Donate: Because Justice Matters

You can make the promise of justice a reality.

The legal needs of low-income people are basic to survival. For people living in poverty, legal services can mean the difference between access to life essentials—food, clothing, and shelter—or going without.

Why Give?

  • Serving those in need

To be eligible for SMRLS’ services, a client’s gross annual income must fall at or below 125% of Federal Poverty Guidelines. By current standards this equates to $14,713/yr for a single person home and $30,313/yr for a family of four. We serve those in our society that are most vulnerable and needing of assistance.

  • The needs are great, and ever growing

Over one half million Minnesotans live in poverty. Because of limited resources, SMRLS is currently able to fully serve only 40% of the individuals who contact the firm for help.

  • Because, Justice Matters

SMRLS staff is committed to providing a full range of quality legal services, often going above and beyond the call of duty to ensure clients’ needs are met. The firm is well recognized for its innovative practice, strong partnerships, and high standard of work.

When you donate to SMRLS:

  • SMRLS assisted an unmarried father of four joint children. The mother threatened to take the children out of state after she was established as a child support obligor. SMRLS filed a petition to establish custody and parenting time for the Father. Ultimately, sole legal and physical custody of the minor children was granted to the father.

  • A 20-week pregnant woman was referred to SMRLS after she sought medical treatment and was facing eviction due to her income instability. The client was able to pay off the back rent with the support of a community partner, and with our help was able to adjust her subsidized housing payment to a manageable amount until she can find employment that is compatible with her pregnancy complications.

    “My family and I also had the greatest pleasure of meeting you. We would like to thank you for helping us make sound decisions for the client as he is of legal age. Without your assistance, it would be difficult for us to get the support and information we needed regarding guardianship for the client.”

  • A parent reached out because she had been requesting an Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) for her son for t years and the school refused to start the process. SMRLS got involved and was able to get the school to finally start the evaluation process.

    “I attended IEP meetings for my son every year and often left those meetings with a feeling that I didn’t do enough to help him succeed. SMRLS was instrumental in the revision of the IEP as well as reviewing his testing and informing me of resources available. Since the IEP was updated and changes were made my son has made significant improvements because of the assistance and advice from SMRLS.”

  • SMRLS assisted a client living in a mobile home park that was illegally closing. SMRLS filed an extension on behalf of the client. SMRLS settled the matter with the client receiving additional time to move and rent fees covered for a new location. The landlord also agreed to expunge a previous eviction action.

    “[SMRLS] helped negotiate terms to move out during the eviction process with the least amount of negative effects to my family. SMRLS truly makes you feel like you have an advocate on your side who listens and fights for what you believe is right!”

  • A client with autism was determined to no longer be disabled and eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) at his age-18 disability redetermination. SMRLS successfully argued that the client had significant limitations in his mental functioning, and his disability assistance was able to continue.

    “Thank you for your representation. I am all set up with Medicare, supplements, etc. Whenever possible, I spread word about you. Truly, your work makes a difference!”

Ways to Give

hand holding a present

  • Your personal gift, of any amount, will be counted to our Annual Campaign. Funds will be used to support direct client services, providing critical legal assistance to ensure that justice is not based on what one can afford.

  • SMRLS is grateful for the committed support of our partners in the private bar and corporate community. Through strong programmatic and organizational support, these organizations are helping to make the promise of justice a reality.

  • If you are involved in a class action case and are unable to distribute all the funds, please consider SMRLS as a cy pres recipient. Such a gift will make a positive difference in the lives of individuals and families who need help meeting their critical legal needs.

  • SMRLS has been ensuring equal access to justice for over 100 years. To ensure that the same service is available to coming generations, please consider making a planned gift, either as part of your estate or to commemorate a cornerstone event: a birth, graduation, retirement or other joyous celebration.

  • The need for legal help is ever great. If you are an attorney looking to make a donation of time and service, please consider SMRLS and our low-income client community. Visit our Volunteer Page for more information

To learn more, please contact the Campaign for Legal Aid at cla@smrls.org or (651) 228-9823. 

Charitable Giving Tax Information

New Charitable Giving Tax Information: SMRLS is a 501(c)(3) registered nonprofit. Your donation is tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law. For detailed information about the deductibility of your gift, we recommend consulting a tax professional. Thank you for supporting SMRLS and our low-income client community!