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Central American Resource Center - Carecen - of California

EIN 95-3867724 · Los Angeles, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair63 out of 100GovernanceGood83 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

CENTRAL AMERICAN RESOURCE CENTER (THE CENTER) IS A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT WAS CREATED TO ASSIST CENTRAL AMERICAN REFUGEES AND SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA LATINO IMMIGRANT FAMILIES. ITS PRIMARY SERVICES ARE IMMIGRATION LEGAL SERVICES; LEADERSHIP AND ADVOCACY PROGRAMS FOR YOUTH, PARENTS, LOW WAGE WORKERS, AND IMMIGRANTS; AND CIVIC PARTICIPATION AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS.

Income
$15.7 million
Spending
$15.9 million
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
2.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 64%
Employees
171
Volunteers
64
Highest pay
$204,995, managing attorney

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 63 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 12% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 83 out of 100. Higher than 11% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 14 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

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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, 2025, 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. $11.3 million spent. Legal Department: The Legal Department provides information, legal advice and services to over 20,000 people. The Legal Department provided 1) free information forums regarding various immigration issues, including eligibility for various immigration benefits (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals/DACA, legal permanent residence, employment authorization, asylum, naturalization, special immigrant juvenile status, family-based petitions, U visa, VAWA, T visa and removal defense matters), 2) legal advice and free or low cost services including assistance with eligibility for various immigration benefits (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals/DACA, legal permanent residence, employment authorization, asylum, naturalization, special immigrant juvenile status, family-based petitions, U Visa, VAWA, T Visa and removal defense matters).
  2. $2.0 million spent. Parent & Youth Center: The Parent and Youth Center provides leadership development training, advocacy, policy activities and college admission programs. The Center offered programs to refugee youth, community parents and school aged children. The Center assisted approximately 1,000 families with its activities. For the youth, the Center provided educational programs, College Head Start and leadership development programs. For the parents, the Center provided leadership and advocacy programs, English as a Second Language (ESL), computer literacy and arts and crafts classes. All of the programs offered culturally relevant services for Latino immigrant families.
  3. $353,381 spent. Day Labor Center: The Day Labor Center offers workforce development for an average of 100 workers daily through its Economic Development Program. At the Center, workers obtained temporary work, received health education and services, received assistance with wage theft claims, and participated in ESL classes, special skills workshops, conflict resolution training and leadership training. The Center assisted workers with all aspects of the job search, hiring process and monitored employers to ensure fairness. The Center facilitated a temporary work environment with restrooms, water, and protection from the elements, where workers have an equal opportunity to be employed and obtain institutional support when they were treated fraudulently.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 2025.

    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 January 1986.

    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.