Posted January 16, 202612:00 pm
2025 Challenge Match was the most successful match campaign in Legal Aid's history
A tradition at Legal Aid’s Annual Meeting, the 2025 Challenge Match was structured differently than previous years. Inspired by the event theme—Justice: The Guardian of Liberty—and the weight of this moment as Legal Aid marks its 120th year, our Board of Directors was moved to make a bold, lasting commitment. A group of current and former Legal Aid board members challenged themselves to rise to the occasion by creating the Guardians of Justice Challenge Match. Together, these board members pledged to donate $120,000 and then challenged the community to match their collective gift by raising an additional $120,000.
Led by then board president Harlin Adelman, the Guardians of Justice Challenge Match was a powerful testament to the impact individuals can have when they come together. “It’s been a privilege to serve as Board President during Legal Aid’s 120th year,” said Harlin. “The Legal Aid Board wanted to do something significant, so we challenged ourselves and each other. We then reached out to past board members and challenged them as well. The commitment was tremendous.”
The initial goal of $120,000 in board member contributions was surpassed – with a total of 31 individuals collectively giving over $137,000.
“It was a pleasure to lead the Guardians of Justice campaign to support the organization during this milestone moment in history and broaden community support for civil legal aid,” Adelman added.
As past and current board members, these individuals are already Guardians of Justice – living out this commitment by guiding Legal Aid’s mission, expanding its reach, and stewarding its legacy. As donors to this special campaign, these board members served as the model for hundreds of individuals who contributed to the Challenge Match following the Annual Meeting.
The response to the Guardians of Justice Challenge Match was powerful. During the three-week match period, Legal Aid received donations from 350 unique donors, totaling nearly $255,000 and making this the most successful Challenge Match campaign in the organization’s history.
“Our current and former board members demonstrated their extraordinary commitment this year,” said Legal Aid Executive Director Colleen Cotter. “They are dedicated to Legal Aid – shown through their leadership and action. They set a record for both the number of individual gifts and the total amount raised through the Guardians of Justice Challenge Match. They led the movement to extend justice.”
This special campaign secured critical funding and ensured Legal Aid ended the year with strong community support. This momentum was more important than ever given the uncertainty surrounding Legal Aid’s federal funding. “I am energized by the incredible number of individuals who joined this campaign to support Legal Aid,” added Cotter.
The Guardians of Justice Challenge Match reminds us that each act of generosity creates a ripple—strengthening individuals, families, and entire communities. We are sincerely grateful to all our donors, whose generosity moves us closer to a future where access to justice is not a privilege, but a promise kept for all.
Current and past board members who contributed to the 2025 Challenge Match included:
Stephanie Adams, Harlin Adelman, Jason Bristol, Diane Citrino, Quo Vadis Cobb, Frank DeSantis, Steven Dettelbach, Philip Fastenau, Stephen Fazio, Karen Giffen, Delores Gray, Sister Joanne Gross, Elizabeth Grove, Megan Gurley, Patrick Haggerty, Kathleen Kordeleski, David Kutik, John Lewis, Rita Maimbourg, Peter Morrison, Richard Petrulis, Patricia Poole, Carole Rendon, Joseph Rodgers, Jan Roller, Barbara Roman, Jeremy Tor, Michael Ungar, Daniel Urban, Douglas Wang, and Donna Williams-Alexander.
Founded in 1905, The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland is the fifth oldest legal aid organization in the United States. Serving residents of Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, and Lorain Counties, Legal Aid staff and volunteers secure justice, equity, and access to opportunity for and with people who have low incomes through passionate legal representation and advocacy for systemic change.
To learn more about investing in Legal Aid’s work, contact Thea DeRosa Cerra, Director of Development and Communications: tderosacerra@lasclev.org.