Community Services Unlimited Inc
Community Services Unlimited Inc. (CSU) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 1977 and headquartered in South Central Los Angeles, California. The organization creates and supports justice-driven community-based programs and educational initiatives focused on addressing systemic inequalities and barriers to sustainable, self-reliant communities. CSU operates multiple programs including Growing South Central, Garden Gateway, Tree of Life, Green Savings, CalFresh Outreach, and the Village Marketplace, with a focus on equitable, healthful, and sustainable practices.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$10.9M
+11.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$3.0M
-10.1% YoY
Grant Count
45
-4.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$67K
-6.1% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: To foster the creation of communities actively working to address the inequalities and systemic barriers that make sustainable communities and self-reliant lifestyles unattainable. CSU is committed to supporting and creating justice-driven community-based programs and educational initiatives that seek to foster dialogue and create awareness and critical consciousness.
Vision: Equitable, healthful, and sustainable communities that are self-reliant, inter-relating, and where every individual has the support and resources needed to develop to their fullest capacity.
Core Focus Areas: Food security, community health, nutrition education, environmental sustainability, and community organizing. CSU has provided fiscal sponsorship and support for grassroots organizing efforts including Police Watch, Community in Support of the Gang Truce, and Food Forestry International.
Grantmaking
CSU functions both as a grant recipient and as an organization that provides fiscal sponsorship and support to grassroots initiatives. Based on recent IRS filings, CSU has total giving of $3,034,577 with typical awards ranging from $9,262 to $125,000. Primary funding focus areas include food security grants, hunger relief, community health, and beekeeping initiatives, with geographic emphasis on California, South Carolina, and Washington.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
CSU's primary geographic focus is South Central Los Angeles, where it is headquartered and serves the local community. Grant-making activities extend to California, South Carolina, and Washington.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets: $9.78 million to $10.86 million (as of 2023)
Annual Revenue: $6.36 million (2023)
Annual Expenses: $5.29 million (2023)
Total Liabilities: $4.57 million (2023)
Total Giving: $3,034,577
The organization has experienced workforce changes, with a reported 25% yearly decline in employee count in recent periods.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $10,863,599 | $9,783,828 | $6,748,738 |
| Revenue | $6,124,955 | $6,356,867 | $2,938,734 |
| Expenses | $5,136,753 | $5,287,422 | $2,426,948 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $69,728 | $10,669 | $4,547 |
| 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
103 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Community Agroecology Networktierras Milperas ($125,000), Dream of Wild Health ($125,000), Institute for Washington's Future ($125,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AGROECOLOGY COMMONS OAKLAND, CA | EQUITABLE FOOD ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT GRANT | $75,000 |
| ALEGRIA ALCHEMY & XOCOLATL LOS ANGELES, CA | KICKSTARTER GRANT | $10,000 |
| ALMA BACKYARD FARMS LOS ANGELES, CA | KICKSTARTER GRANT | $100,000 |
| ALSTON EMPIRE INC LOS ANGELES, CA | KICKSTARTER GRANT | $100,000 |
| AVENUE 33 FARM LLC LOS ANGELES, CA | KICKSTARTER GRANT | $100,000 |
| CARLA'S FRESH MARKET LOS ANGELES, CA | KICKSTARTER GRANT | $10,000 |
| CHILKOOT INDIAN ASSOCIATION HAINES, AK | EQUITABLE FOOD ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT GRANT | $75,000 |
| COMMUNITY AGROECOLOGY NETWORKTIERRAS MILPERAS SANTA CRUZ, CA | EQUITABLE FOOD ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT GRANT | $125,000 |
| COMMUNITY OUTREACH CENTER SUN VALLEY, CA | KICKSTARTER GRANT | $100,000 |
| CRENSHAW JUICE CO LLC LOS ANGELES, CA | KICKSTARTER GRANT | $10,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Principal Officer: Heather Fenney
Staff: The organization employs approximately 9-18 staff members, with talent sourced from diverse backgrounds including public health, environmental management, and community development organizations.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| GENETHIA HUDLEY HAYES | DIRECTOR | 2.3 | — |
| B KWAKU DUREN | DIRECTOR | 2.3 | — |
| DAVID LLOYD PHD | CHAIR | 2.3 | — |
| REBECCA BERNARD | SECRETARY | 2.3 | — |
| HEATHER FENNEY | CO-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $113,000 |
| NEELAM SHARMA | DIRECTOR | 20 | $76,316 |
| CRISTIAN MARROQUIN | CO-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $82,084 |
| MAIRA QUINTANILLA | CO-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $82,084 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
CSU has been actively involved in pandemic response and food security initiatives. The organization partnered with the Los Angeles County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs to implement the **Healthy Food Kickstarter Project**, which was established following the COVID-19 emergency declaration in March 2020 and funded through the American Rescue Plan's Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund. This initiative supports access to and delivery of grant-funded programs providing affordable, fresh, healthy food options to food-insecure communities in Los Angeles County, with the goal of strengthening and contributing to a more equitable post-pandemic food distribution system.
The Healthy Food Kickstarter - Community Services UnlimitedCSU's work has been informed by ACTION (Active Community To Improve Our Nutrition), a food assessment conducted in partnership with the Healthy School Food Coalition, Blazers Safe Haven, the New Panther Vanguard Movement, and Atlachinolli Front.
The Healthy Food Kickstarter - Community Services UnlimitedFrequently Asked Questions
What does Community Services Unlimited Inc fund?
**Mission:** To foster the creation of communities actively working to address the inequalities and systemic barriers that make sustainable communities and self-reliant lifestyles unattainable. CSU is committed to supporting and creating justice-driven community-based programs and educational initiatives that seek to foster dialogue and create awareness and critical consciousness. **Vision:** Equitable, healthful, and sustainable communities that are self-reliant, inter-relating, and where ever…
How do I apply for a grant from Community Services Unlimited Inc?
CSU functions both as a grant recipient and as an organization that provides fiscal sponsorship and support to grassroots initiatives. Based on recent IRS filings, CSU has total giving of $3,034,577 with typical awards ranging from $9,262 to $125,000. Primary funding focus areas include food security grants, hunger relief, community health, and beekeeping initiatives, with geographic emphasis on California, South Carolina, and Washington.
Where does Community Services Unlimited Inc make grants?
CSU's primary geographic focus is South Central Los Angeles, where it is headquartered and serves the local community. Grant-making activities extend to California, South Carolina, and Washington.
What size grants does Community Services Unlimited Inc award?
In 2024, Community Services Unlimited Inc awarded 45 grants totaling $3.0M — an average of about $67K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Community Services Unlimited Inc's EIN?
Community Services Unlimited Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 95-3218396. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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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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