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Central American Resource Center Carecen of Northern California

EIN 94-3036508 · San Francisco, CA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair50 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

CENTRAL AMERICAN RESOURCE CENTER IS AN IMMIGRANT FAMILY WELLNESS AND EMPOWERMENT CENTER COMMITTED TO PROVIDING NEEDED SERVICES WHILE BUILDING COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP TO EFFECT LONG-TERM CHANGE.

Income
$10.6 million
Spending
$10.7 million
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
1.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 94%
Employees
41
Volunteers
5
Highest pay
$206,731, 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: 50 out of 100. Higher than 27% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 77% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 6 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports 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 (4)
  1. $1.1 million spent. PROVIDE TATOO REMOVAL AND OTHER SERVICES TO LOW INCOME RECIPIENTS IN THE MISSION DISTRICT OF SAN FRANCISCO.
  2. $738,606 spent. CARECEN'S FAMILY ADVOCACY PROGRAM HELPS LATINO IMMIGRANTS OVERCOME CRISES AND INTIGRATE INTO THEIR COMMUNITIES, BUILDS LEADERSHIP FOR FULL PARTICIPATION IN THE COMMUNITY AND IN CIVIC LIFE. THROUGH THE PROGRAM, IMMIGRANTS STRENGHTEN THEIR SOCIAL NETWORKS, BECOME MORE INVOLVED IN THEIR CHILDREN'S EDUCATION AND LOCAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS, TAKE INITIATIVE TO MEET COMMUNITY NEEDS, AND GAIN THE SELF-CONFIDENCE AND KNOWLEDGE TO ENAGE IN CIVIC AND POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS IN THEIR ADOPTED COUNTRY.
  3. $7.1 million spent. CARECEN PROVIDES LOW-COST, HIGH QUALITY IMMIGRATION LEGAL SERVICES TO LOW-INCOME LATINO IMMIGRANTS, INCLUDING SECURING IMMIGRANT FAMILIES' ECONOMIC WELL-BEING BY HELPIN LEGALIZE THOSE THAT ARE ELIGIBLE.
  4. $531,331 spent. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND THE CUERPO SANO ACTIVATE! PROGRAMS ARE DESIGNED TO INFORM, TRAIN, AND ENGAGE LATINOS IN THE BAY AREA AND TO EDUCATE THE IMMIGRANT LATINO POPULATION WITH THE KNOWLEDGE TO PREVENT AND MANAGE OBESITY, DIABETES, AND ORAL HEALTH

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

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since July 1989.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. 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.