We Heart Seattle
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
We Heart Seattle is an action-based, boots-on-the-ground movement that organizes trash cleanups in our public spaces and offers resources to those in need. Through our direct civic engagement we lead the way to a more compassionate and healthy community.
- Income
- $947,580
- Spending
- $794,302
- Spent on programs
- 92%
- Reserves
- 12.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 99%
- Employees
- 1
- Volunteers
- 1,000
- Highest pay
- $118,516, executive dir.
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
Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 86% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 12.5 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 1% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 16% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 2% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1592% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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
Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
18 of 254 of 4 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
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, 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 (1)
- $732,052 spent. In 2025 We Heart Seattle WHS removed 270,000 pounds of trash from Seattle and bordering cities, public spaces parks, alleys, sidewalks, playgrounds, greenbelts, bike trails, vacant lots, and commercial zones, organized 52 individual debris cleanup events and accrued close to 3800 volunteer hours. Through our civic engagement, we involved 450 new volunteers, restored 24 degraded landmarks and parks, and partnered with park stewards who maintain these spaces long-term. Our organized large format debris removals not only contribute to a cleaner environment, but also foster system-wide changes for equity and civic engagement by bringing communities together. In 2025, we further supported civic engagement by hosting a city-wide voter awareness walkabout, along with voter registration and education events. During our daily boots-on-the-ground activities, we connected individuals living unhoused to a range of vital resources, including medical detox, recovery housing, and employment navigation, securing vital documents, removing a range of barriers and, ultimately, assisting 33 individuals to move off the streets in 2025, and uplifting the lives of thousands. Our Clean and Care model provides a unique and vital approach to saving lives, thus saving our city from the decimation the drug epidemic plays in the environmental and humanitarian crisis we face. In 2025, We Heart Seattle continued our partnership with the City of Seattle to access a drug rehabilitation fund providing friction-free access for people in need of treatment.
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
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 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 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.