Brazilian Worker Center Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
A GRASSROOTS, COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION THAT SUPPORTS IMMIGRANTS ON ISSUES OF WORKPLACE RIGHTS AND IMMIGRATION. WE WORK WITH THE COMMUNITY, INSTRUCTING THEM TO EXECUTE THEIR RIGHTS THROUGH ORGANIZING, ADVOCACY, EDUCATION, LEADERSHIP, CAPACITY BUILDING AND CIVIC PARTICIPATION. WE JOIN BRAZILIANS AND OTHER IMMIGRANTS HELPING THEM TO ORGANIZE AGAINST ECONOMIC, SOCIAL, AND POLITICAL EXCLUSION IN ORDER TO CREATE A MORE JUST SOCIETY.
- Income
- $2.9 million
- Spending
- $2.2 million
- Spent on programs
- 94%
- Reserves
- 9.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 78%
- Employees
- 19
- Volunteers
- 30
- Highest pay
- $99,855, executive dir.
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
Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 9.1 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 4% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 23% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 3% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1594% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 255 of 5 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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)
- $2.1 million spent. THE BRAZILIAN WORKER CENTER IS A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT CAPACITATES IMMIGRANT WORKERS TO LEARN ABOUT WORKPLACE RIGHTS, IMMIGRATION, AND HEALTH EQUITY. THE ORGANIZATION EMPOWERS IMMIGRANTS WITH KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS TO PROMOTE ECONOMIC, SOCIAL, POLITICAL, AND RACIAL JUSTICE FOR ALL. THE BWC HAS ESTABLISHED ITSELF AS A REPUTABLE, ENGAGED, GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATION THAT REPRESENTS, SUPPORTS, AND ORGANIZES THE BRAZILIAN AND WIDER IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY TO TAKE LEADERSHIP IN DEFENDING AND ADVOCATING FOR THEIR RIGHTS, AS WORKERS AND IMMIGRANT RESIDENTS OF THE STATE AND NATION. IT IS A STRONG WOMEN-LED ORGANIZATION THAT SERVES IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES WITH A CONCERN FOR FAIRNESS AND JUSTICE, CIVIC ENGAGEMENT, CULTURAL COMPETENCE, AND COMPASSION. BWC'S SERVICE CATEGORIES INCLUDE: 1) KNOW YOUR RIGHTS WORKSHOPS, 2) HEALTH AND WELLNESS INITIATIVES, 3) COALITION BUILDING AND CAMPAIGN ORGANIZING, 4) BUILDING JUSTICE, 5) LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, AND 6) COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES. KNOW YOUR RIGHTS: THE BRAZILIAN WORKER CENTER OFFERS IN PERSON AND VIRTUAL WORKSHOPS FOR WORKERS AND DOMESTIC WORKERS ON WORKERS' RIGHTS AND LABOR LAWS TWICE MONTHLY AT OUR OFFICE LOCATED AT 14 HARVARD AVE, 2ND FLOOR, ALLSTON. OUR WORKERS' RIGHTS PROJECT IS OUR CORE PROGRAM AND IS THE FOUNDATION FOR ALL THE INITIATIVES, ACTIVITIES, EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS, AND TRAINING THAT TAKE PLACE AT BWC. IN WE CAN ASSIST IMMIGRANTS WITH MAKING PHONE CALLS WITH EMPLOYERS IN RESPONSE TO WAGE THEFT CASES AND OTHER TYPES OF INJUSTICE TOWARDS EMPLOYEES, AS WELL AS WITH REFERRING IMMIGRANTS TO LOCAL PRIVATE ATTORNEY PARTNERS AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS AND AGENCIES THAT CAN PROVIDE CONSULTATIONS AND MEDIATIONS, WHEN NEEDED. IN THE LAST FOUR YEARS WE HAVE RECOUPED APPROXIMATELY $800,000 IN RESTITUTION FOR WORKERS, BY DIRECT MEDIATION, THROUGH COMPLAINT REFERRALS TO STATE AND FEDERAL LABOR AUTHORITIES, OR IN SMALL CLAIMS COURTS. BUILDING JUSTICE: BUILDING JUSTICE IS AN INNOVATIVE WORKER COMMITTEE, FUNDED BY THE BRAZILIAN WORKER CENTER IN PARTNERSHIP WITH JUSTICE AT WORK (J@W), RESPONSIBLE FOR MONITORING AND TAKING ACTION ON WAGE THEFT CASES IN THE COMMUNITY. HEALTH AND WELLNESS INITIATIVES: BWC OFFERS WEEKLY OFFICE HOURS AND MONTHLY OUTREACH EVENTS TO ASSIST INDIVIDUALS APPLY OR REQUALIFY FOR HEALTH INSURANCE BENEFITS WITH MASS HEALTH OR THE HEALTH CONNECTOR. WE PARTICIPATE IN RESEARCH ON CANCER EQUITY WITH DANA-FARBER CANCER CENTER, AND HOST PERIODIC COMMUNITY MEETINGS AND EVENTS TO FURTHER AWARENESS ON HEALTH TOPICS. IMMIGRATION: AT BWC, WE ASSIST IMMIGRANTS WITH GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE US LEGAL SYSTEM AND DIFFERENCES BETWEEN FEDERAL AGENCIES. WE ASSIST INDIVIDUALS WITH UNDERSTANDING AND TRANSLATING DOCUMENTS, AND PERFORMING ADMINISTRATIVE TASKS RELATED TO THEIR IMMIGRATION PROCESSING. ADDITIONALLY, THE ORGANIZATION CAN SUPPORT RECENTLY ARRIVED FAMILIES WITH CHECK-IN AND COMMUNICATION VIA PHONE AND EMAILS WITH FEDERAL AGENCIES, WHEN NEEDED; SUPPORT FAMILIES OF DETAINEES WHO NEED ASSISTANCE WITH REGISTERING A COMMISSARY ACCOUNT AT DETENTION CENTERS. WE HOST MONTHLY LEGAL CONSULTATIONS WITH AN IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY, AND PROVIDE REFERRALS TO QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS AS NEEDED. LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT: WE OFFER MULTIPLE PROGRAMS TO CONTRIBUTE TO CAPACITY BUILDING IN THE BRAZILIAN COMMUNITY. AMONG PROGRAMS OFFERED ARE: OSHA PROGRAMS - THE BRAZILIAN WORKER CENTER HAS CONSIDERABLE EXPERIENCE DELIVERING OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH TRAINING TO WORKERS IN SEVERAL INDUSTRIES COMMON AMONG IMMIGRANT WORKERS IN OUR COMMUNITY. UNDER THE MULTI-YEAR SUPPORT OF THE SUSAN HARWOOD TARGETED TRAINING AND CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAM, WE HAVE GIVEN PORTUGUESE- AND SPANISH-LANGUAGE FALL PREVENTION TRAINING FOR RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION FOR MORE THAN A DECADE. EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM FOR IMMIGRANT YOUTH - THE DREAMERS PROJECT AIMS TO CAPACITATE IMMIGRANT YOUTH, PARTICULARLY SPANISH- AND PORTUGUESE-SPEAKING LATINOS, WITH THE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS NECESSARY TO BECOME EMPOWERED AND PRODUCTIVE CITIZENS IN THE GREATER BOSTON AREA. FAMILY WELCOME CENTER: IN 2023 AND 2024, BWC OPENED AND OPERATED THE COMMONWEALTHS FIRST FAMILY WELCOME CENTER. ITS PURPOSE WAS TO PROVIDE NEWLY ARRIVED FAMILIES IN MASSACHUSETTS WITH THEIR VERY FIRST STEPS IN THEIR NEW COUNTRY, INCLUDING FINDING SAFE SHELTER, ACCESS TO FOOD AND MEDICAL CARE, WORK AUTHORIZATION, AND JOB READINESS. THE FAMILY WELCOME CENTER SERVED OVER 17,000 INDIVIDUALS DURING ITS EXISTENCE AT BWC. COALITION BUILDING AND CAMPAIGN ORGANIZING: COALITION BUILDING AND CAMPAIGN ORGANIZING ARE TWO VERY IMPORTANT COMPONENTS OF THE BWC'S WORK. BWC CO-FOUNDED THE MASSACHUSETTS IMMIGRANT COLLABORATIVE (MIC). THE PURPOSE OF THE COLLABORATION IS TO ADDRESS IMMIGRANT FAMILIES' MOST URGENT NEEDS BY PROVIDING DIRECT FINANCIAL RELIEF AND OTHER RESOURCES DURING CHALLENGING PERIODS SUCH AS COVID. BWC CO-CHAIRED THE SUCCESSFUL DRIVING FAMILIES FORWARD COALITION ON BEHALF OF THE WORK AND FAMILY MOBILITY ACT AND WAS A LEADER IN OBTAINING IN-STATE TUITION EQUITY. BWC WAS ALSO A KEY LEADER IN THE FOUR-YEAR CAMPAIGN TO ACHIEVE A MASSACHUSETTS DOMESTIC WORKERS BILL OF RIGHTS IN 2014. BWC FURTHERS ORGANIZING OF DOMESTIC WORKERS THROUGH ITS FISCAL SPONSORSHIP OF THE MASS. COALITION OF DOMESTIC WORKERS, A GROUP IT CO-FOUNDED. COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES: HOUSING PROGRAM - IMMIGRANTS WHO RESIDE IN THE GREATER BOSTON AREA CAN REACH OUT TO AND VISIT THE BRAZILIAN WORKER CENTER TO REQUEST ASSISTANCE WITH APPLYING FOR RENT SUPPORT WITH LOCAL RENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS OR NEGOTIATING PROBLEMS WITH LANDLORDS. LANGUAGE BARRIERS CAN BE VERY CHALLENGING. THEREFORE, THE BRAZILIAN WORKER CENTER OFFERS SUPPORT BY ASSISTING MEMBERS OF OUR IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY TO READ AND INTERPRET VARIOUS DOCUMENTS AND FORMS, WHICH MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE IN THEIR NATIVE LANGUAGE, AS WELL AS WITH MAKING PHONE CALLS IN ENGLISH, WHEN NEEDED. FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES - ARRIVING IN A NEW COUNTRY CAN BE VERY CHALLENGING ESPECIALLY WHEN IMMIGRANTS HAVE SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN. THE BRAZILIAN WORKER CENTER CAN CONTACT LO
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
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 October 13, 2026.
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 October 13, 2026.
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 October 13, 2026.
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 October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since April 1996.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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 21, 2026.
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