El Centro de la Raza
El Centro de la Raza is a Seattle-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1972 that delivers 43 programs—childhood education, affordable housing, food security, workforce development, and senior services—to over 6,492 Latino/a households annually across King County.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1972
- HeadquartersSeattle, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What El Centro de la Raza does
El Centro de la Raza is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (Tax ID #91-0899927) founded in 1972 in Seattle, Washington, that delivers 43 programs across nine service areas for the Latino/a community and other low-income populations in King County. The organization was established through the peaceful occupation of an abandoned Beacon Hill school by founder Roberto Felipe Maestas and community members; its 12 Principles, adopted in 1976, function as a guiding constitution and emphasize collectivism and the Beloved Community framework popularized by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Current Executive Director Estela Ortega leads the organization, which operates from a National Register of Historic Places–listed headquarters at 2524 16th Ave S, Seattle, with additional sites across Beacon Hill, the International District, Roosevelt, Columbia City, Federal Way, and the El Centro Skate Rink.
The service portfolio spans early childhood education (José Martí Child Development Center at five Seattle locations, dual-language curriculum for ages 15 months to 5 years); youth services (Luis Alfonso Velásquez After School Program, Bahlam Bots Robotics, College GANAS, Youth J.O.B. Readiness); workforce development (Unidos In Finance, Unidos At Work, Digital Navigators); food and health (El Centro Food Bank distributing 426,194 pounds of food in 2025, Senior Hub, Health Equity Navigation); housing (Plaza Roberto Maestas, Four Amigos Beloved Community, El Patio Housing, Beacon Avenue Affordable Housing, Mt. Baker Station Redevelopment, weatherization); financial empowerment (Lending Circles/Tandas with Mission Asset Fund, first-time homebuyer education, HUD-certified rental counseling); small business support (Business Opportunity Center across King, Pierce, and Snohomish Counties); veterans outreach (Pathfinders); ESL classes; and government benefits navigation. Six thousand four hundred ninety-two households were served in 2025, with over 20,000 individuals and families positively impacted annually.
Revenue is generated through four primary streams: donations and fundraising (including the annual Building the Beloved Community Gala), rental income from the Centilia Cultural Center and meeting spaces in the historic building, program fees and subsidized tuition (e.g., $2,200–$2,300/month at the José Martí Child Development Centers, $650/month for the Seattle Preschool Program extended day), and government grants and contracts from the City of Seattle, King County, Washington State, and federal sources. Key institutional partners include Comcast ($350,000 Lift Zone investment in 2026 plus $7.4M regional investment), Mercy Housing Northwest (438-unit Mt. Baker Station joint development), Edge Developers (70-unit Beacon Avenue project), Amazon Housing Equity Fund, Microsoft, United Way of King County, UnidosUS, and Community Action Partnership. Capital projects under development — Beacon Avenue Affordable Housing (70 units, delivery February 2027) and Mt. Baker Station Redevelopment (438 units, groundbreaking October 2026) — position the organization as an emerging community developer in addition to its service-provider role.
El Centro de la Raza firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- El Centro de la Raza
- Legal name
- El Centro de la Raza
- Website
- https://elcentrodelaraza.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1972
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- El Centro de la Raza is a Seattle-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1972 that delivers 43 programs—childhood education, affordable housing, food security, workforce development, and senior services—to over 6,492 Latino/a households annually across King County.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
El Centro de la Raza industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Community Social Services
- NAICS
- Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242), Child and Youth Services (62411), Community Food Services (624210), Other Community Housing Services (624229)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Community Centers & Neighborhood Support Services (BPAGAEAL)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Family Resource Centers & Wraparound Support Services (EDACALAH), Youth Housing, Foster Care & Wraparound Support (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAO), Community Development & Neighborhood Revitalization Housing Programs (FSALAKAO)
Keywords
Where El Centro de la Raza is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Seattle
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices8 records
Markets served
El Centro de la Raza business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Fundraising: The organization relies on donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations to fund its 43 programs and services. The Building the Beloved Community Gala is an annual fundraising event.
- Rental Spaces: Venues available for rent including the Centilia Cultural Center and meeting spaces in the historic building, generating income from community events and private bookings.
- Program Fees and Subsidized Services: Some programs like childcare accept subsidies from DCYF Working Connections, City of Seattle Child Care Assistance, and King County Best Starts for Kids. Tuition-based options also available for Jose Marti Child Development Center.
- Government Grants and Contracts: Funding from government sources including City of Seattle, King County, Washington State, and federal programs to support various community services.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Toddler care (under 3 years) at Columbia City location |
| Subscription | Monthly | PreK care (3-5 years) at Columbia City location |
| Subscription | Monthly | Seattle Preschool Program extended day at Beacon Pacific Village |
| Subscription | Monthly | Part-time PreK at Beacon Pacific Village |
| Freemium | Monthly | Free programs and services |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels12 records
El Centro de la Raza product offering
Product offeringCore offering
El Centro de la Raza is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1972 that provides 43 distinct programs and services to the Latino/a community in King County, Washington. Its core offerings span early childhood education, youth development, senior services, food bank distribution, affordable housing development and management (including Cedar Crossing and Plaza Roberto Maestas), workforce development, financial empowerment, housing counseling, and immigration legal services. The organization operates from its main Beacon Hill, Seattle campus and a satellite site in Federal Way, WA, functioning as a comprehensive human services hub for low-income and immigrant community members.
Product overview
El Centro de la Raza is a nonprofit community organization (501(c)3) founded in 1972 that provides 43 programs and services for children, youth, families, and seniors in King County, Washington. The organization operates a comprehensive portfolio of social services including early childhood education through the José Martí Child Development Center (dual-language early learning at 5 Seattle locations), youth services (after-school programs, summer care, robotics, college readiness), workforce development (digital skills, finance career training, job readiness), food security (food bank, senior meals), housing (affordable housing developments at Beacon Avenue and Mt. Baker Station, weatherization assistance), financial empowerment (Lending Circles, homebuyer education, foreclosure prevention), senior services, veterans outreach, ESL classes, health equity navigation, and government benefits assistance. Services are delivered at offices in Seattle (Beacon Hill) and Federal Way, with programs offered both in-person and remotely.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Jose Marti Child Development Center: High quality dual-language early learning education for children ages 1-5 with multiple Seattle locations.
- El Centro Skate Rink
Products and services
- Early Childhood Education (Child Development Center) Child development and early learning program serving Latino/a families with young children, operated in partnership with the City of Seattle, with a site at Cedar Crossing.
- Youth Programs Educational, developmental, and enrichment services for Latino/a youth in King County.
- Senior Services Programs designed to support Latino/a seniors in the community.
- Food Bank Food distribution services addressing food insecurity among low-income community members.
- Affordable Housing - Plaza Roberto Maestas Affordable housing development located at the Beacon Hill campus in Seattle.
- Affordable Housing - Cedar Crossing Mixed-use affordable housing development in Seattle that co-locates the Child Development Center and other community-serving facilities.
- Financial Empowerment Services Programs providing financial literacy and empowerment support for community members.
- Workforce Development Job training and employment services supporting career pathways for community members.
- Housing Counseling Counseling services to help community members access and maintain stable housing.
- Immigration Legal Services Legal services for immigrants navigating immigration processes and related matters.
Quantifiable outcome
- 6,492 households served in 2025
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use El Centro de la Raza
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
El Centro de la Raza technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
El Centro de la Raza partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- ComcastcoreComcast launched a Lift Zone in partnership with El Centro de la Raza in Federal Way to provide digital skills training and workforce development for families in South King County. The initiative includes a $350,000 investment to support facility and technology upgrades, featuring free high-speed WiFi, on-site digital navigators, public access workstations, and hybrid training workshops. Comcast has invested over $7.4 million in the Greater Seattle area over the past four years, funding more than 60 local organizations.
- Mercy Housing NorthwestcoreJoint development partnership to create 438 units of affordable housing adjacent to the Mt. Baker Light Rail Station in Seattle. The mixed-use development includes community hub space, early learning center, public park, and commercial spaces for BIPOC-owned businesses. Groundbreaking scheduled for October 2026.
- Edge DeveloperscorePartnership with local BIPOC developer to construct 70 units of affordable housing near Beacon Hill Light Rail Station. The mixed-use development at 2538-2544 Beacon Avenue South includes community center space and ground floor commercial space. Groundbreaking August 2025, expected delivery February 2027.
- Asian Counseling & Referral ServiceminorLocal nonprofit partner that has received Comcast funding through the Greater Seattle investment initiative.
- Evergreen GoodwillminorLocal nonprofit partner that has received Comcast funding through the Greater Seattle investment initiative.
- Mary's PlaceminorLocal nonprofit partner that has received Comcast funding through the Greater Seattle investment initiative.
- YWCA Seattle–King–SnohomishminorLocal nonprofit partner that has received Comcast funding through the Greater Seattle investment initiative.
- Walsh ConstructioncoreGeneral contractor for the Mt. Baker Station Redevelopment Project. Demolition scheduled to begin June 22, 2026.
- Runberg Architecture GroupcoreArchitecture firm providing design services for the Mt. Baker Station Redevelopment Project.
- 7 DirectionsminorConsulting firm on the Mt. Baker Station Redevelopment Project team.
- HewittminorEngineering firm on the Mt. Baker Station Redevelopment Project team.
- Beacon DevelopmentminorDevelopment consultant on the Mt. Baker Station Redevelopment Project team.
- School's Out Washington (SOWA)corePartnership for the Luis Alfonso Velásquez After School Program. Based on evaluations by the Center for Youth Program Quality, the program has been named a high quality center.
- Mission Asset FundcoreNonprofit partnership for the Lending Circles/Tandas program providing 0% interest social loans and credit building opportunities for community members.
- King County HealthierHere ConsortiumcoreHealth equity partnership working with State, Regional and local healthcare and social service providers to connect people with health services.
- Washington State Department of Health - Care Connect ProgramcorePartnership providing regional support to locate and enroll community members in appropriate public services as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
- Seattle CollegesminorPartner providing free in-person English classes for beginners at levels 1 and 2.
- Washington State Housing Finance Commission (WSHFC)corePartnership to offer homebuyer education class sponsored by WSHFC four times a year, teaching potential homebuyers how to purchase a home and navigate the homebuying process.
- UnidosUScoreAffiliate member providing curriculum support and resources for programs including Unidos In Finance and Unidos at Work workforce development programs.
- Community Action PartnershipcoreNational membership organization supporting community action agencies.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
El Centro de la Raza competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- UnidosUS: National Latino civil rights and advocacy organization that supports a network of nearly 300 affiliates, including El Centro de la Raza's affiliate relationship. Comparable as a national-scale umbrella for Latino community-serving nonprofits with similar program focus areas (workforce, education, housing).
- LISC (Local Initiatives Support Corporation): National community development financial institution and El Centro partner for the Business Opportunity Center. Comparable as a national CDFI providing capital and capacity-building support to community-based organizations delivering economic development and small business services.
- United Way of King County: Regional United Way affiliate and a major funder of El Centro de la Raza's ParentChild+ program and other community services. Comparable as a King County community impact funder and convener supporting a portfolio of social service programs.
- Mercy Housing Northwest: Regional affordable housing developer and El Centro de la Raza's co-development partner on the Mt. Baker Station Redevelopment. Comparable as a nonprofit housing developer partnering with community organizations on mixed-income, transit-oriented affordable housing.
Direct peers
- Hispanic Federation: Latino nonprofit organization providing social services, civic engagement, and economic empowerment across multiple U.S. regions. Comparable as a Hispanic-focused intermediary funder and direct service provider with multi-state community development footprint.
- Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA): Los Angeles-based Latino immigrant rights organization providing legal services, advocacy, and community education. Comparable as a Latino-serving nonprofit combining direct services with advocacy and civic engagement.
- Sea Mar Community Health Centers: Washington-state-based Latino-serving community health and social services nonprofit with clinics and human services across Western Washington. Comparable as a Latino-focused nonprofit delivering integrated health, education, and social services in the same state with overlapping cultural competency.
- Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic: Washington-state-based nonprofit serving predominantly Latino communities across Eastern Washington and Oregon with health, housing, and social services. Comparable as a Latino-focused regional nonprofit integrating health, housing, and social services in Washington State.
- Latino Community Foundation: California-based Latino philanthropic foundation supporting Latino-led nonprofits through grants and capacity building. Comparable as a Latino-focused intermediary with similar mission orientation and grantmaking toward community-based Latino-serving organizations.
Regional players
- King County Housing Authority: Public housing authority operating affordable housing across King County. Comparable as a regional affordable housing provider serving low-income households, with overlapping tenant base in El Centro's service area.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
El Centro de la Raza social profiles
Digital presenceEl Centro de la Raza compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
El Centro de la Raza financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
El Centro de la Raza leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
El Centro de la Raza subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries7 records
El Centro de la Raza funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors2 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
El Centro de la Raza 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 El Centro de la Raza
What does El Centro de la Raza do?
El Centro de la Raza is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1972 that provides 43 distinct programs and services to the Latino/a community in King County, Washington. Its core offerings span early childhood education, youth development, senior services, food bank distribution, affordable housing development and management (including Cedar Crossing and Plaza Roberto Maestas), workforce development, financial empowerment, housing counseling, and immigration legal services. The organization operates from its main Beacon Hill, Seattle campus and a satellite site in Federal Way, WA, functioning as a comprehensive human services hub for low-income and immigrant community members.
Is El Centro de la Raza a public or private company?
El Centro de la Raza is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was El Centro de la Raza founded?
El Centro de la Raza was founded in 1972. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is El Centro de la Raza based?
El Centro de la Raza is headquartered in Seattle, United States, in the North America region.
How does El Centro de la Raza make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Donations and Fundraising is the primary driver. The others are rental Spaces, program Fees and Subsidized Services and government Grants and Contracts.
Who are El Centro de la Raza's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are UnidosUS, LISC (Local Initiatives Support Corporation), United Way of King County and Mercy Housing Northwest. Direct peers are Hispanic Federation, Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), Sea Mar Community Health Centers, Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic and Latino Community Foundation. King County Housing Authority is listed as a regional player.
Does El Centro de la Raza have an API?
No public API is recorded for El Centro de la Raza.
What industry is El Centro de la Raza in?
El Centro de la Raza's product category is Community Social Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAEAL, Community Centers & Neighborhood Support Services, with a secondary code of EDACALAH, Family Resource Centers & Wraparound Support Services. Its NAICS code is 624190 and its SIC code is 8300.