THE COUNCIL OF MEXICAN FEDERATION (COFEM)

What THE COUNCIL OF MEXICAN FEDERATION (COFEM) does

The Council of Mexican Federations in North America (COFEM) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN 32-0154043) founded around 2002 and headquartered in Los Angeles, California, with a regional office in Coachella and a satellite service point in Huntington Park. COFEM operates as an umbrella organization for 11 member federations representing Mexican immigrants from specific Mexican states (including Anahuak, and federations representing Colima, Durango, Guanajuato, Hidalgo, Michoacán, Nayarit, Oaxaca, Sinaloa, and Sonora, plus Mujeres Unidas Sirviendo Activamente). Its core service portfolio comprises DOJ-accredited immigration legal services (citizenship, green card renewal, DACA renewal), civic participation and voter education, a Conservation Program with outdoor equity initiatives (Nuestro Desierto, Nature's Ninos) in the Coachella Valley, the Mexican American Dream Scholarship (MADS) for undocumented and DACA students, and coalition-based advocacy via the Immigrants Are Los Angeles (IRLA) campaign.

Governance is provided by a Board of Directors drawn from member federations, with day-to-day operations led by Executive Director Francisco Moreno and General Manager Ianai Molina. The organization delivers services free or at reduced cost to immigrant communities regardless of nationality or political opinion, and it operates on a grant-funded nonprofit model with revenues sourced from foundation grants (California Community Foundation, Weingart Foundation, The California Endowment, California State Parks Outdoor Equity Grants, and others) and individual donations accepted via PayPal, check, and Zelle. COFEM does not operate a technology product; its services are human-driven through legal representatives, community organizers, and program managers, with outreach conducted via social media (Instagram, Facebook, X/Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok), email newsletters, and community events such as the Mundialito soccer tournament.

Name

THE COUNCIL OF MEXICAN FEDERATION (COFEM)

Legal name

Council of Mexican Federations in North America

Website

https://cofem.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

COFEM is a Los Angeles-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit umbrella for 11 Mexican state federations, providing DOJ-accredited immigration legal services, civic participation, education scholarships, and conservation programs to Latino immigrant communities across California.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Immigrant and Community Services Nonprofit

NAICS

Professional Organizations (81392)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Financial & Consumer Integration (Banking, Credit, Taxes) (EDAAADAG)

Keywords

• Immigration legal services
• Civic participation programs
• Community-based organizing
• Education and scholarships
• Environmental conservation

Headquarters

HQ city

Los Angeles

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Foundation Grants and Donations: COFEM operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization funded by foundation grants and individual donations. Major funders include California Community Foundation, RAP Foundation, The California Endowment, Weingart Foundation, College Futures Foundation, Conservation Lands Foundation, Anderson Children's Foundation, California State Parks Outdoor Equity Grants Program, Social Justice Partners LA, and Fuerza Migrante. Donations are accepted via PayPal, check by mail, and Zelle.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

COFEM is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization providing free or reduced-cost immigration legal services (naturalization, green card renewal, DACA renewal) under U.S. Department of Justice accreditation, alongside civic participation, environmental conservation, scholarship, and higher education programs for Latino immigrant communities in California. It operates as a federation of 11 member organizations representing immigrants from specific Mexican states and leads the IRLA coalition advocating for immigrant rights in LA County.

Product overview

COFEM operates as a community-based umbrella organization offering a portfolio of interconnected programs and initiatives. The core offerings include the Immigration Integration program (providing DOJ-accredited citizenship, green card, and DACA services), Civic Participation initiatives, and a Conservation Program focused on outdoor access for Latinx communities in Coachella Valley. Supporting programs include the Mexican American Dream Scholarship (MADS) and Higher Education Program for undocumented students, the Immigrants Are Los Angeles (IRLA) advocacy campaign, Nature for All coalition work, Mental Health services, and community events such as Mundialito. These programs collectively serve immigrant communities through legal assistance, civic empowerment, environmental justice, and educational support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Mexican American Dream Scholarship (MADS): Scholarship program established in 2008 to support undocumented, DACA, and immigrant students pursuing higher education.
• Immigrants Are Los Angeles (IRLA)
• Nature for All

Products and services

• Immigrant Integration Program
• Mexican American Dream Scholarship (MADS)
• Higher Education Program
• Civic Participation Program
• Conservation Program
• Nuestro Desierto Program
• Nature's Ninos Program
• Mental Health Program
• Mundialito Soccer Tournament

Quantifiable outcome

• Exceeded the '1,000 New Citizens' campaign goal in 2018
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered major and minor.

• CactusToCloud InstitutemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Nuestro Desierto Program, a highly competitive Outdoor Equity Grant awarded to 125 of 384 applicants. Program introduces young adults 18-24 to nature, environmental education, and UC college coursework. Space limited to 20 students.
• Wildlands ConservancymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Nature's Ninos program, a free family camping and educational program introducing elementary school-age children and families to outdoor experiences at Whitewater Preserve.
• Mexican Consulate in Los AngelesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCOFEM partners with the Mexican Consulate for AB-60 driver's license education and implementation, helping inform undocumented community members about obtaining driver's licenses.
• Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency partner for AB-60 driver's license program implementation, providing services to undocumented immigrants in California.
• Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of six steering committee organizations of the Immigrants Are LA (IRLA) coalition, working together to advocate for equitable LA County budget investments for immigrant communities.
• Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSteering committee member of IRLA coalition alongside COFEM, advocating for immigrant rights and services in LA County.
• Inclusive Action for the CitymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSteering committee member of IRLA coalition working on economic justice and immigrant community empowerment.
• Pilipino Workers CentermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSteering committee member of IRLA coalition representing Filipino immigrant workers alongside COFEM.
• TransLatin@ CoalitionmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSteering committee member of IRLA coalition advocating for transgender and gender-nonconforming immigrants.
• Nature for AllmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition working to ensure equitable access to nature and green spaces for all LA area residents, particularly immigrant families.
• Protect California Deserts CoalitionmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCOFEM is a local organization member working to designate Chuckwalla National Monument, expand Joshua Tree National Park, and protect desert cultural landscapes and tribal sovereignty.
• Power In Nature CoalitionmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCOFEM participates in the 30x30 Inland Deserts Regional Group advocating for California's 30x30 initiative to protect 30% of lands and waters by 2030. COFEM's Conservation Program Manager co-led the regional group from April 2022 to February 2024.
• College for All CoalitionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatewide coalition committed to advancing educational equity and success for low-income, underserved, and underrepresented students.
• Federación de ZacatecasminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember federation representing immigrants from Zacatecas, Mexico. Participated with COFEM and TransLatin@ Coalition in IRLA coalition advocacy efforts.
• Day OneminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in community nature hikes and environmental education programs for Bell Gardens and surrounding communities.
• Atención Plena Bell GardensminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in mindfulness and wellness programs combined with nature hikes for Bell Gardens community members.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights2 records

Direct peers

• National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) Educational Fund: NALEO Educational Fund promotes Latino civic participation and leadership development through voter registration, civic education, and policy research. It is a direct peer because COFEM's Civic Participation program shares the same civic empowerment mission for Latino communities, while operating at state/local rather than national scale.
• Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA): CHIRLA is a Los Angeles-based immigrant rights organization that delivers legal services, advocacy, and civic engagement programs for immigrant communities. It is the most direct peer because COFEM and CHIRLA are co-steering-committee members of the IRLA coalition and serve overlapping immigrant populations in LA County.
• Casa Libre/Freehold (Central American Resource Center — CARECEN): CARECEN provides legal immigration services, education, and cultural programming for the Central American and broader Latino community in Los Angeles. It is a direct peer because both organizations operate DOJ-recognized immigration legal programs targeting the same LA immigrant population.
• Asian Americans Advancing Justice (Los Angeles): Advancing Justice - LA provides immigration legal services, civic participation, and rights education for Asian and immigrant communities in greater Los Angeles, and is a co-IRLA steering member. It is a direct peer because it shares COFEM's geographic footprint, immigration legal service model, and coalition affiliation.
• Central American Resource Center (CARECEN) Family Services: CARECEN delivers low-cost immigration legal services, citizenship education, and civic engagement programs to low-income immigrant families in the Los Angeles area. It is directly comparable because both COFEM and CARECEN serve LA-based Latino immigrant populations with DOJ-accredited legal services and civic engagement programming.

Others

• Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU): HACU represents Hispanic-Serving Institutions and advocates for college access and affordability for Latino students nationally. It is an adjacent peer because COFEM's Mexican American Dream Scholarship (MADS) and Higher Education Program address the same Hispanic student access mission through direct scholarships and policy advocacy.

Broad incumbents

• International Rescue Committee (IRC): The IRC delivers a portfolio of services — including immigration legal aid, resettlement, and economic empowerment — for refugees and immigrants across U.S. cities, including Los Angeles. It is a broad incumbent peer because both organizations operate DOJ-accredited immigration services and integration programming for immigrant populations.
• Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF): MALDEF is a national Latino civil rights law firm that pursues litigation, advocacy, and educational equity for the Mexican-American community. It is a broad incumbent peer because both organizations deliver legal services and advocacy for Mexican-American communities, though MALDEF operates at national scale as a legal fund.
• UnidosUS (formerly National Council of La Raza): UnidosUS is the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization, providing research, policy advocacy, and capacity-building grants to a network of affiliate community-based organizations. It is a broad incumbent relative to COFEM because it operates at national scale with similar mission pillars (education, immigration, civic participation, health).

Emerging players

• Mixteco Indígena Community Organizing Project (MICOP): MICOP is a community-based organization serving indigenous migrant farmworker communities in California's Central Valley and Ventura County, providing interpretation, legal services, and advocacy. It is an emerging player peer because it addresses overlapping Latino/immigrant populations in California with a more targeted indigenous community focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/cofem
• Facebookfacebook.com/orgCOFEM
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-council-of-mexican-federation-cofem-
• Instagraminstagram.com/cofem
• TikToktiktok.com/@cofem

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about THE COUNCIL OF MEXICAN FEDERATION (COFEM)