Centro Hispano Comunitario de Nebraska, also known as Centro Hispano, is a left-of-center advocacy organization based in Columbus, Nebraska, offering educational and business programs to immigrants in Nebraska. ¹ Centro Hispano receives support from left-of-center organizations including the Center for Rural Affairs. ²

Programs

Created in 2009, Centro Hispano Comunitario De Nebraska offers community programs including immigration services and educational opportunities to immigrants in Nebraska. ³

Centro Hispano’s immigration program offers legal assistance from individuals who specialize in immigration law, ⁴ In 2023, Centro Hispano reported opening over 400 new immigration cases. ⁵ The organization also offers educational services to those looking to earn graduate-equivalency degrees (GED) as well as programs aimed at enhancing computer skills. ⁶ Also in 2023, the organization helped more than 670 adult learners and reported nine GED graduates. ⁷ Centro Hispano aids entrepreneurs with navigating the business and commerce system in Nebraska ⁸ and reported helping over 760 entrepreneur participants and registering five new businesses. ⁹

Centro Hispano also advocates for immigration issues with elected representatives. In 2013, Centro Hispano attended a town hall meeting in Columbus, Nebraska, with former U.S. Rep. Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE). ¹⁰

Events

In 2023, Centro Hispano hosted a gala sponsored by organizations such as ACLU Nebraska, Berkshire Hathaway, Center for Rural Affairs, Great Plains State Bank, Nebraska Public Power District, Pinnacle Bank, and Unity In Action. ¹¹ The event raised over $32,000 for the organization. ¹²

Finances

Centro Hispano’s tax returns for 2021 reported total revenue of more than $550,000, total expenses of just under $470,000, and total assets of about $94,000. ¹³ Centro Hispano’s 2023 Impact Report described incoming grants totaling more than $1 million, with total revenue exceeding $1.15 million. ¹⁴

Organizations that have donated to Centro Hispano include the Cooper Foundation and Nebraska Presbyterian Foundation as well as the left-of-center Sherwood Foundation, an organization founded by the daughter of Warren Buffett; and the Weitz Family Foundation, a left-of-center grantmaking organization. ¹⁵

Leadership

Karina Perez is the executive director of Centro Hispano. ¹⁶ Perez sits on the board of CASA Connections and the Center for Rural Affairs. ¹⁷ Perez is also an ex-officio member of the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce ¹⁸ and is an at-large member of the Nebraska Community Foundation. ¹⁹ She studied at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. ²⁰

Quelbin Izaguirre is the board chair of Centro Hispano. ²¹ Izaguirre is the Chief Operating Officer at NeighborWorks, a non-profit organization providing affordable housing opportunities. ²²

1. “Home.” Centro Hispano. Accessed September 8, 2024. https://www.centrohispanos.com/.
2. Rep. 2023 Impact Report. Centro Hispano Comunitario De Nebraska. Accessed September 1, 2024.
3. “Home.” Centro Hispano. Accessed September 8, 2024. https://www.centrohispanos.com/.
4. “Programs.” Centro Hispano. Accessed September 1, 2024. https://www.centrohispanos.com/programs.
5.  Rep. 2023 Impact Report. Centro Hispano Comunitario De Nebraska. Accessed September 1, 2024.
6. “Programs.” Centro Hispano. Accessed September 1, 2024. https://www.centrohispanos.com/programs.
7. Rep. 2023 Impact Report. Centro Hispano Comunitario De Nebraska. Accessed September 1, 2024.
8. “Programs.” Centro Hispano. Accessed September 1, 2024. https://www.centrohispanos.com/programs.
9. Rep. 2023 Impact Report. Centro Hispano Comunitario De Nebraska. Accessed September 1, 2024.
10. UnidosUS. “This Week in Immigration Reform – Week Ending August 16.” UnidosUS, August 26, 2021. https://unidosus.org/blog/2013/08/17/this-week-in-immigration-reform-week-ending-august-16/.
11. Rep. 2023 Impact Report. Centro Hispano Comunitario De Nebraska. Accessed September 1, 2024.
12. Rep. 2023 Impact Report. Centro Hispano Comunitario De Nebraska. Accessed September 1, 2024.
13. Centro Hispano Comunitario De Nebraska, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990), 2021 https://apps.irs.gov/pub/epostcard/cor/364653827_202112_990_2023012520809965.pdf.
14. Rep. 2023 Impact Report. Centro Hispano Comunitario De Nebraska. Accessed September 1, 2024.
15. “About.” Centro Hispano. Accessed September 1, 2024. https://www.centrohispanos.com/about-us.
16. “About.” Centro Hispano. Accessed September 8, 2024. https://www.centrohispanos.com/about-us.
17. “Karina Perez.” Nebraska Community Foundation, May 24, 2023. https://www.nebcommfound.org/about/board-of-directors/karina-perez/.
18. “Karina Perez.” Nebraska Community Foundation, May 24, 2023. https://www.nebcommfound.org/about/board-of-directors/karina-perez/.
19. “Board of Directors.” Nebraska Community Foundation, December 9, 2021. https://www.nebcommfound.org/about/board-of-directors/.
20. “Karina Perez.” Nebraska Community Foundation, May 24, 2023. https://www.nebcommfound.org/about/board-of-directors/karina-perez/.
21. “About.” Centro Hispano. Accessed September 1, 2024. https://www.centrohispanos.com/about-us.
22. “We Want to Help Everyone Find That Place They Can Call Home.” NeighborWorks Northeast Nebraska. Accessed September 1, 2024. https://nwnen.org/about-us/.