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Cristosal Inc

EIN 03-0366224 · Burlington, VT

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair64 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WE WORK TO PROMOTE JUSTICE, HUMAN RIGHTS AND DEMOCRATIC SOCIETIES IN CENTRAL AMERICA, THROUGH STRATEGIC LITIGATION, RESEARCH, EDUCATION, HUMAN RIGHTS MONITORING AND ASSISTANCE FOR VICTIMS OF HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS.

Income
$6.1 million
Spending
$6.4 million
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
1.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 56%
Employees
3
Volunteers
17
Highest pay
$70,488, chief executive officer

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 64 out of 100. Higher than 23% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 15% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 129% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    17 of 17 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (1)
  1. $5.5 million spent. STRATEGIC LITIGATION: OUR LEGAL ACTION FOCUSES ON STRATEGIC LITIGATION THAT WILL DIRECTLY IMPACT THE RIGHTS OF EXCLUDED AND INVISIBLE GROUPS IN GUATEMALA, EL SALVADOR, AND HONDURAS. CRISTOSAL PROVIDES LEGAL ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT TO VICTIMS OF FORCED DISPLACEMENT AND PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN DEPORTED WHO HAVE A NEED FOR PROTECTION. WE SUPPORT THE LGBTIQ+ COMMUNITY BY BRINGING LEGAL ACTION IN CASES OF HATE CRIMES. WE SEEK LEGAL RECOURSE FOR THE IMPROVED CONDITIONS AND TREATMENT OF INCARCERATED PEOPLE AS WELL AS THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN VICTIMIZED BY POLICE BRUTALITY OR OTHER ABUSE OF AUTHORITY. WE PROVIDE LEGAL SUPPORT TO THE VICTIMS OF CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY IN ONGOING PROCEEDINGS.PROTECTION: WE PROMOTE THE EMPOWERMENT OF VICTIMS OF HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS AND VICTIMS WITH PROTECTION NEEDS THROUGH PERSONALIZED PLANS FOR GETTING VICTIMS BACK ON THEIR FEET. WE USE A PSYCHOSOCIAL APPROACH THAT SEEKS TO STRENGTHEN INDIVIDUAL, FAMILY AND COMMUNITY CAPACITIES, AS WELL AS TO ENGAGE GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS TO FULFILL THEIR OBLIGATIONS TO GUARANTEE VICTIMS' RIGHTS. WE CALL THIS "ACTIVATING THE STATE." HUMAN RIGHTS RESEARCH: THE HUMAN RIGHTS RESEARCH PROGRAM IS RESPONSIBLE FOR COLLECTING, ANALYZING, AND DISSEMINATING QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE INFORMATION ON THE EXTENT AND CAUSES OF HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN NORTHERN CENTRAL AMERICA. EMPHASIS IS PLACED ON THE IMPORTANCE OF COLLECTING AND STANDARDIZING THE DATA FOR THE REGION ON PEOPLE IN A SITUATION OF VULNERABILITY OR AT RISK OF BEING SO. WE USE DIFFERENT TECHNIQUES INCLUDING INTERVIEWS, FOCUS GROUPS, PARTICIPATORY ACTION RESEARCH, AND SURVEYS.HUMAN RIGHTS EDUCATION: THE HUMAN RIGHTS EDUCATION PROGRAM USES DIALOGUE, EXPERIENCE-BASED AND HORIZONTAL LEARNING AS TOOLS FOR PROMOTING THE EMPOWERMENT OF VICTIMS IN THEIR RIGHTS AND TO STRENGTHEN THE COMMUNITY OF ALLIES AND LEADERS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS. WE PROMOTE DIALOGUE AND LEARNING THROUGHOUT THE AMERICAS TO BUILD SOLIDARITY AND ALLIES ACROSS BORDERS AND CULTURES.COMMUNICATIONS PROGRAM:CONTRIBUTE THROUGH COMMUNICATION AND ADVOCACY STRATEGIES TO INFORM AND ACHIEVE GREATER PUBLIC ACCEPTANCE OF THE IMPORTANCE OF SOCIAL AUDITING, THE PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS, THE DEFENSE OF DEMOCRACY AND THE RULE OF LAW IN EL SALVADOR, HONDURAS AND GUATEMALA.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since August 2000.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.