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Communities Rise

EIN 32-0098070 · Seattle, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Communities Rise fosters movements to build power in communities impacted by systemic oppression. To create an equitable system, we pursue cross-sector collaboration, and provide capacity building and legal services for community organizations and microenterprises.

Income
$1.7 million
Spending
$1.4 million
Spent on programs
65%
Reserves
21.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 70%
Employees
14
Volunteers
137
Highest pay
$121,001, co-executive director, legal services

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 79% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 21.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 21% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 25% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    64% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 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: 85 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 5 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. $378,101 spent. Capacity-Building: Communities Rise provides capacity-building services to nonprofit organizations that are led by and serving communities impacted by systemic oppression, primarily from Black, Indigenous, and People of Color communities in the following programs: 9-month nonprofit Capacity Building Cohort providing peer-to-peer learning, one-on-one coaching, and workshops to 8 grassroots community organizations; Fundraising Clinics providing one-on-one consultation with a fundraising professional to leaders of nonprofit organizations; Grant Writing Clinics providing one-on-one consultation with a grant writing professional to leaders of nonprofit organizations; and Collaboration with community partners to analyze capacity building service gaps and create a system of capacity building support and increased resources for BIPOC organizations and small businesses.
  2. $211,781 spent. Small Business and Nonprofit Legal Services: Communities Rise provides low-income small business owners and nonprofit organizations pro bono legal services on business transactional matters through our limited engagement legal clinics or through direct representation. Communities Rise receives and screens applications for pro bono legal services and determines if the matter is appropriate for our monthly legal clinics (1-hour limited engagement legal consultation) or in-depth assistance through direct representation. Communities Rise matches legal services clients with a volunteer attorney or an in-house Communities Rise attorney.
  3. $296,748 spent. Education & Training: Communities Rise hosts legal trainings for community members and attorneys on topics relevant to nonprofits and small businesses. Most legal trainings are approved for CLE credits for attorneys. Communities Rise creates and publishes written materials and webinars designed to help nonprofits and small businesses understand the law and legal concepts that are relevant to their work.

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 February 2004.

    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.