California Access to Justice Commission
The California Access to Justice Commission is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Carmichael, California (with operations in Oakland). Established as an independent nonprofit benefit corporation on October 1, 2019, after separating from the State Bar of California, the organization advances access to justice for all Californians by expanding resources, removing barriers, and developing innovations to help residents effectively and efficiently resolve their civil legal issues.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$6.7M
+126.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$6.1M
Grant Count
101
Avg Grant Size
$60K
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: The California Access to Justice Commission advances access to justice for all Californians by expanding resources, removing barriers, and developing innovations so everyone can effectively and efficiently resolve their civil legal issues.
Vision: A robust civil justice system that is well-integrated and coordinated so that everyone receives effective assistance to resolve their legal issues. Everyone should be able to get prompt access to the information and assistance they need, when and where they need it, in a format and language they can use.
Strategic Goals:
- Create a Continuum of Service
- Improve Existing Systems
- Expand Representation
- Promote Public Awareness and Trust
The organization's primary focus area is legal services (NTEE code I80), with emphasis on strengthening legal aid nonprofits and developing new forms of legal assistance for low-income Californians.
Grantmaking
The California Access to Justice Commission administers several grant programs funded through the State Budget Act and private foundations:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The California Access to Justice Commission funds organizations and initiatives throughout California, with a focus on serving low-income and moderate-income residents statewide.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Fiscal Year 2025 (ended June 30, 2025):
- Total revenues: $7,168,423
- Total expenses: $7,067,189
- Total assets: $6,706,161
Tax-Exempt Status: Tax-exempt since April 2020
EIN: 84-3344697
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $6,706,161 | $2,958,046 | $4,161,786 |
| Revenue | $7,168,423 | $7,175,557 | $5,914,248 |
| Expenses | $7,067,189 | $7,174,069 | $5,678,029 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $39,037 | $29,808 | $10,135 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
Grant Size Distribution
50 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from California Access to Justice Commission
Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP) for Legal Aid Lawyers
California Access to Justice Commission
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
State Legal Aid Infrastructure & Innovation Grants
California Access to Justice Commission
Amount
$5,000,000
Deadline
October 6, 2026
Supplemental Legal Aid for Vulnerable Populations
California Access to Justice Commission
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest include CA Collab for Immigrant Just ($350,000), Clsepa ($186,250), Immigration Inst of Bay Area ($183,250).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AIDS Legal Referral Panel San Francisco, CA | Program Support | $62,500 |
| Al Otro Lado San Ysidro, CA | Program Support | $75,000 |
| Alameda County Homeless Ctr Berkeley, CA | Program Support | $22,500 |
| Alliance for Childrens Right Los Angeles, CA | Program Support | $12,500 |
| American Bar Association San Diego, CA | Program Support | $31,250 |
| Asian Americans Advancing Jus Los Angeles, CA | Program Support | $159,500 |
| Bet Tzedek Los Angeles, CA | Program Support | $18,750 |
| CA Collab for Immigrant Just Oakland, CA | Program Support | $350,000 |
| CA Rural Legal Asst Fdn Sacramento, CA | Program Support | $32,500 |
| CAIR-CA Santa Clara, CA | Program Support | $75,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Catherine Blakemore | Chair | 10 | — |
| Judge Mark Juhas | Past Chair | 2 | — |
| Justice Gail Ruderman Feuer | Vice-Chair | 2 | — |
| Judge Lisa Jaskol | Secretary | 2 | — |
| Janis R Hirohama | CFO | 2 | — |
| Judge Maria Lucy Armendariz | Director | 1 | — |
| Diego Cartagena | Director | 1 | — |
| David R Daniels | Director | 1 | — |
| Hon Timothy P Dillon | Director | 1 | — |
| Justice Kelli Evans | Director | 1 | — |
| Hon Rosa M Fregoso | Director | 1 | — |
| Ryan M Harrison Sr | Director | 1 | — |
| Amos E Hartston | Director | 1 | — |
| Andrew F Kirtley | Director | 1 | — |
| Hon Victoria S Kolakowski | Director | 1 | — |
| Sandra Levin | Director | 1 | — |
| Michael J Levy | Director | 1 | — |
| Jonathan D Libby | Director | 1 | — |
| Jack W Londen | Executive Dir. | 20 | — |
| William Marticorena | Director | 1 | — |
| James Meeker | Director | 1 | — |
| Crystal Miller-O'Brien | Director | 1 | — |
| Panida M Rzonca | Director | 1 | — |
| Janice Schmidt | Director | 1 | — |
| Justice Jon Streeter | Director | 1 | — |
| Elica Vafaie | Director | 1 | — |
| Johanna Valle Sobalvarro | Director | 1 | — |
| Nicole Wasylkiw | Director | 1 | — |
| Hon Monica F Wiley | Director | 1 | — |
| Hon Erica R Yew | Director | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**2024 Annual Report:** The organization released its 2024 Annual Report documenting recent work and impact.
Read the California Access to Justice Commission\u2019s 2024 Annual Report\**Court Reporter Shortage Report:** The Commission released a report addressing current challenges California litigants face due to insufficient court reporter employment. The report documented that one million Superior Court hearings annually are conducted without providing an official transcript, and described the rights, interests, and harms at stake along with options for addressing the issue. The report has been widely cited in submissions to an ongoing writ proceeding.
Read the California Access to Justice Commission\u2019s 2024 Annual Report\**Loan Repayment Assistance Programs:** Following publication of a policy paper on Legal Aid Recruitment, Retention, and Diversity, the Commission designed a program for tax-exempt Loan Repayment Assistance Programs for legal aid lawyers and provided webinars on obtaining Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
Supplemental Legal Aid Funding for Vulnerable Populations**Knowledge Gap Initiative:** With support from the State Bar of California, the Commission developed social media messages to address the "Knowledge Gap"—when people don't know they have legal rights and remedies or where to find help—focusing on access to medical care and coverage.
State Legal Aid Infrastructure & Innovation Grants**Pro Bono Recognition:** In October 2025, the Commission presented its Pro Bono Service Award to Morrison Foerster.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does California Access to Justice Commission fund?
**Mission:** The California Access to Justice Commission advances access to justice for all Californians by expanding resources, removing barriers, and developing innovations so everyone can effectively and efficiently resolve their civil legal issues. **Vision:** A robust civil justice system that is well-integrated and coordinated so that everyone receives effective assistance to resolve their legal issues. Everyone should be able to get prompt access to the information and assistance they ne…
How do I apply for a grant from California Access to Justice Commission?
The California Access to Justice Commission administers several grant programs funded through the State Budget Act and private foundations: **Infrastructure and Innovation Grants:** State-funded grants that strengthen legal aid nonprofits and start new forms of legal help for low-income Californians. • Year 3 (one-year grants beginning April 2023): 44 grants awarded, $4,875,000 total • Year 4 (one-year grants beginning April 2024): 49 grants awarded, $4,875,000 total • Supplemental (one-year gr…
Where does California Access to Justice Commission make grants?
The California Access to Justice Commission funds organizations and initiatives throughout California, with a focus on serving low-income and moderate-income residents statewide.
What size grants does California Access to Justice Commission award?
In 2025, California Access to Justice Commission awarded 101 grants totaling $6.1M — an average of about $60K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is California Access to Justice Commission's EIN?
California Access to Justice Commission's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 84-3344697. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in California Access to Justice Commission's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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