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Fourth Plain Forward

EIN 82-2923189 · Vancouver, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood71 out of 100GovernanceGood78 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

"FOURTH PLAIN FORWARD SUPPORTS THE SUCCESS OF SMALL BUSINESSES, PROMOTES THE UNIQUE IDENTITY OF THE INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT, ADVOCATES FOR FOURTH PLAIN RESIDENTS' INTERESTS AND SERVES AS A RESOURCE HUB FOR THE COMMUNITY

Income
$2.3 million
Spending
$2.0 million
Spent on programs
94%
Reserves
1.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 47%
Employees
25
Volunteers
65
Highest pay
$83,619, 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 48% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 16% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 15% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 143% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    94% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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

Good: 78 out of 100. Higher than 29% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $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

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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 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. $1.9 million spent. FOURTH PLAIN FORWARD CONTINUED TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO THE LOCAL COMMUNITY. WE CONTINUED TO IMPROVE BUSINESS SUCCESS RATES BY SUPPORTING RECENTLY FORMED BUSINESSES TO ASSIST THEM IN ACHIEVING LONG-TERM SUSTAINABILITY AND HAVE ESTABLISHED A REVOLVING LAON FUND TO PROVIDE ACCESSIBLE BUSINESS LOANS FOR LOCAL ENTREPRENEURS FACING SYSTEMIC BARRIERS TO FINANCING;PROVIDED EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES BY OFFERING CLARK COLLEGE STUDENTS HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE IN ENTREPRENEUERSHIP THROUGH OUR CDBG-FUNDED SMALL BUSINESS MANAGEMENT PROGRAM; PROVIDED COMPREHENSIVE SUPPORT SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY THROUGH NETWORKING, MENTORING, TRAINING, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, AND CUSTOMIZED SERVICES TO LOCAL BUSINESSES AT THE NEW COMMUNITY COMMONS TO CREATE A MORE DIVERSE AND RESILIENT ECONOMY AND LAUNCHED A NEW CLIMATE ADAPTATION PROGRAM TO COORDINATE PUBLIC AND COUNTY PLANNING PROCESSES TO ENSURE THE COMMUNITY'S INCLUSION IN CLIMATE AND LAND-USE DECISIONS;BEGAN AN AFFORDABLE AND SUPPORTIVE HOUSING PROGRAM TO ACQUIRE, RENOVATE, AND MANAGE AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS, INCLUDING SPECIALIZED UNITS FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, STUDENTS, AND HOUSEHOLDS WITH LOWER INCOMES.

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 February 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 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.