RIVERSIDE – Inland Counties Legal Services was selected as a 2026 California Nonprofit of the Year by State Sen. Sabrina Cervantes, CA-31, due to the organization’s work fighting homelessness, hunger, and other critical civil legal issues in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.
Inland Counties Legal Services is one of more than one hundred nonprofits that will be honored today by their state senators and assemblymembers for their outstanding contributions to the communities they serve.
“Through tireless legal advocacy and services, Inland Counties Legal Services has gone above and beyond to work toward the betterment of the Inland Empire community,” said Senator Cervantes. “Since its founding in 1958, ICLS has demonstrated its commitment to uplifting our communities, expanding access to legal aid, and convening its organization to proactively tackle gaps in justice.”
The organization provides free civil legal representation, counsel, and advice for seniors, people with disabilities, and people who otherwise can’t afford legal assistance. With more than 150 staff members, Inland Counties Legal Services impacted more than 20,000 people in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties last year with issues related to housing, public benefits, family law, consumer debt, health care and insurance, small business, and so much more.
One of the organization’s key focuses is fighting evictions in court, keeping people housed, and preventing homelessness through a holistic approach, including increasing access to public benefits and health care, and combating consumer and medical debt.
“Legal aid is absolutely critical for the wellbeing of our communities. Without legal representation, it’s difficult for folks to navigate complex civil court proceedings,” ICLS Executive Director Tessie Solorzano said. “We are so proud to receive this honor from Senator Cervantes and to be working toward a future where justice doesn’t depend on a person’s ability to pay.”
“We are grateful for the work of Inland Counties Legal Services and want to extend our congratulations for this well-deserved recognition,” said Geoff Green, CEO of the California Association of Nonprofits (CalNonprofits) which sponsors the initiative. “Nonprofits are among our country’s most trusted organizations and an integral part of civil society. There’s likely never been a more important time to lift up the contributions nonprofits make within the communities they serve.”
Nonprofits are well known for being problem-solvers, innovators, helpers, and advocates, but they are also a major economic force. According to “Causes Count 3.0,” a new report soon to be released by CalNonprofits, the nonprofit sector is now the 3rd largest employer in the state, with approximately 1.5 million Californians working for nonprofit organizations. Collectively our state’s 110,000 501(c)3 public charities generate more than $430 billion in revenue each year.
Now in its eleventh year, the California Nonprofit of the Year initiative provides the opportunity for each California state legislator to recognize a nonprofit organization doing outstanding work in their district. The program culminates with a celebratory luncheon at the Capitol on California Nonprofits Day, which this year is May 20.
The program is sponsored by the CalNonprofits in partnership with the state Senate and Assembly Select Committees on the Nonprofit Sector. CalNonprofits, the leading policy voice for California’s nonprofit sector, focuses on advocacy, education, and research to build a more powerful and politically engaged nonprofit network across the state.
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