Grand Rapids, MI

LEGAL AID OF WESTERN MICHIGAN

EIN 38-2156874

Justice, Rights & Public Safety Legal Aid & Civil Rights Low-income Children & youth Survivors of violence Seniors

Mission

We protect rights, challenge injustice, and fight poverty through free legal advocacy for people and families.

IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) public charity Contributions are tax-deductible

About LEGAL AID OF WESTERN MICHIGAN

Legal Aid of Western Michigan (LAWM) is a nonprofit civil legal services organization headquartered in Grand Rapids that provides free legal advice, brief services, and extended representation to low-income people across a 17-county region of western Michigan. LAWM’s practice focuses on eviction and housing defense, family law (including domestic violence and custody matters), consumer issues, income maintenance and public benefits, and other civil legal problems that threaten clients’ safety and economic stability. LAWM operates multiple regional offices (Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Holland, Muskegon, and St. Joseph), a centralized intake system, and a large pro bono program that coordinates volunteer attorneys to expand access to legal help. The organization both represents clients in court and provides legal information and self-help resources to the community, and it routinely partners with state and local agencies and funders to scale services for vulnerable populations.

Notable achievements

2023 Service Impact

In 2023 LAWM closed 6,807 cases and assisted thousands of people—reporting service to over 9,000 adults and more than 7,500 children—delivering high success rates in extended representation cases (over 90% positive outcomes in key family- and housing-related matters).

LSC Pro Bono Innovation Grant (2023)

Awarded a Legal Services Corporation Pro Bono Innovation Fund grant to expand and centralize pro bono capacity and integrate volunteer services with LAWM’s intake and direct-service operations.

Sustained Pro Bono Network

LAWM’s Pro Bono Program has mobilized 350+ volunteer attorneys and clinic volunteers and reports that its volunteer-driven program has helped more than 25,000 people since the program began in 1982.

At a glance

Total assets: $5.9M
Annual revenue: $7.2M
Tax status: 501(c)(3)Public charity
EIN: 38-2156874
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
Website: lawestmi.org
On Mahalo since: September 2026

Financial figures from the IRS Business Master File, the IRS’s registry of tax-exempt organizations.

Recognition

Charity Navigator four-star assessment (high overall score and strong accountability/financial transparency indicators).

Designated Legal Services Corporation grantee and featured in LSC program listings and competitive grant awards.

Listed and referenced as a regional legal aid provider on MichiganLegalHelp.org and other state resources for low-income legal assistance.

Is this your organization?

Claim this page to keep it current — add your logo, publish campaigns, and reach the donors and advisors discovering you on Mahalo.

Claim this page