Despite its picturesque setting near San Francisco Bay, San Rafael can be overwhelming for immigrants arriving to build a new life. Navigating unfamiliar systems and cultural barriers can feel like a maze.

For over 40 years, Canal Alliance, a UnidosUS affiliate, has been a guiding light for these individuals and families, helping them navigate the path towards stability and success through programs like job training, education, and healthcare access.

In an ironic twist, 2023 presented Canal Alliance itself with a significant hurdle. For years, the organization had been operating out of a rented building, an aging space with recurring flooding issues and limited capacity for its staff to serve the growing community. They urgently needed a permanent and functional headquarters.

It was a perfect opportunity for RDF to do what it does best.

RDF provided a critical $3.75 million source loan in addition to a previous $12 million New Markets Tax Credit allocation. This investment enabled Canal Alliance to acquire and renovate a permanent facility just blocks away from its existing location.

Owning a permanent headquarters is crucial for any non-profit’s strategic growth. In this case, it helps Canal Alliance retain the trust of the community they serve. With this new space, Canal Alliance can expand its 11 programs, offering even more opportunity for their majority Latino constituents to thrive. In addition, owning a new space helps Canal Alliance build its own long-term financial stability.

CEO Omar Carrera expressed his gratitude for the support. “Thanks in no small part to RDF’s ongoing partnership, Canal Alliance continues to succeed in supporting the Latino immigrant community here in Marin.”