Minneapolis, MN

LEGAL RIGHTS CENTER INCORPORATED

EIN 41-0961835

Justice, Rights & Public Safety Legal Aid & Civil Rights Children & youth Communities of color Black communities Indigenous communities Justice-involved people Low-income

Mission

Our mission is to work with our communities to seek justice and promote racial equity for those to whom it has been historically denied. We do this through criminal defense, restorative practices, legal empowerment, and advocacy.

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

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About LEGAL RIGHTS CENTER INCORPORATED

The Legal Rights Center (LRC) is a Minneapolis-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit legal services and advocacy organization founded in 1970 to provide client-centered, culturally responsive criminal defense and community legal services for people and communities historically denied equal treatment. It provides free criminal defense, expungement and post-conviction assistance, restorative-justice programming, community legal education, and systems-level advocacy.

In recent years LRC has expanded policy and community work alongside direct legal services: it has led restorative-practices partnerships with local schools and county diversion programs, co-convened youth-justice coalitions, supported state legislative reforms affecting youth justice, and launched the First Defense Hotline (January 1, 2026) to expand early access to counsel for arrestees in Hennepin County. The organization receives public and foundation support and continues to operate active intake and volunteer programs, serving justice-involved individuals and their families without charging clients for services.

Notable achievements

Founded to fill an access-to-justice gap (1970)

Established in March 1970 by community and legal leaders to provide culturally responsive representation to Black and American Indian community members, the Legal Rights Center has operated continuously as a community-focused defense and advocacy organization for over five decades.

Policy advocacy supporting juvenile-age reform (2024)

LRC participated in coalition and legislative advocacy in support of state reforms in 2024 that raised the minimum age for juvenile court jurisdiction, advancing the organization's priorities to reduce youth criminalization and expand community-based alternatives.

Launched First Defense Hotline (January 1, 2026)

LRC launched the First Defense Hotline to provide free, early-stage legal counsel to arrestees in Hennepin County, mobilizing volunteer attorneys and law students to address the gap in access to counsel immediately after arrest.

At a glance

Total assets: $1.1M
Annual revenue: $2.5M
Tax status: 501(c)(3)Public charity
EIN: 41-0961835
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Website: legalrightscenter.org
On Mahalo since: September 2026

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

Recognition

Operates as an active 501(c)(3) public charity (EIN 41-0961835) with state charity registration and regular IRS filings.

Recipient of foundation and government grants from local and national funders, including multi-year support for youth-justice and restorative-practice initiatives.

Featured in local media and community press for its longstanding role in rebalancing legal disparities and for recent program launches such as the First Defense Hotline.

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