakewell, Wendy R Cabil, Kyle Casazza, and Sean A Commons.
Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles is led by Silvia Argueta, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; 8 of 46 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Silvia Argueta
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
35 hrs/week
$231K (2020) → $262K (2024)
Amy Lerner-Hill
President & Board Member
Vice President to President → President, 2023
President → President & Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kahn A Scolnick
Vice President & President
Board Member to Vice President → Vice President, 2023
Vice President → Vice President & President, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
C Cleo Ray
Community Chair
Client Chair → Community Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Barbara Schultz
Director of Housing Justice
Director Litigation & Policy → Director of Housing Justice, 2023
On filings since 2020
35 hrs/week
$178K (2020) → $222K (2024)
Linda Quintana
Director of Fiscal Management
Director of Fiscal Mgm → Director of Fiscal Management, 2023
On filings since 2021
35 hrs/week
$161K (2021) → $173K (2024)
Phong Wong
Pro Bono Director
On filings since 2021
35 hrs/week
$188K (2021) → $177K (2024)
Michael Polanichka
Director of It
On filings since 2022
35 hrs/week
$157K (2022) → $173K (2024)
Lesli Latt
Director of Human Resources
New on the 2024 filing
35 hrs/week
$165K (2024)
Vincent A Rodriguez
Chief Financial Officer
On filings since 2020
35 hrs/week
$157K (2020) → $191K (2024)
Yolanda Arias
Managing Attorney
On filings since 2021
35 hrs/week
$146K (2021) → $190K (2024)
Brianne Wiese
Secretary & Board Member
Board Member to Secretary → Secretary, 2023
Secretary → Secretary & Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Carissa Coze
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Clementina Lopez
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David Lewis Sagal
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Debra L Fischer Esq.
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Eric J Bakewell
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Fanny Ortiz
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Felix Garcia
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
James E Hornstein
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jeff A Taylor
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John Maldonado
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Joseph B Farrell
Board Member & Secretary
Board Member → Board Member & Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kareen Sandoval
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kevin J Minnick
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Louise Mbella
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Marc Feinstein
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Marc M Seltzer
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael Maddigan
Board Member
President → President to Board Member, 2022
President to Board Member → Board Member, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ronald B Turovsky
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sean A Commons
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Wendy R Cabil
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lynette M Jones
Treasurer & Vice President
Board Member to Treasurer → Treasurer, 2023
Treasurer → Treasurer & Vice President, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Naomi Haywood
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Virginia F Milstead
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bethany Kristovich
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gary E Gans
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kimberly Klinsport
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kyle Casazza
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Matthew Marmolejo
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Pamela Westhoff
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Chris Rivas
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Douglas Thompson
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Fanny Gomez
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jacqueline Vasquez
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nicolas A Trutanich
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (27)
- Former: Adam S Paris (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Karen J Adelseck (2020–2023) — Client Chair
- Former: Linus Shentu (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Silvia Hernandez (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Lait Yamini (2021–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Ronnette Arnold (2021–2023) — Managing Attorney
- Former: Amber S Finch (2020–2022) — Secretary
- Former: Craig O Roberts (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: E Martin Estrada (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: James M Burgess (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Jason Linder (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Joseph Paunovich (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Patricia Vining (2020–2022) — Client Vice Chair
- Former: Phillip Mobley (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: R Alexander Pilmer (2020–2022) — Treasurer
- Former: Zella Knight (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Wilbert H Watts (2021–2022) — Director of Committee & Economic Justice
- Former: Phyllis Coto (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Robert B Hubbell (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Lisa D Morris (2021) — Director of Human Resources
- Former: Arias Yolanda (2020) — Managing Attorney
- Former: Arnold Ronnettee (2020) — Managing Attorney
- Former: Colin G Cabral (2020) — Board Member
- Former: Morris Lisa D (2020) — Director of Human Resources
- Former: Quintana Linda (2020) — Director of Fiscal Mgm
- Former: Sean Eskovitz (2020) — Board Member
- Former: Wong Phong (2020) — Pro Bono Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $262K, to Silvia Argueta (Executive Director). 8 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles
How much does Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles give each year?
Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles gave $26.6M across 14 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $14.0M across 13 grants.
What is Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles's typical grant size?
Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles's median grant in 2024 was $1,259,566, and its average grant was $1,897,250, across 14 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles that year got $99K on average.
Where does Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles give grants?
Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles gives mostly in California: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Los Angeles, CA (12 grants).
Does Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 14 grants with a stated purpose on Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Client legal assistance through sub-grants" (14 grants).
Who are Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles's largest grantees?
Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles's largest 2024 grantees include Housing Rights Center ($5,684,447), Inner City Law Center ($4,435,587) and Liberty Hill Foundation ($4,188,507), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 54% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles?
Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles reported $61.7M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $58.6M.
What does Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles fund?
LAFLA’s stated mission is to achieve equal justice for low-income people. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles?
Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check lafla.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles's EIN?
Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 95-1684067. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(5)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS September 16, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 3, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 6, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS September 23, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
California Community Foundation
Los Angeles, CA
The California Community Foundation supports nonprofits through discretionary and donor-directed grants, with discretionary priorities including education, health, housing and immigration, alongside other areas such as arts, civic engagement and economic opportunity. Its 2025 grants had a median of $50,000, and its work is focused on Los Angeles County; prospective discretionary applicants are asked to contact the relevant program officer before submitting a letter of intent.
Assets
$2.3B
Grants
2,174
Total Given
$326.6M
The Ahmanson Foundation
Beverly Hills, CA
The Ahmanson Foundation funds Los Angeles County nonprofits in arts and humanities, education, health care, human services, homelessness, and environmental preservation, often for construction, equipment, or other one-time project costs. Its 2024 grants ranged from $2,000 to $6.3 million, with a median of $50,000. It encourages applicants to submit a Letter of Inquiry, but the profile does not explicitly state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.5B
Grants
442
Total Given
$65.5M
Weingart Foundation
Los Angeles, CA
The Weingart Foundation funds Southern California nonprofits, collaboratives, and coalitions advancing racial, social, and economic justice, including work on essential services, community power, housing, immigrant rights, and nonprofit effectiveness. Its 2025 grants ranged from $75 to $1.5 million, with a median of $10,000; it focuses on Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Ventura counties. It uses an invitation-only process and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$909.4M
Grants
540
Total Given
$38.1M
Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
The Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles supports human services, health, education, Jewish life, arts and culture, Israel-related work, and nonprofit capacity and capital projects, with a focus on Los Angeles and also giving in Israel and beyond. Its 2024 itemized grants had a median of $25,000, though amounts varied widely. General Community grants are by invitation only and do not accept unsolicited applications; current procedures should be verified.
Assets
$1.2B
Grants
1,063
Total Given
$142.2M
The Annenberg Foundation
Conshohocken, PA
The Annenberg Foundation funds arts and culture, education, and environmental work, along with varied community initiatives, with grants across multiple states; in 2024, 58% of grant dollars went to California. Its 2024 grants had a median of $25,000, though awards ranged widely, and it does not accept unsolicited requests, giving only to preselected charitable organizations.
Assets
$1.5B
Grants
543
Total Given
$53.3M
The Sheila Dave & Sherry Gold Foundation
Studio City, CA
The Sheila Dave & Sherry Gold Foundation supports organizations in areas including nutrition and medical research, education, consumer advocacy, digital preservation, and student development, with most 2024 grant dollars going to California recipients. Its 2024 grants ranged from $5 to $200,000, with a median of $7,000. It funds only preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$69.9M
Grants
205
Total Given
$3.5M
More similar funders
More Funders in California
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 5, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/legal-aid-foundation-of-los-angeles-morg_124d420190884ba4a589b14d27881358
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_951684067_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/legal-aid-foundation-of-los-angeles-morg_124d420190884ba4a589b14d27881358},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-05. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles down — hundreds of funders to go?