Rural Law Center of New York Inc

What it reported doing in 2025

See schedule o: the rural law center is a non profit civil legal services provider. We serve low income new yorkers in the 44 rural counties of New York state. Our work involves providing legal advice by telephone or virtual appointments with rural, income-eligible clients regarding civil law issues. We also engage in limited scope representation and provide opportunities for volunteers to link with rural clients for advice and document preparation on several civil legal service matters. We handle a variety of subject matters including: consumer debt and debt collection, chapter 7 bankruptcy filings and prevention services; housing matters for tenants and facing court proceedings for eviction and issues with repairs and condition of property; foreclosure representation and prevention; ssd/ssi benefits; unemployment; uncontested divorce proceedings; preparation and execution of wills, health care proxies, and powers of attorney. We also go into our communities to provide presentations and clinics in subject matters such as elder law, basic estate planning, consumer debt and fraud prevention. Our services are tailored to meet the needs of our rural base including providing telephone consultations, in home visits, and communication with our clients that fits their situation. We are aware of limitations on travel including lack of personal travel means and lack of public transportation support, in addition to no or slow internet services in rural areas.the rural law center is a community dispute resolution center (cdrc) providing mediation services in three rural counties. We assist participants in resolving disputes in matters including landlord/tenant, consumer debt, custody, divorce, and the workplace. We have engaged in programs in our local public schools, community centers, and colleges.the rural law center provides appellate representation in both criminal and family court matters as contracted through various counties in the state. Our appeals are handled by experienced appellate attorneys who are well versed in appellate issues that face litigants in family court and criminal defendants.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 73.7%; rating input score 74
• Program expense ratio: 85%; rating input score 85
• Fundraising efficiency: Limited

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: Limited
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: Limited
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 8 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 100
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 13.4%; rating input score 63; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 0.56; rating input score 19; 19th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.24; rating input score 31; 31st percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 20.5%; rating input score 15; 15th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 6.2% per year; rating input score 100; 43rd percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 6.8% per year; rating input score 100; 50th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 5.1% per year; rating input score 100; 33rd percentile among comparable filings