American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese, (AATSP)

Founded: 1917.
Description: "Since its inception in 1917, AATSP has promoted the study and teaching of Hispanic, Luso-Brazilian, and other related languages, literatures, and cultures at all levels. Through an exchange of pedagogical and scholarly information, the AATSP encourages heritage and second language study and supports projects to that end".
Subject Category: Education; Schools & Educational Organizations

ASPIRA Association

Founded: 1969.
Description: "The ASPIRA Association promotes the empowerment of the Puerto Rican and Latino community by developing and nurturing the leadership, intellectual, and cultural potential of its youth so that they may contribute their skills and dedication to the fullest development of the Puerto Rican and Latino community everywhere."
Subject Category: Education; Schools & Educational Organizations

Association of Hispanic Arts (AHA)

Founded: 1975.
Description: "AHA is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of Latino arts, artists and art organizations as an integral part of the cultural life of the nation. We facilitate projects and programs designed to foster the appreciation, growth and well being of the Latino cultural community."
Subject Category: Cultural Organizations; Arts; Performing Arts

Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, (HACU)

Founded: 1986.
Description: "The HACU is a national association representing the accredited colleges and universities in the United States where Hispanic students constitute at least 25 percent of the total student enrollment. HACU’s goal is to bring together colleges and universities, schools, corporations, governmental agencies and individuals to establish partnerships for: promoting the development of Hispanic-serving colleges and universities; improving access to and the quality of postsecondary educational opportunities for Hispanic students; and meeting the needs of business, industry and government through the development and sharing ]of resources, information and expertise".
Subject Category: Education; Colleges & Universities; Schools & Educational Organizations; Professional Organizations

Hispanic Educational Telecommunications System (HETS)

Founded: 1993.
Description: "HETS is a telecommunications consortium of colleges and universities in the United States and Puerto Rico. Its mission is to widen the access of Hispanics to higher education and training opportunities through educational telecommunications and distance learning. HETS member connect to each other through a diversity of telecommunications and information technologies. These technologies may include the HETS C-band satellite network system or compressed video through telephone lines or ISDN. All member institutions connect to each other through the Internet ".
Subject Category: Education; Colleges & Universities; Schools & Educational Organizations;

Hispanic Genealogical Society

Founded: 1993.
Description: "People interested in Hispanic genealogy. Aims to increase awareness in the field of Hispanic genealogical research. Produces newsletters, annual journal and holds meetings".
Subject Category: Cultural Organizations; Genealogy;

Latin American Studies Association (LASA)

Founded: 1966.
Description: "LASA is the largest professional Association in the world for individuals and institutions engaged in the study of Latin America. With over 5,500 members, thirty percent of whom reside outside the United States, LASA is the one Association that brings together experts on Latin America from all disciplines and diverse occupational endeavors, across the globe.
LASA Sections and Task Forces related to Latino Studies:
LATINO STUDIES. This Section is open to LASA members interested in promoting research, teaching, advocacy, and collaborative endeavors about U.S. Latino communities and their transnational connections with the Latin American and Caribbean countries of origin. It also fosters a continuing dialogue regarding the relationships between Latino and Latin American Studies.
Co-chairs (2003-2005): Frances Aparicio, franapar@umich.edu ; 312-996-1796
María de los Angeles Torres, mtorres@wppost.depaul.edu , 312-325-7000
Subject Category: Education; Colleges & Universities;

The Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, (MALDEF)

Founded:1968 .
Description: "MALDEF is the leading nonprofit Latino litigation, advocacy and educational outreach institution in the United States. MALDEF's mission is to foster sound public policies, laws and programs to safeguard the civil rights of the 40 million Latinos living in the United States and to empower the Latino community to fully participate in our society. MALDEF achieves its mission by concentrating its efforts on the following areas: employment, education, immigration, political access, language and public resource equity issues. Headquartered in Los Angeles, MALDEF has regional offices in Atlanta, Los Angeles, San Antonio, Chicago, and Washington, D.C., with a satellite office in Sacramento and program offices in Phoenix, Albuquerque, and Houston. The thirty-five member board of directors is comprised of leaders from the public and private sector, government, and law firms. MALDEF's staff of 75 employees include 22 attorneys".
Subject Category: Education; Educational Organizations; Financial Aid; Schools & Educational Organizations; Scholarships

National Association for Chicana and Chicano Studies, (NACCS)

Founded:1972 .
Description: "NACCS is the academic organization that serves academic programs, departments and research centers that focus on issues pertaining to Mexican Americans, Chicana/os, and Latina/os. The Association was formed in 1972, during the height of the Chicana/o movement, calling for the development of a space where scholarship and Chicana/o students could develop their talents in higher education. For more than 30 years, students, faculty, staff, and community members have attended the NACCS annual conference to present their scholarly papers--many of which have spun into important intellectual pillars". ".
Subject Category: Education; Educational Organizations; Schools & Educational Organizations; Chicano Studies

National Association of Latino Arts and Culture (NALAC)

Founded: 1989.
Description: " Today NALAC serves more than 300 Latino arts organizations in the United States, including organizations found in Mexican American, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Dominican, Central American, and South American communities within the United States. Through its regional meetings, publications, and programs NALAC provides direct services to its constituency and collects information about current needs and challenges for Latino artists and organizations. NALAC also convenes representatives of these organizations biennially at a national gathering to discuss current issues and topics, and to provide technical assistance and capacity building in a variety of subjects related to organizational development."
Subject Category: Cultural Organizations; Arts; Performing Arts

National Hispanic Scholarship Fund, (NHSF)

Founded: 1975 .
Description: " The Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF) is the largest Hispanic scholarship-granting organization in the nation. HSF recognizes and rewards outstanding Hispanic students in higher education throughout the United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These students represent every region of the country, hundreds of institutions of higher learning and every segment of the Hispanic community. Founded in 1975, HSF has awarded more than 53,000 scholarships in excess of $89 million. ".
Subject Category: Education; Educational Organizations; Financial Aid; Schools & Educational Organizations; Scholarships

American GI Forum of the United States

Founded: 1948. Members: 20,000 (2002).
Description: Veterans of the Armed Forces of the U.S., primarily of Mexican origin, and their families.
Subject Category: Civic & Social Associations; Social Services; Patriotic Organizations; Military Organizations

Black, Indian, Hispanic, and Asian Women in Action, (BIHA)

Founded: 1983. Members: 200. (2002).
Description: " BIHA was established in recognition of a lack of communication and information sharing within and between Communities of Color regarding family violence. The unveiling of the size and growth of the tragedy of family violence in our society had resulted in the coming together of battered women from all comers of Minnesota. During the process of working on law changes and building a financial base to provide services to the victims of family violence, Communities of Color remained untapped and unassisted. BIHA was created to provide education, information and advocacy for and by Communities of Color and to serve as a forum for translating current concerns (family violence, racism, ageism, AIDS, chemical abuse) within communities of color for presentation to society as a whole".
Subject Category: Civic & Social Associations; Social Services; Social Welfare Organizations; Feminism; Women; African-American; Asian; Asian-American; Education; Families; Hispanic; Indian; Mental Health; Social Change

Cuban American National Council, (CNC)

Founded: 1972.
Description: "Aims to identify the socioeconomic needs of the Cuban population in the U.S. and to promote needed human services. Services the needy through research and human services while advocating on behalf of Hispanics and other minority groups." (From Associations Unlimited)
Subject Category: Civic & Social Associations; Social Services; Social Welfare; Cuba; Human Services; Refugees; Economic Development;

Dominican American National Roundtable

Founded: 1972.
Description: "The Dominican-American National Roundtable (DANR) is a non-partisan, non-profit corporation seeking to bring together the different voices of all people of Dominican origin in the United States. DANR is a national forum for analysis, planning, and action to advance the educational, economic, legal, social, cultural, and political interests of Dominican Americans. DANR aims to ensure for U. S. Dominicans the full exercise of the rights and freedoms guaranteed in the Constitution of the United States of America. With those objectives in mind, DANR is committed to enriching the quality of life in the United States by highlighting the contributions of Dominicans to the larger American society. The Dominican American National Roundtable has as its central mission to serve as “a national forum for analysis, planning, and action to advance the educational, economic, legal, social, cultural, and political interests of Dominican-Americans”.
Subject Category: Civic & Social Associations; Dominican Republic; Economic Development;

League of United Latin American Citizens, (LULAC)

Founded: 1929.
Description: " LULAC is the oldest and largest Latino civil rights organization in the United States. Advances the economic condition, educational attainment, political influence, health and civil rights of Hispanic Americans through community-based programs operating at more than 700 LULAC councils nationwide".
Subject Category: Civic & Social Associations; Social Services

Cesar E. Chavez Foundation

Founded: 1997.
Description: "The César E. Chávez Foundation was created to inspire today's and future generations by promoting the ideals of César's life, work and vision. Through programs, events, and the development of educational materials, the Foundation works to ensure that César's vision of non-violence and hope will reach out to children, youth and to the general public. The Foundation will establish the César E. Chávez Library Complex at La Paz, in Keene, California - the site of the historic offices of the United Farm Workers, and César's own office until his passing. Here the foundation will build a mission-style plaza encompassing César's graveside, establish an education center and create a library which will be open to the public".
Subject Category: Civic & Social Associations; Agriculture; Farm Workers; Social Services

MANA: A National Latina Organization

Founded: 1974.
Description: " Association dedicated to advancing the status of American women of Hispanic descent. It hopes to reach this goal by promoting leadership among Hispanic women, advocating for public policies that benefit Latinas and their families, improving communication and furthering parity with Hispanics. Before 1994 this organization was known as: Mexican American Women's National Association. ".
Subject Category: Civic & Social Associations; Public Affairs Organizations; Feminism; Women;

Mexican-American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, (MALDEF)

Founded: 1968.
Description: "MALDEF is the leading nonprofit Latino litigation, advocacy and educational outreach institution in the U.S.A. MALDEF's mission is to foster sound public policies, laws and programs to safeguard the civil rights of the 40 million Latinos living in the United States and to empower the Latino community to fully participate in our society. MALDEF achieves its mission by concentrating its efforts on the following areas: employment; education; immigration; political access; language; public resource equity issues".
Subject Category: Civic & Social Associations; Legal Services; Civil Rights and Liberties; Legal; Public Affairs Organizations

National Alliance for Hispanic Health

Founded: 1973. Members: 1,000.
Description: " National coalition of health, mental health, and human service agencies and organizations and professional individuals serving Hispanics. Primary mission is to improve health and human services to Hispanic communities throughout the United States, including Puerto Rico".
Subject Category: Civic & Social Associations; Social Services; Social Welfare Organizations; Community Organization; Health; Human Services;

National Community for Latino Leadership, (NCLL)

Founded: 1989.
Description: "Since 1989, the National Community for Latino Leadership, Inc. (NCLL), formerly known as the Hispanic Leadership Opportunity Program (HLOP), has existed as a network of national leadership organizations. This network supported leadership development activities for Latino youth, professionals, and community leaders that remain engaged today in efforts to advance the Latino community. NCLL's initial efforts were supported by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and the Ford Foundation".
Subject Category: Civic & Social Associations; Public Affairs Organizations;

National Council of La Raza, (NCLR)

Founded: 1968. Members: 7,000. (2002)
Description: " NCLR is a private, nonprofit, nonpartisan, tax-exempt organization established in 1968 to reduce poverty and discrimination, and improve life opportunities for Hispanic Americans. NCLR is the largest constituency-based national Hispanic organization, serving all Hispanic nationality groups in all regions of the country."
Subject Category: Civic & Social Associations; Social Welfare Organizations

National Puerto Rican Coalition, Inc. (NPCR)

Founded: 1977. Members: 556. (2002)
Description: "NPRC's mission is to systematically strengthen and enhance the social, political, and economic well-being of Puerto Ricans throughout the United States and in Puerto Rico with a special focus on the most vulnerable".
Subject Category: Civic & Social Associations; Public Affairs Organizations; Social Services; Puerto Rico

National Puerto Rican Forum

Founded: 1957.
Description: "NPRF is a leadership organization working to enhance the socio-economic conditions of the Latino population and other underserved communities through information, advocacy and direct services... Designs and implements programs in areas of job counseling, training and placement, and English language skills, to deal effectively with the problems of Puerto Ricans and other Hispanics. Sponsors Career Services and Job Placement Program at the national level. Also provides specialized programs in New York, such as: Employment Placement Initiative, Access and Family Services in the schools, and job counseling".
Subject Category: Civic & Social Associations; Social Services; Community Development; Social Welfare Organizations; Puerto Rico;

Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund, (PRLDEF)

Founded: 1972.
Description: "Established to protect the civil rights of Puerto Ricans and other Latinos and to ensure their equal protection under the law. Involved in litigation, advocacy, and legal. ".
Subject Category: Civic & Social Associations; Civil Rights and Liberties; Legal; Legal Services; Public Affairs Organizations; Puerto Rico

Puerto Rican Federal Affairs Administration, (PRFAA)

Founded: .
Description: " It is our mission to empower our people and our communities by improving economic, educational, and social opportunity for all. To this end, in Philadelphia we helped teachers seek new models for privatizing education, in Florida and New Jersey we facilitated economic development opportunities for small business, and nationwide, we have conducted training for nonprofit organizations to successfully obtain and administer federal grant funding for their communities".
Subject Category: Civic & Social Associations; Public Affairs Organizations; Puerto Rico

Congressional Hispanic Caucus, (CHC)

Founded: 1976. Members: 18
Description: "The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) is an informal group of 18 members of Congress of Hispanic descent. The Caucus is dedicated to voicing and advancing, through the legislative process, issues affecting Hispanic Americans in the United States and the insular areas. The CHC was founded in December 1976 as a legislative service organization of the U.S. House of Representatives. Today, the CHC is organized as a congressional member organization, governed under the Rules of Congress and comprised solely of Members of the United States Congress"
Subject Category: Political Organizations; Congress; Congressional; Public Affairs Organizations

Cuban American National Foundation, (CANF)

Founded: 1981. Members: 3000 (2002)
Description: "CANF is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing freedom and democracy in Cuba. Established in Florida in 1981, CANF is the largest Cuban organization in exile, with thousands of members across the United States and other countries, representing a cross section of the Cuban exile community as well as friends of Cuban freedom from around the world." It is a declared anti-Castro lobby organization. Formerly was known with the following names: (1983) Cuban American Public Affairs Committee; (1987) Cuban American Freedom Coalition; (1997) Cuban American Foundation.
Subject Category: Political Organizations; Public Affairs Organizations; Cuba;

Hispanas Organized for Political Equality, (HOPE)

Founded: 1989 .
Description: "HOPE is a non-profit, non-partisan organization committed to ensuring political and economic parity for Latinas through leadership, advocacy, and education to benefit all communities and the status of women".
Subject Category: Political Organizations; Public Affairs Organizations; Women; Feminism; Leadership;

Hispanic Elected Local Officials, (HELO)

Founded: 1976. Members: 150. (2002)
Description: "The Hispanic Elected Local Officials (HELO) constituency group was established by the National League of Cities (NLC) in 1976 to serve as a forum for communication and information exchange among Hispanic local government elected officials and NLC colleagues. In addition to providing training and information services to its members, HELO also provides guidance to the NLC Board and to its policy committees on major public policy issues affecting the Hispanic and Latino communities".
Subject Category: Political Organizations; Legislative Bodies; Municipal Government; Government; Public Administration,

Labor Council for Latin American Advancement, (LCLAA)

Founded:1973.
Description: "A National Hispanic trade union association representing 1.4 million Hispanic working men and women in 43 international unions in 45 chapters in 17 states and Puerto Rico, LCLAA strives to achieve social dignity, economic and political justice, and higher living standards for every Hispanic worker".
Subject Category: Political Associations; Labor Organizations; Labor Unions; Labor Studies; Social Services

La Raza Unida Party, (LRUP)

Founded: 1972.
Description: " Partido Nacional La Raza Unida (PNLRU) supports a revolutionary alternative that will change current power structures, realize economic democracy and foster spiritual and cultural growth. Re-education of Raza, control of our communities and a commitment to our families are essential to our self-determination".
Subject Category: Political Associations; Public Affairs Organizations; Political Parties; Social Services

United Farm Workers of America AFL-CIO (UFW)

Founded: 1970.
Description: " A trade union representing American farm workers.".
Subject Category: Political Associations; Labor Organizations; Labor Unions; Political Parties; Agriculture; Social Services

Association of Hispanic Advertising Agencies, (AHAA)

Founded: 1996. Members: 170. (2002)
Description: "The mission of AHAA is "to grow, strengthen and protect the Hispanic marketing and advertising industry by providing leadership in raising awareness of the value of the Hispanic market opportunities and enhancing the professionalism of the industry".
Subject Category: Professional Organizations; Business Associations; Advertising Agencies;Trade, Business and Commercial Organizations

Association of Hispanic Healthcare Executives, (AHHE)

Founded: 1988. Members: 166. (2002)
Description: "AHHE was founded in 1988 as a national voluntary organization seeking to foster programs and policies to increase the presence of Hispanics in health administration professions. AHHE is the first organization devoted exclusively to Hispanic healthcare executives and to the education of the healthcare industry about the Hispanic healthcare marketplace. ".
Subject Category: Professional Organizations; Health Care; Health and Medical Organizations

Association of Latino Professionals in Finance and Accouting, (ALPFA)

Founded: 1982. Members: 2000. (2002)
Description: "ALPFA is the leading professional association dedicated to enhancing opportunities for Latinos in the accounting, finance and related professions. ALPFA is a not-for-profit entity registered with the Internal Revenue Service".
Subject Category: Professional Organizations; Accounting, Auditing & Bookkeeping; Trade, Business, and Commercial Organizations

Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility

Founded: 1986.
Description: "HACR's mission is to ensure the inclusion of Hispanics in Corporate America at a level commensurate with our economic contributions. HACR focuses on four areas of corporate economic activity and refers to them as indicators of corporate responsibility and "Market Reciprocity." They are: Employment, Procurement, Philanthropy and Governance. In pursuit of its mission, HACR offers Corporate America access to the Hispanic community - its talents, its entrepreneurs and its leadership - creating a forum to ensure corporate responsibility and market reciprocity for the nation's Hispanic population".
Subject Category: Professional Organizations; Business; Economics; Public Affairs Organizations; Corporate Responsibility

Hispanic Dental Association

Founded: 1990. Members: 1,950
Description: "To provide leadership and represent professionals who share a common commitment to improve the oral health of the Hispanic community".
Subject Category: Professional Organizations; Health and Medical Organizations; Health Care; Dentistry;

Hispanic Designers (HDI)

Founded: 1985.
Description: "Dedicated to highlighting Hispanic talent and cultural contributions in the design industry; provides a national focus on positive contributions by Hispanics in the U.S. by showcasing Hispanic excellence; works to create educational opportunities and build public awareness about major issues affecting education, health and overall well-being of Hispanic-Americans".
Subject Category: Professional Organizations; Design; Fashion;

Hispanic National Bar Association, (HNBA)

Founded: 1972. Members: 22,000 (2002)
Description: "HNBA is professional association representing the interest of over 25,000 Hispanic American attorneys, judges, law professors, and law students in the United States and Puerto Rico". Formerly this association was known as: : (1978) La Raza National Lawyers Association; (1980) La Raza National Bar Association.
Subject Category: Professional Organizations; Attorneys; Hispanic; Law ; Legal; Governmental; Public Administration,

Hispanic Organization of Latin Actors, (HOLA)

Founded: 1975. Members: 530. (2002)
Description: "HOLA is an arts service organization committed to exploring and expanding available avenues for projecting Hispanic artists and their culture into the mainstream of Anglo-American industry and culture. HOLA exposes the entertainment and communications industries to the availability, diversityand quality preparation of Hispanic artists. HOLA is recognized and recommended as a reliable source of information on Hispanic talent".
Subject Category: Professional Organizations; Cultural Organizations; Genealogy; Hispanic; Acting; Actors; Artists; Dance; Film; Latin; Music; Performing Arts; Radio; Television; Theater;

Hispanic-Serving Health Professions Schools, Inc. (HSHPS)

Founded: 1996.
Description: "HSHPS is a non-profit organization established in 1996 in response to the President's Executive Order 12900, "Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans." The Association was established with support from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as a part of their "Hispanic Agenda for Action Initiative." HSHPS currently represents 23 medical schools and 3 public health schools".
Subject Category: Professional Organizations; Medicine; Health and Medical Organizations; Health Care;

National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials, (NALEO)

Founded: 1976.
Description: "Hispanic elected and appointed officials and people who support them, including both individuals and corporate members; associate members are others interested in furthering association goals. A comprehensive advocacy and leadership network dedicated to the advancement of the Hispanic people. Serves as a vehicle through which Hispanic needs and concerns may be articulated, particularly in Washington, DC and the southwestern U.S., on issues such as economic development, U.S. citizenship, legalization, and Latino child poverty. Serves as a clearinghouse on citizenship information; compiles Hispanic voting statistics." Before 1978 this association was known as: National Association of Latino Appointed Democratic Officials. (From Associations Unlimited)
.
Subject Category: Professional Organizations; Public Affairs Organizations; Economics; Political Organizations;

National Association of Hispanic Journalists, (NAHJ)

Founded: 1984. Members: 1,500. (2002)
Description: "Organization dedicated to the recognition and professional advancement of Hispanics in the news industry. Scholarships and internships for Latino students of journalism are offered annually".
Subject Category: Professional Organizations; Press; Journalism; Media; Newspapers; Business, and Commercial Organizations

National Hispanic Corporate Council (NHCC)

Founded: 1985 . Members: 90.
Description: " Membership organization of Fortune 1000 companies, serving as their principal resource for information, expertise, and counsel on selected Hispanic issues affecting corporate objective, and advocating for increased employment, leadership, and business opportunities for Hispanics in corporate America. ".
Subject Category:: Professional Organizations; Business Associations; Market; Trade, Business, and Commercial Organizations

United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, (USHCC)

Founded: 1979. Members: 100,000. (2002)
Description: " Hispanic and other business firms interested in the development of Hispanic business and promotion of business leadership and economic interests in the Hispanic community".
Subject Category: Professional Organizations; Business Associations; Chambers of Commerce; Business and Commerce; Economics; Economic Development;

United States-Mexico Chamber of Commerce, (USMCOC)

Founded: 1973. Members: 2,000
Description: " A non-profit business association chartered in Washington D.C. The coalition of businessmen created a bilateral organization to promote trade, investment and joint ventures on both sides of the border. ".
Subject Category: Professional Organizations; Business Associations; Management Consulting Services; Chambers of Commerce; Economics; Trade