Arizona Foundation For Legal Services & Education

Phoenix, AZ ยท Founded 1978

Supports access to legal services and legal education for underserved communities in Arizona

Primary audience
Low-income individuals
Work area
Legal services
Topic
Access to justice
Contact
Kevin Ruegg
Website Contact

About Organization

Arizona Foundation For Legal Services & Education provides funding and support for pro bono legal services, domestic violence legal assistance, and public legal education programs. Based in Phoenix, AZ, the organization has grown significantly since its founding in 1978, reporting $23.8 million in revenue and employing 31 staff members with support from 720 volunteers in 2024.

What They Focus On

Access to Justice

Expands legal representation for low-income individuals through pro bono programs and grant funding

Domestic Violence Support

Provides specialized legal assistance and resources for survivors of domestic violence seeking safety

Legal Education

Increases public knowledge of legal rights and processes through educational programs and outreach

Financial Information

Form 990 data showing organizational financial health and growth.

Revenue (2024)

$23.8M

+54.1% vs 2023

Expenses (2024)

$9.8M

+64.8% vs 2023

Assets (2024)

$27.2M

+96.2% vs 2023

Employees (2024)

31

+14.8% vs 2023

Year Revenue Expenses Assets Employees
2024 $23,793,539 $9,829,809 $27,224,905 31
2023 $15,440,413 $5,965,109 $13,876,138 27
2022 $5,548,454 $4,505,833 $3,979,281 23
2020 $4,941,307 $4,902,157 $4,022,636 20
2019 $5,781,737 $5,521,780 $5,022,977 24
2018 $4,873,580 $4,623,975 $6,284,465 17

Source: IRS Form 990 filings. All figures in USD.

How They Work

Learn more
  • 01

    Identify Needs

    Assess gaps in legal services access for underserved populations across Arizona communities

  • 02

    Distribute Grants

    Award funding to legal aid organizations and domestic violence service providers statewide

  • 03

    Coordinate Volunteers

    Mobilize over 700 volunteer attorneys to provide pro bono representation to clients

  • 04

    Educate Public

    Deliver legal education programs to help communities understand their rights and navigate systems

Programs and Initiatives

Services and programs offered by Arizona Foundation For Legal Services & Education

Pro Bono Legal Services

Funds and coordinates free legal representation for low-income individuals who cannot afford attorneys

Domestic Violence Legal Aid

Provides specialized legal assistance and grants to organizations serving survivors of domestic violence

Legal Education Programs

Delivers educational initiatives to increase public understanding of legal rights and the justice system

Grant Making

Awards funding to legal service organizations throughout Arizona to expand access to justice

Team & Leadership

Meet the people behind Arizona Foundation For Legal Services & Education.

KR

Kevin Ruegg

CEO/Executive Director
Full-time
Compensation: $239,765
SS

Stephanie Sandner

Chief Financial Officer
Full-time
Compensation: $189,283
AF

Alvaro Flores

Chief Information Officer
Full-time
Compensation: $186,667
JC

Jennifer Castro

Chief Learning Officer
Full-time
Compensation: $158,074
HJ

Hon Joseph Kreamer

President
2 hrs/week
JL

Jennifer Lee-Cota

Past President
2 hrs/week
LB

Lance Broberg

President Elect
2 hrs/week
SB

Susan Brichler Trujillo

Vice-President
2 hrs/week
CG

Christine Groninger

Chief Strategy Officer
Full-time
Compensation: $191,026
LS

Lara Slifko

Chief Operating Officer
Full-time
Compensation: $187,497
HS

Hon Samuel Thumma

Ex-Officio Member
2 hrs/week
JE

Joel England

Ex-Officio Member
2 hrs/week
SA

Sandi Allison

Senior Accountant and Director of IOLTA
JA

John Armendt

Program Specialist
MB

Maxine Becker

Lead Director of Public Information
AC

Ashley Cagnetta

Instruction Specialist
ME

Marie Ehlers

Assistant Community Engagement Director
MF

Marisa Fugleberg

Legal Design Specialist
BM

Brandon Mitchell

IT Support and Systems Specialist
FO

Francisco Ortega

Technology Director
DP

Deepika Padmavati

Education Program Manager
TP

Tim Phillips

Full Stack Developer
LP

Leah Prager

Program Specialist
AS

Ashley Sanchez

Program Coordinator
DS

Diana Strouth

Senior Instruction Specialist
JS

Jeremy Sullivan

Finance and Accounting Manager
JT

Julia Tramel

Staff Accountant
KU

Kass Urias

Grant & Program Specialist
AV

Andrea Viel

Instruction Specialist

Milestones

1978

Foundation Established

1978

Arizona Foundation For Legal Services & Education founded to support access to justice

1979

IRS Recognition

1979

Received federal tax-exempt status as a charitable and educational organization

2022

Revenue Growth

2022

Revenue increased from $5.5 million as organization expanded grant making capacity

2024

Major Expansion

2024

Reached $23.8 million in revenue with 31 staff and 720 volunteers

Associated People

Board members, advisors, and key contributors

Board of Directors

CL
Craig Lewandowski Treasurer 2.00 hrs/week
DB
David Bell Board Member 2.00 hrs/week
DR
David Rosenbaum Board Member 2.00 hrs/week
DV
Diana Varela Board Member 2.00 hrs/week
HA
Hon Anni Hill Foster Board Member 2.00 hrs/week
HB
Hon Brian Furuya Board Member 2.00 hrs/week
HR
Hon Robert Brooks Board Member 2.00 hrs/week
HT
Hon Todd Lang Board Member 2.00 hrs/week
JA
Joseph Adams Secretary 2.00 hrs/week
KL
Kelsi Lane Board Member 2.00 hrs/week
KM
Kerry Melcher Board Member 2.00 hrs/week
LR
Leslie Ross Board Member 2.00 hrs/week
MM
Mark McCall Board Member 2.00 hrs/week
MH
Mignonne Hollis Board Member 2.00 hrs/week
PD
Peter Davis Board Member 2.00 hrs/week
RP
Richard Parks Board Member 2.00 hrs/week
SS
Scott Sherman Board Member 2.00 hrs/week
SP
Suzanne Porter Vice President 2.00 hrs/week
TS
Ted Schmidt Board Member 2.00 hrs/week
SB
Susan Brichler Trujillo President
MR
Marcus Reinkensmeyer Secretary
LB
Lance Broberg Past President
HB
Heather Baker-Mushkatel Board Member
JD
Jena Decker-Xu Board Member
RD
Russell Duerkesen Board Member
SF
Shawn Friend Board Member
HR
Hon. Rachel Hernandez Board Member
WK
Will Knight Board Member
JM
James Melendres Board Member
CR
Cole Rasmussen Board Member
HM
Hon. Michala Ruechel Board Member
HR
Hon. Roxanne Song Ong Board Member
JE
Joel England State Bar Arizona's CEO
KR
Kevin Ruegg Arizona Bar Foundation's CEO
HS
Hon. Samuel Thumma Access to Justice Comm. Chair

Information compiled from IRS Form 990 and organizational materials.

Executive Compensation

Top compensated officers & key employees from IRS Form 990

Total Reported (2024)

$1.3M

Highest Paid

$256K

Kevin Ruegg

Compensated Officers

6

Name Title Base Other Total Hrs/Wk
Kevin Ruegg Ceoexecutive Director $239,765 $16,422 $256,187 40
Alvaro Flores CIO $186,667 $31,972 $218,639 40
Lara Slifko CRO $187,497 $30,924 $218,421 40
Christine Groninger CSO $191,026 $22,438 $213,464 40
Stephanie Sandner CFO $189,283 $13,997 $203,280 40
Jennifer Castro Senior Director Of Education $158,074 $29,648 $187,722 40

Source: IRS Form 990 filings. Compensation includes base and other reported compensation.

COVID-19 PPP Loans

Paycheck Protection Program (2020-2021)

Fully Forgiven

Total Approved

$600K

Total Forgiven

$607K

101% forgiven

Jobs Retained

37

Loan Details 2 loans

$300,000
Forgiven
Forgiven: $302,663 100%
Approved Apr 10, 2020
Lender Zions Bank, A Division of
Jobs Reported 19
Forgiven On Mar 5, 2021
$300,000
Forgiven
Forgiven: $304,299 100%
Approved Feb 2, 2021
Lender Zions Bank, A Division of
Jobs Reported 18
Forgiven On Jul 12, 2022

Source: Small Business Administration • Paycheck Protection Program (2020-2021)

Partners & Funders

Grant funding relationships from IRS Form 990 filings

$129K Grants Received
$2.1M Grants Given
19 Organizations

Top Funders

2 total
SB
State Bar Of Arizona
$120K
AO
American Online Giving Foundation Inc.
$10K

Top Grantees

17 total
CL
Community Legal Services Phoenix, AZ
$747K
SA
Southern Arizona Legal Aid Tucson, AZ
$724K
DP
Dna - Peoples Legal Services Window Rock, AZ
$214K
WE
William E Morris Institute Phoenix, AZ
$205K
FI
Florence Immigrant & Refuge Tucson, AZ
$60K
EC
Emerge Center Against Domestic Vio Tucson, AZ
$25K
SC
Sojourner Center Phoenix, AZ
$25K
KA
Kingman Aid To Abused People Kingman, AZ
$21K
AA
Against Abuse Inc. CASA GRANDE, AZ
$20K
CC
Catholic Comm Serv In West Az Yuma, AZ
$16K
+7 more grantees
State Bar Of Arizona American Online Giving Foundation Inc. Community Legal Services Southern Arizona Legal Aid Dna - Peoples Legal Services William E Morris Institute Florence Immigrant & Refuge Emerge Center Against Domestic Vio Sojourner Center Kingman Aid To Abused People Against Abuse Inc. Catholic Comm Serv In West Az Verde Valley Sanctuary Catholic Com Serv Of Se Az Time Out Mt Graham Safehouse Colorado River Regional Crisis Arizona Coalition To End Sexual & D Step Up To Justice
State Bar Of Arizona American Online Giving Foundation Inc. Community Legal Services Southern Arizona Legal Aid Dna - Peoples Legal Services William E Morris Institute Florence Immigrant & Refuge Emerge Center Against Domestic Vio Sojourner Center Kingman Aid To Abused People Against Abuse Inc. Catholic Comm Serv In West Az Verde Valley Sanctuary Catholic Com Serv Of Se Az Time Out Mt Graham Safehouse Colorado River Regional Crisis Arizona Coalition To End Sexual & D Step Up To Justice

Source: IRS Form 990 Schedule I filings. Amounts may span multiple tax years.

Contact

Get in touch with Arizona Foundation For Legal Services & Education

Phone

(602) 340-7356

Social

Visit Website
4201 N 24th Street Suite 210 Phoenix, AZ 85016