Southern Center for Equity Advancement and Immigrant Refuge
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Advance the causes of and support immigrant communities and other marginalized groups through access to legal assistance, educational programs, and employment resources. The organization works to bring equity, justice and opportunities, and aims to reduce barriers impeding successes in immigrant and other marginalized communities.
- Income
- $10,835
- Spending
- $1,419
- Spent on programs
- 83%
- Reserves
- 79.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 10
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
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 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 72 out of 100. Higher than 62% of charities in its peer group (human services, under $250k).
Independent board
18 of 253 of 3 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a 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.
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 (3)
- $1,026 spent. Immigration Legal Assistance - Southern Center for Equity Advancement and Immigrant Refuge, a Department of Justice (DOJ) recognized organization, provides low-cost comprehensive immigration legal services before the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) matters through the organization's DOJ accredited representatives. The organization also prepares immigrants or green card holders for the citizenship and naturalization process, provides information sessions on how to access authorized immigration legal services and apply for humanitarian relief with USCIS, and offers referral services for immigrants, including asylees and refugees, and non-immigrants to pro bono attorneys in immigration law firms and to other non-profit organizations. The organization currently does not take cases before the Executive office of Immigration Review (EOIR) or immigration courts; however, referrals are made to pro bono attorneys if there are any available or willing to take cases pro bono for EOIR matters.
- $157 spent. Educational Support - The organization currently provides English as a Second Language ("ESL") and civics lessons covering U.S. history and government to immigrants, hosts international student activities, and offers preparation for standardized tests, such as American College Testing ("ACT") and Advanced Placement ("AP") courses, to non-native English speakers, low-income families and other marginalized groups.
- Employment Resources - The organization regularly provides volunteer and internship opportunities to advance career and professional development to various community members, including students, immigrants and those who lack opportunities to gain expertise in a wide range of areas like teaching, outreaching, performing legal and information technology work, translating/interpreting, and writing. In addition, the organization provides referral services to other organizations assisting with hands-on job search and training, and to employers seeking to fill various positions in which the organization had provided volunteer and internship opportunities.
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 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 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 March 2024.
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.