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Metropolitan Development Council

EIN 91-0780533 · Tacoma, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak39 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SINCE 1964, THE METROPOLITAN DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL (MDC) HAS BEEN DEDICATED TO HELPING PEOPLE REMOVE THEMSELVES FROM POVERTY AND BECOME SELF-SUFFICIENT. MDC'S INTEGRATED HOUSING, HEALTHCARE, EMPLOYMENT, AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS EMPOWER INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES TO ADDRESS THE SPECIFIC BARRIERS THAT HAVE PREVENTED THEM FROM LIVING HEALTHY, STABLE LIVES.

Income
$22.3 million
Spending
$22.2 million
Spent on programs
91%
Reserves
-6.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 66%
Employees
256
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$215,106, ceo

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: 39 out of 100. Higher than 9% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 80% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    91% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 22% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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 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 (3)
  1. $2.5 million spent. EDUCATIONEMPLOYMENT AND TRAININGMDC OFFERS LOW-INCOME YOUTH AND ADULTS AN OPPORTUNITY TO FIND JOBS INTHE COMMUNITY. SERVICES INCLUDE CASE-MANAGEMENT, BARRIER REDUCTION, JOB READINESS TRAINING AND JOB PLACEMENT. THE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY CENTER PROVIDES FREE EDUCATIONAL NAVIGATION SUPPORT TO ADULTS THROUGH CAREER ADVISING AND EXPLORATION, EDUCATION PLANNING, ASSISTANCE WITH FINANCIAL AID FORMS AND COLLEGE APPLICATIONS AND STUDENT LOAN DEFAULT ADVOCACY.MDC HELPS LOW-INCOME AND FIRST GENERATION COLLEGE BOUND 9TH THROUGH12TH GRADE STUDENTS GRADUATE FROM HIGH SCHOOL AND ENROLL IN COLLEGE.INTENSIVE ACADEMIC SUPPORT INCLUDING: IN CLASSROOM ACADEMIC COURSES, TUTORING, ASSISTANCE IN COMPLETING FINANCIAL AID FORMS, SERVICELEARNING AND LEADERSHIP ACTIVITIES.TUTORING, STUDY SKILLS DEVELOPMENT,EDUCATION WORKSHOPS AND CAREER EXPLORATION SUCH AS CAREER DAY, JOBSHADOWING, BUSINESS SPEAKERS AND CAMPUS VISITS. PARENTS AND STUDENTSLEARN ABOUT COLLEGE ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS, FINANCIAL AID OPTIONS ANDFINANCIAL LITERACY.CHILD AND ADULT CARE FOOD PROGRAM ("CACFP") PROVIDES OVERSIGHT ANDREIMBURSEMENT DOLLARS FOR NUTRITIONAL MEALS SERVED TO CHILDREN.
  2. $4.3 million spent. MEDICALMDC PROVIDES LOW-INCOME ADULTS AND FAMILIES EXPERIENCING HOMELESS HEALTH CARE SERVICES. SERVICES INCLUDE PSYCHIATRIC ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT, AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT.ACUTE MEDICAL DETOXMDC PROVIDES INPATIENT ACUTE MEDICAL DETOXIFICATION (WITHDRAWAL MANAGEMENT) TO YOUTH AND ADULTS EXPERIENCING PHYSICAL WITHDRAWAL FROM ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUGS. THIRTY-TWO BEDS ARE AVAILABLE AT ANY GIVEN TIME.OUTPATIENT CHEMICAL DEPENDENCYMDC PROVIDES ASSESSMENT, OUTPATIENT AND INTENSIVE OUTPATIENT SERVICESTO INDIVIDUALS WHO MEET MEDICAL NECESSITY CRITERIA TO RECOVER FROM ADDICTION TO ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUGS.
  3. $13.4 million spent. HOUSINGMDC OPERATES A CONTINUUM OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING OPTIONS FOR INDIVIDUALSAND FAMILIES WHO ARE COMING OUT OF HOMELESSNESS OR HAVE LOWER INCOMES,MANY OF WHOM EXPERIENCE DISABILITIES. APARTMENTS, DUPLEXES, GROUPHOMES AND SINGLE FAMILY DWELLINGS COMPRISE THE MORE THAN 340 UNITS OFRENTAL HOUSING AVAILABLE FROM MDC, MAKING IT POSSIBLE FOR 900INDIVIDUALS TO BE SERVED EACH YEAR. MDC PROVIDES MANY SPECIALIZED SERVICES TO HELP STABILIZE THESE INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES. MDC'S CONTINUUM OF CARE PROVIDES CLIENTS WITH HOUSING PLACEMENT AND ON-GOING SERVICES THAT BEST MEET THEIR NEEDS. PROFESSIONAL CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES ARE TAILORED TO FIT THE NEEDS OF EACH TENANT IN REDUCING BARRIERS TO PERMANENT HOUSING AND SELF-SUFFICIENCY.HOMELESS PREVENTION PROGRAMS INCLUDE UTILITY ASSISTANCE THROUGH THE LOWINCOME HOUSING ENERGY AND ASSISTANCE PROGRAM ("LIHEAP") IN PARTNERSHIPWITH THE STATE AND LOCAL UTILITY COMPANIES; CONSERVATION OF ENERGY USETHROUGH SMALL REPAIR AND WEATHERIZATION MEASURES ADDED TO HOMES IN THECITY OF TACOMA. DUE TO THE WORLDWIDE PANDEMIC OUTBREAK OIF COVID-19, MDC HAS EXPANDED IT'S LIHEAP ASSISTANCE PROGRAM TO INCLUDE RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS TO ASSIST CLIENTS WITH EVICTION PREVENTION AND RENTAL ASSISTANCE FOR LOST WAGES.THE RAPID RE-HOUSING PROJECT CONTRIBUTES TO HOMELESS PREVENTION AND THEHOUSING OF CLIENTS IN NEED OF HELP FINDING AND MAINTAINING AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

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

  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 November 6, 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 December 2024.

    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 June 1965.

    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 November 4, 2026.

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