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Environmental Works

EIN 23-7139744 · Seattle, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair66 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 532 cents.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

ENVIRONMENTAL WORKS FUNCTIONS AS A COMUNITY DESIGN AND CENTRAL RESOURCE CENTER FOR THE DISADVANTAGED AREAS OF OUR COMMUNITY AND AIDS THEM IN DEVELOPING LONG-RANGE COMMUNITY OBJECTIVIES REGARDING PLANNING, DESIGN, AND THE ENVIRONMENT; AIDS IN THE DEFINITION OF PRESENT PROBLEMS IN THESE AREAS OF OUR COMMUNITY AND INVESTIGATION OF POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS; DEVELOPS AND AIDS IN THE DEVELOPMENT AND IMPROVEMENT OF LOW-INCOME HOUSING AND FACILITIES FOR THE DELIVERY OF COMMUNITY AND HUMAN SERVICES; PRESERVES AND PROTECTS THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PUBLIC AND FURTHERS THE CONSERVATION, PRESERVATION, ENHANCEMENT, AND RESTORATION OF PARKS, PARKS' FACILITIES, RECREATION AREAS, AND OPEN SPACES IN COMMUNITIES; AND AIDS, SUPPORTS, AND ASSISTS BY GIFTS, CONTRIBUTIONS OR OTHERWISE, OTHER TAX-EXEMPT CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS.

Income
$7.0 million
Spending
$6.6 million
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
4.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 100%
Employees
40
Volunteers
15
Highest pay
$162,250, 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

Fair: 66 out of 100. Higher than 54% of charities in its peer group (housing, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 21% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 29% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 532 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 70% of charities in its peer group (housing, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 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 (4)
  1. $5.4 million spent. COMMUNITY DESIGN: EW DESIGNS AND ADVOCATES FOR EQUITABLE, COMMUNITY-LED ENVIRONMENTS. IN 2024, EW ADVANCED AFFORDABLE HOUSING, CHILDCARE, AND SUPPORTIVE-HOUSING PROJECTS THROUGHOUT THE REGION, INCLUDING ADDIS VILLAGE (AFFORDABLE FAMILY HOUSING AND CHILDCARE), PARKVIEW SERVICES ACCESSIBILITY PROJECTS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, AND MULTIPLE PRE-DEVELOPMENT AND REAL-ESTATE ADVISORY ENGAGEMENTS. EW ALSO SUPPORTED NONPROFIT CLIENTS WITH SITE SELECTION, TEST FITS, PLANNING STUDIES, AND DESIGN-BUILD COMMUNITY SPACE ACTIVATIONS THAT STRENGTHEN LOCAL RELATIONSHIPS AND SPUR FUTURE PROJECTS.
  2. $97,204 spent. COMMUNITY EDUCATION: IN 2024, EW CONTINUED TO SHARE BEST PRACTICES IN EQUITABLE DESIGN, COMMUNITY-LED DEVELOPMENT, AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING. STAFF PRESENTED AT HOUSING WASHINGTON, THE SEATTLE DESIGN FESTIVAL, AND MULTIPLE HIGHER-ED PROGRAMS, INCLUDING THE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON COLLEGE OF BUILT ENVIRONMENTS. EW LED WORKSHOPS ON CHILDCARE FACILITY DESIGN, COMMUNITY-CENTERED HOUSING, AND SOCIAL-EQUITY-DRIVEN PLANNING. THROUGH THESE EFFORTS, EW HELPED TRAIN HUNDREDS OF STUDENTS, PRACTITIONERS, AND COMMUNITY LEADERS IN CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE AND JUST DESIGN PRACTICES.
  3. $85,213 spent. PRO BONO DESIGN SERVICES: EW PROVIDED PRO BONO DESIGN AND PLANNING SUPPORT TO NONPROFIT PARTNERS ACROSS WASHINGTON STATE. IN 2024, EW SUPPORTED PROJECTS INCLUDING TINY HOME VILLAGES, ACCESSIBILITY UPGRADES FOR LOW-INCOME SENIOR HOUSEHOLDS, THE HOMELESS REMEMBRANCE PROJECT'S PERMITTING AND SITE COORDINATION, AND COMMUNITY-LED VISIONING EFFORTS IN SOUTH SEATTLE NEIGHBORHOODS FACING ENVIRONMENTAL-JUSTICE IMPACTS. EW ALSO PROVIDED EARLY FEASIBILITY AND TEST-FIT STUDIES TO BIPOC-LED ORGANIZATIONS PURSUING CULTURALLY SPECIFIC HOUSING, CHILDCARE, AND COMMUNITY-SERVING PROJECTS.
  4. $4,938 spent. EW GIVES: EW'S STAFF AND BOARD SUPPORTED PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS THROUGH FUNDRAISING, VOLUNTEER SERVICE, AND PROFESSIONAL ADVOCACY. IN 2024, EW RAISED AND DIRECTED FUNDS TO ORGANIZATIONS ADVANCING HOUSING JUSTICE, CHILDCARE ACCESS, AND COMMUNITY WELL-BEING, INCLUDING THE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT CONSORTIUM, THE ETHIOPIAN COMMUNITY IN SEATTLE, SNO-VALLEY SENIOR CENTER, AND OTHER NONPROFITS SERVING LOW-INCOME FAMILIES AND ELDERS. THROUGH EW GIVES, STAFF ALSO OFFERED DIRECT COMMUNITY SUPPORT, INCLUDING EVENT PARTICIPATION, TECHNICAL ADVICE, AND CONNECTIONS TO RESOURCES.

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 May 1972.

    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.