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Passes our checks

Braided Seeds

EIN 85-2607807 · Tukwila, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood82 out of 100GovernanceGood71 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Braided Seeds provides BIPOC opportunities for rest restoration and reconnection to the land. Specific services include distributing free Discover Passes to the BIPOC community partnering with schools to integrate Black-centered environmentalism and nature connection activities into the curriculum sponsoring rest retreats for low-income Black Indigenous and Latine community members resourcing participants with gear leading hiking camping and outdoor trips for BIPOC predominantly Black youth and working with communities to find local ways to connect with the natural world.

Income
$312,734
Spending
$306,805
Spent on programs
68%
Reserves
3.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 48%
Employees
5
Volunteers
43
Highest pay
$49,744, 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: 82 out of 100. Higher than 54% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 28% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    68% 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

Good: 71 out of 100. Higher than 37% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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

    6 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, 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 (3)
  1. $34,750 spent. Braided Seeds distributed 615 passes to local and national public lands including Washington State Discover Passes and 101 America the Beautiful National Park Passes. These passes expanded equitable access to public lands. These passes enabled families and individuals to visit parks and natural areas across Washington State and beyond reducing financial barriers to outdoor recreation and environmental learning. Through this program access to outdoor spaces was expanded for approximately 2,339 community members statewide supporting environmental justice by increasing opportunities for historically underrepresented communities to connect with and steward public lands.
  2. $76,940 spent. Braided Seeds facilitated and participated in 12 community days and events designed to expand equitable access to outdoor spaces and environmental learning. Programs included a BIPOC Wilderness First Aid WFA course community sponsorship initiatives supporting more than 445 participants and an international Back to the Root learning exchange in Ghana that connected participants to land-based knowledge environmental stewardship practices and cultural heritage. Through our community gear library over 100 community members benefited from borrowing outdoor equipment to safely explore natural areas across Washington State. These efforts advance environmental justice by reducing financial and access barriers to outdoor recreation safety training and environmental engagement for historically underrepresented communities.
  3. $96,343 spent. Braided Seeds provided youth-centered outdoor education programs that increase equitable access to nature environmental education and culturally grounded learning opportunities for youth in King County and Pierce County. Youth participated in activities such as snowshoeing horseback riding kayaking youth campouts youth farming experiences and other hands-on educational programs that build environmental knowledge and confidence in outdoor spaces. Through partnerships with local organizations Braided Seeds also facilitated ongoing environmental education enrichment and weekly youth reclamation trips. These programs support environmental justice by expanding access to outdoor learning for communities historically excluded from environmental spaces while fostering youth leadership environmental stewardship and meaningful connections to land and place.

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

  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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.

  4. 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.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since October 2021.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 21, 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.