Somali American Council of Oregon
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
SACOO mission is to empower the Somali community by enhancing relationships between members of the community and between the community and state wide and/or federal agencies while also promoting cultural expression and diversity. In partnership with existing Somali community organizations, SACOO conducts outreach and promotes dialog on public policy issues. Somali American Council of Oregon (SACOO) is dedicated to improving our community an environment by creating of hope and unity. We promise to work tirelessly to improve conditions in our community and affect positive change in the world around us. We affirm the importance of working together to find solutions. SACOO will operate lawfully and respectfully in all matters. We will not profit from our endeavors. SACOO mission is to empower the Somali community by enhancing relationships between members of the community and between the community and state wide and/or federal agencies while also promoting cultural expression.
- Income
- $1.8 million
- Spending
- $1.9 million
- Spent on programs
- 83%
- Reserves
- 3.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 76%
- Employees
- 38
- Volunteers
- 25
- Highest pay
- $80,215, president
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 64 out of 100. Higher than 29% of charities in its peer group (international, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 3.6 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 5% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 8% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 16% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1583% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 17% of charities in its peer group (international, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 255 of 5 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
0 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, 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 (9)
- $438,289 spent. 1. OREGON DEPARPTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES SACOO is committed to supporting Afghan families as they adjust to life in the United States by providing rental assistance and housing support. As newly arrived families work to rebuild their lives, SACOO's efforts help ensure they remain safely housed and avoid the risks of eviction. By offering this essential support, SACOO is helping families build stability and focus on education, employment, and family well-being as they settle into their new communities. Goals Achieved Through October 2024 - June 30, 2025; Funding: 1. SACOO served 24 Afghan households across the Portland Metro area, ensuring families remained stably housed. 2. Rental assistance supported newly arrived Afghan families in securing stable housing and avoiding eviction, allowing them to adjust to life in the U.S. while focusing on education and family well-being.
- $310,824 spent. OREGON EMPLOYMENT DEPARTMENT: Over the past year, SACOO has actively addressed unemployment challenges by assisting individuals with filing for Unemployment Insurance benefits and accessing Paid Leave Oregon. Additionally, SACOO has supported claimants in their job search efforts by providing guidance on resume building, job applications, and career readiness resources. SACOO proudly served across different backgrounds and communities. Reaching individuals of statuses to ensure inclusive access to financial empowerment and opportunity. With the support of our funding partners, SACOO successfully achieved the following goals: 1. Increased Community Awareness: Raised awareness and understanding of Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits and related resources within the Somali community. 2. Improved Access and Financial Stability: Delivered UI-related services and support to individuals, resulting in improved access to benefits and enhanced financial stability for community members. 3. Capacity Building for Staff and Advocates: Strengthened the skills and confidence of UI staff and community advocates, enabling them to more effectively engage with and support the Somali community while expanding their knowledge, technical skills, and resource networks.
- $68,614 spent. 3. CITY OF PORTLAND AC - EARTH ADVANTAGE - SACOO is committed to supporting the community during the summer by providing air conditioning units to individuals affected by extreme heat. As temperatures rise, especially during heat waves, SACOO's efforts help ensure vulnerable residents stay cool and safe. By offering this essential support, SACOO is helping reduce the risk of heat-related illnesses and improving overall well-being throughout the hot season. With the support of Earth Advantage, SACOO successfully achieved the following goals: 1. Provided over 700 air conditioners to individuals living within City of Portland. 2. To ensure comfort and safety during the heat wave, we are providing air conditioning in all common areas. Residents are encouraged to stay indoors and make use of these cooled spaces to avoid heat-related health risks.
- $243,177 spent. TRILLIUM - PROJECT GURI 1. Addressing Rent and Utility Needs: With Trillium funding, SACOO directly supports Portland-area households struggling with housing instability. The funding provided critical rent and utility assistance to prevent evictions and ensure families could maintain stable housing throughout the year. Our approach prioritizes both financial aid and client-centered case management, with an emphasis on long-term stability and wraparound support. This effort helped reduce housing insecurity across vulnerable populations and ensured access to essential services during times of crisis. 2. Population Served: SACOO proudly provided rent assistance across the Portland metro area, reaching 758 individuals to help families remain housed and stable throughout the year. With the support of Trillium funding, SACOO successfully achieved the following goals: - Provided rent assistance to 147 households, supporting a total of 758 individuals across the Portland metro area. - Helped prevent housing displacement by prioritizing families at risk of eviction, with services concentrated in high-need ZIP codes.
- $229,167 spent. HEALTH AUTHORITY- TOBACCO: In 2024-2025, with the support of the Public Health Equity grant, SACOO (Somali American Council of Oregon) significantly expanded its commercial tobacco prevention efforts, focusing on culturally responsive community outreach, education, and youth engagement. Our work centered on preventing tobacco use, especially the growing issue of e-cigarette and hookah/shisha consumption among youth and underserved communities. This report highlights our achievements, community impact, partnerships, and activities carried out from July through June 2025. - Community Events & Outreach; - Hosted 7 culturally tailored tobacco prevention events that brought together youth, parents, and community leaders. Events included interactive educational activities and presentations focusing on the dangers o tobacco and e-cigarette use. - Strengthened collaboration with key partners, including David Douglas School District, to promote tobacco-free environments and co-host prevention programming. - Supported policy change efforts, promoted best practices in tobacco prevention, and worked to build a sustainable movement for tobacco-free living. Collaborated with Co-imagine health tobacco free illustration campaign. - Increased Activity & Reach: Organized 20 impactful events, including major community gatherings, focusing on the risks of shisha, hookah, and flavored tobacco products. About 50 to 200 community members reached. Youth Engagement: Increased participation in all-age events, especially among middle and high school students. Partnerships Expanded: Schools, community-based organizations, and local leaders. Surveys Conducted: Data gathered to inform future program development. Featured in a culturally relevant PowerPoint presentation on tobacco risks, followed by a community health speaker. The event included a Q&A session that sparked thoughtful discussion and community engagement on cessation strategies.
- $105,160 spent. OREGON HEALTH AUTHORITY- OHP: 1. Addressing Healthcare Access and Social Determinants of Health: Over the past year, SACOO has provided direct support to hundreds of community members through our Oregon Health Authority-funded initiative to enroll eligible individuals in the Oregon Health Plan (OHP). We expanded our efforts to include vital wraparound services that address the social determinants of health (SDOH). 2. Population Served: SACOO takes an equity-centered approach in working with marginalized and underserved communities across the Portland Metro area. 3. Goals Achieved Through 2024-2025 Funding: With support from the Oregon Health Authority, SACOO has achieved the following: a. Successfully enrolled and renewed 450+ individuals into the Oregon Health Plan, helping ensure access to critical health services such as primary care, preventive screenings, and mental health care. b. In addition to healthcare enrollment, clients received access to services targeting food insecurity, stable housing, employment, and legal assistance-addressing multiple barriers to health equity. c. Our team of multilingual, culturally competent navigators worked directly with clients to build trust and simplify systems navigation, reducing drop-off rates in service utilization. d. We hosted multilingual workshops and outreach events in Somali and English, educating families on healthcare access, OHP benefits, and preventive wellness practices. e. We help guide clients through the healthcare system from start to finish, helping schedule critical appointments and following up with clients to ensure successful access to care.
- $49,780 spent. WASHCO-CLACKAMAS COUNTY-TOBACCO: Commercial Tobacco Prevention
- $30,000 spent. PORTLAND OIC: The Youth Gang Violence Prevention Project works to support youth who are at risk of gang affiliation, crime, and substance abuse in high-risk areas within the Somali and African Community. The initiatives in this program include community engagement through educational workshops for parents, support groups, and youth on topics such as youth crime, gang involvement, substance abuse, effective communication, and positive parenting strategies. The project initiatives also include case management and mentorship, and sports programs (which is currently being facilitated at East Port Community Center and Southwest Community Center two times a week). In the case management, we work directly with at-risk youth, which include middle school, high school, college students, youth who dropped out high school, youths who have recently been released from jail or prison, and youth who are currently on probation from previous criminal convictions. Each week, we work on-on-one with each of these youth through office and home visits. We have supported several of these youth to create resumes and secure employment, apply and guide with the process to get into GED programs, support with college admission applications and FAFSA, provide tutoring, and creating social and academic success plan to maintain self-sufficiency while making positive life choices. Overall, we are currently serving 58 youths between the ages 14 to 24 years old and 48 parents through the different program initiatives in the Youth Gang Violence Prevention project.
- $105,470 spent. OREGON DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES - HRSN- ODSH: Health Related Social Needs Services; Rental and Utility Assistance Referrals; WASHCO-CLACKAMAS COUNTY-TOBACCO; OHA LINES FOR LIFE/SUICIDE PREVENTION Real Time Payment Credit
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Worth knowing.
Status was revoked on November 15, 2013 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on November 15, 2013.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since September 2015.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.