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Waking the Village

EIN 68-0430603 · Sacramento, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood71 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WAKING THE VILLAGE OFFERS HOUSING, ARTS AND LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS, AND INTENSIVE DAILY SUPPORT SO THAT SACRAMENTO'S HOMELESS YOUTH AND CHILDREN CAN GET BUSY LIVING RATHER THAN SURVIVING.

Income
$4.6 million
Spending
$4.5 million
Spent on programs
95%
Reserves
2.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 73%
Employees
105
Volunteers
20
Highest pay
$97,395, 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

Good: 71 out of 100. Higher than 45% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 26% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 24% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    95% 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 64% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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. $2.3 million spent. HOUSING PROGRAMS FOR YOUTH, YOUNG PARENTS, AND CHILDREN: WTV'S HOUSING PROGRAMS (TUBMAN HOUSE, AUDRE'S EMPORIUM, AND THE VILLAGE) OFFER HOUSING AND WRAP AROUND SERVICES TO YOUTH AND CHILDREN. WTV'S TRANSITIONAL HOUSING COMMUNITIES HOUSE 56 HOMELESS YOUTHS 18-24 YEARS OF AGE PLUS ALL OF THEIR CHILDREN EACH DAY. WTV PARTNERS WITH EACH TO SUSTAIN HOUSING, HEALTH & WELLNESS, STRONG PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIPS, EMPLOYMENT AND PROGRESS TOWARD CAREERS. IN 2024, 94 ADULTS AND 62 CHILDREN LIVED IN WTV HOUSING PROGRAMS. 100% CONNECTED TO HEALTH CARE. 92% ENGAGED WELLNESS SUPPORTS. 95% HELD A DIPLOMA/GED AT EXIT. 19% ATTENDED COLLEGE. 96% ENGAGED IN EMPLOYMENT READINESS WORKSHOPS AND JOB COACHING. 46% SECURED JOBS PRIOR TO EXIT. OVER 96% EXITED TO SAFE AND STABLE HOUSING.
  2. $984,904 spent. PROGRAMS FOR WELLNESS, EMPLOYMENT, STREET OUTREACH, AND PREVENTION FOR YOUTH; THE CREATION DISTRICT DEVELOPS LEADERSHIP AND LIFE SKILLS THROUGHOUT ARTS CENTERED WORKSHOPS THAT DRIVE SERVICE ENGAGEMENT, BUILD COMMUNITY, AND STRENGTHEN WELLNESS. IN 2024, 353 YOUTH ENGAGED WITH THE CREATION DISTRICT WITH 475 WORKSHOPS WERE OFFERED. 72% OF UNHOUSED YOUTH CONNECTING WITH THE CREATION DISTRICT ENGAGED WITH NEXT STEP SERVICES TO RESOLVE HOUSING OR WELLNESS CRISES. THE CREATION DISTRICT'S 7000 SQUARE FOOT SITE ALSO HOUSES OUR PREVENTION AND INTERVENTION TEAM THAT SERVED 461 YOUTHS IN THE 2024-2025 CONTRACT YEAR TO PREVENT EVICTION, CONNECT UNHOUSED YOUTH TO SHELTERS, AND PROVIDE MEDIATION SUPPORT FOR FAMILY REUNIFICATION. OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS, LESS THAN 4% OF THE YOUTH P&I SERVED RETURNED TO HOMELESSNESS. STREET LEADERS, LED BY YOUTH WITH LIVED EXPERIENCES OF HOMELESSNESS, CONNECTED OVER 150 YOUTH TO SERVICES TO ADDRESS SHELTER AND WELLNESS NEEDS, ENSURING ALL ENGAGED AND STAYED ACTIVE IN COORDINATED ENTRY. THE CREATION DISTRICT ALSO EMPLOYS AND SUPPORTS THE SACRAMENTO YOUTH ACTION BOARD AND THEIR WORK DRIVING POLICIES AND PROGRAMS TO ADDRESS YOUTH HOMELESSNESS.
  3. $962,488 spent. PRESCHOOL PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN: WTV OPERATES THREE LICENSED PRESCHOOLS. THE ART BEAST CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER OFFERS 75 CHILDREN FULL-TIME CARE IN A DYNAMIC LEARNING ENVIRONMENT THAT PROMOTES COGNITIVE, MOTOR, AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT. THE CENTER SERVES ALL CHILDREN AGES 0 TO 6, INCLUDING CHILDREN OF WTV AND OFFERS FREE CARE TO FAMILIES LIVING BELOW MEDIAN INCOME. ADDITIONALLY, WTV SERVES 39 CHILDREN AT MUCK AND WONDER FARM SCHOOLS AND 29 CHILDREN AT THE ART BEAST STUDIO.

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 October 13, 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 2025.

    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 April 2000.

    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 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.