Greater Washington Urban League Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE GREATER WASHINGTON URBAN LEAGUE ("GWUL OR "THE LEAGUE") ENVISIONS A DC METRO AREA INCLUSIVE OF FLOURISHING, MULTI-GENERATIONAL, BLACK COMMUNITIES WHERE MEMBERS THRIVE WITHOUT THE HINDRANCE OF SYSTEMIC MINORITIZATION AND RACIAL VIOLENCE. THUS, THE LEAGUE IS ON A MISSION TO INCREASE THE MONETARY AND POLITICAL WELLNESS AND POWER OF HISTORICALLY DISENFRANCHISED AND ECONOMICALLY EXCLUDED BLACK AND OTHER POPULATIONS OF COLOR. GWUL CONCURRENTLY WORKS TO ADVANCE RACIAL EQUITY AS A MECHANISM TO ACHIEVE EQUITY WHILE ALSO PROMOTING SELF-RELIANCE AND POLITICAL PARITY. OUR WORK COMBATS GENERATIONAL WEATHERING, PSYCHOLOGICAL OPPRESSION, STRUCTURAL BARRIERS, LOST WEALTH, AND COMMUNITY DISPLACEMENT.FOR 84 YEARS, THE LEAGUE HAS IMPACTED MILLIONS OF LIVES, STANDING BOTH ON SOCIETY'S FRONTLINES AND IN THE TRENCHES, SERVING AS A SAFETY NET AND OPPORTUNITY FACILITATOR IN THE GREATER WASHINGTON DC COMMUNITY.
- Income
- $170.2 million
- Spending
- $170.2 million
- Spent on programs
- 98%
- Reserves
- -0.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 99%
- Employees
- 147
- Volunteers
- 500
- Highest pay
- $225,184, 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
Weak: 44 out of 100. Higher than 19% of charities in its peer group (human services, over $100m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
2 of 20It owes 94% of what it owns.
Living within its means
12 of 15Income exceeded spending by 0% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 6% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1598% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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 29% of charities in its peer group (human services, over $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2527 of 27 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)
- $9.7 million spent. EMERGENCY ASSISTANCESTABILITY PATHWAYS: EASING ACCESS TO EMERGENCY FUNDS AND PUBLIC BENEFITSWE PROVIDE CHANNELS OF FINANCIAL RECOVERY BY DISTRIBUTING EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE TO FAMILIES AT RISK OF EVICTION, FOOD INSECURITY, UTILITY DISRUPTIONS, EDUCATION DELAYS OR MEDICAL NEGLECT. OUR FINANCIAL AID INCLUDES: PAYMENT OF RENTAL ARREARS PAYDOWN OF PAST DUE UTILITY BILLS CASH FOR LIFE'S EMERGENCIES EVICTION DIVERSION SUPPORT ACCESS SUPPORT FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS EXPERIENCING FINANCIAL HARDSHIP ADVOCACY TO END POVERTY POLICIES
- $156.4 million spent. HOUSING SERVICESHOMEOWNERSHIP PATHWAYS: FROM ROOMING TO RENTING TO OWNINGOUR WORK STRETCHES FROM PREVENTING HOMELESSNESS TO MAKING HOMEOWNERSHIP A REALITY BY HELPING CLIENTS AVOID THE TRAUMAS OF EVICTION AND FORECLOSURE WHILE PREPARING OTHERS FOR THE RIGORS AND REWARDS OF HOME OWNERSHIP. OUR SERVICES INCLUDE: CLOSING COST & DOWN PAYMENT FUNDING HOUSING COUNSELING & EDUCATION HOME OWNERSHIP ACADEMY FORECLOSURE & LOAN MODIFICATION SUPPORT WEATHERIZATION ADVOCACY FOR FAIR CREDIT REPORTING
- $1.3 million spent. FAMILY WELLNESS
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 November 6, 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 December 1953.
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 November 4, 2026.
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