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206 Universal

EIN 27-0807517 · Seattle, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak30 out of 100GovernanceFair64 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It owes more than it owns.

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

What it says it does

206 UNIVERSAL IS A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO PROVIDING ACCESSIBLE SPACES WHILE SERVING COMMUNITIES THROUGH THE UPLIFTMENT, PRESERVATION, AND CELEBRATION OF HIP HOP CULTURE.

Income
$408,562
Spending
$504,485
Spent on programs
74%
Reserves
-2 months of spending
Largest source of income
other income, 54%
Employees
9
Volunteers
37
Highest pay
$70,200, 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

Weak: 30 out of 100. Higher than 4% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    0 of 20

    It owes 167% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 23% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 7% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    74% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 22 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

Fair: 64 out of 100. Higher than 42% of charities in its peer group (education, $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

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 (1)
  1. $372,693 spent. RENTAL PROGRAM, BEATS TO THE RHYME, BEAT MASTERS. 206 ZULU PROGRAMS INCLUDE A RANGE OF ONE-OFF, WEEKLY, MONTHLY AND ANNUAL EVENTS AND PROJECTS THROUGHOUT SEATTLE/KING COUNTY, INCLUDING HIP HOP AND COMMUNITY ORIENTED DANCES, COMPETITIONS, CONCERTS, SHOWCASES, OPEN MICS, CHARITY EVENTS, COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS, WORKSHOPS, CONFERENCES, FESTIVALS, ART SHOWS AND MORE. ACCESSIBLE: PROGRAMS ARE CENTRALLY LOCATED WITHIN VARIOUS AREAS OF SEATTLE AND ACCESSIBLE REGARDLESS OF INCOME, LOCALITY OR ABILITY. DIVERSE: ALL INCLUSIVE PROGRAMS BRING A WIDE ARRAY OF ATTENDEES FROM DIFFERENT NEIGHBORHOODS, CULTURAL BACKGROUNDS, RELIGIONS AND AGES. EMPOWERING: FROM MUSICAL CONCERTS TO PARTICIPATORY OPEN MICS AND EDUCATIONAL CLASSES TO BENEFIT SHOWS, 206 ZULU OFFERS PROGRAMS THAT ARE UPLIFTING AND SERVE THE COMMUNITY. FUN: THE MAIN INGREDIENT IN 206 ZULUS PROGRAMS ARE THAT THEY ARE FUN. INTERACTIVE FUNCTIONS BUILD COMMUNITY AND A SENSE OF FAMILY. HTTPS://WWW.206ZULU.ORG/PROGRAMS/

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 July 2014.

    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.