California Changelawyers
California ChangeLawyers is a public charity based in San Francisco, California. It funds legal organizations and supports law students and recent law graduates through grants, scholarships, and fellowships, with the stated mission of building a better justice system for all Californians.
California Changelawyers at a glance
In short: California Changelawyers gave $692K across 24 grants in 2024 (avg $29K), mostly in California. 29% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $691,500
- -59.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 24
- -64.2% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $28,813
- +14.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $30,000
- Total assets
- $4,533,884
- +6.3% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 29% first-time grantees (7 of 24, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- California (82% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to California Changelawyers
- Contact
Mailing address: 1 Embarcadero Center 1200, San Francisco, CA 94111
Phone: (415) 856-0780
Website: https://changelawyers.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
5 open opportunities from California Changelawyers
California Immigration Legal Fellowship
California Changelawyers
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
ChangeLawyers California Immigration Legal Fellowship
California Changelawyers
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
ChangeLawyers Next Gen Scholars Program
California Changelawyers
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who California Changelawyers funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was For the People ($80K). Together the top 10 received $482K.
Grant Size Distribution
167 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 146 grants of 167 (87%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Legal Empowerment Fund and Legal Aid Fund are California-focused. The organization states that Legal Aid Fund grants support eligible legal aid organizations across California. In 2024, 82% of itemized grant dollars went to recipients in California, 12% to recipients in Washington, DC, and 6% to recipients in Illinois.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 24 itemized grants.
Cities
Is California Changelawyers open to new grantees?
29%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 7 of 24 grantees (29%) were first-time recipients. With only 24 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 4 points. First grants averaged $34K; repeat grants $27K. How we count
Medians: $40K first-time, $10K repeat.
- 58% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+15%). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $349K (2022) to $1.7M (2023). In 2024 it made 24 grants totaling $692K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| For the People Oakland, CA | Legal Fellowship | $80,000 |
| Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area San Francisco, CA | Legal Fellowship | $80,000 |
| Equal Justice Works Washington, DC | Legal Fellowship | $41,500 |
| American Bar Association Fund for Justice and Education Chicago, IL | Legal Empowerment Fund | $40,000 |
| California Collaborative for Immigrant Justice Oakland, CA | Legal Empowerment Fund | $40,000 |
| California Indian Law Association Inc Bakersfield, CA | Legal Empowerment Fund | $40,000 |
| Center for Gender and Refugee Studies - California Inc San Francisco, CA | Legal Empowerment Fund | $40,000 |
| Ecologistics Inc Los Osos, CA | Legal Empowerment Fund | $40,000 |
| Equal Justice Society Oakland, CA | Legal Empowerment Fund | $40,000 |
| ESQ Apprentice Inc Oakland, CA | Legal Empowerment Fund | $40,000 |
Ready to take the next step with California Changelawyers?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Amounts below are reported by filing year.
In its 2024 filing, the organization also reported $359,352 in scholarships and similar aid.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $4,533,884 | $2,892,655 | $2,202,064 | $691,500 | 24 | $1,104,971 |
| 2023 | $4,266,045 | $3,035,100 | $3,419,702 | $1,688,498 | 67 | $1,147,339 |
| 2022 | $4,232,646 | $3,438,232 | $2,052,215 | $349,086 | 21 | $1,611,478 |
| 2021 | $3,801,326 | $2,784,200 | $2,146,183 | $601,571 | 25 | $1,342,574 |
| 2020 | $3,336,905 | $1,754,652 | $1,800,069 | $527,197 | 30 | $37,572 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s mission is “to build a better justice system for all Californians.” Its Legal Empowerment Fund seeks to foster movement lawyering, build the capacity of smaller and newer legal organizations, and support new, diverse leaders in the legal profession. Its Legal Aid Fund supports organizations providing legal assistance to Californians who cannot afford attorneys. The organization also awards scholarships to law students and runs a fellowship program for recent law graduates pursuing deportation defense work.
Examples of 2024 grantees illustrate the range of supported organizations. For The People says its project works with prosecutors to remedy unjust sentences through prosecutor-initiated resentencing. The Equal Justice Society says it works to dismantle structural and institutional racism through legal advocacy, coalition building, and education. The Legal Education Access Pipeline says it prepares underrepresented students to become law school applicants, lawyers, and agents of social change. Esq Apprentice says it supports low-income youth of color pursuing California’s legal apprenticeship program. These are the grantees’ own descriptions of their missions.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the organization reported 24 itemized grants totaling $691,500. Grant amounts ranged from $10,000 to $80,000, with a median of $30,000. The filing separately states that $675,850 was distributed through the Legal Empowerment and Legal Aid Funds in 2024.
The largest listed grants were $80,000 each to For The People and the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area, both for legal fellowships. Other listed awards included $41,500 to Equal Justice Works for a legal fellowship and $40,000 each to the American Bar Association Fund for Justice and Education and the California Collaborative for Immigrant Justice for the Legal Empowerment Fund. The California Indian Law Association, Center for Gender and Refugee Studies – California, EcoLogistics, Equal Justice Society, Esq Apprentice, Legal Education Access Pipeline, and The Appellate Project also each received a listed $40,000 award for the Legal Empowerment Fund.
The Legal Empowerment Fund’s 2026 application status is invitation only. Legal Aid Fund awards go to organizations deemed eligible by the State Bar of California’s Legal Services Trust Fund Commission; the organization says there is no open request for proposals for those funds. The California Immigration Legal Fellowship is described as a two-year professional development and capacity-building program for recent law graduates serving as deportation-defense practitioners in the Central Valley and Central Coast. The website describes a cohort of ten fellows placed across seven host organizations. The Next Gen Scholars Program provides scholarships to law students; these awards support participants rather than outside grant applicants.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Rasha Gerges Shields as president; Alexis Amezcua and Bennie J. Mackey II as co-vice presidents; Mark Selwyn as secretary; and Jasmine Singh as treasurer. Cecilia Chen and Jonathan Libby are listed as members-at-large. Deepak Ahluwalia, Sheila Bapat, and Teresa Beck are listed as directors.
California Changelawyers is led by Christopher Punongbayan, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; 4 of 21 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Christopher Punongbayan
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$168K (2020) → $223K (2024)
Rasha Gerges Shields
President
Executive Committee Member → Secretary, 2021
Secretary → President, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Carlos Aguilar
Chief Content Director
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$107K (2023) → $109K (2024)
Jasjit Singh Dhanoa
Director of Programs
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$133K (2024)
Christopher A. Stecher
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Deepak Ahluwalia
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kenneth J. Langan
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michelle Ybarra
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sheila Bapat
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Purdey Castle
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Teresa Beck
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Will Haney
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Anna Hohag
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Camille Granville
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Staci Young
Development Officer
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$102K (2024)
Alexis Amezcua
Co-Vice President
Director → Member-At-Large, 2021
Member-At-Large → Co-Vice President, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bennie J. Mackey II
Co-Vice President
Director → Member-At-Large, 2021
Member-At-Large → Co-Vice President, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cecilia Chen
Member-At-Large
Director → Member-At-Large, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jasmine Singh
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jonathan D. Libby
Member-At-Large
Director → Member-At-Large, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mark Selwyn
Secretary
Co-Vice President → Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (26)
- Former: Marci Rubin (2020–2023) — Member-At-Large
- Former: Roger Perez (2020–2023) — Treasurer
- Former: Jasjit Singh (2021–2023) — Director of Programs
- Former: Tam Nomoto Schumann (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Corin M. Korenaga (2023) — Director
- Former: Alicia Vaz (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Amy Tovar (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Anjan Choudhury (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Christine Avalos (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Claudia Sanchez Wilson (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: David Kelly (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Jeanne Fugate (2020–2022) — President
- Former: Kalpana Srinivasan (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Olamide Abiose (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Adrian Carpenter (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: E. Carlos Dominguez (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Heather Rosing (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Khai Lequang (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Melissa Tidwell (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Damian J Martinez (2020) — Director
- Former: Eric Casher (2020) — President
- Former: Grace Yang (2020) — Director
- Former: Jeff Guthrie (2020) — Treasurer
- Former: Judge Tam Motomo Schumann (2020) — Director
- Former: Laura R Washington (2020) — Director
- Former: Olamide Aboise (2020) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $223K, to Christopher Punongbayan (Executive Director). 4 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about California Changelawyers
How much does California Changelawyers give each year?
California Changelawyers gave $692K across 24 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $1.7M across 67 grants.
What is California Changelawyers's typical grant size?
California Changelawyers's median grant in 2024 was $30,000, and its average grant was $28,813, across 24 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from California Changelawyers that year got $34K on average.
Where does California Changelawyers give grants?
California Changelawyers gives mostly in California: 82% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest states were District of Columbia (12%) and Illinois (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Oakland, CA (6 grants), San Francisco, CA (3 grants), Los Angeles, CA (3 grants) and Washington, DC (2 grants).
Does California Changelawyers give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 24 grants with a stated purpose on California Changelawyers's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Legal Fellowship" (14 grants) and "Legal Empowerment Fund" (10 grants).
Who are California Changelawyers's largest grantees?
California Changelawyers's largest 2024 grantees include For the People ($80,000), Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area ($80,000) and Equal Justice Works ($41,500), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 29% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is California Changelawyers?
California Changelawyers reported $4.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $2.9M.
What does California Changelawyers fund?
The organization’s mission is “to build a better justice system for all Californians.” Its Legal Empowerment Fund seeks to foster movement lawyering, build the capacity of smaller and newer legal organizations, and support new, diverse leaders in the legal profession. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from California Changelawyers?
California Changelawyers has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check changelawyers.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is California Changelawyers's EIN?
California Changelawyers's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 94-3104546. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS September 23, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 11, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 10, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 8, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 14, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Other open foundation grants in California
California Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in California Changelawyers's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
The Morrison & Foerster Foundation
San Francisco, CA
The Morrison & Foerster Foundation funds U.S. nonprofits serving communities where the firm’s personnel live and work, with priorities including disadvantaged children and youth, legal services, scholarships and fellowships, health and basic needs, and the arts. Its 2024 grants ranged from $5,100 to $335,000, with a median of $10,000; the largest shares went to California, New York, and Washington, D.C. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
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Total Given
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Munger Tolles & Olson Foundation
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The Munger Tolles & Olson Foundation supports eligible charitable organizations, with 2024 grants including legal services, civil liberties, and public-interest law, though it states no specific funding priorities. Its 54 grants ranged from $5,150 to $1,883,592, with a median of $16,500; most funding went to organizations in New York and California. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
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Total Given
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Equal Justice Works
Washington, DC
Equal Justice Works funds public-interest legal fellowships and related programs that help address unmet legal needs among underserved communities, including in areas such as housing, immigration, and disability rights. Its 2025 grants ranged from $7,000 to $251,877, with a median of $59,000, and supported work across the United States; applications are made through specific fellowship programs, but general unsolicited requests are not addressed in the profile.
Assets
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Total Given
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The Gibson Dunn & Crutcher Foundation
Los Angeles, CA
The foundation’s grants support varied charitable work, including education, youth development, health, and legal services. In 2024, grants ranged from $2,000 to $90,000, with a median of $19,250, and the largest shares went to organizations in New York, Washington, D.C., California, and Texas. It does not limit giving to preselected organizations, and no application format or deadline is specified.
Assets
$2.2M
Grants
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Total Given
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California Access to Justice Commission
Carmichael, CA
The California Access to Justice Commission funds civil legal aid and projects that improve legal-service delivery for Californians, with a focus on infrastructure, innovation, and underserved communities. Its 2025 grants ranged from $10,000 to $350,000, with a median of $42,500; its current statewide opportunity offers $25,000–$200,000 per project. The Year 6 application is open, so eligible nonprofits can apply.
Assets
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Grants
101
Total Given
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Legal Services Corporation
Washington, DC
The Legal Services Corporation funds civil legal aid for low-income people, along with related technology, pro bono, disaster-response, and veterans’ legal services. Its 2025 grants had a median of about $3 million and supported organizations across all 50 states, Washington, DC, and U.S. territories; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$208.1M
Grants
132
Total Given
$544.9M
More similar funders
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). California Changelawyers funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 17, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/california-changelawyers-morg_49f3356cc8e240d89d1fcf92c0f08224
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_943104546_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{California Changelawyers funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/california-changelawyers-morg_49f3356cc8e240d89d1fcf92c0f08224},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-17. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from California Changelawyers's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
California Changelawyers down — hundreds of funders to go?