The East Bay Community Law Center (EBCLC) offers free legal services, advocacy, and education to advance “community justice” in the East Bay, with a particular emphasis on racial minority women. Established over 30 years ago, EBCLC serves around 4,000 clients each year, delivering more than 5,000 legal services, including immigration applications and financial recoveries, while training law and social work students. Its approach combines direct aid, education, and policy changes to address “racial and economic injustice.” ¹

Advocacy

The East Bay Community Law Center’s policy efforts aim to close the “racial and gender wealth gap,” support affordable housing policies, and expand social welfare programs, often framing these as defenses against historical oppressions like segregation and mass incarceration. Strategies include “centering race,” training students in innovative legal tactics, “movement lawyering,” and partnering with “BIPOC led” groups. ²

Financial

In 2023, the East Bay Community Law Center reported revenues of $11,158,063, with expenses of $10,007,929, resulting in a net income of $1,150,134 and net assets of $10,958,712. Contributions to the organization were $9,796,534 or 87.8 percent of revenue. Expenses included executive compensation of $671,603, and other salaries and wages totaling $6,113,975. Government grants were $3,290,227, or 29 percent of revenues. ³

The EBCLC receives large grants from left-of-center foundations. In 2023, the Crankstart Foundation reported a $500,000 grant to the EBCLC for general support. ⁴ Another $500,000 came from the Walter and Elise Haas Fund for seven years of general operating support to “close the racial and gender wealth gap.” ⁵ Also in 2023, the San Francisco Foundation (TSFF) donated $410,000 to “provide services and protection responsiveness to the needs of low-income communities.” ⁶

Leadership

Zoe Polk has worked as executive director of the East Bay Community Law Center since January 2020, where she focuses on dismantling “structural racism” through legal advocacy. As of August 2025, Polk is a faculty member at Berkeley Law and teaches a seminar on Women of Color Centered Legal Services. Previously, she was deputy director of San Francisco’s Human Rights Commission, launching the city’s first Office of Racial Equity and the Sexual Harassment Assault Response and Prevention (SHARP) office. In her work as the national program director for Outdoor Afro, Polk advised on incorporating racial equity into business models. Polk is co-chair of the Bay Area Social Justice Nonprofit Executive Directors. Her background includes an emphasis on racial justice, canceling criminal fines and fees, upholding eviction moratoriums, and publishing in left-wing outlets like Ms. Magazine on topics such as social justice and equity. ^{7 8}

1. “Home.” East Bay Community Law Center. Accessed August 11, 2025. https://ebclc.org.
2. “Policy Advocacy.” East Bay Community Law Center. Accessed August 11, 2025. https://ebclc.org/about-us/policy-advocacy/.
3. East Bay Community Law Center. “Form 990 for Fiscal Year Ending June 2023.” ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Accessed August 11, 2025. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/943042565/202401319349304085/full.
4. Crankstart Foundation. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). 2023. Part 14.
5. Walter and Elise Haas Fund. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). 2023. Part 14.
6. The San Francisco Foundation. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). 2023. Schedule 1, part 2, line 294.
7. ^[1] Polk, Zoë. “About Us – Who We Are – Zoë Polk.” East Bay Community Law Center. Accessed August 7, 2025. https://ebclc.org/about-us/who-we-are/zoe-polk/.
8. Polk, Zoë. “LinkedIn Profile.” LinkedIn. Accessed August 7, 2025. https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoe-polk-9b74157.