Sodo Business Improvement Area
Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.
What it says it does
To enhance transportation, safety, and cleanliness for the benefit of property owners, tenants, businesses, patrons and employees of the SODO area of Seattle.
- Income
- $2.3 million
- Spending
- $2.4 million
- Employees
- 13
- Volunteers
- 66
- Highest pay
- $231,238, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Governance
This return does not answer enough of the governance questions to score.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. 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 (4)
- $1.1 million spent. Clean & Safe SODO: Contract for services to maintain a clean environment for SODO businesses, employees and visitors. 2024 services included a contract for bi-weekly street sweeping and a contract to conduct quarterly sidewalk cleanings including illegal dumping removal. In 2024, they pressure washed 250 blocks and removed 3,245 graffiti tags within our boundaries. Additionally, over 530 tons of debris were removed through our contracted service providers. Supported graffiti prevention through funding for public art. Contracted with the Seattle Police Department to provide over 3,100 hours of additional off-duty patrols to address chronic crime and nuisance issues in SODO. (Continued on Schedule O)Partnered with Puget Soundkeeper Alliance on a Tire Turn-in Event to prevent illegal dumping of tires. We also contracted Street Plus for homeless outreach in our geographical district to help identify opportunities for those living unhoused.
- $368,239 spent. Engage SODO: Increase communication and interaction within SODO so that the BIA most effectively represents the interests and executes the priorities of SODO BIA Business and property owners. Leverage influence and investments to improve the conditions of the district for commerce to thrive in SODO. In 2024, we sent out monthly newsletters and information about upcoming events to SODO stakeholders and managed a robust social media program promoting SODO businesses. We hosted our first National Night Out event at Starbucks HQ with partners from the Seattle Police and Fire Departments. We hosted quarterly networking events this year at venues across SODO, with an attendance of over 200 people. (Continued on Schedule O)We conducted SODO stakeholder engagement research to gather insight on SODO BIA's communications and developed the initial outline of a strategic communications plan.
- $227,238 spent. Move SODO: We engaged with SODO stakeholders and agency partners on a variety of subjects, including businesses and freight, parking issues, stadium events, and large-scale infrastructure projects. We continued to work with SDOT's Vision Zero team and King County Metro to make various safety improvements to SDOT's Georgetown to Downtown Safety project. We also continued to advocate with Sound Transit and other agency partners to improve their engagement, refine plans and reduce impacts related to the project in SODO. We finalized design and secured funding for the proposed Pocket Park on Industrial Way, a key part of the SODO Greenspace Plan. Coordinated parking updates on SODO roadways in partnership with local business and the Seattle Department of transportation. (Continued on Schedule O)Worked with adjacent business to propose safety improvements along Airport Way S that still allow local access.
- $311,685 spent. Economic SODO: In 2024 we completed the SODO Economic and Policy Analysis Report with Evans School Consulting Lab. Partnered with the FIFA Local Organizing Committee to host information sessions with SODO Stakeholders to prepare for the World Cup in 2026. Provided grants to businesses impacted by vandalism and graffiti through the Storefront Improvement Fund. Entered into a Fiscal Sponsorship contract to administer funds for the newly created Manufacturing Maritime Industrial Association, a stewardship organization dedicated to strengthening Seattle's maritime, manufacturing, logistics and industrial sectors.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. 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)(4) social welfare 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 October 13, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Caution.
The IRS master file records contributions to this 501(c)(4) social welfare organization as not deductible.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, 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 December 2024.
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 September 2015.
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 October 21, 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.