California Rural Legal Assistance
California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation (CRLAF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit legal services organization headquartered in Sacramento, California. Founded in 1981 with roots in the farmworker movement of the 1960s, CRLAF provides free legal services to low-wage workers and their families living in California's rural communities, regardless of immigration status. The organization operates as a privately funded rural justice center focused on serving farmworkers, low-wage laborers, and mixed-status families.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$14.9M
+55.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$8.4M
+497.6% YoY
Grant Count
24
+140.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$350K
+149.0% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: To achieve social justice and equity in partnership with farmworkers, low-wage workers, and mixed-status families in rural communities through community, legislative and legal advocacy; community capacity building, and leadership development.
Vision: For all farmworkers and their families to be treated with dignity and respect.
CRLAF engages in impact litigation, community education and outreach, legislative and administrative advocacy, and public policy leadership on state and local levels. Primary practice areas include:
- Labor and employment law
- Housing
- Education
- Health and worker safety
- Pesticide exposure and environmental justice
- Citizenship and immigration
- Civil rights
The organization's Citizenship and Immigration Unit operates across four project areas: Citizenship and Immigration, Removal Defense, San Joaquin Immigrant Empowerment, and the Sacramento FUEL Network. Immigration services include assistance with adjustment of status, asylum applications, DACA, employment authorization, family-based petitions, naturalization/citizenship, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, T visas, U visas, and VAWA petitions.
Grantmaking
CRLAF functions as both a legal services provider and a grantmaking organization. As a funder, the organization has total assets of $14,921,921 and distributed $8,994,528 in grants according to their most recent IRS Form 990 filing (2024). Typical grant awards range from $7,300 to $1,986,339.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
CRLAF operates regional offices serving nine counties in California's Central Valley and surrounding areas:
- Butte
- Colusa
- Glenn
- Sacramento
- San Joaquin
- Stanislaus
- Sutter
- Yolo
- Yuba
The organization also maintains regional offices in Fresno, Tulare, and San Luis Obispo, providing localized legal support and advocacy for underserved rural communities throughout California.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total assets: $14,921,921
- Total revenues: $15,375,076
- Total expenses: $14,465,533
- Total giving: $8,994,528
- Number of employees: 58
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $14,921,921 | $9,571,491 | $11,581,961 |
| Revenue | $15,375,076 | $7,705,233 | $9,882,317 |
| Expenses | $14,465,533 | $7,373,871 | $5,478,699 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $259,804 | $141,169 | $13,051 |
| 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
66 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include International Rescue Committee ($1,986,339), Cair ($1,781,351), Pangea Legal ServicesProject ANAR ($926,862).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Afgan-American Community Organization Northridge, CA | Immigration legal services for Afghan nationals | $307,007 |
| Afripeace & Development Foundation Sacramento, CA | Provide outreach and informational services to vulnerable community members | $14,175 |
| CAIR Santa Clara, CA | Immigration legal services for Afghan nationals | $1,781,351 |
| Center on Race Poverty & The Environment Emeryville, CA | Provide outreach and informational services to vulnerable community members | $125,500 |
| Central California Environmental Justice Work Fresno, CA | Provide outreach and informational services to vulnerable community members | $125,500 |
| Coalition For Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA) Los Angeles, CA | Provide outreach and informational services to vulnerable community members | $843,450 |
| Community Water Center Visalia, CA | Provide outreach and informational services to vulnerable community members | $125,500 |
| CRLA Inc Oakland, CA | Provide outreach and informational services to vulnerable community members | $313,913 |
| El Concilio California Stockton, CA | Provide outreach and informational services to vulnerable community members | $28,500 |
| Hijas Del Campo Brentwood, CA | Provide outreach and informational services to vulnerable community members | $95,832 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Executive Director: Amagda Perez
- Deputy Director: Mark Schacht
- Director of Litigation: Dawson Morton
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Villegas Esq | Board Chair | 1 | — |
| Christina Brigagliano Esq | Vice-President | 1 | — |
| Jose Olivera Esq | Secretary/Treasurer | 1 | — |
| Ruben Chavez JD | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Manual Magana | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Richard Pearl Esq | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Jessica Stender Esq | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Ricardo Torrez | Board member | 1 | — |
| Amagda Perez | Executive Director | 30 | $105,744 |
| Veronica Melendez | Director | 37.5 | $117,548 |
| Juanita Ontiveros | HR Director | 37.5 | $109,478 |
| Noe Paramo | Project Director | 37.5 | $106,062 |
| Mark Schacht | Deputy Director | 37.5 | $157,333 |
Contact Information
Main Office: 2210 K Street, Suite 200/201 Sacramento, CA 95816-6059
Phone: 916-446-7904 Fax: 916-446-3057 Website: crlaf.org Email: info@crlaf.org
Appointments: Accepted via phone calls
Frequently Asked Questions
What does California Rural Legal Assistance fund?
**Mission:** To achieve social justice and equity in partnership with farmworkers, low-wage workers, and mixed-status families in rural communities through community, legislative and legal advocacy; community capacity building, and leadership development. **Vision:** For all farmworkers and their families to be treated with dignity and respect. CRLAF engages in impact litigation, community education and outreach, legislative and administrative advocacy, and public policy leadership on state and…
How do I apply for a grant from California Rural Legal Assistance?
CRLAF functions as both a legal services provider and a grantmaking organization. As a funder, the organization has total assets of $14,921,921 and distributed $8,994,528 in grants according to their most recent IRS Form 990 filing (2024). Typical grant awards range from $7,300 to $1,986,339. Primary funding focus areas include: • Arts grants for nonprofits • Grants for creative writing • Grants for historic buildings • Grants for journalism • Human rights grants
Where does California Rural Legal Assistance make grants?
CRLAF operates regional offices serving nine counties in California's Central Valley and surrounding areas: • Butte • Colusa • Glenn • Sacramento • San Joaquin • Stanislaus • Sutter • Yolo • Yuba The organization also maintains regional offices in Fresno, Tulare, and San Luis Obispo, providing localized legal support and advocacy for underserved rural communities throughout California.
What size grants does California Rural Legal Assistance award?
In 2024, California Rural Legal Assistance awarded 24 grants totaling $8.4M — an average of about $350K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is California Rural Legal Assistance's EIN?
California Rural Legal Assistance's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 94-2800442. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in California Rural Legal Assistance'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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