Cesar Chavez Foundation

The Foundation has a Spanish-language public radio network called Radio Campesina. The network has been fined numerous times by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for running politically biased commercial advertisements that public radio stations cannot air under federal law. The station has drawn criticism for using Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) grants to pay FCC and CPB fines and penalties. ¹

Overview

In 1966, the National Farm Workers Service Center was established by supporters of left-of-center labor activist Cesar Chavez to build low-income housing units for the elderly and displaced farmworkers. The center later became the Cesar Chavez Foundation. ²

In addition to building and owning housing complexes and operating the Spanish-language public radio network Radio Campesina, the Foundation operates the National Chavez Center in Keene, California. The National Chavez Center was designated a national monument in 2012 by then-President Barack Obama. ³

In 2026, the Cesar Chavez Foundation responded to reports alleging that its founder, Cesar Chavez, had engaged in inappropriate sexual behavior with young women and minors. In a public statement, the foundation said it was working with the United Farm Workers (UFW) to establish a “safe and confidential process” for individuals to share their experiences. The reports prompted broader responses from public officials and labor organizations, as well as the cancellation of some commemorative events associated with Chavez. As of the time of reporting, the allegations had not been adjudicated, and further details had not been publicly disclosed. ⁴

Union Ties

The foundation continues to have strong ties to the United Farm Workers (UFW), a labor union that Cesar Chavez founded. Two people with ties to the UFW, including former UFW president Arturo Rodriguez, hold seats on the Foundation’s board of directors. ⁵

The Foundation also continues to share office space with the UFW. Both organizations work out of the La Paz compound that Chavez established in 1972. ³

Housing Program

The Cesar Chavez Foundation is known for its low-income housing complexes for senior citizens built around the southwestern United States. The Foundation has been criticized for its focus on senior citizens instead of farm workers. Most of the complexes it builds are in cities that are located far away from the rural areas typically inhabited by farm workers. ⁶

Radio Campesina

The Foundation runs a “communications fund” which supports a mostly Spanish-language public radio network called Radio Campesina. The network plays mostly Mexican music and public service announcements. ⁷

Radio Campesina has taken several political stances in the past, despite its being a public radio station. The station is known for its support for amnesty for illegal immigrants and other expansionist immigration policies. ⁷

In 2006, the radio network refused to air ads on May 1, focusing its coverage on pro-amnesty protests that were going on that day instead. ⁸

In 2018, the radio network became known as a voice opposed to immigration enforcement. The Yuma, Arizona affiliate of Radio Campensina is picked up by Mexicans living on the other side of the border who listen to the immigration-related coverage. The network also features illegal immigrants who have dealt with immigration authorities to give advice to listeners on what to do if they encountered law enforcement officials to avoid prosecution. ⁹

Radio Campesina has been sanctioned by the FCC and the CPB over its advertising practices. Radio Campesina is a public radio station, and by law, public radio stations are not allowed to run commercial advertisements. Public radio stations are only allowed to run public service announcements. Radio Campesina has been fined or warned by the FCC five times between 1997 and 2017 about running advertisements. ¹⁰

In 2013, Radio Campesina was forced to repay the CPB $400,000 in grants after the network was found to be noncompliant with the CPB’s grant terms on commercial advertising. Radio Campesina refunded CPB by returning money taken from future CPB grants. ¹⁰

In 2018, the FCC fined Radio Campesina $115,000 for violating the prohibition on commercial advertising on two of its stations. ¹¹

Leadership

Paul Chavez sits as the Foundation’s president. He is the son of Cesar Chavez, and he previously worked for UFW. ¹²

Manuel Bernal is the chief operating officer of the Foundation. Prior to taking on the role in 2017, Bernal was the director of multi-family housing for Los Angeles. ¹³

Bill Barquin is the chief operating officer of Radio Campesina. He has been in that role since 2009. ¹⁴

Finances

According to the Foundation’s 2018 tax returns, the organization generated $31.2 million in revenue and spent $21.6 million in 2018. The Foundation also reported $129.6 million in assets. ¹⁵