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Civil Survival Project

EIN 81-4267776 · Seattle, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Civil Survival organizes system-impacted people, provides legal representation and reentry support, and advocates for policy reform to restore opportunity to communities harmed by the criminal legal system in Washington State.

Income
$1.6 million
Spending
$1.4 million
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
12.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 78%
Employees
20
Highest pay
$69,657

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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 90% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 12.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 9% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 13% of income.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 39% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 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

    0 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 (3)
  1. $539,042 spent. During the first half of 2025, Civil Survivals Blake Civil Impacts Project helped low-income Washingtonians across 318 cases related to the Washington Supreme Courts decision in State v. Blake. In addition to direct legal representation, Civil Survival launched the Blake Community Help Hub, expanding access to relief for individuals with unconstitutional drug possession convictions, and received 79 requests for assistance in its first six months.
  2. $472,542 spent. In the first half of 2025, Civil Survival provided legal representation in 833 cases. Our team waived over $15 million in LFOs and successfully vacated 193 convictions. We drafted and led three amicus briefs before Washington Supreme Court on issues including restitution, community service credit, and juvenile record sealing, and continued to offer accessible legal support, including 114 consultations through our Attorney Office Hours program. We also provided 117 criminal history reports to help individuals understand and navigate their records. Our team also launched the Reentry Resource program to assist legal clients with other reentry needs, helping clients overcome the challenges of reentry and build successful futures.
  3. $108,750 spent. During the first half of 2025, Civil Survival advanced key legislative and community advocacy initiatives to expand opportunity and equity for people impacted by the criminal legal system. A major highlight was the passage of HB 1747, Civil Survivals bill expanding Fair Chance employment protections. The new law requires employers to delay criminal record inquiries until after a conditional offer and provide a legitimate business reason if an applicant is denied based on a conviction. In February, Civil Survival hosted Community Empowerment Week, bringing together over 160 participants and 15 partner organizations for legislative training, storytelling workshops, and more than 60 legislative meetings. Civil Survival continued its Unlocking Legislative Advocacy (ULA) program, graduating a new cohort of advocates prepared to lead reentry and policy change efforts in their communities and began planning for the 2025 cohort.

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 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 June 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 March 2018.

    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.