Maryland Legal Services Corporation
Maryland Legal Services Corporation (MLSC) is a Baltimore-based public charity established by the Maryland General Assembly in 1982. It distributes funds to nonprofit legal services organizations to help ensure that low-income Marylanders can access civil legal assistance, and it also administers Maryland’s Access to Counsel in Evictions program.
Maryland Legal Services Corporation at a glance
In short: Maryland Legal Services Corporation gave $58.2M across 49 grants in 2025 (avg $1.2M), mostly in Maryland. 10% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $58,227,928
- +22.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 49
- +11.4% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $1,188,325
- +9.5% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $192,788
- Total assets
- $54,974,113
- -5.2% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 10% first-time grantees (5 of 49, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Maryland (97% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Maryland Legal Services Corporation
- Contact
Mailing address: 15 Charles Plaza 102, Baltimore, MD 21201
Phone: (410) 576-9494
Website: https://mlsc.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from Maryland Legal Services Corporation
Civil Legal Services Grants (General Operating Grants)
Maryland Legal Services Corporation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
FY23 Eviction Prevention Legal Services
Maryland Legal Services Corporation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Workforce Legal Services Program (ARPA-funded)
Maryland Legal Services Corporation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Maryland Legal Services Corporation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Maryland Legal Aid ($29.4M). Together the top 10 received $49.3M.
Grant Size Distribution
206 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $50–100K range: 46 grants of 206 (22%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
MLSC funds civil legal services for low-income Marylanders, and its website says grantees serve communities throughout the state. In 2025, 97% of grant dollars went to recipients in Maryland and 3% to recipients in Washington, DC. The organization’s FY24 filing statement says grantees closed cases in all 24 Maryland jurisdictions.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 49 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Maryland Legal Services Corporation open to new grantees?
10%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 5 of 49 grantees (10%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $101K; repeat grants $1.3M. How we count
Medians: $53K first-time, $217K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2025). 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 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $19.8M (2021) to $58.2M (2025). In 2025 it made 49 grants totaling $58.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland Legal Aid Baltimore, MD | General Support | $29,372,141 |
| Community Legal Serv of PG Greenbelt, MD | General Support | $4,158,998 |
| Pro Bono Resource Center Baltimore, MD | General Support | $3,899,690 |
| Capital Area Immigrants Rights Coalition Baltimore, MD | General Support | $3,300,000 |
| Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service Baltimore, MD | General Support | $1,964,415 |
| Disability Rights MD Baltimore, MD | General Support | $1,712,263 |
| Shore Legal Access Easton, MD | General Support | $1,356,825 |
| CASA De Maryland Langley Park, MD | General Support | $1,274,850 |
| United Way of Central MD Baltimore, MD | General Support | $1,216,176 |
| Public Justice Center Baltimore, MD | General Support | $1,040,230 |
Ready to take the next step with Maryland Legal Services Corporation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $54,974,113 | $61,977,802 | $61,874,722 | $58,227,928 | 49 | $1,670,913 |
| 2024 | $58,005,168 | $70,922,471 | $50,301,730 | $47,743,800 | 44 | $927,550 |
| 2023 | $34,416,882 | $39,166,208 | $32,774,569 | $31,452,548 | 40 | $8,522 |
| 2022 | $18,648,329 | $23,301,829 | $23,404,394 | $22,751,052 | 37 | $294,703 |
| 2021 | $22,083,470 | $23,914,167 | $20,695,611 | $19,835,217 | 36 | $325,761 |
| 2020 | $12,413,282 | $22,577,680 | $22,982,806 | $22,079,617 | 36 | $-33,382 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
MLSC’s mission is to ensure low-income Marylanders have access to stable, efficient, and effective civil legal assistance through funding for nonprofit legal services organizations. MLSC funds must serve clients with incomes at or below 50% of Maryland median income.
Its grant programs include operating grants, Judicare, eviction prevention and Access to Counsel in Evictions, estate planning for eligible seniors, and a New Applicant Pilot Grant Program. The website describes Judicare as an invitation-only program that pays private attorneys reduced fees to accept contested family law cases. The New Applicant Pilot provides one to two years of nonrenewable funding for a new grantee to become familiar with MLSC procedures and demonstrate its work.
Grantees address a range of civil legal needs. For example, Community Legal Services of Prince describes its mission as educating, representing, and empowering low-income people in Prince George’s and Anne Arundel counties on civil legal matters. Disability Rights Maryland says it provides free legal advocacy statewide to people with disabilities. Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service describes its work as removing barriers to justice through free civil legal help, community engagement, and advocacy for equitable laws.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, MLSC reported 49 grants totaling $58,227,928. Grant amounts ranged from $30,000 to $29,372,141, with a median of $192,788. The largest awards included:
The website describes MLSC’s general grant cycle as annual: applications are due in March, grantees are selected in May or June, and the first disbursement is in mid-July. For FY27, continuing grantees and new applicants invited to apply must submit an application by March 16, 2026. New applicants first submit a Letter of Interest and must be invited to apply. The FY27 application information webinar is scheduled for January 22, 2026. MLSC requires annual programmatic and financial audits of grantees. How to apply: Eligible nonprofit organizations seeking initial funding must submit a Letter of Interest and, if invited, an application; continuing grantees submit an application. The website specifies that MLSC grantees must qualify under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Deadline: March 16, 2026, for FY27 applications; the FY28 new-applicant Letter of Interest is due February 4, 2027.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Michele Siri, Esq., as executive director; Debra A. Thomas, Esq., as chair; and Terry Jackson as treasurer from September 10, 2024. Allison Banks is listed as treasurer through September 9, 2024. Directors listed are Saad Malik, Esq.; Phyllis G. Scalettar, PhD; Hon. C. Philip Nichols Jr.; Linda H. Lamone, Esq.; Catherine A. Bledsoe, Esq.; and Michael D. Bellis.
Maryland Legal Services Corporation is led by Michele Siri Esq., Executive Director on the 2025 filing; 3 of 12 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Michele Siri Esq.
Executive Director
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$166K (2025)
Debra A. Thomas Esq.
Chair
Director → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
C. Philip Nichols Jr.
Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Catherine A. Bledsoe Esq.
Director
On filings since 2022
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Phyllis G. Scalettar PhD
Director
On filings since 2022
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michael D. Bellis
Director
On filings since 2024
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Linda H. Lamone Esq.
Director
New on the 2025 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Saad Malik Esq.
Director
New on the 2025 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Cynthia Wallace
Chief Financial Officer
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$134K (2025)
Dave Pantzer Esq.
Deputy Director & Chief Program
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$134K (2025)
Allison Banks
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Terry Jackson
Treasurer From
Director → Treasurer From, 2025
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (10)
- Former: Martha F. Rasin (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Sidney A. Butcher (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Deborah Seltzer (2022–2024) — Former Executive Director
- Former: Dave Pantzer Esquire (2024) — Deputy Director & Chief Program Officer
- Former: Violet M. Apple (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Aileen M. Eskildsen CPA (2020–2022) — Treasurer
- Former: Susan M. Erlichman Esq. (2020–2022) — Former Executive Director
- Former: Corey Jay Robey (2020–2021) — Treasurer
- Former: M. Natalie McSherry Esq. (2020–2021) — Chair
- Former: Christina R. Garcia (2020) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $166K, to Michele Siri ESQ (Executive Director). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Maryland Legal Services Corporation
How much does Maryland Legal Services Corporation give each year?
Maryland Legal Services Corporation gave $58.2M across 49 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $47.7M across 44 grants.
What is Maryland Legal Services Corporation's typical grant size?
Maryland Legal Services Corporation's median grant in 2025 was $192,788, and its average grant was $1,188,325, across 49 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Maryland Legal Services Corporation that year got $101K on average.
Where does Maryland Legal Services Corporation give grants?
Maryland Legal Services Corporation gives mostly in Maryland: 97% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Baltimore, MD (22 grants), Washington, DC (8 grants), Silver Spring, MD (4 grants) and Easton, MD (2 grants).
Does Maryland Legal Services Corporation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Maryland Legal Services Corporation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (49 of 49) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Who are Maryland Legal Services Corporation's largest grantees?
Maryland Legal Services Corporation's largest 2025 grantees include Maryland Legal Aid ($29,372,141), Community Legal Serv of PG ($4,158,998) and Pro Bono Resource Center ($3,899,690), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 64% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Maryland Legal Services Corporation?
Maryland Legal Services Corporation reported $55.0M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $62.0M.
What does Maryland Legal Services Corporation fund?
MLSC’s mission is to ensure low-income Marylanders have access to stable, efficient, and effective civil legal assistance through funding for nonprofit legal services organizations. MLSC funds must serve clients with incomes at or below 50% of Maryland median income. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Maryland Legal Services Corporation?
Maryland Legal Services Corporation has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check mlsc.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Maryland Legal Services Corporation's EIN?
Maryland Legal Services Corporation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 52-1266744. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS December 1, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS December 3, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS December 20, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 10, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS April 4, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS March 3, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Maryland Legal Services Corporation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
The Abell Foundation Inc
Baltimore, MD
The Abell Foundation funds nonprofits, government agencies, and fiscally sponsored projects addressing health, education, community development, workforce, justice and addiction, the environment, and arts, as well as Baltimore-focused research and catalytic business investments. Its giving is focused on Baltimore City, with a typical grant of about $20,000 (2024 median; awards ranged from $188 to $300,000). It accepts applications: requests of $10,000 or less are reviewed on a rolling basis, while larger requests go through five annual board meetings.
Assets
$296.4M
Grants
391
Total Given
$13.4M
Venable Foundation Inc
Baltimore, MD
Venable Foundation supports nonprofits working in arts and culture, education, health, human services, legal services, the environment, workforce development, and youth impact, with particular interest in legal assistance and underserved communities. It typically gives about $10,000 per grant, primarily to organizations serving communities where Venable has major offices. Starting in 2027, new applicants may submit a Letter of Interest in Miami, Chicago, and Denver; the available information does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted elsewhere.
Assets
$466K
Grants
198
Total Given
$2.7M
The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg
Owings Mills, MD
The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation funds direct services, programs, general operations, and capital projects in housing, health, jobs, education, and aging for low-income and vulnerable people. Its 2024 grants had a median of $50,000; its Small Grants Program offers up to $50,000 over two years, with funding focused on Baltimore, Hawaiʻi, Israel, and Northeastern Pennsylvania. It awards grants by invitation only and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.8B
Grants
872
Total Given
$127.8M
The United Way of Central Maryland Inc
Baltimore, MD
United Way of Central Maryland funds community organizations and projects addressing basic needs, family stability, education, housing, health, and economic advancement in Baltimore City and Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford, and Howard counties. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,067 to $461,984, with a median of $15,078; specific opportunities use competitive applications, but the profile does not state whether general unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$51.1M
Grants
216
Total Given
$10.6M
Baltimore Community Foundation Inc
Baltimore, MD
Baltimore Community Foundation supports schools, neighborhoods, and community projects, including work on kindergarten readiness, student well-being, neighborhood vitality, and arts and culture. Its 2024 grants had a median of about $19,800, with amounts varying widely, and its strategic school and neighborhood grants focus on Baltimore City and Baltimore County. It invites applications through its online portal for specified grant programs.
Assets
$314.3M
Grants
604
Total Given
$29.3M
The John J Leidy Foundation Inc
Towson, MD
The John J Leidy Foundation supports nonprofits working in social and economic welfare, arts and culture, health and human services, education, and services for people with disabilities, including operating, program, and equipment costs. It prioritizes the Baltimore metropolitan area and typically awards $2,500–$50,000, with a 2024 median of $7,500. It accepts requests at any time; there is no formal application form.
Assets
$6.8M
Grants
98
Total Given
$940K
More similar funders
More Funders in Maryland
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Maryland Legal Services Corporation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 11, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/maryland-legal-services-corporation-morg_919c5c653d4142fab6daf8e3a3b8141a
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_521266744_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Maryland Legal Services Corporation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/maryland-legal-services-corporation-morg_919c5c653d4142fab6daf8e3a3b8141a},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-11. 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 Maryland Legal Services Corporation'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.
Maryland Legal Services Corporation down — hundreds of funders to go?