CHIRLA
CHIRLA is a Los Angeles-based nonprofit founded in 1986 that provides immigration legal services, Know Your Rights education, workers' rights protection, and policy advocacy for immigrant individuals, families, students, and workers across California, operating a dual 501(c)(3)/501(c)(4) structure.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1986
- HeadquartersLos Angeles, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What CHIRLA does
CHIRLA (The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights), founded in 1986 and headquartered in Los Angeles, California, is the largest immigrant rights organization in California, operating a dual-entity structure comprising CHIRLA (501(c)(3)) for service delivery and CHIRLA Action Fund (501(c)(4)) for policy advocacy. The organization provides comprehensive immigration legal services including deportation defense, family unity representation, DACA and citizenship application assistance, workers' rights and labor legal services, and detention support, alongside Know Your Rights community education delivered through presentations, a film program (including the 2007 Know Your Rights video and the feature film America's Family), and digital channels. CHIRLA also runs civic engagement programs, voter registration, leadership development (including the California Dream Network coalition of undocumented students), and advocacy campaigns in partnership with over 60 organizations and major labor unions.
The business model is a diversified nonprofit revenue mix: membership dues at three tiers ($25 individual, $60 family, $100 community/supporter), individual donations across multiple channels (online, mail, stock gifts, workplace giving with employer matching, AmazonSmile, Facebook fundraisers), specialized fundraising campaigns (Unstoppable Dreams Fund, DACA Trust Fund, Bond Fund, Memorial/Honorary gifts), government contracts and grants at federal/state/local levels (including a reported approximately $110M California state funding allocation under Governor Newsom and Los Angeles Justice Fund grants), and event revenue from an annual Immigrant Champion Awards gala, benefit fundraisers, and the Immi'Art art celebration. The go-to-market motion is community-led, acquiring constituents through grassroots organizing, volunteer programs, and internships, then mobilizing members for policy advocacy through marches, lawmaker meetings, and civic engagement campaigns.
CHIRLA holds a GuideStar Platinum rating and Charity Navigator 4-star rating, reflecting high nonprofit governance and accountability standards. Its technology stack is light: standard donation processing (Funraise, AmazonSmile), virtual legal clinic scheduling, event management (Mobilize.us), and film distribution partnerships (Kanopy, New Day Films). Leadership is anchored by Executive Director Angelica Salas, with a board of directors and a staff of 101-250 multilingual immigration and labor law experts. The organization has a national reputation for advocacy leadership while concentrating operational delivery in California, with emerging signals of expansion into adjacent verticals (climate justice, public health partnerships such as with the Mexican Consulate) and cross-border programming (CHIRLA En Mexico).
CHIRLA firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- CHIRLA
- Legal name
- The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights
- Website
- https://chirla.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1986
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- CHIRLA is a Los Angeles-based nonprofit founded in 1986 that provides immigration legal services, Know Your Rights education, workers' rights protection, and policy advocacy for immigrant individuals, families, students, and workers across California, operating a dual 501(c)(3)/501(c)(4) structure.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
CHIRLA industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Immigration Legal Services & Immigrant Rights Advocacy
- NAICS
- Human Rights Organizations (813311), Individual and Family Services (6241), Professional Organizations (81392)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Legal Services (8111), Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Immigrant & Refugee Rights Advocacy (BPAGAFAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Immigration Law (BPAHAAAL), Refugee & Immigrant Support Services (BPAGAEAI), Family & School System Navigation (Parent Engagement, Youth Services) (EDAAADAH)
Keywords
Where CHIRLA is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Los Angeles
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
CHIRLA business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Membership Dues: Annual membership contributions at three tiers: Individual $25, Family $60, and Community $100. Membership fees are divided equally between CHIRLA (501 c3) and CHIRLA Action Fund (501 c4) to support programs and policy advocacy.
- Donations and Charitable Contributions: Tax-deductible donations through multiple channels including online giving, mail-in checks, stock gifts, workplace giving with employer matching, AmazonSmile, and Facebook fundraisers. EIN: 95-4421521.
- Specialized Funds and Campaigns: Targeted fundraising for specific purposes: Unstoppable Dreams Fund, DACA Trust Fund, Bond Fund, America's Family film distribution, Memorial/Honorary gifts, and June Giving Month campaigns.
- Government Contracts and Grants: Funding from federal, state, and local government sources including California state funding (approximately $110 million mentioned), Los Angeles Justice Fund grants, and Congressional appropriations for immigration services.
- Event Revenue: Revenue from events including Annual Gala sponsorships, Benefit Fundraisers, and Immi'Art art celebration events.
- Workplace Giving Programs: Payroll deduction donations through workplace giving programs with employer matching gift programs.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Individual Membership at $25 annual fee providing dual membership, access to legal clinics, notary services, volunteer opportunities, scholarships, leadership training, and member events |
| Subscription | Annual | Family Membership at $60 annual fee covering up to 6 family members |
| Subscription | Annual | Community/Supporter Membership at $100 annual fee for partners and community leaders |
| Donation/ grant-funded | One time | DACA Application Fee Assistance |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels8 records
CHIRLA product offering
Product offeringCore offering
CHIRLA is a California-based nonprofit that delivers direct immigration legal services (deportation defense, DACA renewals, family unity cases, citizenship applications), labor rights representation for immigrant workers, and Know Your Rights community education. The organization also runs policy advocacy, civic engagement, and membership-based community organizing programs through a dual 501(c)(3)/501(c)(4) structure. It operates as California's largest immigrant rights organization with on-campus, in-person, virtual, and hotline-based service delivery channels.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- CHIRLA Action Fund: CHIRLA's 501(c)(4) affiliated organization for policy advocacy, operating alongside CHIRLA's 501(c)(3) entity.
Products and services
- Immigration Legal Services
Quantifiable outcome
- Legal representation for deportation defense, family unity, and removal proceedings
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use CHIRLA
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
CHIRLA technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration5 records
Feature4 records
CHIRLA partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
22 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, minor and core.
- La Plaza de Cultura y ArtesflagshipCHIRLA partners with La Plaza de Cultura y Artes to present the 7th annual Immi'Art Event celebrating immigrant art. The partnership hosts exhibiting artists on June 13-14, 2024 at La Plaza de Cultura y Artes, 501 N Main St, Los Angeles, CA 90012, with the 2024 theme focusing on Immigrant Workers.
- St. John's Well Child and Family ClinicsminorSt. John's Well Child and Family Clinics partnered with CHIRLA during May Day celebrations to provide COVID-19 booster information and answer questions about Medi-Cal expansion for seniors regardless of immigration status.
- Mexican Consulate in Los AngelescoreCHIRLA partners with the Mexican Consulate to provide COVID-19 vaccination clinics at 2401 W 6th St, Los Angeles, CA 90057, offering vaccines Tuesday through Friday from 9 am to 2 pm without appointment.
- FIRM Action NetworkflagshipCHIRLA and FIRM Action Network launched Relay Across America as part of their long fight to win citizenship and status for all 11 million undocumented immigrants. The relay travels across key regions in California including Visalia, Bakersfield, Antelope Valley, Los Angeles, and San Bernardino.
- Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrant Rights (GCIR)coreCHIRLA works with GCIR president Daranee Petsod, who was honored at CHIRLA's Virtual Gala. GCIR represents grantmakers concerned about immigrant rights and is a key partner in advocacy funding.
- Service Employees International Union (SEIU), Local 2015coreSEIU Local 2015 received CHIRLA's Im'Migrant Award at the 2020 Virtual Gala for their work alongside immigrants. SEIU represents care workers and is a key ally in the campaign for universal representation and immigrant rights.
- United Farm Workers (UFW)coreUFW received CHIRLA's Im'Migrant Award at the 2020 Virtual Gala recognizing their decades-long work organizing farmworkers and advocating for immigrant labor rights.
- United Food and Commercial Workers, Local 770coreUFCW Local 770 received CHIRLA's Im'Migrant Award at the 2020 Virtual Gala recognizing their advocacy for immigrant workers in the food and commercial sector.
- National Domestic Workers AlliancecoreCHIRLA partnered with California's Domestic Workers Coalition and the National Domestic Workers Alliance to pass SB 1257, the Health and Safety for All Workers Act, which would expand Cal/OSHA protections to domestic workers.
- CARECENcoreCHIRLA and CARECEN co-host press conferences and meetings with elected officials including Councilmember Monica Rodriguez regarding the Los Angeles Justice Fund and immigration legal services in Council District 9.
- Immigrant DefenderscoreCHIRLA, CARECEN, and Immigrant Defenders jointly provide attorneys to the Los Angeles Justice Fund and co-host press conferences advocating for expansion of immigration legal representation.
- BAJI (Black Alliance for Just Immigration)minorBAJI Director Nana Gyamfi joined CHIRLA Director Angelica Salas and Councilmember Curren Price Jr. for allocation ceremony celebrating $1.25 million for immigration legal services in Council District 9.
- Common CauseminorCHIRLA joined Common Cause, Advance Project California, and Asian Americans Advancing Justice in support of a City Charter amendment for the November ballot creating an independent redistricting commission in Los Angeles.
- Advance Project CaliforniaminorPartnership with Advance Project California and other organizations supporting an independent redistricting commission for Los Angeles to expand electoral power of immigrants and Latinos.
- Asian Americans Advancing JusticeminorCHIRLA partnered with Asian Americans Advancing Justice along with Common Cause and Advance Project California to support independent redistricting commission in Los Angeles.
- Alliance for Community Transit Los Angeles (ACT-LA)minorCHIRLA joined ACT-LA to urge the Metro Board of Directors to reject the Reimagining Public Safety predictive policing program that would discriminate against low-income riders of color.
- Veral Institute for JusticeflagshipCHIRLA joined the Veral Institute for Justice and National Partnership for New Americans to launch the Fairness to Freedom/Universal Representation Campaign, pushing for federally funded legal representation for anyone facing deportation.
- National Partnership for New AmericansflagshipCHIRLA partnered with the National Partnership for New Americans and Veral Institute for Justice to launch the Fairness to Freedom campaign for universal right to federally funded legal representation in deportation proceedings.
- Future of California ElectionsminorCHIRLA participates as steering committee member for the Voter Choice Act LA County working group and Future of California Elections to make voting accessible to every eligible voter.
- California Dream Network (CDN)flagshipCalifornia Dream Network is a CHIRLA-led statewide coalition of undocumented students, workers, allies, and organizers working to share resources and take direct steps to advocate for immigrant and social justice. Hosts annual statewide virtual summits.
- California COVID-19 Stimulus ProgramsminorPartnership for community education and outreach regarding California COVID-19 stimulus programs for immigrant communities.
- Los Angeles May Day CoalitioncoreCHIRLA has marched on May 1 for over 20 years as part of the Los Angeles May Day Coalition, commemorating International Workers' Day and demanding immigrant and worker rights.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves3 records
Expansion highlights6 records
CHIRLA competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- CARECEN (Central American Resource Center): Los Angeles-based nonprofit providing immigration legal services, citizenship education, and advocacy for Central American and other immigrant communities. Direct peer as co-host of Los Angeles Justice Fund events and May Day Coalition partner alongside CHIRLA.
- Immigrant Defenders Law Center: LA-based immigration legal services nonprofit providing deportation defense and universal representation. Direct peer as co-host of LA Justice Fund press conferences and joint Universal Representation campaign partner with CHIRLA.
- National Partnership for New Americans: National coalition of 40+ immigrant rights organizations advancing integration and citizenship pathways. Co-leads the Fairness to Freedom/Universal Representation Campaign with CHIRLA, making it a direct strategic partner and comparable national-scope advocacy organization.
- Catholic Legal Immigration Network (CLINIC): National nonprofit providing immigration legal services, capacity building, and advocacy through affiliated Catholic charities programs. Comparable as a large-scale immigration legal services and advocacy organization with similar dual service/advocacy model.
- Kids in Need of Defense (KIND): National nonprofit providing immigration legal representation to unaccompanied immigrant children. Comparable focus area with CHIRLA's student/immigrant youth services and on-campus legal clinics.
- National Immigration Law Center (NILC): National advocacy organization dedicated to defending and advancing the rights of low-income immigrants. Comparable advocacy focus and California base, with overlapping policy campaigns on immigrant rights and access to benefits.
- United Farm Workers (UFW): Historic labor union representing immigrant farm workers and advocating for immigration reform. CHIRLA Im'Migrant Award recipient and coalition partner; comparable mission around worker protections and immigrant rights.
- Asian Americans Advancing Justice: National Asian American civil rights organization with LA presence providing immigration legal services, civic engagement, and policy advocacy. Coalition partner with CHIRLA on redistricting and immigrant rights campaigns.
Broad incumbents
- ACLU of Southern California: Regional affiliate of the national ACLU focused on civil liberties including immigrant rights. Broader mandate than CHIRLA but overlapping litigation and advocacy on immigration enforcement and constitutional rights.
Regional players
- La Plaza de Cultura y Artes: LA-based Mexican American cultural institution and CHIRLA's flagship Immi'Art partner. Comparable community-facing mission for Latino/immigrant audiences in Los Angeles, though focused on culture rather than direct services.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
CHIRLA social profiles
Digital presenceCHIRLA compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
CHIRLA financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
CHIRLA leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
CHIRLA funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
CHIRLA M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about CHIRLA
What does CHIRLA do?
CHIRLA is a California-based nonprofit that delivers direct immigration legal services (deportation defense, DACA renewals, family unity cases, citizenship applications), labor rights representation for immigrant workers, and Know Your Rights community education. The organization also runs policy advocacy, civic engagement, and membership-based community organizing programs through a dual 501(c)(3)/501(c)(4) structure. It operates as California's largest immigrant rights organization with on-campus, in-person, virtual, and hotline-based service delivery channels.
Is CHIRLA a public or private company?
CHIRLA is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was CHIRLA founded?
CHIRLA was founded in 1986. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is CHIRLA based?
CHIRLA is headquartered in Los Angeles, United States, in the North America region.
How does CHIRLA make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Membership Dues are the primary driver. The others are donations and Charitable Contributions, specialized Funds and Campaigns, government Contracts and Grants, event Revenue and workplace Giving Programs.
Who are CHIRLA's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are CARECEN (Central American Resource Center), Immigrant Defenders Law Center, National Partnership for New Americans, Catholic Legal Immigration Network (CLINIC), Kids in Need of Defense (KIND), National Immigration Law Center (NILC), United Farm Workers (UFW) and Asian Americans Advancing Justice. ACLU of Southern California is listed as a broad incumbent. La Plaza de Cultura y Artes is listed as a regional player.
Does CHIRLA have an API?
No public API is recorded for CHIRLA.
What industry is CHIRLA in?
CHIRLA's product category is Immigration Legal Services & Immigrant Rights Advocacy. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAFAG, Immigrant & Refugee Rights Advocacy, with a secondary code of BPAHAAAL, Immigration Law. Its NAICS code is 813311 and its SIC code is 8300.