Issaquah Cultural Circle
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The Circle provides a safe space where individuals and families are empowered to gain knowledge, celebrate their cultures, and engage with their communities. The Circle advocates to reduce barriers for individuals and families by identifying their needs and making them feel welcome and connected so they are able to participate fully in their communities. We welcome individuals and families new to the country, as well as those who are already established in the community. Collaborating together, we provide personal support and identify their needs. We present available resources and services, and according to their needs we provide walk-along service or a referral to community resources and services, and guide them through processes. We offer help to find rental assistance, counseling, insurance, tax preparation, legal services, domestic violence or senior aid, among others. We are also a source for emergent help when necessary.
- Income
- $241,931
- Spending
- $245,321
- Spent on programs
- 80%
- Reserves
- -1.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 85%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 200
- Highest pay
- $30,000, executive director
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: 48 out of 100. Higher than 19% of charities in its peer group (international, under $250k).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 336% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1580% 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
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 90% of charities in its peer group (international, under $250k).
Independent board
25 of 255 of 5 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.
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 (1)
- $197,058 spent. Over 2700 Individuals served in 2024. 1) Community Navigation: We connect individuals and families to existing and new services to help them navigate the experience of living in their communities. All our services are free of charge, and we have created a safe space for individuals and families to meet with us. We offer one-on-one meetings with a flexible schedule based on their availability. We also organize workshops focused on the specific information needs of this group, including topics related to employment, student resources, home ownership, and mental health resources. In 2024, we provided over 1429 hours of Community Navigation services. We added additional Community Navigators who speak Spanish, Mandarin, and Arabic. The most frequent navigation service we provided was helping people meet basic needs by applying for assistance with food, clothing, rent, or utilities. 2) Education: The Circle provides access to education to bridge the gap for individuals and families to acquire the necessary knowledge to become active participants in their community. Classes include English and other languages, computer and technology, leadership, arts/culture, and parenting. For adults, we offer English as a Second Language classes. At the end of each quarter, we help transfer students who already feel more comfortable to take ESL classes at the college; we also help all of them to understand the opportunities they have to study a technical degree. Oftentimes our educational offerings are multi-generational, such as music classes for toddlers, during which at the same time our Community Navigation team can meet with parents, grandparents, and/or other caregivers. In 2024, we provided over 500 hours of educational classes. 3) Cultural Circles: The Circle provides space and support for cultural groups to meet and develop personal connections. These include the Latino Circle, Chinese Circle, Indian Heritage Circle, Arabic Circle, Pakistani Circle, and Russian Circle. We also have a Teen Circle and the Inclusive Circle, which supports children and teens of all abilities. In addition, we support events that are open and free to all to come together as a community to learn, celebrate, and understand each other's diversity. Special events include Lunar New Year, Day of the Dead, Senior Celebration, Children's Day, Diwali, Colombian Kite Festival, Eid Mubarak Celebration, Tai Chi demonstration, and Ukrainian Pysanky Egg decorating. To avoid cultural appropriation and to recognize the invaluable gift that the diverse community members bring to our cities, events are community-led and designed, with support by The Circle staff. In 2024, The Circle supported over 116 hours of cultural meetings and events.
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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since March 2022.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.