The Western Center on Law and Poverty (Western Center) is a Los Angeles-based left-of-center and critical race theory-inspired ¹ public interest law firm and advocacy organization. ²

The group co-sponsored legislation that sought to defund the police, ³ co-sponsored legislation with pro-abortion NARAL Pro-Choice to expand abortion access on college campuses, ⁴ and co-sponsored legislation that increased California’s minimum wage to $15 per hour. “Human Services and Access to Jobs & Justice Legislation. ^{5 6}

Western Center supports the far-left Black Lives Matter movement, ⁷ believes the United States is founded on “white supremacy,” ⁸ supports expansion of Medi-Cal to cover illegal immigrants, ⁹ reparations for descendants of slaves, ¹⁰ and has urged its supporters to read the historically suspect 1619 Project ¹¹ and other critical race theory-inspired books written by left-wing authors Robin DiAngelo and Ibram X. Kendi. ¹²

Western Center has received grants from left-of-center foundations including $300,000 from the California Healthcare Foundation, ¹³ multiple $175,000 grants from the left-of-center California Endowment, ^{14 15 16} $250,000 from Blue Shield of California Foundation, ¹⁷ and $250,000 from the Ring Foundation. ¹⁸

History and Leadership

Western Center on Law and Poverty was founded in 1967 by attorneys and legal scholars from the University of Southern California; University of California, Los Angeles; and Loyola University. In 1972, Western Center opened its Sacramento office to influence state public policy issues. ¹⁹

Crystal D. Crawford is the executive director of the Western Center. ²⁰ Crawford previously was a program director at the left-of-center California Wellness Foundation ²¹ and CEO of California Black Women’s Health Project. She is a member of the Los Angeles County Public Health Commission ²² and has been on the board of Health Access California. ²³

Activities and Funding

Western Center on Law and Poverty monitors legislation at all levels of government, sponsors and supports statewide legislation in California, and provides legal support and legal aid attorneys in California. ²⁴

Western Center sponsored a bill alongside pro-abortion NARAL Pro-Choice America to expand abortion access to college campuses in 2019 ²⁵ and co-sponsored California State Bill 3, which increased the state’s minimum wage to $15 an hour, in 2016. ^{26 27}

Western Center has espoused the view that the United States is founded in “white supremacy” ²⁸ and that minority and low-income communities are overpoliced and supports “dismantling structural racism in land use and planning,” ²⁹ the expansion of Medi-Cal to cover illegal immigrants, ³⁰ and reparations for forced sterilization. ^{31 32}

Western Center is a statewide partner of the left-of-center Hunger Action Los Angeles  ³³ and the left-of-center Youth Justice Coalition. ³⁴ The organization supports the Trevor Project ³⁵ and partnered with soap manufacturer Dove, the National Urban League and Color of Change to found the CROWN Coalition, which seeks to end “hair discrimination.” ³⁶ Standing for “Creating a respectful and open world for natural hair,” the first CROWN act was passed and put into law in the state of California in 2019 to prohibit “race-based hair discrimination in schools and the workplace.” ³⁷ According to the CROWN Coalition, as of 2022 a total of 14 states have also passed the CROWN Act or similar pieces of legislation. ³⁸

Black Lives Matter

Western Center supports the far-left Black Lives Matter movement. ³⁹ In June 2020, Western Center recommitted to its mission to challenge laws that “harm black people, and call for new laws to radically change the unsustainable and violent status quo—including but not limited to reparations” for descendants of slaves. ⁴⁰

In its June 2020 newsletter, Western Center announced its support for California State Bill 144, which called for defunding the police. ⁴¹ The same newsletter urged supporters to read the historically suspect 1619 Project, published by the New York Times; White Fragility, a critical race-theory inspired book by left-wing author Robin DiAngelo; and How to Be an Antriracist, the manifesto of the radical-left ideology of “antiracism” developed by far-left academic Ibram X. Kendi. ⁴²

Funding

In 2021, Western Center on Law and Poverty (Western Center) received a $15,000 grant from the My LA2050 grants challenge, which is a part of the LA2050 Initiative and supported by the left-of-center Goldhirsh Foundation. ^{43 44}

In 2019, Western Center reported $3,523,211 in revenue from contributions and grants, slightly down from $3,625,336 in grants and contributions in 2018. ⁴⁵

In 2019, Western Center received $300,000 from the California Healthcare Foundation, ⁴⁶ $175,000 from the left-of-center California Endowment, ⁴⁷ and $40,000 from the left-of-center Food Research and Action Center (FRAC). ⁴⁸

Western Center received $250,000 from Blue Shield of California Foundation, ⁴⁹ 250,000 from the left-of-center Ring Foundation, ⁵⁰ $175,000 from the left-of-center California Endowment, ⁵¹ $42,000 from the California Community Foundation, ⁵² and $20,000 from California Healthcare Foundation in 2018. ⁵³

In 2017, Western Center received grants totaling $180,000 from the California Endowment, ⁵⁴ $45,000 from the left-of-center Walter and Elise Haas Fund ⁵⁵ and $25,000 from the Weingart Foundation. ⁵⁶ Western Center also received grants of $75,000 from the left-of-center Annenberg Foundation ⁵⁷ and $21,245 from the PayPal Charitable Giving Fund, ⁵⁸ in 2016 and grants worth $176,000 from the California Endowment in 2015.

The Western Center on Law and Poverty (Western Center) operates the WCLP Endowment Foundation. ^{59 60}

1. “EPIC News – February 2021.” Western Center on Law and Poverty. February 4, 2021. Accessed September 18, 2021. https://wclp.org/epic-news-february-2021/.
2. “Our Mission.” Western Center on Law and Poverty. Accessed September 18, 2021. https://wclp.org/.
3. “EPIC News – June 2020.” Western Center on Law and Poverty. June 12, 2020. Accessed September 18, 2021. https://wclp.org/epic-news-june-2020/.
4. “NARAL Celebrates Newsom Signing Groundbreaking Reproductive Freedom Legislation into Law.” NARAL Pro-Choice America. Press Release. October 15, 2019.; Accessed September 18, 2021. https://www.prochoiceamerica.org/2019/10/15/naral-celebrates-groundbreaking-california-reproductive-freedom-law/.
5. ” Western Center on Law and Poverty. September 1, 2016. Accessed September 18, 2021. https://wclp.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/2016_HumanServices_JobsJustice-Updated-September-1.pdf.
6. “About Western Center.” Western Center of Law & Poverty. Accessed September 18, 2021. https://wclp.org/donate/.
7. “EPIC News – February 2021.” Western Center on Law and Poverty. February 4, 2021. Accessed September 18, 2021. https://wclp.org/epic-news-february-2021/.
8. “EPIC News – February 2021.” Western Center on Law and Poverty. February 4, 2021. Accessed September 18, 2021. https://wclp.org/epic-news-february-2021/.
9. “About Western Center.” Western Center of Law & Poverty. Accessed September 18, 2021. https://wclp.org/donate/.
10. “American ‘Law & Order’ Is Fueled By Racism, And It’s Killing Black People. Condemnation Isn’t Enough, Western Center Will Work For Change.” Western Center on Law and Poverty. June 2, 2020. Accessed September 18, 2021. https://wclp.org/american-law-order-is-fueled-by-racism-and-white-supremacy-so-black-people-continue-to-be-killed-condemnation-isnt-enough-western-center-will-work-for-change/.
11. “EPIC News – June 2020.” Western Center on Law and Poverty. June 12, 2020. Accessed September 18, 2021. https://wclp.org/epic-news-june-2020/.
12. “EPIC News – June 2020.” Western Center on Law and Poverty. June 12, 2020. Accessed September 18, 2021. https://wclp.org/epic-news-june-2020/.
13. “California Healthcare Foundation.” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax.” (Form 990). 23019. Accessed September 18, 2021. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/954523231/202140399349301089/full.
14. “The California Endowment.” Return of Private Foundation. (Form 990-PF). 2019. Accessed September 18, 2021. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/954523232/202140349349100904/full.
15. “The California Endowment.” Return of Private Foundation. (Form 990-PF). 2018. Accessed September 18, 2021.
16. “California Foundation.” Return of Private Foundation. (Form 990-PF). 2017. Accessed September 18, 2021. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/display_990/954523232/05_2019_prefixes_95-99%2F954523232_201803_990PF_2019050216262028.
17. “California Physicians’ Service Foundation DBA Blue Shield of California Foundation.” Return of Private Foundation. (Form 990-PF). 2018. Accessed September 18, 2021. https://blueshieldcafoundation.org/sites/default/files/BSCF%20Form%20990-PF%20-%20Public%20Disclosure%20Copy-1.pdf.
18. “Ring Foundation.” Return of Private Foundation. (Form 990-PF). 2019. Accessed September 18, 2021. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/954500900/202023169349101432/full.
19. “About Western Center.” Western Center of Law & Poverty. Accessed September 18, 2021. https://wclp.org/donate/.
20. “Crystal D. Crawford.” Our Staff. Western Center on Law & Poverty. Accessed September 18, 2021. https://wclp.org/our-staff/executive-director/.
21. “Crystal D. Crawford.” Our Staff. Western Center on Law & Poverty. Accessed September 18, 2021. https://wclp.org/our-staff/executive-director/.
22. “About the Commissioners.” Los Angeles County Public Health Commission. Accessed September 18, 2021. http://phcommission.ph.lacounty.gov/Commissioners.
23.  “Crystal D. Crawford.” Our Staff. Western Center on Law & Poverty. Accessed September 18, 2021. https://wclp.org/our-staff/executive-director/.
24. “Our Tools.” Western Center on Law and Poverty. Accessed September 18, 2021. https://wclp.org/our-tools/
25. “NARAL Celebrates Newsom Signing Groundbreaking Reproductive Freedom Legislation into Law.” NARAL Pro-Choice America. Press Release. October 15, 2019.; Accessed September 18, 2021. https://www.prochoiceamerica.org/2019/10/15/naral-celebrates-groundbreaking-california-reproductive-freedom-law/.
26. “Human Services and Access to Jobs & Justice Legislation.” Western Center on Law and Poverty. September 1, 2016. Accessed September 18, 2021. https://wclp.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/2016_HumanServices_JobsJustice-Updated-September-1.pdf.
27. “About Western Center.” Western Center of Law & Poverty. Accessed September 18, 2021. https://wclp.org/donate/.
28. “EPIC News – February 2021.” Western Center on Law and Poverty. February 4, 2021. Accessed September 18, 2021. https://wclp.org/epic-news-february-2021/.
29. “Housing and Community Stability.” Western Center on Law and Poverty. Accessed September 18, 2021. https://wclp.org/affordable-housing/.
30. “About Western Center.” Western Center of Law & Poverty. Accessed September 18, 2021. https://wclp.org/donate/.
31. “Tweet.” Western Center on Law and Poverty Twitter. July 14, 2021. Accessed September 18, 2021. https://twitter.com/Western_Center/status/1415364078369796098.
32. “Tweet.” Western Center on Law and Poverty Twitter. September 7, 2021. Accessed September 18, 2021. https://wclp.org/tag/sb-1399/. https://twitter.com/Western_Center/status/1435306012706164737.
33. Tamborello, Frank. “Food & Justice News October 10, 2019.” Hunger Action LA. October 10, 2019. Accessed September 18, 2021. https://www.hungeractionla.org/news_update_101019.
34. “EPIC News – June 2020.” Western Center on Law and Poverty. June 12, 2020. Accessed September 18, 2021. https://wclp.org/epic-news-june-2020/.
35. EPIC News – June 2021.” Western Center on Law and Poverty. June 24, 2021. Accessed September 18, 2021. https://wclp.org/epic-news-june-2021/.
36. “The CROWN Act.” Dove Soap. Accessed September 18, 2021. https://www.dove.com/us/en/stories/campaigns/the-crown-act.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Always%20On_CN000557_LV5_CH2215_BH0162_US_NonBrnd-Crown-Act-BMM&utm_term=+crown++coalition&gclid=Cj0KCQiAz53vBRCpARIsAPPsz8W2jaREVg7IjFHpc6L8OtLQe6ifc3CxNtRjYi7k3JDZhg7WHb5Dv3kaAquhEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds.
37. Lugo, Dianne. “Oregon’s New Crown Act Explicitly Prohibits Raced-Based Hair Discrimination.” Statesman Journal. Salem Statesman Journal, January 4, 2022. https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/2022/01/01/oregon-crown-act-law-prohibits-hair-discrimination-black-natural-texture-braids-locs-bantu-knot/9068083002/.
38. Lugo, Dianne. “Oregon’s New Crown Act Explicitly Prohibits Raced-Based Hair Discrimination.” Statesman Journal. Salem Statesman Journal, January 4, 2022. https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/2022/01/01/oregon-crown-act-law-prohibits-hair-discrimination-black-natural-texture-braids-locs-bantu-knot/9068083002/.
39. “EPIC News – February 2021.” Western Center on Law and Poverty. February 4, 2021. Accessed September 18, 2021. https://wclp.org/epic-news-february-2021/.
40. “American ‘Law & Order’ Is Fueled By Racism, And It’s Killing Black People. Condemnation Isn’t Enough, Western Center Will Work For Change.” Western Center on Law and Poverty. June 2, 2020. Accessed September 18, 2021. https://wclp.org/american-law-order-is-fueled-by-racism-and-white-supremacy-so-black-people-continue-to-be-killed-condemnation-isnt-enough-western-center-will-work-for-change/.
41. “EPIC News – June 2020.” Western Center on Law and Poverty. June 12, 2020. Accessed September 18, 2021. https://wclp.org/epic-news-june-2020/.
42. “EPIC News – June 2020.” Western Center on Law and Poverty. June 12, 2020. Accessed September 18, 2021. https://wclp.org/epic-news-june-2020/.
43. “About.” My LA2050 Grants Challenge.” Accessed September 18, 2021. https://challenge.la2050.org/about/.
44. “THANK YOU For Voting In The MY LA2050 Grants Challenge!” Western Center On Law and Poverty. July 6m 2021. Accessed September 18, 2021. https://wclp.org/vote-for-us-western-center-named-finalist-in-my-la-2050-grants-challenge/.
45. “Western Center on Law & Poverty Inc.” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990). 2019. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/display_990/952897721/04_2021_prefixes_94-95%2F952897721_201912_990_2021040517877077.
46. “California Healthcare Foundation.” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax.” (Form 990). 23019. Accessed September 18, 2021. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/954523231/202140399349301089/full.
47. “The California Endowment.” Return of Private Foundation. (Form 990-PF). 2019. Accessed September 18, 2021. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/954523232/202140349349100904/full.
48. “Food Research and Action Center.” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax.” (Form 990). 2019. Accessed September 18, 2021. https://frac.org/wp-content/uploads/FRAC-2019-Form-990-for-Website.pdf.
49. California Physicians’ Service Foundation DBA Blue Shield of California Foundation.” Return of Private Foundation. (Form 990-PF). 2018. Accessed September 18, 2021. https://blueshieldcafoundation.org/sites/default/files/BSCF%20Form%20990-PF%20-%20Public%20Disclosure%20Copy-1.pdf.
50. “Ring Foundation.” Return of Private Foundation. (Form 990-PF). 2019. Accessed September 18, 2021. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/954500900/202023169349101432/full.
51. “The California Endowment.” Return of Private Foundation. (Form 990-PF). 2018. Accessed September 18, 2021.
52.  “California Community Foundation.” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax.” (Form 990). 2018. Accessed September 18, 2021. https://www.calfund.org/wp-content/uploads/CALIFORNIA-COMMUNITY-FOUNDATION_6-30-19_FED-990-PI-COPY.pdf.
53. “California Healthcare Foundation.” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990). 2018. Accessed September 18, 2021. https://www.chcf.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/CHCFFY2019Form990.pdf.
54. “California Foundation.” Return of Private Foundation. (Form 990-PF). 2017. Accessed September 18, 2021. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/display_990/954523232/05_2019_prefixes_95-99%2F954523232_201803_990PF_2019050216262028.
55. ^[1] “Western Center on Law and Poverty.” Walter and Elise Haas Fund. Accessed September 18, 2021. https://haassr.org/grant/western-center-on-law-and-poverty-2/
56. “Weingart Foundation.” Return of Private Foundation. (Form 990-PF). 2017. Accessed September 18, 2201. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/956054814/201843179349100119/IRS990PF.
57. “The Annenberg Foundation.” Return of Private Foundation. (Form 990-PF). 2016. Accessed September 18, 2021. https://annenberg.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/2016_annenberg_990pf.pdf.
58. “Paypal Charitable Giving Fund.” Return of Organization Exempt form Income Tax. (Form 990). 2016. Accessed September 18, 2021. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/450931286/201721719349300137/full.
59. “The WCLP Endowment Foundation.” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990). 2019. Accessed September 18, 2021. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/display_990/202437819/04_2021_prefixes_20-20%2F202437819_201912_990_2021040517877046j.
60. “Western Center on Law & Poverty Inc.” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990). 2019. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/display_990/952897721/04_2021_prefixes_94-95%2F952897721_201912_990_2021040517877077.