Casa Cornelia Legal Services
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
See Schedule O
- Income
- $5.3 million
- Spending
- $4.1 million
- Spent on programs
- 70%
- Reserves
- 28.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 56%
- Employees
- 45
- Volunteers
- 523
- Highest pay
- $222,345, executive director
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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 90% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 28.4 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 9% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 22% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 22% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1570% 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 57% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2520 of 20 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a 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 (5)
- $551,205 spent. The Asylum Program - The Asylum Program serves those individuals who have fled their country in pursuit of freedom from persecution and torture. CCLC accepts eligible asylum clients, especially those with complex cases as those are the most vulnerable. After screening and case acceptance, asylum seekers are assisted by the CCLC staff and volunteer attorneys to complete their application prepare supporting documentation, briefs, and motions and litigate the case. Some clients are released from detention while others wait in detention at the Otay Mesa Detention Center or the Imperial Regional Detention Facility as an asylum claim is adjudicated by the Court. Asylum grantees are given the opportunity to work and live legally in the U.S., be reunited with family, and become contributing members of the richly diverse community of immigrants in San Diego County and beyond. In 2024, the CCLC responded to or provided legal services to 1,408 individuals through the Asylum Program.
- $421,694 spent. The Victims of Crime Program - The Victims of Crime Program serves some of the most vulnerable in the community undocumented men, women, and children who are victims of serious crimes such as domestic violence and human trafficking. Additionally, CCLC provides legal services to victims of serious crimes who have been helpful in the investigation and/or prosecution of certain crimes and are eligible for a U Visa, a nonimmigrant classification created by Congress to assist law enforcement, protect crime victims, and ensure safe communities. Moreover, CCLC assists victims of human trafficking or modern day slavery. CCLC provides legal services to victims of trafficking who have been helpful in the investigation and/or prosecution of the crime and are eligible for a T Visa, a nonimmigrant classification created by Congress to assist law enforcement and protect trafficing crime victims. In 2024, CCLC responded to or provided legal services to 497 persons through the Victims of Crime Program.
- $483,520 spent. Childrens Program - Each year thousands of non-citizen children and youth present themselves at the U.S./Mexico port of entry or attempt to enter the U.S. without documentation. The majority of these children are fleeing extreme violence, severe deprivation, or abuse. Their journeys north are treacherous at best. Children are apprehended by Border Patrol, detained in short-term facilities, and placed into deportation proceedings. These children do not speak English, do not understand the U.S. legal system, and have no right to government-appointed counsel. The children are at at-risk and extremely vulnerable. In 2024, CCLC was the only permanent provider of legal services to detained unaccompanied children in San Diego County. CCLC also represents unaccompanied children who are not currently in detention as well as noncitizen children residing in the community who qualify for humanitarian protection under immigration law. In 2024, the Organization provided services to 1,026 to children and youth through the Childrens Program.
- Program Service Expenses 401,922, Grants and allocations 0, Revenue 0 Pro Bono Program - CCLC Pro Bono Program helps fill the void created by the lack of quality pro bono legal counsel in the San Diego region by recruiting, training, and mentoring volunteer attorneys from the private bar to support each of CCLC program areas. CCLC also recruits volunteers who provide programmatic and language support for its programs. CCLC active recruitment of volunteer interpreters and translators who assist the attorneys in the representation of the clients by helping to overcome language barriers has become a critical aspect of service delivery. Not included in the program expenses is the significant value of volunteer legal services alone in the amount of 810,666 contributed or donated services.
- Program Service Expenses 1,038,579, Grants and allocations 0, Revenue 0 Support Services Program - The Support Services Program provided essential information, assessments, and qualified referrals to social services agencies throughout the country across all programs. The concerted effort to stabilize CCLC clients as they go through their legal process has proven to be a necessary component to ensuring their wellbeing.
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 January 1997.
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.