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Washington Bus Education Fund

EIN 26-1453582 · Seattle, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair68 out of 100GovernanceGood78 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

We catalyze the energy and enthusiasm of young Washingtonians and provide hands-on democracy opportunities like voter registration, youth voter turnout, and leadership development programs on campuses and communities.

Income
$1.7 million
Spending
$1.1 million
Spent on programs
64%
Reserves
2.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 99%
Employees
0
Volunteers
53
Highest pay
$126,523, 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: 68 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 13% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 35% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 270% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    63% 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: 78 out of 100. Higher than 23% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    3 of 3 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

    0 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. $399,949 spent. POWER BUILDING TABLE Washington States Power Building Table is a state alignment table whose aim is to move a long-term agenda rooted in a multiracial democracy and build a state where all can thrive regardless of income, ability, immigration status, race and gender. Together, we are committed to building a people-powered movement in Washington through grassroots organizing and narrative change work.
  2. $147,546 spent. YOUTH VOTER ENGAGEMENT Our Campus Program offers students opportunities for civic engagement, voter education, and voter registration. In 2024 we we hired two temporary campus organizers to mentor and support student leaders at 14 member campuses across Washington State. We were successful in registering around 900 new student voters and collecting over 3,500 student pledges to vote. Our High School program provides nonpartisan presentations about the history of voting rights, the importance of holistic civic engagement, and the opportunities that young people have to make a difference in their communities. In 2024 we went to one Seattle high school, where a class rap blitz event generated 130 direct engagements, spanning five classroom presentations and one library tabling session. We received 5 new voter registrations and 6 pledges to vote.
  3. $135,232 spent. YOUTH LEADERSHIP The WA Bus Education Fund Fellowship is an intensive ten-week leadership development and organizing program for young people ages 18-25 in Washington State. It is an intentional and transformative experience for young folks who are ready to inspire change alongside their communities. Fellows learn from organizing experts and civic servants, run the most innovative, effective and fun civic programs in Washington State, and collaborate with community organizations and issue campaigns for hands-on organizing experience. The WBEF recruits fellowship participants from a diversity of communities. Fellows graduate with a professional network and experiences they can apply in a variety of fields, including organizing in their own communities. In 2024 we hired 12 Fellows who received over 45 hours of classroom time, and collected a total of 72 voter registrations and 853 pledge-to-votes across 20 canvassing shifts. The Fellows also organized 2 events, including an innovative non-partisan candidate forum for local and statewide candidate forum.

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 October 13, 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 September 2009.

    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 October 21, 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.