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Passes our checks

Wakulima USA

EIN 83-3464668 · Kent, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair50 out of 100GovernanceGood75 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 6% of its spending went to programs.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

Our Food Production Center will serve as our primary storage production and distribution facility. The coop will aggregate purchase store and distribute farm inputs for members and will act as an integrator collecting the output from members undertaking manufacturing and delivering product downstream through our marketing channels. We will make value addition one of our core focuses - transformation packaging distribution and marketing of farm products both crop and livestock. Our Farming and Food Business Development Center will provide farming and food business training support and enterprise incubation to aspiring entrepreneurs from the communities we serve. We will provide the farmers and entrepreneurs we serve with mentorship farmland processing and storage facilities and marketing and distribution support. Our Community Kitchen and Cultural Center will provide a welcoming space for diverse communities to come together and share their foods cultures values and s

Income
$590,721
Spending
$469,772
Spent on programs
6%
Reserves
0.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 96%
Employees
0
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$103,774, development 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: 50 out of 100. Higher than 12% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 26% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 20% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 44% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    6% 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 56% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    0 of 3 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 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)
  1. $11,957 spent. Our Farm Program provides farmers with farm space technical support and markets for produce creating food sovereignty and economic opportunities in low income immigrant communities. We empower people to harness their traditional foodways modern farming techniques and food innovation strategies to build successful businesses centered around healthy sustainable local food production. The cooperative currently includes 26 farmers from various countries in Africa who cultivate in Western Washington. Wakulima hosts an annual Mavuno harvest Festival in the fall where we celebrate our farmers.
  2. $1,000 spent. One of the challenges facing immigrants and refugees is the issue of Mental Health. One of the main areas of concern is finding supports for our community that enhance culturally relevant ways of doing therapy and offering supports to our community.
  3. $17,154 spent. Our youth program invites parents and youth to work together through their adjustment challenges and see common solutions that are long-lasting and amicable. Wakulima hosts age appropriate youth forums that give youth the space to express their feelings and receive peer to peer support. We also host an annual Vijana youth Festival where we provide food and entertainment for youth bringing the community together.

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 March 2019.

    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.