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Lake Washington Schools Foundation

EIN 55-0891792 · Redmond, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood82 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The Lake Washington Schools Foundation raises funds and amplifies community resources to provide students in Lake Washington School District what they need to thrive, both now and in the future.

Income
$815,362
Spending
$836,963
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
6.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 93%
Employees
6
Volunteers
500
Highest pay
$110,551, executive direc

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 82 out of 100. Higher than 46% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 27% 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 29% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 76% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    17 of 17 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

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 June 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 (6)
  1. $361,402 spent. Pantry Packs: The Foundation funded and operated the Pantry Packs Program, which is a weekend food program for Food Insecure Students in the Lake Washington School District. Over the course of the ten-month school year, more than 1,000 students receive packs of nutritious, shelf-stable food each weekend.
  2. $231,522 spent. COMMUNITY GRANTS: THE FOUNDATION GRANTED FUNDS FOR AMAZING READING CHALLENGE, BATTLE OF THE BOOKS, NOTICIAS EN ESPANOL (SPANISH TRANSLATION VIDEO NEWSLETTER), Mental Health Wellness Resources for Students, CARE SOLACE, Kids Coming Together, College Essay Workshops, AND OTHER GRANTS TO SUPPORT STUDENTS AND FAMILIES IN THE LAKE WASHINGTON SCHOOL DISTRICT.
  3. $47,973 spent. LINKS: The LINKS program provides one-on-one mentoring for youth in the Lake Washington School District. Volunteers are adults from various backgrounds, educational levels, and stages of life who can spare an hour a week to spend with a child. Activities vary, but one thing remains consistent: the adult is there to support the child's social-emotional development.
  4. $45,243 spent. Inclusive Libraries: With the goal of every student having access to an inclusive library collection where they can see themselves and their peers represented, the Foundation partnered with the librarians in the school district by providing a 5-year grant to purchase books to expand the library collections of all schools in Lake Washington School District.
  5. $10,450 spent. Parent Education Resources: The Foundation provided parent education resources to parents in the community through the Parent Ed Talk Webinar series, Parent Chats, and Parent SEL courses.
  6. $1,482 spent. Find Your Fit: The Foundation provided educational and support resources about the College Application Process by offering webinars and in-person events to students and parents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since May 2005.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.