The Hispanic Federation (HF) is a left-of-center New York-based membership organization that works with Hispanic communities across the United States, with its member groups primarily on the East Coast. The HF works in areas of education, health, immigration, economic empowerment, civic engagement, and the environment, with advocacy targeted and specific to Hispanic communities.
Funding comes from government grants, corporate donations, and private foundations.1 Notable foundation contributors include the left-of-center institutional funders Foundation to Promote Open Society, JPB Foundation, and the Ford Foundation.2
Overview
The Hispanic Federation’s first office opened in New York City in 1990, with its first location outside New York City opening in 2005. Luis Miranda, Jr., today a Democratic political consultant for the MirRam Group best known as the father of Broadway and Hollywood songwriter and performer Lin-Manuel Miranda, founded Hispanic Federation after serving in the administration of New York Mayor Ed Koch (D).3
As of September 2019, there are 101 member groups in the Federation that receive money for technical assistance, fundraising workshops, and grants.4 The HF has offices located in New York, D.C., Connecticut, Florida, and Puerto Rico, with members in other East Coast states, including New Jersey and Pennsylvania. There is also a state coordinator and an office at Rhode Island College in Rhode Island.5 As of 2017, the HF’s programs and policies expanded to reach 20 states throughout the U.S.6
Activities
Immigration
Expanded immigration and securing legal status for illegal immigrants are priorities of Hispanic Federation advocacy. HF is a member of a coalition of Hispanic organizations 7 that support the “Green Light Bill,” which would allow illegal immigrants in the state of New York to obtain drivers’ licenses.8
After the law was partially enjoined because of a possible conflict with federal law, the HF, along with other members of the coalition, filed a motion to intervene in litigation to ensure the law takes effect.9
In an opinion piece in the Washington Post, the founding president of HF, Luis Miranda Jr., and others including a former aide to President Barack Obama and a U.S. Representative declared that Hispanics are under attack in the U.S., blaming President Donald Trump.10
The HF raised money for illegal immigrants applying for the Obama administration‘s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. Under former President Barack Obama, illegal immigrants who came to the country before the age of 16 received protection from deportation for at least two years.11
The organization’s former president, Lillian Rodriguez Lopez, boasted in 2010 that the HF worked to ensure that illegal immigrants “who lost employment or housing on 9/11 qualified for federal disaster assistance.”12
Civic Engagement
Hispanic Federation aims to increase the number of Hispanics registered to vote.13 HF is working with Univision Communications Inc., a Spanish-language media company, to gather, share, and influence state-by-state voter turnout in advance of the 2020 election. Univision launched the “2020 Vota Conmigo” campaign with the help partners including the HF, in order to “turnout the Hispanic vote.”14
The HF’s work to register voters is hyper-focused on states with high Hispanic populations. In April 2019, the HF received a $500,000 to increase the number of registered Hispanic voters in the state of Florida prior to the 2020 presidential election.15
Education
Hispanic Federation creates education-related programs and activities for children and young adults, ranging from the youngest students to college-aged.16 One program used to assist college-aged students is CREAR (College Readiness, Access and Retention) Futuros 2.0, which works to improve retention, graduation rates, course completion, and grades of Hispanic students nationally. This HF was given $1 million for this program by the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation in 2015.17
In June 2018, a Spectrum Learning Lab was opened at the HF’s location in New York City, where the learning lab is the central feature of the HF’s conference center that is a gathering place for the Hispanic-oriented non-profit sector. The lab will be used for learning sessions, workshops, and training programs. It will be used by Hispanic students to work on college applications, scholarship research, and financial aid forms.18
Opposition to President Trump
Hispanic Federation publicly denounces President Donald Trump and his policies. In a press release the HF applauded the House of Representatives’ decision to proceed toward opening an impeachment inquiry against President Trump over allegations of corruption related to a conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.19 HF joined a rally alongside 18 other left-of-center groups calling for impeachment proceedings in September 2019. 20
Approximately a year after President Trump took office the HF released a statement criticizing many of the Trump administration’s policies on illegal immigration, economy, and the status of Puerto Rico.21
Leadership
Since its creation there have been three presidents of the Hispanic Federation: Luis A. Miranda Jr., founding president, from 1990 to 2004; Lillian Rodriguez Lopez, from 2004 to 2012;22 and Jose Calderon, from 2012 to today. The three leaders of the HF have played active roles, both during and after their tenure at the HF, in various left-wing groups, for example, as board members of left-of-center organizations23 or as consultants to Democratic political campaigns.24
Financials
The Hispanic Federation reported $29,197,485 in expenditures in its 2018 fiscal year and $22,920,477 in 2017.25 The organization reported 184 employees, with 100 volunteers.26 The group paid its president Jose Calderon $283,635 (in reportable compensation from the organization) with an additional $44,837 in estimated other compensation. 27
The organization received $4,724,988 from governments in 2018.28
The HF receives substantial funding of more than $250,000 from major businesses and advocacy organizations, including the Ford Foundation, Michael and Susan Dell Foundation, the Coca-Cola Company, and Walmart. Those companies contributing more than $100,000 include AARP-NY, Aetna, Comcast, W.K.Kellogg Foundation, and Wells Fargo. Those companies contributing more than $50,000 include Citi Foundation, Delta Air Lines, Ford Motor Company Fund, Google, JPMorgan Chase, Nielsen, Toyota, Univision Communications, and Verizon.29
Celebrity activists and prominent liberal institutions have also contributed to Hispanic Federation. The organization’s 2018 tax returns report seven-figure contributions from the Miranda Family Fund, a grantmaking entity founded by Lin-Manuel Miranda, son of HF founder Luis; the Open Society Foundations founded by George Soros, the Oprah Winfrey Charitable Foundation, and the UNICEF United States Fund.30
Members
As of September 2019, these 101 organizations are members of Hispanic Federation. 31.
- Acacia Network – New York
- ACCION East and Online – New York
- Adelante of Suffolk County – New York
- Aid for AIDS
- Alianza Dominicana – New York
- Allies in Caring – New Jersey
- Amber Charter School – New York
- Arte Inc. – Connecticut
- Asociacion Tepeyac de New York, Inc. – New York
- ASPIRA of New York, Inc. – New York
- Avenues for Justice (Formerly: Andrew Glover Youth Program) – New York
- Betances Health Center – New York
- BOOM! Health – New York
- Bridgeport Caribe Youth Leaders – Connecticut
- Calpulli Mexican Dance Company – New York
- Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute – New York
- Casita Maria Center for Arts and Education – New York
- Center for Latino Progress CPRF – Connecticut
- Centro Civico de Amsterdam – New York
- Circulo de la Hispanidad – New York
- Coalition for Hispanic Family Services – New York
- Committee for Hispanic Children & Families – New York
- Community Association of Progressive Dominicans (A.C.D.P.) – New York
- Community Resource Center (Formerly: Hispanic Resource Center – New York
- Comunilife, Inc. – New York
- Consumer Credit Counseling Services of Puerto Rico – Florida
- COPAY, Inc. – New York
- The Davidson Community Center, Inc. – New York
- Dominican Women’s Development Center – New York
- Dominico-American Society – New York
- Dynamic Community Development Corporation – Florida
- East Harlem Council for Community Improvement (Acacia Network) – New York
- El Barrio’s Operation Fightback, Inc. – New York
- El Centro Hispano, Inc. – New York
- El Museo del Barrio – New York
- El Primer Paso – New Jersey
- El Puente – New York
- El Taller Latino Americano – New York
- Exodus Transitional Community, Inc. – New York
- Feed and Fortify – Florida
- Higher Edge – Connecticut
- Hispanic AIDS Forum – New York
- Hispanic Association of Contractors and Enterprises (H.A.C.E.) – Pennsylvania
- Hispanic Brotherhood of Rockville Centre, Inc. – New York
- Hispanic Center of Greater Danbury – Connecticut
- Hispanic Counseling Center – New York
- Hispanic Health Council – Connecticut
- Hispanic Health Initiatives – Florida
- Hispanos Unidos de Buffalo – New York
- Hunts Point Economic Development Corp. – New York
- Ibero-American Action League – New York
- Institute for Puerto Rican/Hispanic Elderly – New York
- INTAR Theatre – New York
- Inwood House – New York
- Junta for Progressive Action – Connecticut
- La Casa de Don Pedro – New Jersey
- La Fuerza Unida, Inc. – New York
- Latino Commission of AIDS – New York
- Latino Community Services, Inc. (Formerly: Latinos Contra SIDA) – Connecticut
- Latino U College Access – New York
- Latino Justice PRLDEF – New York
- Loisaids, Inc. – New York
- Make the Road New York – New York
- Mercer County Hispanic Association – New Jersey
- Mercy Center – New York
- Morris County Organization for Hispanic Affairs – New Jersey
- National Latina Institue for Reproductive Health – New York
- New Immigrant Community Empowerment (NICE) – New York
- New York Council on Adoptable Children (C.O.A.C.) – New York
- Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance – New York
- Northern Manhattan Coalition for Immigrant Rights – New York
- P.R.O.C.E.E.D – New Jersey
- Progones/PRTT – New York
- Puerto Rican Action Board – New Jersey
- Puerto Rican Association for Human Development – New Jersey
- Puerto Rican Family Institute – New York
- Puerto Rican Youth Development and Resource Center – New York
- Regional Aid for Interim Needs, Inc. (RAIN) – New York
- Repertorio Espanol – New York
- San Juan Center – Connecticut
- Society of the Educational Arts, Inc. (S.E.A.) – New York
- South Norwalk Community Center – Connecticut
- Southside United Housing Development Fund Corp. (Los Sures) – New York
- Spanish American Merchants Association, Inc. (S.A.M.A.) – Connecticut
- Spanish Community of Wallingford – Connecticut
- Spanish Speaking Center of New Britain – Connecticut
- Spanish Speaking Elderly Council (R.A.I.C.E.S.) – New York
- St. Ann’s Corner of Harm Reduction – New York
- Sure We Can – New York
- Teatro Circulo – New York
- Thalia Spanish Theatre Inc. – New York
- The Spanish Action League of Onondaga County, Inc. – New York
- Unitas Therapeutic Community – New York
- Urban Health Plan, Inc. – New York
- Violence Intervention Program – New York
- VIP Community Services – New York
- Vision Urbana – New York
- VOCES Latinas – New York
- We Stay/Nos Quedamos – New York
- Westchester Hispanic Coalition – New York
References
- Hispanic Federation, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990), 2017, Part VII Section A. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/133573852/201801359349302510/IRS990
- Data compiled by FoundationSearch.com subscription service, a project of Metasoft Systems, Inc., from forms filed with the IRS. Queries conducted October 15, 2019.
- “Luis A. Miranda, Jr.” MirRam Group. Accessed October 15, 2019. http://www.mirramgroup.com/luis-miranda-jr.
- “Hispanic Federation Agencies.” Hispanic Federation. Accessed September 30, 2019. https://hispanicfederation.org/agencies
- “Growing Boldly.” Hispanic Federation. Accessed 10/3/2019. https://hispanicfederation.org/media/pinata/13Aug2018/growing_boldly/
- “Sponsoring the Hispanic Federation’s 2018 Annual Gala.” SurePeople. April 25, 2019. Accessed October 3, 2019. https://www.surepeople.com/community/blog/2018/04/25/hispanic-federation-annual-gala/
- “Get to Know the Coalition.” Green Light New York. Accessed October 2, 2019. https://greenlightnewyork.org/get-to-know-the-coalition/
- “Gov. Cuomo Signs ‘Green Light Bill’ Granting Undocumented Immigrants Access To Drivers’ Licenses.” CBSN New York. June 18, 2019. Accessed October 2, 2019. https://newyork.cbslocal.com/2019/06/18/governor-andrew-cuomo-signs-green-light-bill/?fbclid=IwAR0asb-5Nl6e6W3wsATwsTux4MxGD9ZKWtoGqoXujMbb1vcLkIAAEVqhoDU
- Whalen, Ryan. “Immigrant Organizations Ask To Join State As Defendants In Green Light Lawsuit.” State of Politics. September 5, 2019. Accessed October 2, 2019. https://www.nystateofpolitics.com/2019/09/immigrant-organizations-ask-to-join-state-as-defendants-in-green-light-lawsuit/
- Valencia, Stephanie; Castro, Joaquin; Archila, Ana Maria; Jiménez, Cristina; Miranda, Luis; Miranda, Luis, Jr. “Hispanics are under attack.” The Washington Post. August 6, 2019. Accessed October 2, 2019. https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/call-the-el-paso-shooting-what-it-is-domestic-terrorism-against-the-hispanic-community/2019/08/06/c8674e1c-b7a9-11e9-a091-6a96e67d9cce_story.html
- “Hispanic Federation to Award $50,000 in Support of America’s DREAMers.” NASDAQ OMX’s Corporate Solutions, Inc. Press Release. August 23, 2012. Accessed September 30, 2019. https://search.proquest.com/docview/1034722933?accountid=34227.
- Adams, Kathy. “Strength in Numbers.” Latino Magazine. Summer 2010 Issue. Accessed October 2, 2019. http://www.latinomagazine.com/summer_10/features/federation.htm
- Manuel Krogstad, Jens; Flores, Antonio; Hugo Lopez, Mark. “Key Takeaways about Latino Voters in the 2018 Midterm Elections.” Pew Research Center. November 9, 2018. Accessed October 3, 2019. https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2018/11/09/how-latinos-voted-in-2018-midterms/
- “Univision Unveils Exclusive, In-Depth Analysis of 2018 Hispanic Voter Turnout Data in Anticipation of the 2020 U.S. Elections.” Business Wire. April 30, 2019. Accessed October 3, 2019. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190430006029/en/Univision-Unveils-Exclusive-In-Depth-Analysis-2018-Hispanic
- HF Receives $500,000 Pledge From The Bittel Family. Florida National News. April 24, 2019. Accessed October 3, 2019. http://floridanationalnews.com/blog/hf-receives-500000-pledge-from-the-bittel-family/
- “Hispanic Federation Receives $1 Million for College Readiness.” Press Release. April 24, 2015. Accessed October 4, 2019. https://philanthropynewsdigest.org/news/hispanic-federation-receives-1-million-for-college-readiness
- “Hispanic Federation Receives $1 Million for College Readiness.” Press Release. April 24, 2015. Accessed October 4, 2019. https://philanthropynewsdigest.org/news/hispanic-federation-receives-1-million-for-college-readiness
- “Spectrum Enhances Technology Resources at the Hispanic Federation with New Learning Lab.” Press Release. June 5, 2018. Press Release. Accessed October 4, 2019. https://newsroom.charter.com/press-releases/spectrum-enhances-technology-resources-at-the-hispanic-federation-with-new-learning-lab/
- Hispanic Federation Statement on the House’s Initiation of Impeachment Proceedings Against President Trump. PR NewsWire. September 25, 2019. Accessed 10/3/2019.
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hispanic-federation-statement-on-the-houses-initiation-of-impeachment-proceedings-against-president-trump-300925464.html - Corbett, Jessica. As Impeach Trump Momentum Builds, Grassroots Groups Target Undecided Members of Congress. Common Dreams. September 25, 2019. Accessed October 3, 2019. https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/09/25/impeach-trump-momentum-builds-grassroots-groups-target-undecided-members-congress
- “President’s Message: Trump’s First Year in Office.” Hispanic Federation. February 2, 2018. Accessed October 3, 2019. https://hispanicfederation.org/media/pinata/February-2-2018/presidents_message_trumps_first_year_in_office/
- Adams, Kathy. “Strength in Numbers.” Latino Magazine. Summer 2010 Issue. Accessed October 2, 2019. http://www.latinomagazine.com/summer_10/features/federation.htm
- Valencia, Stephanie; Castro, Joaquin; Archila, Ana Maria; Jiménez, Cristina; Miranda, Luis; Miranda, Luis, Jr. “Hispanics are under attack.” The Washington Post. August 6, 2019. Accessed October 2, 2019. https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/call-the-el-paso-shooting-what-it-is-domestic-terrorism-against-the-hispanic-community/2019/08/06/c8674e1c-b7a9-11e9-a091-6a96e67d9cce_story.html
- “About.” MirramGroup. Accessed October 4, 2019. http://www.mirramgroup.com/luis-miranda-jr
- Hispanic Federation, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990), 2018, Part I Line 18. https://hispanicfederation.org/images/990andCHAR500for2018.pdf
- Hispanic Federation, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990), 2018, Part I Line 5 and 6. https://hispanicfederation.org/images/990andCHAR500for2018.pdf
- Hispanic Federation, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990), 2018, Part VII Section A. https://hispanicfederation.org/images/990andCHAR500for2018.pdf
- Hispanic Federation, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990), 2018, Part VIII Line 1e. https://hispanicfederation.org/images/990andCHAR500for2018.pdf
- Our Funders. Hispanic Federation. Accessed October 3, 2019. https://hispanicfederation.org/our_funders/our_funders/
- Hispanic Federation, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990), 2018, Schedule B https://hispanicfederation.org/images/990andCHAR500for2018.pdf
- “Hispanic Federation Agencies.” Hispanic Federation. Accessed September 30, 2019. https://hispanicfederation.org/agencies/