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Seattle International Foundation

EIN 20-8350995 · Seattle, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong93 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SEATTLE INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION (SIF) CHAMPIONS EQUITY AND RULE OF LAW IN CENTRAL AMERICA THROUGH GOOD GOVERNANCE AND A ROBUST CIVIL SOCIETY. SIF WORKS WITH OTHER DONORS TO THE REGION TO INCREASE PHILANTHROPY AND TO PROMOTE COLLABORATION, LEARNING, AND COORDINATION OF EFFORTS TO ADDRESS INEQUALITY IN CENTRAL AMERICA. SIF WAS FOUNDED AS A TYPE I SUPPORTING ORGANIZATION UNDER IRC SECTION 509(A)(3) TO SEATTLE FOUNDATION FOR THE PURPOSE OF INCREASING AND ENHANCING INTERNATIONAL PHILANTHROPY EFFORTS AND DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS FROM THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST.

Income
$5.8 million
Spending
$4.5 million
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
6.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 92%
Employees
0
Volunteers
3
Highest pay
$325,581, vice president/secretary

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: 93 out of 100. Higher than 68% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 22% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 62% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    80% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 53% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    3 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

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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 (1)
  1. $3.6 million spent. SINCE 2008, SIF HAS GRANTED MORE THAN $40 MILLION TO 275 ORGANIZATIONS IN 84 COUNTRIES, INCLUDING $18 MILLION IN GRANTS TO CENTRAL AMERICA. SIF HOSTS THE CENTRAL AMERICA DONORS FORUM, THE PREMIER NETWORKING AND LEARNING SPACE TO ADVANCE PHILANTHROPY AND DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS INCENTRAL AMERICA. THE EVENT BRINGS TOGETHER LEADERS FROM BUSINESS, PHILANTHROPY, INTERNATIONAL DONORS, AND CIVIL SOCIETY TO DISCUSS PRIORITY ISSUES AND SUCCESSFUL MODELS OF DEVELOPMENT, AND TO EXPLORE CO-INVESTMENT FOR SOCIAL IMPACT. SIF ALSO HOSTS THE CENTRAL AMERICA & MEXICO YOUTHFUND WHICH SUPPORTS LEADERS IN CENTRAL AMERICA IN DESIGNING AND IMPLEMENTING PROJECTS TO IMPROVES THE LIVES OF LOCAL YOUTH AND THEIR COMMUNITIES.

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 October 13, 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 November 6, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since November 2007.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 November 4, 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.