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Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle

EIN 91-0575954 · Seattle, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair50 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE URBAN LEAGUE OF METROPOLITAN SEATTLE (ULMS) EMPOWERS AFRICAN AMERICANS, AS WELL AS OTHER DIVERSE UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES, TO THRIVE BY SECURING EDUCATIONAL AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES.

Income
$34.4 million
Spending
$25.6 million
Spent on programs
76%
Reserves
-8.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 71%
Employees
168
Volunteers
419
Highest pay
$278,862, president & ceo

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: 50 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 52% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 26% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 117% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    76% 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.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    23 of 23 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

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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 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 (7)
  1. $10.0 million spent. HOUSING: THE PROGRAM PROVIDES FORECLOSURE PREVENTION WITH OUTCOME OF HECM LOANS FOR PEOPLE AGED 62 YEARS OR MORE, MORTGAGE MODIFICATION MEDIATION, EXPUNGEMENT OF CRIMINAL RECORDS, AND/OR ASSISTING FORECLOSED FAMILIES WITH MEMBERS WITH CRIMINAL RECORDS TO MOVE INTO SAFE AND SANITARY RENTAL HOUSING. THE PROGRAM ALSO PROVIDES TRANSITIONAL HOUSING TO HOMELESS YOUTH AGES 18-24 AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR HOUSEHOLDS FACING EVICTION. IN FY25, THE ORGANIZATION ADMINISTERED THE WASHINGTON STATE COMMUNITY REINVESTMENT PROGRAM WHICH INCLUDES DOWNPAYMENT ASSISTANCE FOR FIRST TIME HOMEBUYERS, FORECLOSURE PREVENTION, HOME REPAIRS FOR SENIORS, SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT GRANTS AND DEBT REMEDIATION.
  2. $3.4 million spent. ADVOCACY AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: THE ADVOCACY AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT DEPARTMENT HAS FOUR MAIN BUCKETS OF WORK: POLICY ADVOCACY, CIVIC ENGAGEMENT, PUBLIC HEALTH, AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH. THE TEAM WORKS WITHIN THOSE BUCKETS WITH LOCAL AND STATE GOVERNMENTS, AGENCIES, AND ORGANIZATIONS TO MAKE SYSTEMATIC CHANGE THAT BENEFIT BLACK PEOPLE, FAMILIES, AND YOUTH. THE TEAM ALSO CREATES EDUCATIONAL AND OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES TO EMPOWER THE COMMUNITY TO CREATE A POSITIVE CONNECTION WITHIN SYSTEMS AND INSTITUTIONS THAT AFFECT US ALL. IN FY25, ULMS ADMINISTERED THE WE SEE YOU AWARD ON BEHALF OF THE SEATTLE FOUNDATION, SUPPORTING REST, HEALING, AND LIBERATION FOR BIPOC EXECUTIVES ACROSS WASHINGTON STATE.
  3. $2.5 million spent. EDUCATION: DEVELOPING REMEDIAL LEARNING PROGRAM TARGETING AT-RISK HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS OF COLOR WHO ARE UNDERSERVED IN THE COMMUNITY FOR SUCCESS IN COLLEGE AND BEYOND, PROVIDING ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT AND SKILL-BUILDING THROUGH STEM PROGRAM, AND SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM.
  4. $2.3 million spent. EMPLOYMENT (CAREER BRIDGE): THE PROGRAM DEVELOPS PATHWAYS TO ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY FOR AFRICAN AMERICAN MEN IN KING COUNTY AGES 18-50 AT-RISK OF CRIMINAL INVOLVEMENT AND UNEMPLOYED/UNDEREMPLOYED, WHILE STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY AND FAMILIES. THE PROJECT UTILIZES A COHORT MODEL AND PARTICIPANTS PROGRESS AS A GROUP. PARTICIPANTS ENROLL IN A 50-HOUR TRAINING; RECEIVE SOCIAL SUPPORT, EMPLOYMENT PLACEMENT, OR TRAINING/EDUCATION; AND ATTEND WEEKLY SUPPORT GROUPS. THE PROGRAM ALSO INCLUDES INDIVIDUAL REMEDIAL LEARNING PROGRAMS, EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS, SOFTWARE SKILLS, DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING FOR CHILDREN 5-18 YEARS OF AGE WHO ARE UNDER-SERVED IN THE COMMUNITY.
  5. $902,643 spent. THE URBAN LEAGUE APARTMENTS AT COLMAN SCHOOL IS A 36-UNIT RESIDENTIAL REAL PROPERTY OWNED BY THE URBAN LEAGUE OF METROPOLITAN SEATTLE TO PROVIDE AFFORDABLE HOUSING TO LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS. IT IS IN THE CENTRAL DISTRICT IN SEATTLE, WASHINGTON. THE UNITS ARE RENTED TO LOW-INCOME TENANTS EARNING 50% AND 60% AMI AND SOME UNITS ARE RESERVED FOR THE HOMELESS POPULATION.
  6. $391,874 spent. THE URBAN LEAGUE OF METROPOLITAN SEATTLE'S ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAM SUPPORTS SMALL BUSINESSES BY DELIVERING CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE SERVICES THAT ADDRESS OPERATIONAL NEEDS, STRENGTHEN A TRUSTED COMMUNITY PRESENCE, AND CONSISTENTLY CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR BUSINESS GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT.
  7. $99,141 spent. OTHER PROGRAMS: THE ULMS ENTREPRENEURSHIP CENTER, ECO DISTRICT, YOUNG PROFESSIONALS (SULYP), AND OTHER PROGRAMS.

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

  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 June 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 July 1947.

    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.