Hawk Foundation for Research and Education in African Culture
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The Hawk Foundation for Research and Education in Africa culture dedicates itself to the promotion of education, holistic health, and trauma healing in the African American community.
- Income
- $924,834
- Spending
- $667,690
- Spent on programs
- 95%
- Reserves
- 3.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 80%
- Employees
- 1
- Volunteers
- 37
- Highest pay
- $12,220, 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
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 63% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 3.4 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 10% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 28% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 49% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1595% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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
Fair: 69 out of 100. Higher than 45% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 255 of 5 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no 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
6 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 (1)
- $634,519 spent. Throughout 2025, The Hawk Foundation for Research and Education in African Culture expanded its impact across Washington State and internationally through culturally grounded education, research, and community engagement. Our organization successfully completed a two-year contract with the Washington State Department of Health, delivering African Indigenous health and wellness services that integrated traditional African cultural knowledge, music, rhythm, and community-centered healing practices to improve health outcomes and strengthen community well-being. We provided educational programming focused on Black history, African history, and African music education in partnership with schools and community organizations throughout Tacoma, Olympia, Lacey, and Seattle. These programs connected students with the histories, cultures, and artistic traditions of Africa and the African diaspora through interactive presentations, performances, and hands-on learning experiences. Internationally, the Foundation conducted research and planning efforts supporting the development of an African Cultural Center in Nigeria. This work strengthened relationships with cultural leaders, scholars, and community partners while advancing opportunities for international educational exchange, cultural preservation, and collaborative research. During 2025, The Hawk Foundation served approximately 3,625 youth across Washington State through assemblies, classroom instruction, workshops, performances, and educational events. These programs promoted cultural understanding, historical literacy, artistic excellence, and community engagement while creating meaningful opportunities for students to learn directly from African cultural practitioners and educators. Through these initiatives, the Hawk Foundation continued its mission of preserving African cultural traditions, advancing educational equity, and building bridges between African communities and the broader public through research, education, and the arts.
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 April 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.
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.