We Are Down Home
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
FOCUS ON SMALL TOWN AND RURAL ORGANIZING SPECIFICALLY BUILDING MULTI RACIAL BASE REFLECTIVE OF DEMOGRAPHICS OF THE COUNTIES AND STATE.
- Income
- $7.4 million
- Spending
- $2.8 million
- Spent on programs
- 76%
- Reserves
- 18.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 32
- Volunteers
- 2,844
- Highest pay
- $168,276, co-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
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 91% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 18.9 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 2% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 62% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 174% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1576% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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: 86 out of 100. Higher than 54% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
18 of 253 of 3 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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)
- $880,638 spent. BASEBUILDING: WDH ENGAGES IN CONTINUOUS YEAR ROUND BASE BUIDING, TO ENGAGE, MOBILIZE, AND EMPOWER SMALL TOWNS AND RURAL COMMUNITIES ACROSS NORTH CAROLINA. THIS INCLUDES ORGANIZING AND GROWING A SUSTAINABLE, DIVERSE BASE THAT ACTIVELY PARTICIPATES IN CIVIC LIFE, ADVOCATES FOR POLICY CHANGES, AND BUILDS COLLECTIVE POWER. ACTIVITIES INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, ISSUE BASED STRATEGIC CAMPAIGNS, LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, VOTER REGISTRATION, AND COALITION-BUILDING EFFORTS. THE GOAL IS TO CREATE A LASTING FOUNDATION OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT THAT SUPPORTS THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION OF ADVOCATING FOR RACIAL, ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL JUSTICE IN RURAL AREAS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
- $770,585 spent. STATEWIDE CAMPAIGNS/CIVIC ENGAGEMENT: OUR STATEWIDE ISSUE-BASED CAMPAIGNING WORKS THROUGH COMMUNITY ORGANIZING, EDUCATION, AND POLICY ADVOCACY, BUILDING POWER TO INFLUENCE LOCAL AND STATE DECISION-MAKERS AND SECURE MEANINGFUL, LASTING CHANGES.BY PARTNERING WITH LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS, WE PROVIDE RESOURCES AND ASSISTANCE FOR INDIVIDUALS TO UNDERSTAND AND ENROLL IN MEDICAID, ENSURING THEY RECEIVE THE HEALTHCARE THEY NEED. OUR TEAM ADVOCATES FOR RESPONSIBLE USE OF FEDERAL FUNDS FROM THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT (IRA) TO BENEFIT WORKING-CLASS COMMUNITIES. WE ADVOCATE FOR EQUITABLE FUNDING, RESOURCES, AND POLICIES THAT SUPPORT PUBLIC EDUCATION.
- $487,405 spent. COMMUNICATIONS: WDH COMMUNICATION DEPARTMENT USED DIGITAL ACTIONS TO SEND OUT MESSAGES ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF ISSUES SUCH ABOUT SCHOOL VOUCHERS, MEDICAID ENROLLMENT AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT. WDH USED POPULAR SOCIAL MEDIA TOOLS SUCH AS FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM AND TWITTER. THESE DIGITAL ACTIONS ALLOWED US TO STAY IN TOUCH WITH OUR WORKING CLASS BASE AND ALLOW THEM THE OPPORTUNITY TO VOICE THEIR CONCERNS.
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
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.
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.
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.
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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since March 2019.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
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.