California ChangeLawyers is a 501(c)(3) public charity based in San Francisco, California, operating as a community foundation for lawyers and activists. The organization was formerly known as the California Bar Foundation and has been tax-exempt since April 2015. ChangeLawyers empowers diverse legal professionals to build a better justice system for all Californians through scholarships, fellowships, grants, and leadership development programs.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$4.5M
+6.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$692K
-59.0% YoY
Grant Count
24
-64.2% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$29K
+14.3% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: To build a better justice system for all Californians.
Vision: A fully-inclusive democracy led by vigilant changemakers who safeguard the humanity of all.
ChangeLawyers focuses on:
- Criminal justice reform
- Immigration and deportation defense
- Access to justice initiatives
- Diversity in the legal profession
- Legal empowerment and capacity building for organizations addressing inequity in the justice system
Grantmaking
A reimagined program providing holistic support to early-career attorneys and law students. The organization awards scholarships to first- and third-year law students who are predominantly first-generation college attendees. In 2021, ChangeLawyers awarded $500,000, with 99% going to first-generation students.
Ready to take the next step with California Changelawyers?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
ChangeLawyers funds primarily in California, with some activity in the District of Columbia and Illinois. The organization has particular emphasis on underserved rural regions of California through its immigration legal fellowship program.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent (Fiscal Year Ending December 2024)
| Metric | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $2,892,655 |
| Total Expenses | $2,202,064 |
| Net Income | $690,591 |
| Total Assets | $4,533,884 |
| Net Assets | $4,444,680 |
Revenue Breakdown (2024)
- Contributions: $1,786,524 (61.8%)
- Investment Income: $1,100,345 (38.0%)
- Sales of Assets: $4,626
- Other Revenue: $4,110
- Net Fundraising: -$2,950
Expense Breakdown (2024)
- Executive Compensation: $244,156 (11.1%)
- Other Salaries and Wages: $444,110 (20.2%)
Staff
5 employees as of 2023
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $4,533,884 | $4,266,045 | $4,232,646 |
| Revenue | $2,892,655 | $3,035,100 | $3,438,232 |
| Expenses | $2,202,064 | $3,419,702 | $2,052,215 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $1,104,971 | $1,147,339 | $1,611,478 |
| 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 2024
Grant Size Distribution
150 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from California Changelawyers
California Immigration Legal Fellowship
CALIFORNIA CHANGELAWYERS
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Legal Aid Grants
CALIFORNIA CHANGELAWYERS
Amount
Approximately $500,000 annually
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Legal Empowerment Fund
CALIFORNIA CHANGELAWYERS
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include For the People ($80,000), Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area ($80,000), Equal Justice Works ($41,500).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ALLIANCE FOR CHILDREN'S RIGHTS LOS ANGELES, CA | LEGAL FELLOWSHIP | $10,000 |
| 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 |
| CASA CORNELIA LAW CENTER SAN DIEGO, CA | LEGAL FELLOWSHIP | $10,000 |
| CENTER FOR GENDER AND REFUGEE STUDIES - CALIFORNIA INC SAN FRANCISCO, CA | LEGAL EMPOWERMENT FUND | $40,000 |
| COMMUNITY LEGAL AID SOCAL SANTA ANA, CA | LEGAL FELLOWSHIP | $10,000 |
| ECOLOGISTICS INC LOS OSOS, CA | LEGAL EMPOWERMENT FUND | $40,000 |
| EQUAL JUSTICE SOCIETY OAKLAND, CA | LEGAL EMPOWERMENT FUND | $40,000 |
| EQUAL JUSTICE WORKS WASHINGTON, DC | LEGAL FELLOWSHIP | $41,500 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Christopher Punongbayan – Executive Director
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| RASHA GERGES SHIELDS | PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| ALEXIS AMEZCUA | CO-VICE PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| BENNIE J MACKEY II | CO-VICE PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| MARK SELWYN | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| JASMINE SINGH | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| CECILIA CHEN | MEMBER-AT-LARGE | 1 | — |
| JONATHAN LIBBY | MEMBER-AT-LARGE | 1 | — |
| DEEPAK AHLUWALIA | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| SHEILA BAPAT | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| TERESA BECK | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| PURDEY CASTLE | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| CAMILLE GRANVILLE | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| WILL HANEY | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ANNA HOHAG | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| KENNETH J LANGAN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| CHRISTOPHER A STECHER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MICHELLE YBARRA | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| CHRISTOPHER PUNONGBAYAN | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $222,834 |
| JASJIT SINGH DHANOA | DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS | 40 | $133,453 |
| CARLOS AGUILAR | CHIEF CONTENT DIRECTOR | 40 | $109,324 |
| STACI YOUNG | DEVELOPMENT OFFICER | 40 | $102,225 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
Launched a reimagined Next Gen Scholars Program providing holistic support for scholars
UC Law SF Students Win Prestigious ChangeLawyers Diversity Scholarships - UC Law San Francisco (Formerly UC Hastings)Completed a year-long strategic planning process resulting in 2024-2026 Strategic Directions
Increased support for UCLA Law's Central Valley Outreach
California ChangeLawyers Increases Support for UCLA Law’s Central Valley Outreach | UCLA LawCurrent immigration legal fellowship cohort includes seven fellows placed across six host organizations
Holds twice-yearly Next Gen Awards celebrations featuring awards ceremonies, networking, and storytelling
Offers leadership development trainings on topics including Imposter Syndrome, Interviewing 101, and workplace microaggressions
Hosts Community Conversations with leaders and activists on pressing equity challenges
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does California Changelawyers fund?
**Mission:** To build a better justice system for all Californians. **Vision:** A fully-inclusive democracy led by vigilant changemakers who safeguard the humanity of all. ChangeLawyers focuses on: • Criminal justice reform • Immigration and deportation defense • Access to justice initiatives • Diversity in the legal profession • Legal empowerment and capacity building for organizations addressing inequity in the justice system
How do I apply for a grant from California Changelawyers?
**Next Gen Scholars Program** A reimagined program providing holistic support to early-career attorneys and law students. The organization awards scholarships to first- and third-year law students who are predominantly first-generation college attendees. In 2021, ChangeLawyers awarded $500,000, with 99% going to first-generation students. **Legal Empowerment Fund** A fund harnessing the power of lawyers for good, envisioning funding for organizations promoting leadership pathways in the legal f…
Where does California Changelawyers make grants?
ChangeLawyers funds primarily in California, with some activity in the District of Columbia and Illinois. The organization has particular emphasis on underserved rural regions of California through its immigration legal fellowship program.
What size grants does California Changelawyers award?
In 2024, California Changelawyers awarded 24 grants totaling $692K — an average of about $29K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
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.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in California Changelawyers'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 June 2026.
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