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Charles Wright Academy

EIN 91-0673111 · Tacoma, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair51 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 63 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 ACTIVE, JOYFUL LEARNING WHILE NURTURING AND CHALLENGING OUR STUDENTS TO DEVELOP THE CHARACTER, CREATIVITY, AND SKILLS TO SUCCESSFULLY NAVIGATE THE FUTURE WITH CONFIDENCE.

Income
$21.4 million
Spending
$26.0 million
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
5.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 87%
Employees
238
Volunteers
200
Highest pay
$442,779, head of school thru 07/24

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: 51 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 19% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 22% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 63 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: 90 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    18 of 18 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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 (1)
  1. $21.5 million spent. CHARLES WRIGHT ACADEMY IS AN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL FOR CHILDREN FROM PRESCHOOL THROUGH 12TH GRADE. OUR TEACHERS SUPPORT, STRETCH, AND CHALLENGE OUR STUDENTS TO BECOME RESILIENT, SELF-RELIANT, INDEPENDENT LEARNERS AND THINKERS. STUDENTS BENEFIT FROM A COMPREHENSIVE CURRICULUM THAT INCLUDES LAB SCIENCE, VISUAL AND PERFORMING ART, FOREIGN LANGUAGE AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION. CLASSROOM LEARNING IS ENHANCED BY INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETICS, CLUBS, EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING AND OUTDOOR EDUCATION. AT THE HEART OF THE CHARLES WRIGHT EXPERIENCE IS A COMMUNITY THAT HELPS STUDENTS DEVELOP THEIR FULL POTENTIAL AND BECOME INSPIRED, LIFE-LONG LEARNERS. TOTAL ENROLLMENT FOR THE 2024-25 SCHOOL YEAR WAS 560 STUDENTS.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since October 1958.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.