What El Concilio of San Mateo County does

El Concilio of San Mateo County is a 501(c)(3) community-based nonprofit incorporated in 1980 (originally as the Hispanic Concilio of San Mateo County) that provides safety-net navigation, case management, consumer protection, climate resilience, digital equity, and youth development services to underserved, low-income, and immigrant communities across San Mateo County. Its core service model relies on promotoras (community health workers) drawn from the communities served, supported by bilingual and bicultural staff across three fixed offices in Redwood City (headquarters), East Palo Alto, and South San Francisco, plus outreach sites in Daly City and Half Moon Bay. Programs include Safety Net Navigation, TEAMS and CHANGES consumer/utility assistance in partnership with the California Public Utilities Commission, the Climate Ready Ambassadors training program, the Heat Resiliency Project with San Mateo County's Office of Sustainability, and the Conectemonos digital equity help desk. El Concilio also acts as convener of multiple community collaboratives (Public Health, Climate Ready North Fair Oaks, South San Francisco, Redwood City) and fiscal sponsor/incubator for grassroots organizations including CHASELOVE and Comité Latino de East Palo Alto.

Revenue is grant-funded through a diversified mix of foundation support (Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, Atkinson Foundation, Sand Hill Foundation, Silicon Valley Community Foundation), county and government contracts (San Mateo County Public Policy & Planning, Office of Sustainability, CPUC), and individual donations processed via Givebutter. Strategic differentiation rests on 45 years of community trust, deep institutional relationships across 30+ named partner organizations, and a pioneer status as the originator of San Mateo County's promotora model. Recent strategic moves include the 2025 acquisition of the New Voices for Youth program, expanded climate justice and economic justice programming under a 2024-2027 strategic plan, and ongoing digital equity expansion. Leadership is headed by Executive Director Dr. Ana Angel Avendaño (appointed 2021), supported by a management team with substantive tenure and community-based credentials.

Name

El Concilio of San Mateo County

Legal name

El Concilio of San Mateo County

Website

https://el-concilio.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

El Concilio of San Mateo County is a 45-year-old nonprofit providing bilingual safety-net navigation, case management, climate resilience, digital equity, and youth development services to underserved, low-income, and immigrant Latino communities across San Mateo County, California, through promotoras and partner coalitions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Social Services

NAICS

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Civic and Social Organizations (8134), Community Housing Services (62422)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Centers & Neighborhood Support Services (BPAGAEAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Housing & Neighborhood Services (Local Housing Programs) (BPAIACAJ)

Keywords

• Community social services
• Safety net navigation
• Immigrant advocacy
• Climate resilience programs
• Digital equity services

Headquarters

HQ city

Redwood City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Foundation and Nonprofit Grants: El Concilio receives funding from foundations and nonprofit organizations including San Mateo County, The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, Atkinson Foundation, Sand Hill Foundation, and other regional funders
2. Individual Donations: The organization accepts donations through platforms like Givebutter, with matching donation campaigns (e.g., up to $10,000 match for Olga Talamante celebration)
3. Government Contracts: Funding from San Mateo County Public Policy and Planning, San Mateo County Department of Sustainability, and other government agencies for specific programs including climate resilience, public health, and community development

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

El Concilio of San Mateo County is a community-based nonprofit that delivers free direct services and coalition-building programs to underserved, low-income, immigrant, and Latino residents of San Mateo County. Core offerings include safety-net navigation and case management, consumer protection through the TEAMS/CHANGES programs, community health outreach via the Promotoras program, climate resilience education, digital equity help desks, youth civic engagement, and economic justice initiatives.

Product overview

El Concilio of San Mateo County operates as a community-based nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of interconnected programs designed to serve underserved communities in San Mateo County. The organization functions as a single unified service provider rather than a platform-plus-modules architecture. Its core offerings include Safety Net Navigation and Individual & Family Support Services for direct client assistance; TEAMS and CHANGES Programs for consumer protection; Promotoras Program for community outreach and education; and the Incubator Program for fiscal sponsorship of grassroots organizations. These are complemented by coalition-building initiatives including the Public Health Community Collaborative and South San Francisco Coalition; environmental and climate justice programs such as Climate Ready Ambassadors, Our Communities Our Bay, Heat Resiliency Project, and Green Business Initiative; digital equity programs including New Voices for Youth (acquired in 2025) and ¡Conectemonos! technology help desk; and Economic Justice & Workforce Development initiatives including the Worker Cooperative Hub Initiative. The programs work together to address the comprehensive needs of the community through advocacy, direct services, and coalition building.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• New Voices for Youth: Civic engagement program for underserved youth providing digital equity and youth development strategies
• Promotoras Program
• Climate Ready Ambassadors
• Conectemonos
• CHANGES Program
• Mercadito

Products and services

• Safety Net Navigation Provides culturally and linguistically relevant case worker support to help community members navigate complicated public systems and access critical assistance services.
• Individual & Family Support Services Connects clients to interpretation, translation, public benefits application assistance, legal aid referrals, health insurance, rental assistance, and transportation assistance.
• TEAMS and CHANGES Programs Collaborative program with the California Public Utilities Commission providing consumer protection against deceptive practices and assistance applying to aid programs for those experiencing financial hardship, including PG&E and water bill assistance.
• Promotoras Program Community health worker program continuing the legacy of Nuestro Canto de Salud, where trusted community partners increase engagement, access to resources, and enrollment in services as advocates and community leaders.
• Climate Ready Ambassadors Training program equipping promotores and community members with tools, knowledge, and confidence to lead conversations about climate change, environmental justice, and community resilience.
• New Voices for Youth Civic engagement program for underserved youth in South San Mateo County that empowers young people from underrepresented communities to speak out on vital issues.
• ¡Conectemonos! Technology Help Desk Weekly free in-person technology assistance and digital support help desk providing tutorials, one-on-one support, and tech-related guidance for community members needing digital access and literacy.
• Economic Justice & Workforce Development Initiatives focused on building pathways for excluded workers, immigrants, low-income families, and emerging leaders through worker cooperative support, career navigation, and digital upskilling partnerships.
• Public Health Community Collaborative El Concilio-convened collaborative promoting health equity through formal power-sharing structures between San Mateo County Health, community-based organizations, and diverse communities.
• Incubator Program (Fiscal Sponsorship) Non-profit incubator serving as fiscal agent for local grassroots organizations including Comité de Vecinos de East Palo Alto, North Fair Oaks Community Alliance, Comité Latino de East Palo Alto, CHASELOVE, and Cultura Fest.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,300+ community members supported annually through safety-net navigation and case management
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

36 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• San Mateo CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSan Mateo County is a primary funder and partner, providing grants through Public Policy and Planning and the Department of Sustainability for climate resilience, public health, and community development programs.
• League of Women Voters of South San Mateo CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization that supported the New Voices for Youth program for over 15 years before El Concilio acquired it in 2025.
• Peninsula Clean EnergycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint outreach partnership providing English and Spanish language information throughout San Mateo County about Peninsula Clean Energy services and programs to help customers reduce utility bills.
• CHASELOVEcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Monthly Mercadito clothing pop-up events providing dignified shopping experiences for housing-insecure and immigrant communities. El Concilio also provides fiscal sponsorship to CHASELOVE.
• CityTeamcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Monthly Mercadito events providing free clothing, haircuts, hygiene products, food, and family activities for underserved communities.
• South San Francisco Unified School DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership through Portrait of a Graduate initiative focusing on community engagement, uplifting parent and family voices, and connecting school district goals with community experiences.
• Climate Resilient CommunitiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConvener of Climate Ready North Fair Oaks collaborative. Partner in Our Communities Our Bay climate research partnership with Stanford and City Systems.
• Redwood City TogethercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConvener of Redwood City Community Collaborative for Children's Success. Partnership on Neighborhood Action Team bringing together 10+ agencies serving youth and families.
• SOMOS MayFairmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to develop worker cooperative hubs in Santa Clara County and San Mateo County to help community members establish climate-resilient, community-serving worker cooperatives.
• Stanford UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership through Our Communities Our Bay climate research program and Sustainable Urban Systems Initiative for climate risk assessment in North Fair Oaks.
• St. Francis Center (Redwood City)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner in Redwood City collaborative efforts. Kate Young, Executive Director of St. Francis Center, serves on El Concilio's board.
• One East Palo AltocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConvener of East Palo Alto Behavioral Health Advisory Group where El Concilio is an active member.
• Ayudando a Latinos a Sonar (ALAS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConvener of San Mateo County Latinx Mental Health Assessment Committee where El Concilio is an active member.
• Siena Youth CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner site for New Voices for Youth program and climate risk assessment collaboration.
• East Palo Alto Boys and Girls ClubcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner site for New Voices for Youth civic engagement program.
• North Fair Oaks LibrarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocation partner for Conectemonos free technology help desk, open Monday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday.
• Daly City Youth Health CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership providing Newcomer Clinic services and outreach for youth and families on Wednesday and Friday mornings.
• Familias Tomando AccióncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLaunched South San Francisco Coalition in 2023 to strengthen collaboration among CBOs serving South San Francisco and North County.
• CityTeamcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFiscal sponsor relationship through Mercadito events. Partner in providing services to housing-insecure and immigrant communities.
• San Mateo County Office of SustainabilitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunder and partner for climate resilience programs including Heat Resiliency Project and Green Business Initiative.
• California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner through TEAMS and CHANGES collaborative programs providing consumer protection and energy savings assistance to low-income communities.
• Sequoia YMCAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerActive member of community collaborative efforts.
• Friends for YouthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerActive member of community collaborative efforts.
• Pal CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerActive member of community collaborative efforts.
• CARONminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerActive member of community collaborative efforts.
• Nuestra CasaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerActive member of community collaborative efforts.
• Commute.orgminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerActive member of community collaborative efforts.
• Upward ScholarsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerActive member of community collaborative efforts.
• Family ConnectionsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerActive member of community collaborative efforts.
• TEAM CollaborativeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerActive member of community collaborative efforts.
• Bay Area Air DistrictminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerActive member of community collaborative efforts.
• Urban HabitatcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConvener of Anti-Displacement Coalition where El Concilio is an active member.
• Justice OutsideminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner through Adriana Fernandez Arriaga's alumni involvement in Outdoor Educators Institute.
• Hispanic Foundation of Silicon ValleyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner through Latino Board Leadership Academy where staff members participate.
• City of Redwood CitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerActive partner including collaboration on Language Access Survey outreach and engagement with Spanish-speaking communities.
• City of South San FranciscocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerActive partner in South San Francisco community collaborative and coalition efforts.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• SOMOS MayFair: San Jose-based Latino community-based organization providing similar safety-net, education, and economic empowerment services to immigrant families. El Concilio explicitly partners with SOMOS on the Worker Cooperative Hub Initiative, indicating close operational and mission alignment.
• Upward Scholars: Bay Area nonprofit providing education, career, and financial support to immigrant adults. Listed as a community collaborative partner and shares El Concilio's target population of low-income, non-English-speaking immigrants pursuing economic mobility.
• Mission Economic Development Agency (MEDA): San Francisco-based Latino-serving community development financial institution providing small business support, housing, and workforce services. Comparable in mission (Latino community economic advancement), promotora-style community engagement, and multi-program integrated service model, though in a different county.
• Nuestra Casa: East Palo Alto-based Latino community organization focused on economic, educational, and civic empowerment for low-income families. Shares El Concilio's promotora-adjacent model, target constituency, and immediate geographic footprint, including documented staff alumni connections.
• St. Francis Center of Redwood City: Redwood City-based multi-service nonprofit serving low-income and homeless individuals and families with food, housing, and case management. Operates in the same city as El Concilio's headquarters and shares board members, offering a directly comparable service population and operational model.
• Family Connections: San Mateo County-based family services and early childhood education nonprofit. Active in the same community collaboratives as El Concilio and serves overlapping low-income, immigrant populations across San Mateo County.
• Centro Legal de la Raza: Oakland-based Latino legal and social services nonprofit offering immigration, housing, and youth programs. Directly comparable in promotora-style community advocacy model and comprehensive services to low-income Latino and immigrant communities in the Bay Area.

Regional players

• Latino Community Foundation: California-focused foundation investing in Latino-led and Latino-serving organizations. Functions as both a peer in the regional ecosystem and a potential funder for El Concilio's programming, with similar constituency and policy focus.
• Hispanic Foundation of Silicon Valley: Silicon Valley-based Latino leadership and education nonprofit. Listed as a partner of El Concilio through the Latino Board Leadership Academy, and serves a closely overlapping Latino professional and community constituency in the immediate region.

Broad incumbents

• Sequoia YMCA: Regional YMCA serving San Mateo County with youth, family, and community programming. Active member of the same community collaboratives as El Concilio, offering broader programming breadth while El Concilio specializes in culturally-rooted Latino and immigrant services.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/ElConcilioofSanMateoCounty
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/el-concilio-of-san-mateo-county
• Instagraminstagram.com/elconciliosmc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about El Concilio of San Mateo County