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Seattle Colleges Foundation

EIN 83-0551671 · Seattle, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE SEATTLE COLLEGES FOUNDATION CATALYZES COMMUNITY SUPPORT TO ADVANCE THE MISSION, WORK AND IMPACT OF SEATTLE COLLEGES. WE ENGAGE OUR COMMUNITY TO TRANSFORM LIVES, PROMOTE EQUITY AND INCREASE ACCESS TO QUALITY, AFFORDABLE EDUCATION.

Income
$5.5 million
Spending
$8.4 million
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
12.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 71%
Employees
0
Volunteers
250
Highest pay
$241,922, chief executive officer

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

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 59% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 12.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 8% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 53% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 25% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 14 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

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 69% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    19 of 19 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 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 (2)
  1. $4.4 million spent. STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS: SEATTLE COLLEGES IS AN INCLUSIVE, OPEN-ACCESS INSTITUTION, AND WE RECOGNIZE THAT SIGNIFICANT GAPS IN EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT PERSIST FOR FIRST-GENERATION STUDENTS, STUDENTS OF COLOR, AND STUDENTS FACING ECONOMIC CHALLENGES. SCHOLARSHIPS REMOVE FINANCIAL BARRIERS TO COLLEGE ENROLLMENT, REDUCE STUDENT DEBT, AND CORRELATE WITH CERTIFICATE/DEGREE COMPLETION, CAREER ATTAINMENT, AND A HIGHLY QUALIFIED WORK FORCE. WE GRANTED 560 SCHOLARSHIPS DURING THE FISCAL YEAR.
  2. $3.1 million spent. ACADEMIC PROGRAM SUPPORT: SEATTLE COLLEGES PROVIDES A COMPREHENSIVE ARRAY OF HIGH QUALITY ASSOCIATE'S, BACHELOR'S, AND TECHNICAL AND PROFESSIONAL DEGREE PROGRAMS. PROGRAM GRANTS FORTIFY PROVEN STUDENT SUCCESS INITIATIVES, UPDATE ACADEMIC PROGRAM OFFERINGS, ENHANCE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR FACULTY AND STAFF, AND MODERNIZE STATE-OF-THE-ART FACILITIES AND TECHNOLOGY.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since December 2018.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.