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Russell Wilson Foundation

EIN 46-4784365 · Seattle, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair56 out of 100GovernanceFair65 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE RUSSELL WILSON FOUNDATION DBA WHY NOT YOU FOUNDATION WAS ESTABLISHED TO EMPOWER YOUTH TO LEAD WITH A WHY NOT YOU ATTITUDE BY INVESTING IN YOUTH EDUCATION AND HEALTH PROGRAMS IN COMMUNITIES WITH THE GREATEST NEED.

Income
$988,644
Spending
$929,330
Spent on programs
73%
Reserves
1.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
1
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$123,750, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 56 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 17% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 56% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    73% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 41% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    3 of 9 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

    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

    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 December 31, 2024, 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 (2)
  1. $608,217 spent. WHY NOT YOU FOUNDATION SUPPORTS LIKE-MINDED COMMUNITY PARTNERS THROUGH PHILANTHROPIC GRANTS AND THE CREATION OF DEDICATED WHY NOT YOU SPACES. CORE COMMUNITY AND NATIONAL GRANT RECIPIENTS INCLUDE MAKE-A-WISH AMERICA, BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS, SALVATION ARMY, AND FRIENDS OF THE CHILDREN, AMONG OTHERS.
  2. $73,719 spent. SUPPORT FOR PHILANTHROPIC ENGAGEMENT: WHY NOT YOU FOUNDATION STAFF MEMBERS ENSURE THE FULL DAILY OPERATIONS OF THE NONPROFIT. A CORE FOCUS IS ON RESEARCHING, BUILDING AND SUPPORTING RELATIONSHIPS WITH LIKE-MINDED NONPROFITS IN CORE COMMUNITIES OF FOCUS. SIGNIFICANT TIME IS SPENT IN THE CREATION AND EXECUTION OF VOLUNTEER AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT EVENTS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 December 2024.

    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 January 2015.

    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.