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Mission to Seafarers

EIN 40-0000490 · Seattle, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood77 out of 100GovernanceGood78 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The Seattle Seafarers Center's mission is to welcome and care for seafarers who visit Puget Sound through ship visits, transportation, access to healthcare, communication tools, and basic necessities.

Income
$302,189
Spending
$301,958
Spent on programs
76%
Reserves
4.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 99%
Employees
2
Volunteers
550
Highest pay
$75,721, operations director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending April 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 77 out of 100. Higher than 54% of charities in its peer group (religion, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 9% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 10% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    76% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending April 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 78 out of 100. Higher than 77% of charities in its peer group (religion, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 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

    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 April 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 (3)
  1. $133,069 spent. Ship visiting and chaplaincy: Chaplains and trained ship visitors meet every cargo ship docked in the port of Seattle plus some in Everett and Tacoma: 637 visits during this fiscal year. Visitors bring wifi and SIM cards on board to welcome seafarers who can't leave the ship. Shopping and delivery services were provided for seafarers who are unable to leave their ship due to visa or shore leave restrictions. The Center looks out for welfare and mental health issues on board and escalates any observed welfare issues to the Coast Guard and the International Transport Workers' Federation. In 2024-2025 the Center's internship program gave young adults from the North American Maritime Ministry Association and Jesuit Volunteer Corps Northwest mentorship and real work experience. The Center operates a hospitality space to offer a place for seafarers to relax, use wifi, and receive clothing and toiletries free of charge.
  2. $40,157 spent. Ditty Bag Program: The Center provided 2,147 "Ditty Bags" to seafarers on cargo ships. Volunteers sew cloth bags and knit stocking caps. The bags are filled with toiletries, a stocking cap, playing cards, other treats, and a handwritten note. The Center's chaplains and ship visitors distribute the bags to every seafarer entering the port during the holiday season. In-kind donations of clothing allowed the Center to expand the ditty bag program to provide 3,225 sweatshirts and t-shirts in addition to ditty bags this year.
  3. $57,045 spent. Cruise ship transportation services: The Mission Staff and Volunteers provided transportation services to 8,637 cruise ship employees during the 2024 Seattle cruise season (May-October), with service provided to cruise ships in the Port of Seattle. The transportation service is a van service between the cruise ship terminal and downtown Seattle provided by a local resident who can direct seafarers to shopping and tourism destinations in the city.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending April 30, 2025, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending April 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since February 2002.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.