Centro Legal De La Raza
Centro Legal de la Raza is an Oakland, California-based public charity, listed as a Form 990 filer. Its mission is to protect and advance the rights of low-income, immigrant, Latinx, Black, and other communities of color through bilingual legal services, education, and advocacy.
Centro Legal De La Raza at a glance
In short: Centro Legal De La Raza gave $1.0M across 10 grants in 2025 (avg $102K), mostly in California. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,022,575
- Grants made (2025)
- 10
- Average grant
- $102,258
- Median grant
- $98,869
- Total assets
- $6,950,098
- -16.5% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- California (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
How to apply to Centro Legal De La Raza
- Contact
Mailing address: 3400 E 12Th St, Oakland, CA 94601
Phone: (510) 437-1554
Website: https://centrolegal.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Centro Legal De La Raza funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Safe Passages ($207K). Together the top 10 received $1.0M.
Grant Size Distribution
10 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 5 grants of 10 (50%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Centro Legal’s website describes its service reach as Northern and Central California, with tenants’ rights services across Alameda and Contra Costa counties. The 2025 filing lists all grant dollars as going to recipients in California.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 10 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
In 2025 it made 10 grants totaling $1.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Safe Passages Oakland, CA | Grants to Assist Program Work | $207,054 |
| Just Cities Institute Berkeley, CA | Grants to Assist Program Work | $200,829 |
| Eviction Defense Center Oakland, CA | Grants to Assist Program Work | $176,234 |
| The Unity Council Oakland, CA | Grants to Assist Program Work | $152,671 |
| Bhyv Consulting LLC Oakland, CA | Grants to Assist Program Work | $107,280 |
| Family Violence Law Center Oakland, CA | Grants to Assist Program Work | $90,457 |
| Pars Equality Center San Jose, CA | Grants to Assist Program Work | $39,200 |
| East Bay Sanctuary Covenant Berkeley, CA | Grants to Assist Program Work | $24,500 |
| Asian Law Alliance San Jose, CA | Grants to Assist Program Work | $18,450 |
| Oasis Legal Services Berkeley, CA | Grants to Assist Program Work | $5,900 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $6,950,098 | $11,901,160 | $12,114,634 | $1,022,575 | 10 | $1,409 |
| 2024 | $8,325,419 | $18,527,859 | $20,234,248 | — | — | $40,355 |
| 2023 | $9,740,180 | $46,223,637 | $46,180,402 | — | — | $72,321 |
| 2022 | $11,012,762 | $107,287,718 | $107,090,810 | — | — | $11,261 |
| 2021 | $11,440,171 | $21,545,671 | $21,743,613 | — | — | $13,908 |
| 2020 | $7,665,210 | $10,432,005 | $9,565,411 | — | — | $10,816 |
| 2019 | $6,458,500 | $8,250,873 | $9,261,847 | — | — | $230 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
Centro Legal’s stated mission is to protect and advance the rights of low-income, immigrant, Latinx, Black, and communities of color. Its website describes a focus on bilingual legal services and courtroom advocacy, community-centered policy and advocacy work, and developing future attorneys and judges of color through programs including the Youth Law Academy.
Its programs include immigration services for groups such as asylum seekers, detained individuals, and victims of violent crimes; tenants’ rights services such as eviction defense and legal clinics; and workers’ rights services for low-wage immigrant workers facing issues including wage theft and retaliation. The Youth Law Academy is a three-year program for Oakland high school students intended to build opportunities and pathways to college.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, Centro Legal reported 10 grants totaling $1,022,575. Grant amounts ranged from $5,900 to $207,054, with a median of $98,868. The filing lists each grant’s purpose as “grants to assist program work.”
The largest grants were $207,054 to Safe Passages, $200,829 to Just Cities Institute, $176,234 to Eviction Defense Center, $152,671 to The Unity Council, and $107,280 to BHYV Consulting LLC. Other recipients were Family Violence Law Center ($90,457), PARS Equality Center ($39,200), East Bay Sanctuary Covenant ($24,500), Asian Law Alliance ($18,450), and Oasis Legal Services ($5,900).
Recipient descriptions indicate the range of organizations supported. Safe Passages describes its mission as developing charitable and educational programs for high-need children and families; Just Cities Institute says it works to alleviate poverty, discrimination, and racial and social inequities. Family Violence Law Center describes survivor-centered legal and crisis intervention services and policy work related to domestic violence and sexual assault. East Bay Sanctuary Covenant describes legal services, community organizing, and education for low-income immigrants and people fleeing violence and persecution. Oasis Legal Services describes legal representation and social services for low-income LGBTQ+ immigrants who have survived violence or persecution.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Monique J. Berlanga as Executive Director; Maciel Jacques as Deputy Director; Lourdes Guadalupe Martinez and Abigail Sullivan Engen as Co-Director Attorneys; Jesse Newmark as Litigation Attorney; Veronica D. Chavez as Directing Attorney; and Mara Chavez-Diaz as YLA Director. It also lists Aidin Castillo, Ellie Dehghan, and Diane Cardona Downs as directors.
Centro Legal De La Raza is led by Monique J. Berlanga, Executive Director since 2022 (on filings since 2021); 7 of 18 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Monique J. Berlanga
Executive Director
Directing Attorney → Executive Director, 2022
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$105K (2021) → $182K (2025)
Stephanie Tang
Chairperson
Director → Chairperson, 2022
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mara Chavez-Diaz
Yla Director
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$112K (2025)
Claudia Perkins
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Aidin Castillo
Director
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Diane Cardona Downs
Director
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ellie Dehghan
Director
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Frank Martin
Director
New on the 2025 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Keval Patel
Director
New on the 2025 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jesse M. Newmark
Lit Attorney
Directing Attorney → Litigation Director, 2023
Litigation Director → Lit Attorney, 2025
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$101K (2021) → $128K (2025)
Abigail Sullivan Engen
Co-Dir Attorney
Managing Attorney → Co-Dir Attorney, 2024
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$114K (2023) → $119K (2025)
Lourdes Guadalupe Martinez
Co-Dir Attorney
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$120K (2025)
Maciel Jacques
Deputy Director
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$139K (2025)
Veronica D. Chavez
Directing Attorney
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$117K (2025)
Sandra Sertel
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Luis Hoyos
Vice Chair
Director → Secretary, 2024
Secretary → Vice Chair, 2025
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jay Schwartzcoffey
Treasurer
New on the 2025 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Klaudia K. Apolinar Casanova
CFO
New on the 2025 filing
No compensation reported
Former officers (30)
- Former: Erica Villanueva (2019–2024) — Director
- Former: Cecilia Almora-Dowd (2020–2024) — Director of Finance
- Former: Chip Conradi (2020–2024) — Treasurer
- Former: Raymundo Jacquez (2022–2024) — Deputy Director
- Former: Julia Hiatt Shepp (2023–2024) — Managing Attorney
- Former: Silvia Jacques (2024) — Deputy Director
- Former: Beatriz Mejia (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Christina Kothari (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Doroty Fernandez (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Maria Blanco (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Rosanna Neagle (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Sergio Garcia (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Raul Scatel (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Elena Chavez Quezada (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Henrissa Bassey (2023) — Directing Attorney
- Former: Sonya Sanchez (2023) — Director
- Former: Theresa Gonzales (2019–2022) — Executive Director
- Former: Derek G. Schoonmaker (2020–2022) — Managing Attorney
- Former: Aidin Castillo Mazantini (2021–2022) — Directing Attorney
- Former: Albert F. Moreno (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Daniel Purcell (2019–2021) — Treasurer
- Former: Walter Rodriguez (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Carolina Martin Ramos (2021) — Director
- Former: Eleni Wolfe-Roubatis (2019–2020) — Directing Attorney
- Former: Monique J. Farris (2020) — Directing Attorney
- Former: Alice McTighe (2019) — Director
- Former: Martin Sul (2019) — Director
- Former: Paul Chavez (2019) — Executive Director
- Former: Stephen Taylor (2019) — Director
- Former: Susan Smartt (2019) — Interim Executive Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $182K, to Monique J Berlanga (Executive Dir.). 7 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Centro Legal De La Raza
How much does Centro Legal De La Raza give each year?
Centro Legal De La Raza gave $1.0M across 10 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990.
What is Centro Legal De La Raza's typical grant size?
Centro Legal De La Raza's median grant in 2025 was $98,869, and its average grant was $102,258, across 10 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does Centro Legal De La Raza give grants?
Centro Legal De La Raza gives mostly in California: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Oakland, CA (5 grants), Berkeley, CA (3 grants) and San Jose, CA (2 grants).
Does Centro Legal De La Raza give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 10 grants with a stated purpose on Centro Legal De La Raza's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Grants to Assist Program Work" (10 grants).
Who are Centro Legal De La Raza's largest grantees?
Centro Legal De La Raza's largest 2025 grantees include Safe Passages ($207,054), Just Cities Institute ($200,829) and Eviction Defense Center ($176,234), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 57% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Centro Legal De La Raza?
Centro Legal De La Raza reported $7.0M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $11.9M.
What does Centro Legal De La Raza fund?
Centro Legal’s stated mission is to protect and advance the rights of low-income, immigrant, Latinx, Black, and communities of color. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Centro Legal De La Raza?
Centro Legal De La Raza has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check centrolegal.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Centro Legal De La Raza's EIN?
Centro Legal De La Raza's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-7181456. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 14, 2026)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS May 15, 2020)
Live grants for the work Centro Legal De La Raza funds
Crime & Legal Related Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
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Browse active grant opportunities in Centro Legal De La Raza's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Centro Legal De La Raza funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 18, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/centro-legal-de-la-raza-morg_0a54c79a92074fee8365e9a244a06a8d
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_237181456_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Centro Legal De La Raza funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/centro-legal-de-la-raza-morg_0a54c79a92074fee8365e9a244a06a8d},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-18. 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 Centro Legal De La Raza'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.
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