Canal Alliance, the Fourth Street nonprofit that has served Latino immigrants in San Rafael's Canal neighborhood since 1982, earned the top spot for Best Family Services in Marin Magazine's 2026 Readers' Choice Best of the County awards, the organization announced Tuesday, July 28.

More than 15,000 votes were cast across 114 categories this year, according to Marin Magazine. Each nominee needed at least 10 votes to qualify, and the organization with the most votes in each category took the Readers' Choice title. In all, 1,061 businesses and organizations made the list.

Canal Alliance said in its announcement that the recognition holds particular meaning because it reflects the trust of the community the organization serves. The nonprofit has partnered with Latino immigrants and their families in Marin for more than four decades, working to support people as they build stable, healthy lives.

The organization, headquartered at 1000 Fourth St., runs programs spanning immigration legal services, youth education, workforce development, food access, affordable housing, and community leadership. Each year it serves thousands of individuals and families while convening dozens of partner organizations across the county, according to a San Francisco Foundation profile of the nonprofit.

Canal Alliance CEO Omar Carrera has framed the organization's work in urgent terms. In a June 2026 article published by the San Francisco Foundation about the nonprofit's affordable-housing strategy, Carrera said: "Too often in Marin, the difference between housing stability and displacement comes down to who can move fastest. Our goal at Canal Alliance is to move quickly and intentionally to protect housing for low-income families and essential workers who already contribute to our community and local economy."

That housing push includes a Rapid Acquisition Resource Pool seeded by a $2 million investment from the San Francisco Foundation, aimed at acquiring and preserving 100 affordable homes in the Canal neighborhood and broader Marin County. Canal Alliance currently owns two properties totaling 21 affordable units in the Canal district.

Marin Magazine has run the Readers' Choice feature since 2014.

Residents can learn more about Canal Alliance's programs or find volunteer opportunities at canalalliance.org.