A Wider Circle Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE MISSION OF A WIDER CIRCLE IS TO ADVANCE EQUITY IN THE GREATER WASHINGTON, DC REGION BY FOSTERING THE EXCHANGE OF GOODS, SKILLS, AND CONNECTIONS FROM NEIGHBOR TO NEIGHBOR, AND BY ENGAGING IN ADVOCACY TO ADDRESS THE ROOT CAUSES OF POVERTY.
- Income
- $11.7 million
- Spending
- $10.3 million
- Spent on programs
- 80%
- Reserves
- -0.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 69%
- Employees
- 92
- Volunteers
- 5,000
- Highest pay
- $185,586, ex-officio (president and ceo)
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: 55 out of 100. Higher than 41% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 37% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 12% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 48% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1580% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2520 of 20 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.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited 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 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 (3)
- $2.6 million spent. ESSENTIAL SUPPORT: A WIDER CIRCLE'S ESSENTIAL SUPPORT PROGRAM PROVIDES FURNITURE AND HOUSEHOLD GOODS TO INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES LIVING AT OR BELOW THE NATIONAL POVERTY LINE. IN 2025, A WIDER CIRCLE FURNISHED CLOSE TO 3,000 HOMES THROUGH THE REDISTRIBUTION OF MORE THAN 41,664 PIECES OF FURNITURE. FAMILIES WHO RECEIVED ITEMS COULD SELECT FROM ITEMS SUCH AS BEDS, TABLES, CHAIRS, AND DRESSERS AS WELL AS DISHES, LAMPS, ART, AND OTHER ACCESSORIES. ADDITIONALLY, WE SUPPORTED 415 BABY APPOINTMSNTE FOR NEWLY EXPECTING FAMILIES.
- $541,616 spent. NEIGHBORHOOD PARTNERSHIPS: A WIDER CIRCLE'S NEIGHBORHOOD PARTNERSHIPS PROGRAM PROVIDES PLACE BASED SERVIES TO RESIDENTS OF THE WASHINGTON HIGHLANDS NEIGHBORHOOD OF WARD 8, WASHINGTON DC. THE TEAM SUPPORTED ON AVERAGE 1,000 CLIENTS PER MONTH WITH SERVICES RANGING FROM JOB SUPPORT TO MENTAL HEALTH/WELLNESS AND BASIC ITEMS PROVISION. IT ALSO HELD WEEKLY WORKSHOPS, SERVED AS A NARCAN SITE AND OFFERED SPECIAL EVENTS FOR COMMUNITY GROWTH AND CONNECTION.
- $387,796 spent. CAREER SUPPORT: A WIDER CIRCLE'S CAREER SUPPORT PROGRAM HELD MORE THAN 1,056 SESSIONS EITHER INDIVIDUAL OR IN GROUPS FOR JOB SEEKERS, LAUNCHED A JOB CLUB CAFE AT OUR DC OFFICE, AND ATTENDED (IN PERSON AND VIRTUALLY) AN ARRAY OF JOB FAIRS AND HIRING SUPPORT EVENTS FOR CLIENTS RANGING FROM THOSE NEWLY ENTERING THE WORKFORCE TO THOSE IMPACTED BY THE FEDERAL WORKFORCE CUTS. THEY ALSO LAUNCHED A LONG TERM PARTNERSHIP WITH THE DC OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SUPPORTING CAREER READINESS FOR YOUTH IMPACTED BY THE JUSTICE SYSTEM.
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
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.
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? 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.
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 October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since February 2002.
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.