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Africatown Community Land Trust

EIN 82-1710458 · Seattle, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak25 out of 100GovernanceStrong93 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Acquire, steward, develop land assets in the greater Seattle area to preserve and support Seattles Black/African diaspora community. Work with local stakeholders and the City of Seattle to provide affordable housing for vulnerable, disadvantaged Seattle residents.

Income
$7.2 million
Spending
$7.8 million
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
-24.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 78%
Employees
59
Highest pay
$223,250, chief executive officer

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

Weak: 25 out of 100. Higher than 3% of charities in its peer group (housing, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 85% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 9% of income.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    80% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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: 93 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (housing, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    3 of 3 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. $4.3 million spent. Africatown Community Land Trust (ACLT) completed a $13.8 million acquisition of the former Keiro Rehabilitation Center, a full block in the heart of the Central District previously slated for market-rate development. In the midst of Seattles homelessness crisis, Benu Community Home made use of the existing facilities and established a culturally responsive shelter focused on reducing the disproportionate over-representation of unsheltered, Black men within the population. ACLT received funding from City of Seattle Human Services Department and King County Regional Homeless Authority. Hosted several community listening and outreach sessions to address concerns and discuss plans for Benu Community Home. Benu Community Home staff welcomed its first group of 30 community residents on December 1st 2021. For 2024, 190 individuals have been served, 116 Individuals got housing and 54 individuals got a temporary housing.
  2. $1.5 million spent. The organizations other program service activities include Africatown Plaza, Youth Achievement Center, South Walker and community events
  3. $503,716 spent. The William Grose Center was revitalized, transformed, and officially opened its doors in the summer of 2022. WGC engages, empowers, and uplifts Seattles Black community by providing necessary resources- through the amplification of physical, intellectual and cultural assets-to break into new and emerging industries. The Center continues to function as a hub for entrepreneurship and small business development while serving as a nexus for innovation in Seattles Central District. WGC provided various programs to youth and adults in the community. Some of those programs included 7 Mad construction architecture workshops, 14 Time Armor Hackathon & Workshops, 17 Media Content, 15 Summer University Shirt workshops, 13 Summer of Sensors, 12 Smart Farming Summer Program: AI in Hydroponics & Vertical Farming, 24 FIUTS SUSI, 12 Virtual reality, 12 AI business development and 18 Worlds food cooking class.

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 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 June 2019.

    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.