Washington Area Villages Exchange
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The Washington Area Villages Exchange (WAVE) brings together nonprofit villages in the wider Washington DC region to learn and grow by sharing experiences and ideas.
- Income
- $495,248
- Spending
- $96,767
- Spent on programs
- 89%
- Reserves
- 7.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 91%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 25
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 (human services, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 7.7 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 3% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 80% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 464% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1589% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 52% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2511 of 11 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.
Independent check of accounts
6 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 December 31, 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 (2)
- $67,497 spent. The Washington Area Villages Exchange (WAVE) is a regional organization that supports over 80 nonprofit Villages in Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia. While all Villages embody a mission of helping older adults age in place, an increasing number are multigenerational with a focus on creating supportive community networks. WAVE is dedicated to providing a platform for Villages to learn from one another, share resources and exchange ideas so that they may better serve the needs of older adults in our region. WAVE's board members are active Village leaders who have extensive experience in aging, health, and organizational management and the organization works in partnership with the national Village to Village Network. WAVE provides diverse educational programming and networking opportunities that strengthen and promote developing and established Villages and sponsors awards recognizing excellence and innovation in Village programming and services. Additionally, WAVE's website hosts a wide range of resources and research relevant to Villages, an archive of past programs, and a shared events calendar accessible to all members. WAVE has been awarded grants from the Maryland Department of Aging to provide resources and services to new and developing Villages in Maryland and to develop a pilot program to expand Village data collection and analysis.
- $18,891 spent. WAVE was selected to be the fiscal sponsor for the Aging Well with Virginia Villages program, funded by the Virginia Department of Aging and Rehabilitative Services through the local governmental unit of Fairfax County in the amount of $400,000. The purpose of this program is to promote the sustainability of existing villages and start new villages in Virginia.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
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 December 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 October 2013.
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.