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Degrees of Change

EIN 45-3035382 · Tacoma, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak34 out of 100GovernanceGood80 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PREPARE DIVERSE, HOMEGROWN LEADERS TO SUCCEED IN COLLEGE AND CAREER IN ORDER TO BUILD MORE VIBRANT AND EQUITABLE COMMUNITIES.

Income
$1.2 million
Spending
$1.8 million
Spent on programs
73%
Reserves
1.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 79%
Employees
27
Volunteers
105
Highest pay
$165,378, ceo

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: 34 out of 100. Higher than 8% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 28% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 57% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 49% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    73% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 35 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

Good: 80 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    4 of 4 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

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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

    9 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports 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 (3)
  1. $227,285 spent. ACT SIX: PROVIDED DIRECT SERVICE SUPPORT TO 366 SCHOLARS, INCLUDING 90 NEW GRADUATES, ACROSS 17 PARTNER PRIVATE LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGES ON FULL SCHOLARSHIPS FROM SEATTLE-TACOMA, SPOKANE, YAKIMA, PORTLAND-SALEM, MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL, CHICAGO AND INDIANAPOLIS.
  2. $424,217 spent. FOYOST: OPERATED A SOFTWARE WEB SERVICE TO HELP COLLEGE SUCCESS ORGANIZATIONS AND HIGH SCHOOLS EASILY VISUALIZE THEIR STUDENTS' COLLEGE ENROLLMENT AND QUICKLY CALCULATE PERSISTENCE AND COMPLETION METRICS. THIS TOOL WAS SOLD IN MARCH 2023 BUT WE RETAINED AN EXCLUSIVE LICENSE TO SELL IT IN WA STATE.
  3. $662,037 spent. SEED: PROVIDED DIRECT SERVICE IN TACOMA-SEATTLE TO RECRUIT, SELECT, TRAIN AND SUPPORT 58 INTERNS WITH PAID, PROFESSIONAL SUMMER INTERNSHIPS AT 10 PARTNER EMPLOYERS IN PIERCE AND KING COUNTIES. PROVIDED DIRECT SERVICE IN TACOMA TO SUPPORT 24 SCHOLARS ON 1 COLLEGE CAMPUS WHO WANT TO BE EDUCATORS. LAUNCHED A NEW ENGINEERING PATHWAY PROGRAM IN TACOMA AND PROVIDED DIRECT SERVICE TO SUPPORT 14 SCHOLARS ON 1 COLLEGE CAMPUS WHO WANT TO BE ENGINEERS.

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

  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 June 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 2012.

    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.