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Wanda Alston Foundation

EIN 46-3159251 · Washington, DC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair63 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF THE WANDA ALSTON FOUNDATION (WAF) IS TO ERADICATE HOMELESSNESS AND POVERTY FOR LGBTQIA2S+ YOUTH AGES 18-24 AND TO ENSURE THAT THEY HAVE ACCESS TO SERVICES THAT IMPROVE THEIR OVERALL QUALITY OF LIFE THROUGH ADVOCACY AND PROGRAMMING. THE WAF OPENED ITS DOORS IN 2008 AS THE ONLY HOUSING PROGRAM IN WASHINGTON, DC, SOLELY DEDICATED TO OFFERING PRE-INDEPENDENT TRANSITIONAL LIVING AND SUPPORT SERVICES TO LGBTQIA2S+ YOUTH WHO ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS OR WHO ARE AT RISK IN ALL EIGHT WARDS. COMPLEMENTING THIS, THE WANDA ALSTON COUNSELING CENTER (WACC) PROVIDES A COMPREHENSIVE RANGE OF TRAUMA-INFORMED AND CULTURALLY COMPETENT SERVICES, INCLUDING MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT, EMERGENCY HOUSING, AND GENERAL SUPPORT, TO LGBTQIA2S+ INDIVIDUALS IN THE D.C. AREA WHO ARE SURVIVORS OF INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT. THIS COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH ENSURES THAT ALL ASPECTS OF THEIR WELL-BEING ARE ADDRESSED, MAKING THE AUDIENCE FEEL REASSURED AND SUPPORTED.

Income
$1.5 million
Spending
$1.6 million
Spent on programs
76%
Reserves
3 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 80%
Employees
34
Volunteers
6
Highest pay
$162,063, previous executive director

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

Financial health

Fair: 63 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (housing, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 52% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    76% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 51% of charities in its peer group (housing, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 6 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

    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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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 September 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)
  1. $1.2 million spent. WANDA ALSTON HOUSE: THE WANDA ALSTON FOUNDATION SERVES AS THE FIRST HOUSING PROGRAM IN WASHINGTON, DC THAT IS SOLELY DEDICATED TO OFFERING PRE-INDEPENDENT LIVING SERVICES TO HOMELESS LGBTQ YOUTH AGES 16-24. THESE SERVICES INCLUDE: INCLUDE-TERM TRANSITIONAL LIVING, CASE MANAGEMENT, EDUCATIONAL GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT, JOB TRAINING AND GUIDANCE, AND SUPPORT SERVICE REFERRALS. HOUSE RESIDENTS HAVE THEIR OWN ROOMS AND LIVE WITH AN ADVOCATE WITH EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE WITH HOUSING AND LGBTQ ISSUES. HOUSE RESIDENTS ARE ALSO OFFERED A LIFE SKILLS COUNSELOR WHO WORKS WITH THE RESIDENTS DAILY ON ISSUES RELATING TO EDUCATION/VOCATIONAL TRAINING, HOUSING, AND OTHER MATTERS AS NECESSARY.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 September 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 June 2014.

    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.