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Helping Link

EIN 20-1988027 · Renton, WA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong90 out of 100GovernanceGood84 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Helping Link's mission is to empower Vietnamese-Americans through social adjustment, family stability, and self-sufficiency while nurturing community service and youth leaders. We provide our clients with information and referral services so that everyone might have fair and proper access to the city's resources. We build cultural competence and community through our ESL, citizenship, and digital literacy courses that help our clients acclimate to their new lives in Seattle.

Income
$302,762
Spending
$197,834
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
64.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 87%
Employees
1
Volunteers
17
Highest pay
$125,517, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 75% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 64.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 35% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 15% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 84 out of 100. Higher than 70% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    4 of 4 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (3)
  1. $38,900 spent. ESL and Citizenship Programs: Our ESL program is offered year-round in 10-week increments. Twice a week, native English speaking and bilingual instructors gather with our clients to teach conversational English in context-focused classes. Classes emphasize social interaction and language skills for specific situations in a safe learning environment. Clients practice language useful for job-seeking and managing other life tasks. This runs hand-in-hand with our citizenship and naturalization classes which focus on American history, government, and social studies.
  2. $38,900 spent. Technology and Digital Literacy Program: Focused primarily on computers and iPad use, this course meets twice a week to instruct clients on basic technology use in order to help clients develop skills needed for employment opportunities. The course also teaches clients to use technology and social media to maintain communication, navigate around the city, and stay connected with their community. Our clients are given new means to assimilate to their new home. This, along with the relationships forged amongst clients and volunteers, helps build confidence and prevent the isolation common to immigrant communities.
  3. $77,800 spent. Information and Referral Services: We help families and individuals access services and navigate challenges in areas such as education, health, employment, and immigration. We have a strong working relationship with other agencies who specialize in these services through a culturally competent lens reflective of our community's needs. Through this work, our clients are able to exercise their rights, build their lives, and contribute to the well-being of their families and this city.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since October 2005.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.