Equality California Institute
Equality California Institute is a public charity based in Los Angeles, California. It is the 501(c)(3) organization within Equality California’s three-part structure and works to reduce disparities in LGBTQ+ health and well-being, develop LGBTQ+ leaders, and increase civic participation.
Equality California Institute at a glance
In short: Equality California Institute gave $1.0M across 29 grants in 2024 (avg $36K), mostly in California. 34% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,034,543
- +70.9% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 29
- +61.1% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $35,674
- +6.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $2,728,252
- -24.5% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 34% first-time grantees (10 of 29, 2024)
- Primary geography
- California (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Equality California Institute
- Contact
Mailing address: 1150 S Olive Street 10Th Fl, Los Angeles, CA 90015
Phone: (323) 828-9801
Website: https://eqca.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Equality California Institute
Who Equality California Institute funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Equality California ($300K). Together the top 10 received $843K.
Grant Size Distribution
124 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 101 grants of 124 (81%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Institute’s reported 2024 grants all went to California recipients. Its program descriptions also include work through Silver State Equality Institute in Nevada.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 29 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Equality California Institute open to new grantees?
34%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 10 of 29 grantees (34%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $11K; repeat grants $49K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $18K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $605K (2023) to $1.8M (2021). In 2024 it made 29 grants totaling $1.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Equality California Los Angeles, CA | General Operations | $300,000 |
| Transgender Health & Wellness Center Palm Springs, CA | LBTQ Health Equity | $182,958 |
| Pomona Pride Center Inc Pomona, CA | LBTQ Health Equity | $99,284 |
| Transfamily Support Services San Diego, CA | LBTQ Health Equity and Stop LBTQ+ Hate Subgrant | $94,348 |
| Divine Truth Unity Fellowship DBA Rainbow Pride Youth Alliance Ontario, CA | LBTQ Health Equity | $52,509 |
| Community Partnerslatino Equality Alliance Los Angeles, CA | Community Health and Information Outreach | $30,125 |
| The Source LGBT Center Visalia, CA | LBTQ Health Equity | $22,643 |
| LGBTQ Collaborative Modesto, CA | Latinx Health Awareness Subgrant | $22,500 |
| Imperial Valley LGBT Resource Center El Centro, CA | LBTQ Health Equity | $20,301 |
| Unique Woman's Coalition West Hollywood, CA | California Emergency Services Subgrant | $18,500 |
Ready to take the next step with Equality California Institute?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $2,728,252 | $4,648,683 | $5,087,333 | $1,034,543 | 29 | $6,580 |
| 2023 | $3,611,486 | $4,573,543 | $4,567,770 | $605,250 | 18 | $9,529 |
| 2022 | $3,464,171 | $5,076,216 | $5,382,748 | $1,363,000 | 20 | $5,055 |
| 2021 | $3,410,779 | $5,992,471 | $5,242,690 | $1,834,000 | 36 | $1,159 |
| 2020 | $2,876,561 | $4,326,127 | $3,393,837 | $780,716 | 21 | $288 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization states its mission is “to create a world that is healthy, just and fully equal for all LGBTQ+ people.” Its programs include training healthcare and homeless-service providers; developing LGBTQ+ leadership; public education on health, safety, and other community issues; and supporting advocacy and civic participation.
In 2024, the Institute reported grants for LGBTQ+ health equity, community health and information outreach, Latinx health awareness, emergency services, trusted-messenger outreach, and efforts addressing tobacco-related health disparities and anti-LGBTQ+ hate. Its grantees describe a range of community services: TransFamily Support Services says it provides services for transgender youth and adults; The Source LGBT Center says it offers community outreach, education, advocacy, and social, cultural, health, and human services; and Imperial Valley LGBT Resource Center says it provides charitable and educational programs promoting health and well-being.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the Institute reported 29 grants totaling $1,034,543. Grants ranged from $7,500 to $300,000, with a median grant of $10,000. All reported grant dollars went to recipients in California.
The largest reported grants included $300,000 to Equality California for general operations; $182,958 to Transgender Health & Wellness Center and $99,284 to Pomona Pride Center for LGBTQ+ health equity; and $94,348 to TransFamily Support Services for LGBTQ+ health equity and a Stop LGBTQ+ Hate subgrant. Other recipients included Divine Truth Unity Fellowship DBA Rainbow Pride Youth Alliance ($52,509), Community Partners Latino Equality Alliance ($30,125), The Source LGBT Center ($22,643), LGBTQ Collaborative ($22,500), and Imperial Valley LGBT Resource Center ($20,301).
The Institute’s filing describes a grant-management process in which it prepares sub-agreements setting out funding expectations and objectives, checks in with organizations through calls or meetings as needed, and requires a final report explaining how funds were spent toward those objectives.
The Comcast Fellowship is a four-week, full-time program for California college students with a demonstrated interest in LGBTQ+ advocacy. Fellows are placed in California State Capitol offices and gain legislative experience. This is a fellowship for participants, not an outside-organization grant program.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Jackie Thomas as president, Juan Camacho as president-elect, Jeff Freitas as vice president, Rabbi Barbara Zacky as secretary, Laurie Hasencamp as treasurer, and Katherine M. Forster as governance chair. Directors listed are Hon. Dallas Harris, Hon. Lena Gonzalez, Hon. Lisa Middleton, and Hon. Rafael Mandelman.
Equality California Institute is led by Jackie Thomas, President since 2021 (on filings since 2020); none of the 34 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Jackie Thomas
President
Vice President → President, 2021
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tony Hoang
Executive Director
Managing Director → Executive Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
20 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Katherine M. Forster
Governance Chair
Director → Governance Chair, 2022
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Thomas Temprano
Managing Director
Managing Director of External Affairs → Managing Director, 2024
On filings since 2023
20 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Anna Caballero
Director
Board Member → Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Beth Collins
Director
President → At-Large Member, 2021
At-Large Member → Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David Cruz
Director
Secretary → At-Large Member, 2021
At-Large Member → Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Laura Zagar
Director
Board Member → Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lisa Middleton
Director
Board Member → Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ryan Harlow Nakano
Director
Treasurer → Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Steve Padilla
Director
Board Member → Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Valerie Ploumpis
National Policy Director
On filings since 2020
20 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dallas Harris
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lena Gonzalez
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mark Gonzalez
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rafael Mandelman
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Abigail Medina
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Amy C. Quartarolo
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Amy Schneider
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David Ambroz
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Erin Arendse
Program Director
On filings since 2022
20 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Theresa Carlisle
Director of Human Resources & Administration
Director of Hr & Administration → Director of Human Resources & Administration, 2024
On filings since 2023
20 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Alberto Bautista
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Alberto Nodal
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Craig Pulsipher
Legislative Director
New on the 2024 filing
20 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dan Arriola
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jeffrey Bernstein
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jirair Ratevosian
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Robert Armenta
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Stephanie Nguyen
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jeff Freitas
Vice President
Director → Treasurer, 2022
Treasurer → Vice President, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rabbi Barbara Zacky
Secretary
Board Member → Secretary, 2021
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Juan Camacho
President Elect
Vice President → President Elect, 2024
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Laurie Hasencamp
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (28)
- Former: Sarah Morrow (2021–2023) — Development Director
- Former: Sunitha Menon (2023) — Managing Director of Operations
- Former: Richard Bloom (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Sara Jacobs (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Steven Brancato (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Lisa Larrogque Alexander (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Richard Zbur (2021–2022) — Former Executive Director
- Former: Samuel Garett-Pate (2021–2022) — Managing Director of External Affair
- Former: Andre Wade (2022) — State Director
- Former: Jessica Stebbins Bina (2020–2021) — Governance Chair
- Former: Joyce Rowland (2020–2021) — At-Large Member
- Former: Kirk Kleinschmidt (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Bao Nguyen (2021) — Director
- Former: Cat Packer (2021) — Director
- Former: Jon Sara Jacobs (2021) — Director
- Former: Michael Chavez (2021) — Associate Director of Events & Sponsorships
- Former: Robert Rodriguez (2021) — Program Director
- Former: Ryan Harlow-Nakano (2021) — Treasurer
- Former: Guillermo Coustasse (2020) — Board Member
- Former: Kristen Kavanaugh (2020) — Board Member
- Former: Mark Vargas (2020) — Board Member
- Former: Rick Zbur (2020) — Executive Director
- Former: Robbie Martin (2020) — Director of Development
- Former: Robbie Rodriguez (2020) — Program Director
- Former: Robert Garcia (2020) — Board Member
- Former: Suzy Jones (2020) — Board Member
- Former: Valecia Philips (2020) — Director of Finance & Administrator
- Former: Yangchen Yc Lama (2020) — Board Member
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Equality California Institute
How much does Equality California Institute give each year?
Equality California Institute gave $1.0M across 29 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $605K across 18 grants.
What is Equality California Institute's typical grant size?
Equality California Institute's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $35,674, across 29 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Equality California Institute that year got $11K on average.
Where does Equality California Institute give grants?
Equality California Institute gives mostly in California: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Los Angeles, CA (5 grants), Palm Springs, CA (2 grants), West Hollywood, CA (2 grants) and Arcata, CA (2 grants).
Does Equality California Institute give general operating support?
Occasionally: 3% of Equality California Institute's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (1 of 29) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990. Recurring purposes include "LBTQ Health Equity" (6 grants), "State of California Trusted Messenger Subgrant" (6 grants) and "Latinx Health Awareness Subgrant" (5 grants).
Who are Equality California Institute's largest grantees?
Equality California Institute's largest 2024 grantees include Equality California ($300,000), Transgender Health & Wellness Center ($182,958) and Pomona Pride Center Inc ($99,284), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 56% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Equality California Institute?
Equality California Institute reported $2.7M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $4.6M.
What does Equality California Institute fund?
The organization states its mission is “to create a world that is healthy, just and fully equal for all LGBTQ+ people.” See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Equality California Institute?
Equality California Institute has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check eqca.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Equality California Institute's EIN?
Equality California Institute's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 68-0438008. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 12, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 14, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 1, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 12, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS September 10, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Equality California Institute funds
Public, Societal Benefit Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Equality California Institute's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Equality California Institute funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 17, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/equality-california-institute-morg_5e2cd0c8958d4867bd1662519cfb24aa
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_680438008_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Equality California Institute funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/equality-california-institute-morg_5e2cd0c8958d4867bd1662519cfb24aa},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-17. 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 Equality California Institute'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.
Equality California Institute down — hundreds of funders to go?