University District Service Fund
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Economic development, neighborhood revitalization, and livabiity in the Seattle University District.
- Income
- $2.4 million
- Spending
- $2.4 million
- Spent on programs
- 95%
- Reserves
- 1.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 87%
- Employees
- 43
- Volunteers
- 75
- Highest pay
- $174,070, executive 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: 42 out of 100. Higher than 12% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 1.3 months of spending.
Debt
5 of 20It owes 66% of what it owns.
Living within its means
12 of 15Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 46% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1595% 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
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 39% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2520 of 20 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
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited 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 (3)
- $2.3 million spent. Clean & SafeThe U District Partnership (UDP) has taken a proactive and collaborative approach to addressing litter and cleanliness challenges in the neighborhood through a strategic partnership with the City of Seattle and Recology. Over the past year, UDP supported these efforts with a dedicated in-house clean team, working daily to maintain the district's public spaces and respond quickly to emerging issues. Building on the insights and experience gained from that work, UDP partnered with the City and Recology to implement a structured, data-informed solution: a monthly alley audit program. Through this initiative, teams conduct regular, systematic walkthroughs of alleys throughout the district to identify litter hotspots, illegal dumping, and recurring problem areas. These audits allow partners to track trends over time, prioritize resources, and coordinate targeted responseswhether that means adjusting service levels, improving waste infrastructure, or increasing outreach and education.
- Urban VitalityThe long-awaited tables have officially arrived in the U District, bringing a fresh update to one of the neighborhood's most beloved gathering spaces. The U District Partnership (UDP) partnered with JumpShip Mfg to design and deliver a new set of tables for the 43rd Street Plaza, replacing the well-used picnic tables that had reached the end of their lifespan. Thoughtfully designed with both durability and community identity in mind, the new tables feature custom neighborhood branding and a powder-coated finish that aligns with the aesthetic of the nearby U District light rail station. This intentional design choice preserves the visual continuity of the plaza, echoing the signature blue tones that have long defined the space. Beyond design, UDP continues to invest in the ongoing care of the plaza. The UDP Clean Team plays a vital role in maintaining both the new infrastructure and the surrounding environment, ensuring the space remains clean, safe, and welcoming for all who use it.
- Economic Development and EventsExpanded light rail service, new residential development, and an increase in the UW student population continue to enhance neighborhood vibrancy and visitation. With the support of the City of Seattle and Placer.ai data software, UDP has innovative tools to effectively analyze trends in foot traffic and visitation. When analyzing visitation between September 15 October 15, the U District experienced 3.6 million visits in 2019. Fast forward to 2024, and that number has skyrocketed to 4.6 million; an increase of 1 million visits during this month, in the last five yearsThe 2025 U District Street Fair (held on May 17-18) sold out 16 city blocks of spaces to over 300 artists, organizations, and food booths! Attendees also enjoyed a stage that rocked, even in the rain, and possibly the first ever Street Fair mosh pit! The Street Fair saw over 110,000 visits from over 92,000 unique visitors. The station area park at NE 43rd and Brooklyn included live music, free balloons, muralists, custom dog portraits, a wild putt-putt course (holes designed by artists), UW Engineering Student 3D printers and race cars!The fourth annual U District Cherry Blossom Festival returned March 21- April 6 in alignment with peak bloom of the historic cherry blossom trees on the University of Washington campus. 82 businesses participated in the event featuring cherry and blossom-themed food, drink, and retail specials. During the festival dates, over 405k unique visitors (not including residents or regular employees) came to the U District business area, 68% of which visited the Ave directly. This translated to 730k+ visits to the same U District business area, roughly 419k+ visits to the Ave during the festival dates of Friday, March 21-Sunday, April 6.
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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since March 2004.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.