The California Foundation for Independent Living Centers (CFILC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Sacramento, California. Founded in 1976 as a peer support mechanism for executive directors of Independent Living Centers, CFILC has evolved into a statewide organization serving all Independent Living Centers in California. The organization is primarily run, controlled, and represented by disabled people and operates as a network of more than two dozen Independent Living Centers throughout the state.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$5.8M
+54.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$3.3M
+3.3% YoY
Grant Count
25
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$132K
+3.3% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: To advocate for barrier-free access and equal opportunity for people with disabilities to participate in community life by increasing the capacity of independent living centers to achieve their missions. CFILC aims to increase access and equal opportunity for people with disabilities by building the capacity of Independent Living Centers.
Primary Program Areas:
Ability Tools — Dedicated to expanding the availability of tools, resources, and technology that increases independence, improves personal productivity, and enhances the quality of life of Californians with disabilities. The program supports 14 Device Lending Libraries, 4 Reuse Centers, and 28 Independent Living Centers throughout the state. CFILC provides funding, training, and technical assistance to a network of over 1,500 organizations and individuals. The organization leads the California Assistive Technology Reuse Coalition, comprised of 14 organizations performing and promoting assistive technology reuse initiatives. CFILC developed the FreedomTech alternative financing program, which provides low-interest loans to people with disabilities and their families seeking loans for assistive technologies and home or vehicle modifications.
Disability Organizing Network — Supports organizing and advocacy efforts for people with disabilities.
Areas of Expertise and Cooperation: The organization has expertise or interest in accessible public transportation, assistive devices, awareness raising, coalition building and networking, computers and disability, employment, independent living skills training, legal aid, legislation, media work, peer support, personal assistance, research, self-advocacy, universal design, women and disability, community education projects, and advocacy on state and federal levels.
Grantmaking
CFILC functions as both a grantmaker and capacity-building organization. Based on fiscal year 2024 data, the organization distributed approximately $3,308,932 in grants. Typical grant awards range from $8,604 to $379,075. Grant-making focuses on human services, health care, and voluntary health associations and medical disciplines, primarily within California.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
CFILC operates statewide throughout California, supporting Independent Living Centers and related organizations across the state.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Fiscal Year 2024 (most recent):
- Total Assets: $5,767,295
- Total Revenues: $7,528,040
- Total Expenses: $7,232,320
- Total Giving: $3,308,932
- Number of Employees: 24
Fiscal Year 2023:
- Total Assets: $3,732,555
- Total Revenues: $8,265,544
- Total Expenses: $8,226,022
- Number of Employees: 22
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $5,767,295 | $3,732,555 | $3,323,716 |
| Revenue | $7,528,040 | $8,265,544 | $6,877,555 |
| Expenses | $7,232,320 | $8,226,022 | $6,861,170 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $21,371 | $14,120 | $1,774 |
| 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
124 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Resources for Independence Central Valley ($218,508), Freed Center for Independent Living ($217,510), Silicon Valley Independent Living Center ($209,919).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ACCESS CENTRAL COAST SANTA BARBARA, CA | DDAR | $128,492 |
| CENTER FOR INDEPENDENCE OF THE DISABLED INC SAN MATEO, CA | DDAR | $120,874 |
| CENTER FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING BERKELEY, CA | DDAR | $104,358 |
| CENTRAL COAST ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY DOWNEY, CA | DLDC | $45,232 |
| CENTRAL COAST CENTER FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SAKUBAS, CA | DLDC / DDAR | $38,499 |
| COMMUNITIES ACTIVELY LIVING INDEPENDENT & FREE LOS ANGELES, CA | DDAR | $179,676 |
| COMMUNITY RESOURCES FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING HAYWARD, CA | DLDC / DDAR | $107,089 |
| DISABILITY ACTION CENTER CHICO, CA | DDAR | $129,898 |
| DISABILITY COMMUNIITY RESOURCE CENTER LOS ANGELES, CA | DDAR | $196,943 |
| DISABILITY RESOURCE AGENCYINDEPENDENT LIVING MODESTO, CA | DDAR | $179,848 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Interim Executive Director: Robert Hand
- Deputy Director: Megan Cowdell
- Contact: Allan Friedman (allanm@cfilc.org)
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| TJ HILL | CHAIR | 1 | — |
| HEATHER STEAGALL | VICE CHAIR | 1 | — |
| JUDY CABRERA | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| SUZANNA GAMEZ | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| LANA NIEVES | MEMBER AT LARGE | 1 | — |
| LISA HAYES | POLICY CHAIR | 1 | — |
| LARRY GRABLE | PAST CHAIR | 1 | — |
| FAUSTINO ALVAREZ | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| KEITH MILLER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| LIGIA ANDRADE ZUNIGA | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| VICTOR SANTIAGO PINEDA | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MICHAEL GALVAN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| EVAN LEVANG | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| BRITTANY ZAZUETA | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DOLORES NASON | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ADAM BROWN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| CARLY PACHECO | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JIMMIE SOTO | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JENNIFER GRIFFIN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| SUSAN ROTCHY | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ELI GELARDIN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| TINK MILLER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| BRANDI BLUEL | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| SHERI BURNS | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| EDDIE MORGAN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| LETTY ZUNO | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| PHILLIP THOMPSON | FINANCE DIRECTOR | 40 | $85,505 |
| BRETT EISENBERG | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $147,877 |
| KATHRINE CROWLEY | DEPUTY DIRECTOR | 40 | $88,957 |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does California Foundation for Independent fund?
**Mission:** To advocate for barrier-free access and equal opportunity for people with disabilities to participate in community life by increasing the capacity of independent living centers to achieve their missions. CFILC aims to increase access and equal opportunity for people with disabilities by building the capacity of Independent Living Centers. **Primary Program Areas:** **Ability Tools** — Dedicated to expanding the availability of tools, resources, and technology that increases indepen…
How do I apply for a grant from California Foundation for Independent?
CFILC functions as both a grantmaker and capacity-building organization. Based on fiscal year 2024 data, the organization distributed approximately $3,308,932 in grants. Typical grant awards range from $8,604 to $379,075. Grant-making focuses on human services, health care, and voluntary health associations and medical disciplines, primarily within California.
Where does California Foundation for Independent make grants?
CFILC operates statewide throughout California, supporting Independent Living Centers and related organizations across the state.
What size grants does California Foundation for Independent award?
In 2024, California Foundation for Independent awarded 25 grants totaling $3.3M — an average of about $132K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is California Foundation for Independent's EIN?
California Foundation for Independent's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 94-2838242. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in California Foundation for Independent'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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