Spokane Waldorf Education Association
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It owes more than it owns.
- Raising each dollar of donations cost 338 cents.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
THE ORGANIZATION SEEKS TO EDUCATE CHILDREN USING WALDORF EDUCATION BASED ON A HUMANISTIC APPROACH TO PEDAGOGY BASED UPON THE EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY OF THE AUSTRIAN PHILOSOPHER RUDOLF STEINER, THE FOUNDER OF ANTHROPOSOPHY. THIS IS DONE IN CONJUNCTION WITH MINDFUL PARENTING.
- Income
- $1.0 million
- Spending
- $1.2 million
- Spent on programs
- 79%
- Reserves
- -0.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 98%
- Employees
- 24
- Highest pay
- $61,619, director
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
Weak: 15 out of 100. Higher than 0% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
0 of 20It owes 108% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 17% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 11% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1579% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 338 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
Weak: 30 out of 100. Higher than 2% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
5 of 250 of 12 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no 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 (1)
- $956,527 spent. Windsong School served a diverse student body of approximately 155 students during the 2024-2025 school year. Through our Tuition Affordability Program, we were able to support access for 86 low-income students, ensuring that more families could experience the benefits of a Waldorf-inspired education. Our dedicated team included 15 full- and part-time lead teachers, along with 9 support staff members who contributed to a nurturing and dynamic learning environment.During the 24-25 academic year, we were able to acquire the third and final building on our parcel. It now houses our 4th and 6th grade as well as music class. Planning began long ago to acquire this building for needed classroom space, office space and bathrooms. Independent schools like Windsong help invigorate conversations about education where curriculum is not bound by standards but rather driven by child development and teacher creativity. Our faculty welcomed education students form Gonzaga, Whitworth and Mukogawa last year into classrooms as well as guest lectured in education courses. Views into alternative forms of education are vital to the next generation of teachers.We graduated our first 8 grade class this year. They took their last trip together to Holden Village learning about this self-sustaining community. They are all doing well in their new high schools. Some have become captains of their football team, others first chair in their orchestras. We also graduated our 6 grade class who took their class trip to the Grand Canyon, Zion and Bryce National Parks and the Hoover Dam. All transitioned to their local neighborhood schools and we have heard there are a few Students of the Month in this group! We welcomed our largest first grade class ever during the 2024-2025 school year, the majority of whom have been at the school since they were toddlers! As we grow, Windsong remains deeply committed to its identity as one of the few Waldorf-inspired educational programs in the Spokane region, continuing to cultivate its roots and expand its impact in our community.
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? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 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 May 2012.
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 November 4, 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.