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Associated Recreation Council

EIN 51-0170717 · Seattle, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair68 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

INSPIRE ENGAGEMENT AND PARTICIPATION IN EQUITABLE, DYNAMIC, CULTURALLY RELEVANT, AND RESPONSIVE RECREATION, CHILDCARE, AND LIFELONG LEARNING PROGRAMS. VISION: BRINGING TOGETHER ALL PEOPLE TO BUILD A HEALTHY COMMUNITY.

Income
$17.7 million
Spending
$18.3 million
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
4.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 73%
Employees
82
Volunteers
68
Highest pay
$265,717, 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: 68 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 45% 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 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    77% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 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

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 14 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

    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 (3)
  1. $6.8 million spent. RECREATION: EXEMPT PURPOSE IS TO OFFER LOW-COST OR FREE RECREATION PROGRAM DELIVERY ACROSS THE CITY OF SEATTLE. WE CONTINUE TO PARTNER WITH THE CITY OF SEATTLE SPR TO OFFER RECREATIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES IN TWENTY-SIX (26) COMMUNITY CENTERS, SPONSORED MULTIPLE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PROJECTS IN SEATTLE PARKS & RECREATION FACILITIES, OPERATED RECREATION ENHANCEMENT PROGRAMS IN NINE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS DURING 2024. ARC CONTINUES TO DEVELOP ENHANCED SCHOLARSHIP FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES, SO THE INABILITY TO PAY CEASES TO BE A BARRIER TO HEALTHIER LIFESTYLES AND LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES.
  2. $5.9 million spent. CHILDCARE: LOW COST OUT OF SCHOOL CARE, PRESCHOOL, AND SUMMER DAY CAMP. AMONG OTHER ACCOMPLISHMENTS, ARC CONTINUES TO RAISE THE STANDARD FOR OUR PRESCHOOL PROGRAMS WITH A CREATIVE CURRICULUM; IN THE SAME VEIN, WE CONTINUE TO INCORPORATE THE HIGHER STANDARDS OF SAPQA (SCHOOL AGE PROGRAM QUALITY ASSESSMENT) INITIATIVE IN OUR SCHOOL-AGE CARE PROGRAMS.
  3. $1.4 million spent. THE PRESCHOOL PROGRAM BECAME A STAND-ALONE PROGRAM ON 1/1/17. THERE ARE FOUR PRESCHOOL PROGRAMS ACROSS THE SYSTEM WHERE FOUR OF THOSE PROGRAMS HAVE BECOME LICENSED PROGRAMS THROUGH SPP (SEATTLE PRESCHOOL PROGRAM), AND TWO OF THE PROGRAMS BECAME PATHWAYS PROGRAMS THROUGH DEEL (DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND EARLY LEARNING) DURING 2024. SPP OFFERS FREE PRESCHOOL AS A SCHOOL READINESS PROGRAM FOR FAMILIES WHO HAVE ECONOMIC BARRIERS TO ENROLLING.

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 October 13, 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 November 6, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since February 1977.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 November 4, 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.