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California ChangeLawyers

aka California ChangeLawyers   |   SAN FRANCISCO, CA   |  changelawyers.org

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GuideStar Charity Check

California ChangeLawyers

EIN: 94-3104546


Mission

We believe that a state as diverse as California should have a justice system led by advocates of all ethnicities and races. That's why we invest in bright, diverse scholars to ensure they have the opportunity to become tomorrow's legal changemakers. Because righting historical wrongs in our courtrooms, classrooms, and beyond will allow us to truly deliver the original American value: Justice for All.

Ruling year info

2015

Executive Director

Christopher Punongbayan

Main address

Four Embarcadero Center Suite 1400

SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94111 USA

Show more contact info

Formerly known as

California Bar Foundation

EIN

94-3104546

Subject area info

Legal services

Philanthropy

Antidiscrimination

Public affairs

Population served info

Students

Young adults

Indigenous peoples

Multiracial people

People of African descent

Show more populations served

NTEE code info

Philanthropy / Charity / Voluntarism Promotion (General) (T50)

Civil Rights, Advocacy for Specific Groups (R20)

Public, Society Benefit - Multipurpose and Other N.E.C. (W99)

IRS subsection

501(c)(3) Public Charity

IRS filing requirement

This organization is required to file an IRS Form 990 or 990-EZ.

Tax forms

Communication

Blog

Affiliations

See related organizations info

Programs and results

What we aim to solve

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

The organizations working diligently to address issues of inequity in our justice system need support. They're doing important work providing free legal services to Californians in need, setting up show in rural areas where lawyers are few and far between, and working towards a California where no one is treated unfairly in our justice system. They are the boots on the ground, and we need their activism. But these organizations are often understaffed with little time to look up from the case at hand to look far down the road. That's where we come in. We have our finger on the pulse of California's biggest challenges to better understand which regions need the most funding, which groups are doing the most impactful work, and which issues are about to explode on the national scene. These organizations--and all Californians--need a strategic legal foundation to maximize impact and funnel resources where they will make the biggest difference.

Our programs

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?

Next Gen Scholarships

California ChangeLawyers awards Scholarships to first and third year law students from diverse backgrounds at California law schools. By supporting the brightest changelawyers of tomorrow right when they begin their pursuit of a legal career, we eliminate one more roadblock that exist between them and success.

Population(s) Served
Students
Young adults

Where we work

Goals & Strategy

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.

Charting impact

Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.

California ChangeLawyers (formerly California Bar Foundation) is a statewide foundation that invests in the next generation of lawyers, judges, and activists to create a more diverse legal profession, fair justice system, and a better California. Righting historical wrongs in our courtrooms, classrooms, and beyond will allow us to truly deliver our ultimate goal: Justice for All.

Our primary strategy is to invest in bright, diverse scholars so that they have the opportunity to become tomorrow's legal changemakers. These change makers--we call them changelawyers--are the ones who will right historical wrongs in the justice system.

Our strategy is to harness the power of lawyers for social impact.

California ChangeLawyers has a network of over 1000 fellows and scholars throughout the state. These include lawyers and activists who run the state's top nonprofits, work in all levels of California's government (including the California Justice Department), and at top private and public companies. We leverage this diverse, powerful network to fundraise, and to connect our newest crop of fellows and scholars to the industry's best opportunities.

California ChangeLawyers has developed a network of over 1000 Brown, Black, Queer, first-generation, immigrant, undocumented fellows and scholars throughout the state.

Up next: to leverage this army of lawyers to tackle systemic inequities including a criminal justice system that too often harms communities of color, an education system that excludes anyone who can't afford tuition, and a justice system that does not reflect and represent the communities of California.

Financials

California ChangeLawyers
Fiscal year: Jan 01 - Dec 31
Financial documents
2021 California ChangeLawyers Audited Financial Statements 2021
done  Yes, financials were audited by an independent accountant. info

Revenue vs. expenses:  breakdown

SOURCE: IRS Form 990 info
NET GAIN/LOSS:    in 
Note: When component data are not available, the graph displays the total Revenue and/or Expense values.

Liquidity in 2022 info

SOURCE: IRS Form 990

17.47

Average of 14.24 over 10 years

Months of cash in 2022 info

SOURCE: IRS Form 990

13

Average of 6.2 over 10 years

Fringe rate in 2022 info

SOURCE: IRS Form 990

15%

Average of 14% over 10 years

Funding sources info

Source: IRS Form 990

Assets & liabilities info

Source: IRS Form 990

Financial data

SOURCE: IRS Form 990

California ChangeLawyers

Revenue & expenses

Fiscal Year: Jan 01 - Dec 31

SOURCE: IRS Form 990 info

Fiscal year ending: cloud_download Download Data

California ChangeLawyers

Balance sheet

Fiscal Year: Jan 01 - Dec 31

SOURCE: IRS Form 990 info

The balance sheet gives a snapshot of the financial health of an organization at a particular point in time. An organization's total assets should generally exceed its total liabilities, or it cannot survive long, but the types of assets and liabilities must also be considered. For instance, an organization's current assets (cash, receivables, securities, etc.) should be sufficient to cover its current liabilities (payables, deferred revenue, current year loan, and note payments). Otherwise, the organization may face solvency problems. On the other hand, an organization whose cash and equivalents greatly exceed its current liabilities might not be putting its money to best use.

Fiscal year ending: cloud_download Download Data

California ChangeLawyers

Financial trends analysis Glossary & formula definitions

Fiscal Year: Jan 01 - Dec 31

SOURCE: IRS Form 990 info

This snapshot of California ChangeLawyers’s financial trends applies Nonprofit Finance Fund® analysis to data hosted by GuideStar. While it highlights the data that matter most, remember that context is key – numbers only tell part of any story.

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Business model indicators

Profitability info 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Unrestricted surplus (deficit) before depreciation -$325,158 $439,704 $131,110 $386,207 $304,296
As % of expenses -17.9% 24.9% 7.3% 18.0% 14.8%
Unrestricted surplus (deficit) after depreciation -$325,158 $439,704 $131,110 $386,207 $304,296
As % of expenses -17.9% 24.9% 7.3% 18.0% 14.8%
Revenue composition info
Total revenue (unrestricted & restricted) $1,428,733 $2,118,704 $1,754,652 $2,784,200 $3,438,232
Total revenue, % change over prior year -34.6% 48.3% -17.2% 58.7% 23.5%
Program services revenue 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0%
Membership dues 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0%
Investment income 2.5% 3.0% 2.5% 40.5% 40.5%
Government grants 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 18.3% 12.4%
All other grants and contributions 91.5% 83.0% 97.2% 33.4% 40.4%
Other revenue 6.0% 14.0% 0.3% 7.9% 6.6%
Expense composition info
Total expenses before depreciation $1,817,390 $1,763,098 $1,800,069 $2,146,183 $2,052,215
Total expenses, % change over prior year 1.9% -3.0% 2.1% 19.2% -4.4%
Personnel 40.5% 41.0% 30.3% 30.6% 32.0%
Professional fees 6.9% 3.1% 4.5% 6.2% 8.7%
Occupancy 2.8% 3.5% 4.2% 4.4% 5.3%
Interest 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0%
Pass-through 41.5% 41.7% 54.9% 54.1% 48.9%
All other expenses 8.4% 10.7% 6.1% 4.8% 5.1%
Full cost components (estimated) info 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Total expenses (after depreciation) $1,817,390 $1,763,098 $1,800,069 $2,146,183 $2,052,215
One month of savings $151,449 $146,925 $150,006 $178,849 $171,018
Debt principal payment $0 $0 $0 $99,800 $0
Fixed asset additions $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Total full costs (estimated) $1,968,839 $1,910,023 $1,950,075 $2,424,832 $2,223,233

Capital structure indicators

Liquidity info 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Months of cash 3.9 5.6 8.7 7.2 13.0
Months of cash and investments 13.4 17.3 18.4 20.1 22.8
Months of estimated liquid unrestricted net assets 10.9 14.2 14.8 14.6 17.0
Balance sheet composition info 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Cash $591,139 $824,872 $1,297,591 $1,283,906 $2,225,167
Investments $1,441,268 $1,724,148 $1,455,594 $2,312,596 $1,677,466
Receivables $333,784 $455,671 $558,828 $176,687 $164,237
Gross land, buildings, equipment (LBE) $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Accumulated depreciation (as a % of LBE) 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0%
Liabilities (as a % of assets) 10.2% 12.5% 13.9% 15.4% 5.3%
Unrestricted net assets $1,651,740 $2,091,444 $2,222,554 $2,608,761 $2,913,057
Temporarily restricted net assets $491,675 N/A N/A N/A N/A
Permanently restricted net assets $0 N/A N/A N/A N/A
Total restricted net assets $491,675 $561,456 $651,745 $606,401 $1,095,874
Total net assets $2,143,415 $2,652,900 $2,874,299 $3,215,162 $4,008,931

Key data checks

Key data checks info 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Material data errors No No No No No

Operations

The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.

Documents
Letter of Determination is not available for this organization
Form 1023/1024 is not available for this organization

Executive Director

Christopher Punongbayan

Christopher Punongbayan is the Executive Director of California ChangeLawyers, a statewide foundation that invests in bright, diverse legal changemakers to ensure they have the opportunity to become tomorrow’s legal changemakers. Over the last twenty years, Chris has gained deep experience in social justice issues. He profoundly believes in giving voice to the unheard, breaking down barriers, and creating strategic alliances to advance equity. Prior to joining the California ChangeLawyers, Chris was the executive director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Asian Law Caucus and held positions at Northern California Grantmakers, Positive Resource Center, and Filipino Advocates for Justice. In 2003, Chris received a scholarship from California ChangeLawyers, which first set him on his social justice path in California. He has never looked back.

Number of employees

Source: IRS Form 990

California ChangeLawyers

Officers, directors, trustees, and key employees

SOURCE: IRS Form 990

Compensation
Other
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Show data for fiscal year
Compensation data
Download up to 5 most recent years of officer and director compensation data for this organization

California ChangeLawyers

Highest paid employees

SOURCE: IRS Form 990

Compensation
Other
Related
Show data for fiscal year
Compensation data
Download up to 5 most recent years of highest paid employee data for this organization

California ChangeLawyers

Board of directors
as of 08/29/2023
SOURCE: Self-reported by organization
Board of directors data
Download the most recent year of board of directors data for this organization
Board chair

Rasha Gerges Shields

Jones Day

Term: 2023 - 2024

Rasha Gerges Shields

Jones Day

Alexis Amezcua

Morrison & Foerster

Bennie Mackey, II

Office of the Attorney General

Roger Perez

Gitlab Foundation

Mark Selwyn

WilmerHale

Marci Rubin

retired

Organizational demographics

SOURCE: Self-reported; last updated 8/29/2023

Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.

Leadership

The organization's leader identifies as:

Race & ethnicity
Asian/Asian American
Gender identity
Male, Not transgender
Sexual orientation
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, or other sexual orientations in the LGBTQIA+ community
Disability status
Person without a disability

Race & ethnicity

No data

Gender identity

No data

Transgender Identity

No data

Sexual orientation

No data

Disability

No data

Contractors

Fiscal year ending

Professional fundraisers

Fiscal year ending

SOURCE: IRS Form 990 Schedule G

Solicitation activities
Gross receipts from fundraising
Retained by organization
Paid to fundraiser