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Deaf Spotlight

EIN 27-5059109 · Seattle, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak48 out of 100GovernanceFair66 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 45% of its spending went to programs.

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

What it says it does

DEAF SPOTLIGHT INSPIRES AND SHOWCASES DEAF CULTURE AND SIGN LANGUAGES THROUGH THE ARTS.

Income
$353,939
Spending
$467,664
Spent on programs
45%
Reserves
9.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 74%
Employees
2
Volunteers
38
Highest pay
$84,739, executive di

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: 48 out of 100. Higher than 17% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 9.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 32% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 49% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    45% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 33 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: 66 out of 100. Higher than 41% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    1 of 8 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

    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 (4)
  1. $65,959 spent. BP FELLOWSHIP: DEAF SPOTLIGHT IS THE FISCAL AGENCY FOR TOPHER AVILA, A FELLOW WHO RECEIVED A 3 YEAR GRANT OF 70K PER YEAR FROM BOREALIS PHILANTHROPY. THIS WAS YEAR 2 OF 3.
  2. $44,411 spent. SEATTLE DEAF FILM FESTIVAL - A FILM FESTIVAL PROGRAM FEATURING 44 FILMS FROM 11 COUNTRIES ON, FOR AND BY DEAF, DEAFBLIND, DEAFDISABLED AND HARD OF HEARING FILMMAKERS AT NORTHWEST FILM FORUM.
  3. $32,780 spent. DEAF SPOTLIGHTS PRESENTS - A THEATRICAL PROGRAM SHORT PLAY FESTIVAL WHICH WE SHOWCASED 6 ORIGINAL SHORT PLAYS BY DEAF PLAYWRIGHTS AND FEATURED LOCAL AND OUT OF STATE TALENT AT 12TH AVE ARTS STUDIO THEATRE
  4. $65,858 spent. SMALLER PROJECTS AND EVENTS

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? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on May 15, 2014 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on May 15, 2014.

    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 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 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.