Clecha

What it reported doing in 2024

CLECHA, a Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation in the State of California, exists to ensure Latinas and Latinos understand, navigate, and conquer the oppressive systems that exist in order to achieve financial equity. In 2024, CLECHA continued to strengthen its role as a trusted advocate and technical assistance provider for small businesses across San Francisco. The organization provided direct, one-on-one guidance to more than ninety entrepreneurs, assisting with licensing, FTB compliance, CDTFA sales tax registration, EIN filings, LLC formation, and business stabilization support. Clecha's work ensured that many neighborhood businesses could remain operational, compliant, and prepared for long-term growth.Throughout the year, Clecha supported several grand openings and business expansions, including Taboo, Mission Barbershop, and Murales Wine Bar and Tapas. Each business represented a new step toward neighborhood revitalization and the preservation of cultural and creative spaces in the Mission District. Clecha provided hands-on support with marketing, permitting, and event coordination to help launch each event successfully.Marketing remained a key focus of Clecha's 2024 programming. The organization launched targeted campaigns to boost visibility for small businesses across the Mission, Excelsior, and Visitacion Valley, emphasizing locally owned, culturally rooted enterprises. Clecha worked directly with business owners to develop promotional materials, social media content, and neighborhood branding efforts that strengthened corridor identity and community engagement.In 2024, the city of San Francisco turned to Clecha to resolve a crisis at 16th and Mission, the neighborhood that was the core of drug dealers and illegal vending. As a result of Clecha's aid, the streets became cleaner, illegal activity was deterred, and homeless people and drug users were connected to city services.In partnership with the city and community organizations, Clecha also distributed free laptops to small business owners through the Human-I-T digital inclusion initiative. This effort provided entrepreneurs with the tools needed to manage their finances, improve marketing, and expand their online presence, addressing the ongoing digital divide faced by many immigrant and low-income business owners.Clecha additionally played an active role in supporting San Francisco Green Business initiatives, helping businesses adopt environmentally conscious practices and move toward official certification. This included assisting with waste reduction strategies, energy efficiency improvements, and city compliance requirements that align with sustainable operating goals.By the end of 2024, Clecha had strengthened the capacity and visibility of dozens of neighborhood businesses through a combination of technical support, marketing campaigns, and community investment. The organization's consistent, culturally informed approach continued to advance equitable economic growth and highlight the vital role of small businesses in the fabric of San Francisco's neighborhoods.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 100%; rating input score 100
• Program expense ratio: 92.3%; rating input score 92
• Fundraising efficiency: Limited

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: Limited
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: 100%; rating input score 100; 76th percentile among comparable filings
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 0%; rating input score 0; 5th percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 2 of 7 controls in place; rating input score 29
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Fail
  • Whistleblower policy: Fail
  • Document-retention policy: Fail
  • CEO compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Other executive compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Missing
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Fail

Sustainability

• Operating margin: -8.7%; rating input score 18; 18th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 0.34; rating input score 16; 16th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.46; rating input score 17; 17th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 0%; rating input score 81; 81st percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 71.6% per year; rating input score 100; 98th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 51.9% per year; rating input score 100; 97th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 34.2% per year; rating input score 100; 93rd percentile among comparable filings