El Centro Hispanoamericano
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The Organizations mission is to help meet the needs of immigrants in New Jersey through affordable legal services social services referrals education and cultural programs.
- Income
- $346,480
- Spending
- $287,096
- Spent on programs
- 92%
- Reserves
- 0.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 51%
- Employees
- 4
- Volunteers
- 20
- Highest pay
- $52,410, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 69 out of 100. Higher than 37% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
4 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 0.9 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 6% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 17% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 31% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1592% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Fair: 56 out of 100. Higher than 20% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 259 of 9 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no 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
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 September 30, 2025, 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 (4)
- $203,531 spent. El Centro was formed to provide legal services regarding immigration matters to indigent immigrants. We help our community become aware of their legal options and gain immigration relief allowing them to access or maintain lawful employment educational opportunities and financial stability for themselves and their families. El Centro provided legal services to more than 1500 clients in the past year including more than 15 cases of domestic violence. Our services include: 1 consultations regarding documentation requirements and eligibility; 2 assistance in preparing and submitting applications and evidence packets; 3 extensive follow-up on cases pending disposition; 4 ensuring clients aware of deadlines and appointments; 5 translating documents; 6 representing clients in immigration-related proceedings 7 resolving issues and delays arising from proceedings; and 8 providing documentation to eligible clients explaining their current status for them to present to employers and government offices in order to assure they continue to be able to work and qualify for drivers licenses and other documents while they wait for the approval or renewal of their immigration documents.
- $37,677 spent. Our food bank provided more than 2,400 food parcels to needy families and individuals. We provided turkey and fixings to 40 families at Thanksgiving. Our clothing bank distributed clothing to more than 300 individuals.
- $10,341 spent. El Centro provided education services to more than 40 students including 30 ESL students and 10 students in our citizenship class. We hold classes on the weekend to ensure they are more accessible to working families.
- $11,670 spent. Outreach services
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, 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 September 2025.
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 September 1986.
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.
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.