Wave Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE WAVE FOUNDATION STRENGTHENS COMMUNITY HEALTH, LOCAL ECONOMIES, AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY. OUR WORK TOUCHES AN ARRAY OF INTERRELATED SECTORS: FOOD, ENERGY, TRANSPORTATION, ZERO WASTE, AND CLEAN AIR AND WATER.
- Income
- $775,516
- Spending
- $852,734
- Spent on programs
- 97%
- Reserves
- 2.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 80%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 30
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
Weak: 49 out of 100. Higher than 13% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 2.5 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 10% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 46% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1597% 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: 89 out of 100. Higher than 69% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
18 of 252 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
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.
Independent check of accounts
12 of 15Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.
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 (6)
- $190,636 spent. HEALTHY AND SUSTAINABLE FOOD: THE WAVE FOUNDATION MADE SIGNIFICANT STRIDES IN ADVANCING THE WAVE MARKETPLACE INITIATIVE, WHICH SUPPORTS THE INCLUSION OF TRIBAL, BIPOC, WOMEN, AND RURAL FOOD PRODUCERS IN THE FOOD AND BEVERAGE INDUSTRY. THIS INITIATIVE PROMOTES FOOD SOVEREIGNTY, EQUITY, AND JUSTICE, ENSURING THAT HISTORICALLY UNDERSERVED FISHERS, FARMERS, AND RANCHERS CAN PARTICIPATE IN THE MARKET. IN 2024, THE INITIATIVE MOVED FROM DEVELOPMENT TO IMPLEMENTATION, INCREASING THE VISIBILITY AND MARKET PRESENCE OF THESE PRODUCERS. THE WAVE FOUNDATION STRENGTHENED ITS PARTNERSHIP WITH COMPASS GROUP USA, NORTH AMERICA'S LARGEST CORPORATE FOOD SERVICE ORGANIZATION, TO FURTHER THE MARKETPLACE'S REACH. (SEE CONTINUATION ON SCHEDULE O). ADDITIONALLY, THE WAVE FOUNDATION SUPPORTED THE CREATION OF THE WAVE MARKETPLACE, LLCA TRIBAL-OWNED PRIVATE SECTOR ENTITYTO FACILITATE THE SALE OF THESE PRODUCTS IN THE FOOD SERVICE INDUSTRY. THE FOUNDATION ALSO SUPPORTED THE UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO'S CLIMATE-SMART COMMODITIES GRANT WITH THE USDA IN 2024.
- $165,771 spent. COMMUNITY FOOD SYSTEMS AND ZERO WASTE:THE WAVE FOUNDATION LAUNCHED A STRATEGIC COLLABORATION IN PORTLAND, OREGON, TO ADVANCE A "ZERO-WASTE VISION" FOR PROVIDENCE PARK, THE MODA CENTER, AND OTHER LARGE PUBLIC VENUES. THIS PROGRAM PLAYS A CRUCIAL ROLE IN REDUCING FOOD WASTE AND RE-ESTABLISHING COMPOSTING OPERATIONS IN THE NORTHWEST. WITH SUPPORT FROM THE USDA, THE WAVE FOUNDATION SECURED A GRANT TO PILOT THIS PROJECT, INTEGRATING THE WAVE MARKETPLACE INTO ITS OPERATIONS. IN APRIL 2024, AN EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOP WAS HELD IN PORTLAND TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT THE INITIATIVE. (SEE CONTINUATION ON SCHEDULE O). THE FOUNDATION ALSO PARTNERED WITH THE GLOBAL ALLIANCE OF LATINOS IN AGRICULTURE TO EXPAND THESE PROGRAMS TO THE EAST COAST, FOCUSING ON BALTIMORE AND COMPASS PROPERTIES. WE HAVE APPLIED FOR SEVERAL GRANTS (INCLUDING FROM THE USDA AND EPA) TO SUPPORT THIS PROJECT'S GROWTH.DURING 2024, THE WAVE FOUNDATION INITIATED ENGAGEMENTS WITH SEVERAL ALIGNED PARTNERS IN OREGON (OREGON COAST VISITORS ASSOCIATION, OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY, ECO-TRUST, AND OTHER RELATED NON-PROFITS) TO ADVANCE A 100% FISH INITIATIVE. THIS INITIATIVE WOULD REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF WASTE IN THE SEAFOOD PRODUCTION INDUSTRIES OF OREGON, INCREASING ECONOMIC PROSPERITY FOR FISHING COMMUNITIES WHILE REDUCING ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS.
- $414,428 spent. FOOD AND NUTRITION RELIEF: AS PART OF OUR ONGOING FOOD AND NUTRITION RELIEF PROGRAM, INITIATED DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, THE WAVE FOUNDATION DISTRIBUTED OVER 2,000,000 MEAL EQUIVALENTS TO COMMUNITIES FACING HUNGER IN 2024. THIS PROGRAM WAS FUNDED BY THE STATE OF WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (AKA "WE FEED WA"). IN RESPONSE TO THE DEVASTATING FIRES IN LOS ANGELES, THE FOUNDATION PROVIDED FOOD AND CRISIS RELIEF TO IMPACTED COMMUNITIES. IN COLLABORATION WITH CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS, THE WAVE FOUNDATION CONTINUED ADVOCATING FOR REFORMS TO NATIONAL FOOD RELIEF PROGRAMS, DRAWING FROM OUR SUCCESSFUL REGIONAL MODEL THAT EMPHASIZES HEALTHY, SUSTAINABLE, AND CULTURALLY RELEVANT FOODS. (SEE CONTINUATION ON SCHEDULE O).DURING 2024, THE WAVE FOUNDATION INITIATED DISCUSSIONS WITH THE STATE OF OREGON, INQUIRING ABOUT THE POTENTIAL FOR A PILOT PROGRAM, LIKE THE WE FEED WA PROGRAM, FOR COMMUNITIES FACING HUNGER IN OREGON.
- $24,866 spent. CLEAN ENERGY AND TRANSPORTATION: IN PARTNERSHIP WITH CLIMATE SOLUTIONS, CLEAN AND PROSPEROUS WA, BUILD BACK BLACK ALLIANCE, AND OREGON BUSINESSES FOR CLIMATE, THE WAVE FOUNDATION CONTINUED THE BREAKING BARRIERS COLLABORATIVE, WHICH SUPPORTS BUSINESSES IN TRANSITIONING TO 100% ELECTRIFICATION OF REGIONAL BUILDINGS AND TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE. IN 2024, THE COLLABORATION HOSTED SEVERAL ACCELERATOR PROGRAMS, HELPING 25-30 ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS WASHINGTON AND OREGONINCLUDING BIPOC-OWNED BUSINESSESRECEIVE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR ELECTRIFYING THEIR FLEETS. THIS INITIATIVE NOW INCLUDES PUBLIC AGENCIES AT THE STATE AND LOCAL LEVELS.
- $8,289 spent. ENVIRONMENTAL EQUITY AND JUSTICE: THE WAVE FOUNDATION CONTINUED WORKING WITH TRIBAL AND BIPOC COMMUNITIES TO ADVANCE EQUITY AND JUSTICE GOALS WITHIN OUR CORE PROGRAMS. OUR EFFORTS TO REFORM REGIONAL FOOD SYSTEMS PRIORITIZE INCREASING ACCESS FOR TRIBAL, BIPOC, WOMEN, AND OTHER UNDERREPRESENTED FOOD PRODUCERS TO THE LARGER, MORE ECONOMICALLY VIABLE FOOD AND BEVERAGE INDUSTRY. OUR CLEAN ENERGY AND TRANSPORTATION INITIATIVES DIRECTLY BENEFIT COMMUNITIES OF COLOR, WHICH ARE OFTEN DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECTED BY CLIMATE-RELATED POLLUTION.
- $24,865 spent. YOUTH ENGAGEMENT: IN PARTNERSHIP WITH MUSCO, THE BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS, YAKAMA NATION, AND THE US SOCCER FOUNDATION, THE WAVE FOUNDATION FURTHER DEVELOPED A PROGRAM TO BUILD MINI-SPORTS COURTS IN NORTHWEST NATIVE COMMUNITIES. THESE COURTS PROVIDE TRIBAL YOUTH WITH ACCESS TO SPORTS AND PROMOTE HEALTHIER LIFESTYLES. IN 2022, THE PROJECT PARTNERS IDENTIFIED CELILO VILLAGE INDIAN COMMUNITY AS THE SITE FOR THE FIRST COURT, AND BY 2024, THE PROJECT WAS SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED WITH FUNDING FROM THE FORD FAMILY FOUNDATION, ROUNDHOUSE FOUNDATION, AND OTHERS. THE WAVE FOUNDATION IS CONTINUING TO SECURE ADDITIONAL FUNDING AND IDENTIFY NEW PROJECT SITES TO EXPAND THIS INITIATIVE.
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 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 October 13, 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 2024.
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 March 2021.
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 October 21, 2026.
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