Cultivate Initiatives
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE ORGANIZATION COLLECTIVELY WORKS ALONGSIDE THOSE ON THE MARGINS TO EMPOWER INDIVIDUALS AND COMMUNITIES THROUGH AN INCLUSIVE RANGE OF SERVICES AND SUPPORT IN EAST PORTLAND.
- Income
- $9.6 million
- Spending
- $9.3 million
- Spent on programs
- 84%
- Reserves
- 1.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 77%
- Employees
- 117
- Volunteers
- 75
- Highest pay
- $90,922, finance director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 52% of charities in its peer group (housing, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 1.7 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 30% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 4% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 10% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1584% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 70% of charities in its peer group (housing, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 258 of 8 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.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited 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 June 30, 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 (4)
- $2.8 million spent. WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT:THE ORGANIZATION'S WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE IS DESIGNED TO CREATE MEANINGFUL, PAID OPPORTUNITIES THAT HELP COMMUNITY MEMBERS MOVE TOWARD STABILITY AND LONG-TERM EMPLOYMENT. WE KNOW THAT MANY OF OUR NEIGHBORS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS OR FINANCIAL HARDSHIP WANT TO GET BACK ON THEIR FEET THROUGH PURPOSEFUL WORK, AND THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES A STRUCTURED PATHWAY TO DO JUST THAT. (SEE CONTINUATION ON SCHEDULE O).AT THE HEART OF THIS INITIATIVE IS THE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM, WHICH OFFERS PARTICIPANTS FIVE DAYS OF PAID, HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE SHADOWING OUR BEAUTIFICATION TEAMS. AFTER COMPLETING THE INTERNSHIP, PARTICIPANTS MEET WITH AN EMPLOYMENT SPECIALIST AND MAY CONTINUE ON THROUGH THE EMPLOYMENT PATHWAYS PROGRAM. THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES INDIVIDUALIZED SUPPORT SUCH AS RESUME BUILDING, INTERVIEW PREPARATION, JOB APPLICATIONS, AND ACCESS TO ADDITIONAL TRAINING.EMPLOYMENT PATHWAYS HAS TWO TRACKS: EXTERNAL PATHWAY - FOCUSED ON PREPARING PARTICIPANTS FOR CAREERS IN VARIOUS TRADES AND TRAINING OUTSIDE OF CULTIVATE INITIATIVES. INTERNAL PATHWAY - OFFERS TIME-LIMITED TRAINEE AND APPRENTICESHIP POSITIONS WITHIN THE ORGANIZATION. GRADUATES OF THE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM ARE ELIGIBLE FOR SIX-MONTH OR ONE-YEAR POSITIONS ON THE SHOWERS & HYGIENE TEAM OR PROPERTY STEWARDSHIP TEAM. THESE ROLES EMPHASIZE PROFESSIONAL GROWTH THROUGH SOFT SKILLS DEVELOPMENT, ACCOUNTABILITY, TIME MANAGEMENT, RELEVANT CERTIFICATIONS, AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR ADVANCEMENT BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE ORGANIZATION.A DISTINCTIVE FEATURE OF THE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM IS THAT INTERNS, TRAINEES, AND APPRENTICES WORK DIRECTLY ALONGSIDE OUR PROPERTY STEWARDSHIP TEAM, WHICH COMPLETES PAID CONTRACTS AND ONE-OFF JOBS TO DELIVER COMMUNITY BEAUTIFICATION SERVICES SUCH AS LANDSCAPING, DEBRIS REMOVAL, AND PROPERTY MAINTENANCE. THESE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED FOR LOCAL BUSINESSES, PRIVATE RESIDENTS, AND MUNICIPALITIES INCLUDING PORTLAND, TROUTDALE, FAIRVIEW, AND WOOD VILLAGE. IMPORTANTLY, THE PROGRAM IS LED AND CARRIED OUT PRIMARILY BY NEIGHBORS WHO ARE FORMERLY OR CURRENTLY HOUSELESS; DEMONSTRATING THE STRENGTH, SKILL, AND RESILIENCE WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY.
- $2.5 million spent. SUPPORTIVE SHELTERING:THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES SUPPORTIVE SHELTERING SERVICES TO PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOUSELESSNESS AND HOUSING INSECURITY. THE ORGANIZATION OPERATES THE MENLO PARK VILLAGE THROUGH THE CITY OF PORTLAND'S SAFE REST VILLAGE PROGRAM. THIS IS A LOW-BARRIER TRANSITIONAL EMERGENCY SHELTER THAT PROVIDES CASE MANAGEMENT, PEER SUPPORT SERVICES, CONNECTION TO MH/SUD RESOURCES, ALL WHILE PROVIDING THE COMMUNITY ENOUGH SUPPORT TO ENSURE A TRANSFORMATIVE EXPERIENCE. IN FISCAL YEAR 2025, THE ORIGANIZATION BROKE GROUND ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE WORKFORCE VILLAGE, A 20 UNIT LOW-BARRIER, TRANSITIONAL EMERGENCY SHELTER. (SEE CONTINUATION ON SCHEDULE O.)ONCE COMPLETED, THE WORKFORCE VILLAGE WILL PROVIDE A SAFE SPACE FOR NEIGHBORS TO RECEIVE CASE MANAGEMENT, PEER SUPPORT SERVICES, CONNECTIONS TO EMPLOYMENT RESOURCES, HEALTH SERVICES, BARRIER REMOVAL SUPPORT, AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT. ADDITIONALLY, THE ORGANIZATION OPERATES COOLING AND WARMING SHELTERS WHEN THE WEATHER MEETS EXTREME WEATHER THRESHOLDS AS DETERMINED BY MULTNOMAH COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT SERVICES.
- $2.4 million spent. HOUSING AND HOMEMAKING:THIS INITIATIVE HELPS INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS OR LIVING IN SHELTERS TRANSITION INTO SUPPORTIVE HOUSING, PROVIDING RETENTION SERVICES AND GUIDANCE TOWARDS LONG-TERM STABILITY. THE ORGANIZATION PARTNERS WITH MULTNOMAH COUNTY AND OTHER FUNDING SOURCES TO PROVIDE HOUSELESS INDIVIDUALS ACCESS TO HOUSING. WE OFFER A RANGE OF SUPPORTS TO MEET DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCES. OUR RAPID RE-HOUSING PROGRAMS, INCLUDING HOUSING MULTNOMAH NOW AND OREGON ALL IN, PROVIDE SHORT-TERM FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR INDIVIDUALS TO QUICKLY EXIT HOMELESSNESS OR RETAIN THEIR CURRENT HOUSING. (SEE CONTINUATION ON SCHEDULE O).THE SUPPORTIVE LEASING PROGRAM ENABLES HIGH-BARRIER INDIVIDUALS WITH OPPORTUNITIES FOR HOUSING WHILE BUILDING LANDLORD RELATIONSHIPS AND POSITIVE RENTAL HISTORY. THE IN-REACH PROGRAM IS DEDICATED TO SUPPORT INDIVIDUALS MOVING DIRECTLY FROM SHELTER INTO SUPPORTIVE HOUSING. BEYOND FINANCIAL SUPPORT, THE HOMEMAKING TEAM PLAYS A CRITICAL ROLE IN ENSURING LONG-TERM SUCCESS FOR REHOUSED INDIVIDUALS. HOMEMAKING SPECIALISTS WORK ONE-ON-ONE WITH PARTICIPANTS TO HELP THEM ACCLIMATE TO THEIR NEW LIVING ENVIRONMENTS, TEACHING ESSENTIAL SKILLS SUCH AS BUDGETING, HOME MAINTENANCE, AND COMMUNITY BUILDING. THE TEAM ALSO PROVIDES CONNECTIONS TO RESOURCES FOR EMPLOYMENT, GOVERNMENTAL BENEFITS, MEDICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH HELP, AND ADDICTION RECOVERY SERVICES. WE WALK ALONGSIDE INDIVIDUALS THROUGHOUT THEIR HOUSING JOURNEY, HELPING THEM BUILD A FOUNDATION FOR STABILITY, INDEPENDENCE, AND IMPROVED QUALITY OF LIFE.
- $143,634 spent. THE ORGANIZATION'S COMMUNITY HEALTH INITIATIVE AIMS TO ADDRESS BASIC NEEDS, OFFER PREVENTATIVE CARE, AND PROMOTE HEALTHY LIVING WITHIN THE COMMUNITY. BY PROVIDING CRITICAL COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICES DIRECTLY TO HOUSELESS NEIGHBORS, CULTIVATE ADDRESSES VARIOUS BARRIERS SUCH AS TRANSPORTATION, LACK OF TRUST, AND THE IMPACT OF FINANCIAL BURDENS. THE MOBILE SHOWER AND HYGIENE RESPONSE PROGRAM ENSURES DAILY ACCESS TO FREE SHOWERS AND HYGIENE SERVICES FOR NEIGHBORS. FURTHERMORE, CULTIVATE COLLABORATES WITH VOLUNTEER HEALTH PROFESSIONALS AND HEALTH EDUCATION PROGRAMS, INCLUDING CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY NURSING, TO OFFER HEALTH SCREENINGS, COVID-19 SCREENINGS, WOUND CARE, AND OTHER NURSING SERVICES IN ADDITION TO THE MOBILE SHOWER AND HYGIENE RESPONSE.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 June 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 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 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.