Familia Unida Living With Multiple Sclerosis
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Mission Statement : Familia Unida Living with MS, aka, Familia Unida provides unconditional love, hope and support for individuals and families living with MS, Chronic Illnesses and Disabilities to maximize the quality of life.
- Income
- $18,511
- Spending
- $11,937
- Reserves
- 8.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ 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)
- $10,266 spent. For over 30 years, Familia Unida Living with MS has proudly partnered with Los Angeles County, beginning with the support of Supervisor Gloria Molina who first welcomed us into County space. With that foundation, we were able to grow into a trusted hub for people living with multiple sclerosis and other disabilities, serving thousands of residents across diverse communities. The COVID-19 pandemic forced us to pause in-person programming, but our commitment to our community never wavered. We are now in the critical process of rebuilding re-engaging volunteers, students, and families who depend on us. As we move forward, we respectfully request that the County waive rent for our licensed space during this rebuilding phase. This support is vital: it will determine whether we can successfully relaunch programs and continue our legacy of service, or face the difficult reality of closure. We want to ensure that the investment the County made in us decades ago continues to benefit the families who rely on us today. Founded over 30 years ago, Familia Unida Living with MS is the first bilingual, nonprofit organization in the nation dedicated to supporting individuals living with multiple sclerosis and other disabilities. With roots established through the leadership of Supervisor Gloria Molina, Familia Unida became a trusted hub for thousands of families across Los Angeles County recognized for its innovative programs, strong community partnerships, and a deep commitment to inclusion, equity, and dignity. Pre-COVID Community Impact Before the pandemic, Familia Unida was seen as a beacon of strength and trust in the disability and immigrant communities. Our work was rooted in collaboration, advocacy, and direct service. Highlights include: -Monthly Bilingual Support Groups -Consistently hosted for over 25 years without interruption until COVID.-Attendance ranged from 50100 participants per month. - Included food pantry distribution and emergency support. - Case Management Services - Provided in partnership with UCLA and USC masters level social work students through cooperative agreements, offering high-quality case management while supporting professional licensing requirements. - Community & Volunteer Engagement -Longstanding ties with the Kiwanis Club and local high schools for student volunteer programs. -Annual Wheelchair Wash & Celebration hosted on County grounds an Abilities Expo bringing nonprofits and government programs together to serve hundreds of families. -Civic & Government Partnerships -Collaborations with Mayor Eric Garcettis office, Supervisors Gloria Molina and Supervisor Hilda Solis, Congresswoman Judy Chu, and many others. -Partnerships with organizations such as Mexican American Legal Defense & Educational Fund (MALDEF), Community Technology Foundation, First 5 LA, and Homeboy Industries & countless others -Media & Recognition -Regular coverage by KTLA 5, ABC 7, Univision, and other outlets. -Hundreds of commendations and certificates of recognition from elected officials across Los Angeles County and the State of California. Through these efforts, Familia Unida became widely regarded as a trusted, established organization with deep reach and credibility. COVID-19 Impact & Program Pause When COVID-19 struck, the individuals we serve primarily people with disabilities and multiple comorbidities became among the most vulnerable. For safety, our County office closed, and all in-person programs were suspended. -Community events halted due to health risks. -Funding significantly reduced, forcing us to conserve resources. -Maintained online presence, website, and social media to stay connected with the community. This period brought unprecedented challenges, raising the question of how families living with disabilities could safely re-engage in public life. Current Rebuilding Efforts (20242025) Familia Unida is now focused on strategic rebuilding: - Conducting a Community Needs Assessment to understand post-COVID challenges. -Identifying barriers for families including immigration issues, disability access, and economic insecurity. -Securing volunteers, student interns, and cooperative agreements to strengthen services. - Maintaining ties with government and nonprofit partners eager to collaborate again. At this stage, the key factor in moving forward is the stability of our County office space. Without it, we cannot relaunch programming at the scale our community requires. Future Plans Our roadmap includes: 1. Capacity Building through Grants aggressive grant writing and foundation outreach to secure sustainable funding. 2. Community Audit & Needs Assessment ensuring programs reflect todays post-pandemic realities. 3. University Partnerships reinstating agreements with USC and UCLA for case management and volunteer support. 4. Government & Nonprofit Collaboration engaging elected officials, agencies, and legacy partners to strengthen wraparound support. 5. Reintroduction of Core Services relaunching bilingual support groups, wheelchair wash/abilities expo, and community resource fairs. Conclusion Familia Unida stands at a critical turning point. With the Countys continued support particularly through a rent waiver during this rebuilding phase we can restore vital services, honor the legacy of Supervisor Gloria Molina & Hilda Solis, and ensure that families living with multiple sclerosis and disabilities are not left behind. We are ready to rise again and continue serving as a trusted community partner for the next 30 years.
Source: Form 990EZ 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 November 6, 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 July 1998.
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 November 4, 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.