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Northwest Advocacy Foundation

EIN 81-3947402 · Seattle, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair57 out of 100GovernanceNot ratedThe short tax form does not cover thisImpact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Northwest Advocacy is a charitable organization located in Seattle, WA, Our primary exempt purpose is to provide quality, affordable legal services to indigent, low-, and moderate-income individuals and those experiencing imminent safety issues. Our clients are folks who typically do not qualify for (or cannot wait for) free civil legal aid, but cannot afford a private attorney. We primarily work with (and prioritize) victims of domestic and sexual violence, assisting with protection orders and family law matters. Our legal services program includes consultation (one-time meetings to answer questions and offer advice), pro se assistance (assisting folks to represent themselves), limited representation (representing folks in one aspect of their case, and full representation (handling an entire case). Our goal is to tailor our services to what each individual needs. We believe that everyone should have access to justice, especially in matters of safety.

Income
$178,319
Spending
$198,048
Reserves
5.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 81%
Highest pay
$88,465, executive director

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 57 out of 100. Higher than 28% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 27% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 11% of income.

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.

Source: Form 990EZ 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 (1)
  1. $198,048 spent. Our primary program service is to provide quality, affordable legal services to qualifying individuals. In 2024 we were a resource for over 220 people, and provided direct services to over 85 of those people. Without our assistance, the majority of our clients would likely have to represent themselves, navigating an incredibly confusing legal system on their own. Our average hourly rate was 40% of the typical market rate ($140 compared to over $350). We provided over 30 hours of pro bono (free) services to clients - the equivalent of $10,500 at market rate. We are sustained by donations, and in 2024 we raised nearly $20,000. These contributions enabled us to charge clients significantly reduced hourly rates. In 2024 we partnered with Snohomish County Legal Services to accept court-appointed representation of petitioners in civil protection order matters. SCLS screens in-need folks, partners them with attorneys, and pays a reduced hourly rate ($100) for our services. In 2024, we provided over 50 hours of legal services to 10 clients, at no charge to them.

Source: Form 990EZ 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 March 2017.

    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.