Clecha
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
CLECHA, a Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation in the State of California, exists to ensure Latinas and Latinos understand, navigate, and conquer the oppressive systems that exist in order to achieve financial equity.
- Income
- $1.1 million
- Spending
- $1.2 million
- Spent on programs
- 92%
- Reserves
- -3.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 91%
- Employees
- 7
- Volunteers
- 20
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
Weak: 44 out of 100. Higher than 12% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 46% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 9% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 19% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1592% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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
Weak: 32 out of 100. Higher than 2% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
5 of 250 of 5 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.
Independent check of accounts
0 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 (1)
- $1.1 million spent. CLECHA, a Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation in the State of California, exists to ensure Latinas and Latinos understand, navigate, and conquer the oppressive systems that exist in order to achieve financial equity. In 2024, CLECHA continued to strengthen its role as a trusted advocate and technical assistance provider for small businesses across San Francisco. The organization provided direct, one-on-one guidance to more than ninety entrepreneurs, assisting with licensing, FTB compliance, CDTFA sales tax registration, EIN filings, LLC formation, and business stabilization support. Clecha's work ensured that many neighborhood businesses could remain operational, compliant, and prepared for long-term growth.Throughout the year, Clecha supported several grand openings and business expansions, including Taboo, Mission Barbershop, and Murales Wine Bar and Tapas. Each business represented a new step toward neighborhood revitalization and the preservation of cultural and creative spaces in the Mission District. Clecha provided hands-on support with marketing, permitting, and event coordination to help launch each event successfully.Marketing remained a key focus of Clecha's 2024 programming. The organization launched targeted campaigns to boost visibility for small businesses across the Mission, Excelsior, and Visitacion Valley, emphasizing locally owned, culturally rooted enterprises. Clecha worked directly with business owners to develop promotional materials, social media content, and neighborhood branding efforts that strengthened corridor identity and community engagement.In 2024, the city of San Francisco turned to Clecha to resolve a crisis at 16th and Mission, the neighborhood that was the core of drug dealers and illegal vending. As a result of Clecha's aid, the streets became cleaner, illegal activity was deterred, and homeless people and drug users were connected to city services.In partnership with the city and community organizations, Clecha also distributed free laptops to small business owners through the Human-I-T digital inclusion initiative. This effort provided entrepreneurs with the tools needed to manage their finances, improve marketing, and expand their online presence, addressing the ongoing digital divide faced by many immigrant and low-income business owners.Clecha additionally played an active role in supporting San Francisco Green Business initiatives, helping businesses adopt environmentally conscious practices and move toward official certification. This included assisting with waste reduction strategies, energy efficiency improvements, and city compliance requirements that align with sustainable operating goals.By the end of 2024, Clecha had strengthened the capacity and visibility of dozens of neighborhood businesses through a combination of technical support, marketing campaigns, and community investment. The organization's consistent, culturally informed approach continued to advance equitable economic growth and highlight the vital role of small businesses in the fabric of San Francisco's neighborhoods.
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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since March 2022.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.