El Centro Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
El Centro's mission is to provide culturally competent financial literacy and entrepreneurial training in Spanish.
- Income
- $816,447
- Spending
- $450,972
- Spent on programs
- 59%
- Reserves
- 0.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 59%
- Employees
- 6
- Volunteers
- 55
- Highest pay
- $69,664, 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
Fair: 62 out of 100. Higher than 33% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
4 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 0.8 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 45% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 130% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1559% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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: 91 out of 100. Higher than 75% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $250k to $1m).
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
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
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 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)
- $80,389 spent. Empoderate NOLA is a comprehensive program that provides a broad range of personal financial and small business coaching and services, as well as a series of monthly public workshops. Types of information and assistance include starting and registering a business, obtaining business licenses and permits, strategic planning and marketing, business accounting, accessing commercial capital, personal credit, and financial counseling for home-buying, saving, and managing debt. Additional topics include avoiding scams and reporting fraud, the importance of being banked and preparing for filing small business taxes. In 2024, El Centro hosted monthly workshops for 130 in-person and virtual participants across our monthly financial literacy and business education series, reaching a total of 6,185 FB users. Staff provided 331 technical assistance appointments throughout the year. This initiative includes other services that focus on small business startups. Our business incubator program provided 2 or more hours of monthly technical assistance for 2 tenants. These small enterprises sustained 2-6 jobs each and continue to grow. Further, we hosted monthly workshops in partnership with the Louisiana Small Business Center where attendees determined the feasibility of their business ideas, began planning the steps to registering and licensing their businesses, and learned about common entrepreneurial pitfalls. In 2024, there were 85 attendees in these specialized business startup workshops. This year we relaunched our small business summit, Cumbre Empresarial, which had a total of 124 participants and provided comprehensive programming on business growth strategies, networking opportunities, and connections to resources for Latino entrepreneurs in the region.
- $71,977 spent. VITA Latinx is the only Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Service (VITA) Site within 90 miles of the Greater New Orleans area offering all services in Spanish. In 2024, El Centro trained 19 volunteers at Delgado Community College and hosted multiple Super Sábado tax day events throughout the tax season. In 2024, El Centro prepared and electronically filed 325 2023 tax returns, bringing $291,213 worth of federal tax refunds directly to the eligible, low-to-moderate community members. El Centro tax services are available year round, with staff assisting with tax issues, responding to IRS communications, managing tax debt and payments, and other services as needed.
- $40,584 spent. Impúlsate is a 7-week business accelerator program for established businesses operating informally. Participants could choose from a construction and janitorial services track or a general business track. Attendees learned how to formalize their business legally, attract customers, create a digital presence, provide bids or estimates, comply with legal and insurance requirements, manage their cash flow, and hire or contract workers. They also learned the basics and benefits of obtaining government-validated certifications. This year, 37 participants graduated from the program across multiple cohorts, with graduation ceremonies held in July and October to recognize participants who completed the full curriculum and took concrete steps toward formalizing their businesses. The program successfully guided entrepreneurs through the process of transitioning from informal to formal business operations, providing them with the tools and knowledge needed to grow sustainably and access new market opportunities.
- $39,964 spent. Other programming includes Camino Financiero (Financial Road Map), an 8-week cohort-style program that educates clients in understanding credit, credit reports, and debt management and repayment strategies. It also provides basics for personal budgeting and building savings. The program pairs attendees with 2 or more personalized financial coaching appointments. In 2024, 44 participants graduated from Camino Financiero. Staff conducted comprehensive financial coaching that included reviewing credit reports and creating household budgets for graduates.
- $33,048 spent. Las Musas is a monthly workshop designed to empower and support women-owned businesses and entrepreneurs. The objective is to build a network of entrepreneurial women who support one another. This program provides information and access to resources from partner organizations, encourages women to pursue their dreams, and educates them on current trends affecting businesses. In 2024, there were 311 participants across workshops that covered topics including vision boarding, budgeting, self-care, homeownership panels, professional development, and networking events celebrating International Women in Business Month and Hispanic Heritage Month.
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 May 2018.
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.