Main Street Renton
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- Only 32% of its spending went to programs.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
The mission of the Renton Downtown Partnership (RDP) is to cultivate a vibrant social, cultural, and economic center by bringing together the community, non-profits, and city center stakeholders while celebrating the unique historic character of Renton's Downtown.
- Income
- $271,239
- Spending
- $223,645
- Spent on programs
- 32%
- Reserves
- 10.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 31%
- Employees
- 2
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
Good: 74 out of 100. Higher than 48% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 10.4 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes -2% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 18% of income.
Spending floor
0 of 1532% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 64 out of 100. Higher than 32% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
0 of 250 of 0 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a 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.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 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 (1)
- $34,875 spent. Advertising and promotions for events For the year ended December 31, 2024, the organization operated the following programs: SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY: In an effort to support local shops that make our communities strong, the Renton Downtown Partnership hosts Small Business Saturday in downtown Renton on the Saturday after Thanksgiving to encourage people to shop small and bring more holiday shopping to small businesses in the downtown core. The event includes games and prizes for the kids and adults to incentivize local purchasing power and encourage families to spend the day rediscovering their downtown merchants. The event ends with music and the annual tree lighting and arrival of Santa in Piazza Park. DOWNTOWN CELEBRATIONS: The Renton Downtown Partnership enhances downtown celebrations, including the annual tree lighting, downtown Santa House, Halloween Party, and downtown Trick-or-Treat events, and assists the City with the operation of the Tuesday Farmers Market that runs from June through September. WINE WALKS: Hosted two, the goal of which is to bring guests through various participating businesses located in downtown Renton. Each business has a featured local winery offering wine tasting and light snacks. Guests purchase tickets that include an event glass and a map, and are given a wristband to get samples at each stop. The event highlights the merchants in the downtown and provides a casual environment for attendees and shoppers to learn about the offerings and services available to them in the downtown core. HISTORIC WALKING TOURS: Hosted annually, attendees are brought around the downtown by a tour guide and shown where the City of Renton began and how far it's come. The tour includes a free ticket to the Renton History Museum. CLEAN UP EVENTS: Hosted each quarter to clean up downtown and the immediate surrounding areas with volunteers and a partnership with a dumpster company. OLDE-FASHIONED HALLOWEEN: A district-wide event full of fun for the whole family. Costume Contests, Scarecrow scavenger hunts, and so many games and activities. SANTA HOUSE: A free trip to the North Pole for kids of all ages, photos provided, and activation at the Civic Theater. The Renton Downtown Partnership is able to conduct all of these varied events due to the overwhelming dedication of the 250 volunteers who have contributed thousands of hours collectively in 2024 to helping the downtown community in Renton thrive.
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
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? Worth knowing.
Status was revoked on November 15, 2017 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on November 15, 2017.
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 December 2024.
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 September 2018.
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.