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Unkitawa

EIN 83-2398323 · Kent, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair55 out of 100GovernanceGood75 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

UNKITAWA IS A GROUP OF DEDICATED, RESULTS-ORIENTED PEOPLE WHO HAVE COME TOGETHER TO SUPPORT THE EFFORTS THAT PROTECT AND HEAL THE EARTH FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL.

Income
$2.8 million
Spending
$3.3 million
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
4.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 51%
Employees
21
Volunteers
75
Highest pay
$139,296, 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

Fair: 55 out of 100. Higher than 18% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 9% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 19% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 26% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    90% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 75 out of 100. Higher than 19% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 5 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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 (4)
  1. $1.3 million spent. FISCAL SPONSORSHIPS - UNKITAWA FISCALLY SPONSOR 9 GROUPS CURRENTLY. THEY ALL RUN DIFFERENT CULTURAL PROGRAMMING.
  2. $366,843 spent. INDIGENOUS WELLNESS - UNKITAWA IS A SERVICE PROVIDER WITHIN A NATIVE AMERICAN/INDIGENOUS CONTEXT. ACROSS ALL PROGRAMS, THE CORE OF WORK OF WHAT WE DO IS TO PROVIDE, PROMOTE, ENHANCE, TEACH, AND SPREAD NATIVE AMERICAN INDIGENOUS SPIRITUAL AND CULTURAL PRACTICES. THIS IS DONE THROUGH GROWING, GATHERING, HARVESTING, DISTRIBUTION, AND PREPARING TRADITIONAL PLANT AND ANIMAL-BASED MEDICINES, ARTS/CRAFTS, AND SPIRITUAL TEACHINGS. 80% OF THE PEOPLE SERVED ARE URBAN INDIAN, WITH THE REMAINING 20% LIVING ON RESERVATIONS. PRIMARY AREAS SERVED ARE WASHINGTON, SOUTH DAKOTA, MINNESOTA. OUR MEDIA PRESENCE IS COUNTRYWIDE. WE SERVE ALL AGES, WITH SPECIFIC PROJECTS FOR YOUTH, ELDERS, VETERANS, WOMEN, AND FORMERLY INCARCERATED INDIVIDUALS. A PORTION OF OUR WORK IS SPECIFICALLY GEARED TOWARD FOOD SOVEREIGNTY, PARTICIPATION IN CEREMONY, WELLNESS THROUGH EMOTIONAL AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH.
  3. $252,220 spent. VETERANS - THE VETERANS PROGRAM REMOVES BARRIERS AND PROVIDES SERVICES THAT DELIVER EQUITABLE OPPORTUNITIES TO EMPOWER INDIGENOUS VETERANS, SERVICE MEMBERS, AND THEIR FAMILIES TO ACHIEVE THEIR GREATEST POTENTIAL. UNKITAWA IS ONE OF THE KING COUNTY VETERANS PROGRAM'S (KCVP) KEY PARTNERS PROVIDING NATIVE AMERICAN PATHFINDING FOR NATIVE AMERICANS EXPERIENCING HARDSHIP IN KING COUNTY. VETERAN SERVICES INCLUDE SPIRITUAL AND CULTURAL CONNECTION, CRAFTING, EMPLOYMENT, AND OTHER SUPPORTIVE SERVICES. WE HOST THREE - FIVE COMMUNITY OUTREACH, VETERAN OUTREACH, AND CULTURAL EVENTS EVERY MONTH. CULTURAL EVENTS INCLUDE MAKING DRUMS, BELTS, AND PADDLES, AND DRUMMING CIRCLES. OUR FOLK LIFE AND VETERAN HOMECOMING EVENTS ARE CENTRAL TO THE NATIVE AMERICAN TRADITION OF HONORING OUR VETERANS AND WARRIORS WHO COME HOME FROM BATTLE.
  4. $1.1 million spent. OTHER WHICH INCLUDE GENERAL PROGRAMS, FOLKLIFE, ELDERS PROGRAM (WISDOM KEEPERS), STORE, ARTSFUND, COMMUNITY INNOVATIONS, HEALTHIERHERE, INNOVATIONS GENERAL, TRIBAL INNOVATIONS, YOUTH GUN VIOLENCE.

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 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 December 2024.

    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 November 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.