Latino Equity Alliance

The Latino Equity Alliance (LEA) is a left-of-center community activist organization focused on the Latino LGBT population in and around Los Angeles. The organization runs various programs to promote LGBT activism, including several programs that are geared towards students in public school districts, as well as activism geared towards the decriminalization of drug use. 1 2 3 4

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At-A-Glance

Type: Non-profit, 501(c)(3), Fiscally Sponsored Project
Issue Areas: Identity Politics (for race-based policy/activism), LGBT Policy
Website: www.somoslea.org
Formation:

2009

Executive Director:

Eddie Martinez

Location: Los Angeles, CA View on map
Tax ID: 95-4302067
Most Recent Filing: 2024
Budget (2024): Assets: $82,464,152 Revenue: $180,337,178 Expenses: $166,588,633

Contents

    Founding and History

    The Latino Equity Alliance was formed in 2009 to continue the campaign against California Proposition 8 that attempted to end state recognition of same-sex marriages in the state. As an outgrowth of the “No on Prop 8” campaign, LEA was founded as an intersectional organization focused on Latino and LGBT issues. While LEA uses the term “Latino” in its title, in its literature, it has used the controversial left-wing neologism “Latinx.” 1

    Finances

    As a fiscally sponsored project of Community Partners, the Latino Equity Alliance does not publish its own tax filings; however, in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021, Community Partners provided LEA a grant of $35,500 that was separate from its fiscal sponsorship. The money was used to fund 22 scholarships. 5

    LEA has received funding from Health Happens Here, California Community Foundation, the California Endowment, Good Neighbors Campaign, the Vernon Community Fund, and L.A. Care Health Plan. 6

    Policies and Projects

    The Latino Equity Alliance is focused on various issues that affect the LA Latino LGBT community. These issues include public health, education, and activism. 1

    Reclaim LA

    LEA is involved in Reclaim LA, a project founded in 2019 for the purpose of promoting LGBT values and activism in the Los Angeles Unified School District. This activism includes advocating for LGBT curriculum in schools, the creation of gender and sexuality clubs, and the creation of “queer friendly campuses”.  In the past the program has run a day long summer camp for students, parents, teachers, and school administrators for the purpose of activism education for promoting LGBT values and institutions at schools in the district. 2

    Mind Over Matter

    Mind Over Matter is an intersectional project of LEA that is focused on LGBT youth and drug and substance abuse and promotes “restorative justice” rather than criminalization. It argues that substance abuse should be treated as a mental health issue rather than a criminal one. The program is focused on students at the Montebello Unified School District and the East Los Angeles College. 3

    Tobacco Cessation

    LEA is involved in anti-tobacco activism. It argues that the tobacco industry has predatorily targeted the LGBT population and states that its goal is to eliminate tobacco use by 2035. It is a member of the We Breathe campaign coalition that is focused on tobacco use in the LGBT population. LEA is also a member of the Out Against Big Tobacco campaign that seeks to eliminate tobacco sponsorship from LGBT pride parades and to make flavored tobacco products illegal in California. 7

    QT Connect

    Queer Trans Connect is a program focused on substance use and abuse and harm reduction among the LGBT population in Boyle Heights, Southeast Los Angeles, and Gateway Cities. 4

    Leadership

    Eddie Martinez is the executive director and cofounder of the Latino Equity Alliance. He was on the organization’s board for 6 years before becoming the executive director. He has worked in nonprofit management for at least 20 years, and formerly worked for the Wall Las Memorias Project, which is an AIDS awareness and advocacy organization based in Los Angeles. 8

    Financial Statistics

    Total Assets

    Total Revenue

    Total Expenses

    YearTotal AssetsTotal RevenueTotal ExpensesFiling
    2024 $82,464,152 $180,337,178 $166,588,633 View
    2023 $70,054,669 $114,172,851 $104,727,560 View
    2022 $52,046,774 $84,728,262 $87,000,499 View
    2021 $58,586,885 $87,387,507 $81,230,566 View
    2020 $46,134,339 $70,461,827 $67,529,950 View

    Prior year filings: 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2012

    Revenue Detail

    Expenses Detail

    Employee Compensation

    • Number of Employees: 1038

    Highest Earning Employees

    EmployeeTitleTotal Compensation
    Alicia LaraPRESIDENT & CEO$374,108
    Joyce WilliamsCHIEF FINANCIAL AND OPERAT$265,516
    Andrew LeveyVICE PRESIDENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES AND ORGANIZATION$235,681
    Zahirah MannPROJECT DIRECTOR$229,908
    Patrick BallPROJECT DIRECTOR$217,456
    Barbara MastersPROJECT DIRECTOR$196,279
    Phyllis OwensVICE PRESIDENT, INTERMEDIARY SERVICES$196,235

    Grant Activity

    All-time grants received statistics from Candid dataset:

    • Total Grant Value: $319,618,126
    • Number of Grants: 3,478
    • Number of Funders: 862

    Selection of highest value grants received from the last seven years:

    AmountYearFunderSubject
    $7,500,0002023 The California EndowmentTo support the scaling of a model that links health care systems, providers and health plans with public health, community and social services organizations, and residents across California.
    $3,000,0002025 The James Irvine FoundationTo support the Economic Liberation Project assisting undocumented low-wage workers in accessing workforce development and entrepreneurship services and support in Long Beach, through an entity such as ÓRALE.
    $2,692,4162020 California Community FoundationDisaster Response
    $2,625,0002023 The California EndowmentTo support efforts to build power among Native American communities through the work of community organizing, youth organizing, advocacy, leadership development and voter education as a means to advance community health, justice and equity in California.
    $2,620,0002025 The California EndowmentTo support efforts to build power among Native American communities through the work of community organizing, youth organizing, advocacy, leadership development and voter education as a means to advance community health, justice and equity in California.
    $2,561,8692024 California Healthcare FoundationFOUNDATION EVALUATION DIRECTORS MEETING AT GEO; MATERNAL MENTAL HEALTH NOW'S 2023-24 PERINATAL MENTAL HEALTH CONFERENCES; PERINATAL MENTAL HEALTH TRAININGS FOR LOS ANGELES COUNTY'S SAFETY NET PROVIDERS; IMPROVING QUALITY AND REDUCING DISPARITIES FOR MEDI-CAL POPULATIONS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA'S HIDDEN SAFETY NET
    $2,497,5002021 PUBLIC HEALTH INSTITUTETechnical Assistance
    $2,456,7232022 California Community FoundationHOUSING
    $2,300,0002022 The James Irvine FoundationTo deepen the power building, advocacy, and data research of Tribal communities and Native organizations in California, through an entity such as the California Native Vote Project.
    $2,196,1992023 California Community FoundationHOUSING
    $2,150,0002020 The California EndowmentTo support the implementation and sustainability of a model that links health care systems, providers and health plans with public health, community and social services organizations, and residents in ten geographic areas in California.
    $2,050,0002024 The James Irvine FoundationTo deepen power building, advocacy, and data research amongst Native communities and organizations in California, through an entity such as the California Native Vote Project (CNVP).
    $1,754,4172023 California Healthcare FoundationIDREAM FOR RACIAL HEALTH EQUITY TABLE SPONSOR, 2023.; PILOT WITH MATERNAL MENTAL HEALTH NOW (MMHN) TO IMPROVE LOS ANGELES COUNTY'S PERINATAL MENTAL HEALTH COMMUNITY RESOURCE DIRECTORY; DEVELOPING SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA PARTNERS: BUILDING PROGRAM OFFICE RESOURCES FOR THE FUTURE; PERINATAL MENTAL HEALTH TRAININGS FOR LOS ANGELES COUNTY'S SAFETY NET PROVIDERS; IDREAM'S PILOT TO SUPPORT BLACK MATERNAL HEALTH COMMUNITY MENTORS; IMPROVING QUALITY AND REDUCING DISPARITIES FOR MEDI-CAL POPULATIONS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA'S HIDDEN SAFETY NET
    $1,411,5002024 The Chicago Community TrustGeneral support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
    $1,317,6102021 Network for Good, Inc.UNRESTRICTED
    $1,249,9522022 Network for Good, Inc.UNRESTRICTED
    $1,231,4422024 Network for Good, Inc.UNRESTRICTED
    $1,200,0002023 The James Irvine FoundationTo support the Long Beach Undocumented Entrepreneurship and Microenterprise Project, through an entity such as ÓRALE.
    $1,122,7502024 National Philanthropic TrustHUMAN SERVICES
    $1,064,0032023 Network for Good, Inc.UNRESTRICTED
    $1,062,2852023 Ascendium Education Solutions IncUnderstanding the Landscape of Higher Education in Prison Establishing and Solidifying a Field Convener Travel Grant – National College Attainment Network 2023 National Conference Understanding the Landscape of Higher Education in Prison
    $1,014,2102020 University of Southern CaliforniaGENERAL SUPPORT
    $1,000,0002023 The Andrew W. Mellon Foundationto support the Alliance for Higher Education in Prison’s efforts including an internship program for currently incarcerated students and alumni and an annual online conference for currently incarcerated students to be held inside multiple carceral facilities
    $1,000,0002023 The Heising-Simons Foundationfor Parent Voices
    $1,000,0002022 The Andrew W. Mellon Foundationto support a multiyear residency pilot focused on research-based practices by Black California artists

    All-time grants given statistics from Candid dataset:

    • Total Grant Value: $83,895,565
    • Number of Grants: 776
    • Number of Recipients: 533

    Selection of highest value grants given from the last seven years:

    AmountYearFunderSubject
    $7,002,6992023 NORTH HOLLYWOOD HIGH SCHOOLSUPPORT COVID-19 CONTACT TRACING, SYSTEM NAVIGATION, COMMUNITY OUTREACH, ENGAGEM
    $3,691,3762023 PUBLIC HEALTH ADVOCATESPROVIDES FOR AN INITIATIVE DESIGNED TO PREVENT AND COUNTER ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXP
    $3,154,1532024 PUBLIC HEALTH ADVOCATESCHILDHOOD TRAUMA INTERVENTION
    $2,457,0002024 Healthy Streets LaPUBLIC TRANSPORTATION AWARENESS CAMPAIGN
    $1,006,5532023 Purchaser Business Group on HealthIMPROVE HEALTH OUTCOMES AND IMPROVE HEALTH EQUITY FOR COMMUNITIES OF COLOR
    $988,8542024 GRID Alternatives Greater Los AngelesCLIMATE RESILIENCE AND INFRASTRUCTURE
    $960,0002024 OPTIONS FOR LEARNINGARPA CHILDCARE PROVIDER BENEFICIARY GRANT
    $899,5302024 INNERCITY STRUGGLECOVID-19 OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT
    $686,7282024 Los Angeles Conservation CorpsCLIMATE RESILIENCE AND INFRASTRUCTURE
    $573,6242022 Pacoima BeautifulINCREASE THE CLIMATE RESILIENCY AND PROPOSED INFRASTRUCTURE OF VULNERABLE POPULATIONS AND COMMUNITIES
    $561,3612023 Los Angeles Conservation CorpsTO COMPLEMENT STRATEGIES THAT INCREASE THE CLIMATE RESILIENCY OF VULNERABLE POPU
    $551,3252023 GRID Alternatives Greater Los AngelesTO COMPLEMENT STRATEGIES THAT INCREASE THE CLIMATE RESILIENCY OF VULNERABLE POPU
    $500,0002021 Child Care Resource Center IncSUPPORT POLICY ADVOCACY ORGANIZATIONS TO ENSURE THAT ALL CHILDREN IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY AND PARTICULARLY THOSE AT RISK HAVE ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION
    $472,6702020 Child Care Resource Center IncSupport policy advocacy organizations to ensure that all children in los angeles county and particularly those at risk have access to affordable early care and education
    $464,8792024 ANTELOPE VALLEY PARTNERS FOR HEALTHCOVID-19 OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT
    $452,6002022 Palos Verdes Estates FoundationBEAUTIFICATION, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, CULTURE AND ARTS, AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES FOR THE CITY OF PALOS VERDES
    $406,0002024 Alma Backyard FarmFOOD DISTRIBUTION
    $406,0002024 INCLUSIVE ACTION FOR THE CITYFOOD DISTRIBUTION
    $406,0002024 SPECIAL SERVICE FOR GROUPS INCFOOD DISTRIBUTION
    $405,0002020 Catalyst California (formerly Advancement Project California)Support policy advocacy organizations to ensure that all children in los angeles county and particularly those at risk have access to affordable early care and education
    $400,0002024 Occidental CollegeFOOD DISTRIBUTION
    $400,0002024 Partnership for GrowthFOOD DISTRIBUTION
    $397,4962022 Los Angeles Conservation CorpsINCREASE THE CLIMATE RESILIENCY AND PROPOSED INFRASTRUCTURE OF VULNERABLE POPULATIONS AND COMMUNITIES
    $386,8342023 Pacoima BeautifulSUPPORT TO A CREATIVE PLACEMAKING PROJECT IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY
    $386,3182024 Pacoima BeautifulPUBLIC ART GRANT

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    Financials, employee compensation, and grant information provided by Candid.

    Mentioned in this Article

    References

    1. “Our Mission and History.” Latino Equality Alliance. Accessed May 11, 2023. https://www.somoslea.org/our-mission-and-history.html.
    2. “REC-LA.” Latino Equality Alliance. Accessed May 13, 2023. https://www.somoslea.org/rec-la.html.
    3. “Mind Over Matter.” Latino Equality Alliance. Accessed May 13, 2023. https://www.somoslea.org/mind-over-matter.html.
    4. “QT Connect.” Latino Equality Alliance. Accessed May 13, 2023. https://www.somoslea.org/qt-connect.html.
    5. Community Partners, Return of an organization exempt from taxation (Form 990), 2020, Part I.
    6. [1] “Our Mission and History.” Latino Equality Alliance. Accessed May 11, 2023. https://www.somoslea.org/our-mission-and-history.html.
    7. “Tobacco Cessation.” Latino Equality Alliance. Accessed May 13, 2023. https://www.somoslea.org/tobacco-cessation.html.
    8. “Our Team.” Latino Equality Alliance. Accessed May 11, 2023. https://www.somoslea.org/our-team.html.