Central Area Collaborative
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
To ensure the commercial vitality of the Central District
- Income
- $1.3 million
- Spending
- $538,666
- Spent on programs
- 82%
- Reserves
- 19.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 1
- Highest pay
- $50,936, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 35Spendable reserves would cover 19.4 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 58% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 190% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1582% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 20% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $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
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a 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
0 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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, 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 (5)
- $140,030 spent. Only in Seattle: See Schedule O
- $123,922 spent. Black, Latino, and indigenous-led Agency Support Program. See Schedule O.
- $116,891 spent. Blended Capital Home Repair and Development. See Schedule O
- $59,668 spent. Home Stablization Program. See Schedule O.
- The Only In Seattle (OIS) Initiative, in partnership with the Central Area Collaboration (CAC), advances the Office of Economic Developments (OED) objectives by centering Business Development, the Organization of the 23rd & Union BIA, and advocacy. The collaborative strengthens Black-owned and local small businesses through targeted outreach, technical assistance, and a coordinated approach that ensures legacy businesses and new entrants complement existing business mix while enabling measurable growth, jobs, and residents, and business owners around a shared vision and streamlined placemaking, safety, marketing, and reinvestment efforts. Advocacy is central to the partnership: CAC and OIS facilitate strategic dialogues with funders, and developers to secure policies and investments that protect and grow Black-owned businesses. Place-making activities - such as festivals and community art walks - are leveraged as visible demonstrations of district vitality to attract capital and support. Real estate and investment alignment efforts ensure the 23rd and Union corridor remains an authentic and accessible commercial node for residents and visitors, while governance structures provide clear leadership, shared priorities, and cross-stakeholder collaboration. The expected outcomes include a scalable Business Development pipeline that drives revenue, foot traffic, and job opportunities: a well governed 23rd & Union BIA with proven collaboration; and a strengthened advocacy posture that translates district Needs into concrete policy, funding, and development opportunities. Blended Capital Home Repair and Development: The Central Area Collaborative administers the Blended Capital Home Repair and Development program to preserve homeownership, prevent displacement, and broaden affordable housing options for low-and moderate-income residents of King County, Washington. The program offers loans of up to $100,000 for essential home repairs and accessibility modifications to owner-occupied homes at or below 140% of Area Median Income, with priority given to seniors, people with disabilities, and residents in It also provides loans of up to $180,000 to support the construction of Accessory Dwelling Units and Detached Dwelling Units, helping homeowners build additional affordable rental housing on their properties. The Black, Latino, and Indigenous-led Agency Support Program (BLI) is part of Washington States Community Reinvestment Plan (CRP), a restorative-justice initiative designed to repair harm caused by the War on Drugs. The CRP directs resources to communities disproportionately impacted by criminalization and economic exclusion, with BLI funding specifically supporting Black, Latino, and Indigenous communities. The Centeral Area Collaborative (CAC) received $680,000 from the Washington State Department of Commerce to in the Central Area and Southeast Seattle. Eligible businesses must be located in King County, have operated for at least two years, meet income guidelines, and hold valid licenses. Loans of up to $45,000 carry a 0% interest rate, a 10-year term, and forgiveness after five years of on-time payments. By June 30, 2025, CAC had closed 15 loans totaling $536,000, helping businesses eliminate high-interest debt, retain staff, and strengthen operations. Home Stablization Program: The Central Area Collaborative administers the Home Stabilization Program to help low-income residents in the City of Seattle keep their homes and improve housing quality. The program offers grants of up to $10,000 to owner-occupants of properties with four or fewer units whose total household income is at or below 80% of the Area Median Income. The funded repairs focus on health, safety, and structural integrity and include a wide range of needs such as roof repair or replacement, foundation work, electrical upgrades, plumbing, accessibility modifications, hazardous materials removal, and essential appliance replacements. Properties must be owner-occupied as the primary residence. For properties with rental units, grant funds are limited to exterior repairs and repairs within the homeowner-occupied unit.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 October 13, 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 November 6, 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 October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since July 2019.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 November 4, 2026.
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