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Living Wage for US Inc

EIN 87-1109801 · Lilburn, GA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak45 out of 100GovernanceStrong97 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 995 cents.

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

What it says it does

TO INSPIRE AND ENABLE EMPLOYERS TO PAY A LIVING WAGE.

Income
$424,436
Spending
$380,434
Spent on programs
62%
Reserves
1.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 99%
Employees
2
Volunteers
8
Highest pay
$143,133, ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 45 out of 100. Higher than 15% of charities in its peer group (employment, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 55% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 10% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 22% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    62% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 995 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 97 out of 100. Higher than 90% of charities in its peer group (employment, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 5 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

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 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. $86,132 spent. GENERAL PROGRAM: LIVING WAGES BUILD AND DEMONSTRATE RESPECT BY RIGHTLY VALUING THE SOCIETAL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE BY THOSE THAT CREATE AND MAINTAIN THE FABRIC OF OUR COMMUNITIES. OUR STRATEGY SEEKS TO COMPLIMENT WORKER VOICE AND CELEBRATE EMPLOYERS WHO ARE LEADING THE WAY, UNITING PEOPLE AROUND THIS COMMON, POSITIVE MESSAGE OF ENSURING A LIVING WAGE FOR WORKERS THAT IS BETTER FOR THEM, BETTER FOR EMPLOYERS, AND BETTER FOR COMMUNITIES. IT IS A NONPARTISAN STRATEGY APPEALING TO BOTH EMPLOYERS AND HARD-WORKING PEOPLE OF ALL WALKS OF LIFE, OFFERING A DECENT QUALITY OF LIFE FOR WORKING FAMILIES. TO ACHIEVE THESE AIMS, WE PROVIDE DATA, RESEARCH, ANALYSIS, GUIDANCE, AND CERTIFICATION AROUND LIVING WAGE PAYMENT. WE WORK WITH ALL TYPES OF ORGANIZATIONS TO BETTER INCENTIVIZE AND REMOVE BARRIERS TO LIVING WAGE PAYMENT. TO DATE, WE HAVE DIRECTLY GOTTEN MORE THAN $350 MILLION IN INCREASED EARNINGS DIRECTLY INTO THE POCKETS OF WORKERS THROUGH WAGE AND BENEFIT INCREASES AS EMPLOYERS MOVE TOWARD LIVING WAGE PAYMENT.
  2. $76,304 spent. CONSULTING FEES: IN ALIGNMENT WITH OUR GENERAL PROGRAMS AND MISSION, WE OFTEN HELP OTHER NONPROFITS, UNIONS, AND LABOR RIGHTS ADVOCATES UNDERSTAND THE LIVING WAGE FRAMEWORK AND INCORPORATE CONSISTENT LIVING WAGE EFFORTS. MUCH OF THIS ENGAGEMENT IS UNPAID, AND PART OF OUR COMMUNITY BUILDING AND ADVOCACY. OCCASIONALLY, SOME GROUPS NEED A MORE DETAILED ENGAGEMENT THAT TAKES CONSIDERABLY MORE STAFF TIME. IN THESE CASES, THEY CONTRACT US FOR ADVICE, GUIDANCE, AND HELP THEM BUILD THEIR OWN LIVING WAGE EFFORTS OR TO BRING ABOUT GREATER UNITY WITHIN THE MOVEMENT.
  3. $72,127 spent. MEMBERSHIP FEES: MEMBER COMPANIES WORK WITH LIVING WAGE FOR US TO UNDERSTAND GAPS TO A LIVING WAGE FROM THEIR TOTAL REMUNERATION STRUCTURE AND TO DEVISE PLANS TO CLOSE THOSE GAPS. MEMBERS MAY BECOME CERTIFIED OR MIGHT BE EMPLOYERS THAT DON'T YET QUALIFY FOR LIVING WAGE CERTIFICATION BUT WOULD LIKE TO SUPPORT THE MOVEMENT ON AN ONGOING BASIS AND IMPROVE THEIR PAY STRUCTURES TOWARD PAYING ALL WORKERS A LIVING WAGE.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 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 May 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 September 2022.

    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.