Northwest Center
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It owes more than it owns.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
THE MISSION OF NORTHWEST CENTER IS TO PROMOTE THE GROWTH, DEVELOPMENT, AND INDEPENDENCE OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES THROUGH PROGRAMS OF THERAPY, EDUCATION, AND WORK OPPORTUNITY.
- Income
- $28.9 million
- Spending
- $31.1 million
- Spent on programs
- 80%
- Reserves
- -0.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 84%
- Employees
- 544
- Volunteers
- 18
- Highest pay
- $438,493, chief operating officer
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 34 out of 100. Higher than 3% of charities in its peer group (employment, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
0 of 20It owes 100% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 8% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 6% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1580% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 16 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 41% of charities in its peer group (employment, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2511 of 11 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.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
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, 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)
- $11.1 million spent. NORTHWEST CENTER OPERATES SEVERAL SOCIAL ENTERPRISES THAT PROVIDE WORKPLACE OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES. NORTHWEST CENTER ENTERPRISES EMPLOY ADULTS OF ALL ABILITIES ACROSS A BROAD ARRAY OF BUSINESS OPERATIONS, INCLUDING LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE, JANITORIAL, COMMERCIAL LAUNDRY SERVICES, SHIP PROVISIONING AND MAIL ROOM SERVICES.
- $7.4 million spent. NORTHWEST CENTER KIDS PROVIDES EDUCATIONAL AND THERAPEUTIC SERVICES FOR CHILDREN FROM BIRTH TO 12 YEARS OLD. OUR COMMUNITY-BASED EARLY SUPPORTS PROGRAM OFFERS SPEECH, MOTOR, SENSORY, AND LANGUAGE THERAPY IN THE HOME AND COMMUNITY. ADDITIONALLY, WE HAVE ONE SCHOOL LOCATED IN SEATTLE, THAT EMPLOYS AN INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION MODEL. THE CENTER SERVES INFANTS TO 12 YEARS OF AGE IN CLASSROOMS AND AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS. NORTHWEST CENTER KIDS PROVIDES EARLY SUPPORTS SERVICES FOR APPROXIMATELY 1271 CHILDREN A YEAR AND EDUCATES OVER 180 CHILDREN IN OUR SCHOOL. GRANT EXPENSES ARE SCHOLARSHIPS GIVEN. NWC IMPACT PROVIDES TRAINING AND SUPPORT FOR EARLY LEARNING EDUCATORS, SCHOOL DISTRICTS, ADMINISTRATORS AND PRIVATE EDUCATION PROGRAMS TO HELP THEM ADOPT INCLUSIVE PRACTICES. NWC EMPLOYMENT TRANSFORMATION COLLECTIVE SUPPORTS BUSINESSES TO REMOVE WORKPLACE BARRIERS TO ACCESSIBILITY.
- $6.5 million spent. NORTHWEST CENTER OPERATES A THRIFT COLLECTION BUSINESS WHICH, VIA ROUTE PICK UP AND ATTENDED DONATION STATIONS, PROVIDES BOTH EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE PEOPLE WE SERVE AND FUNDS FOR SERVICES FOR OUR KIDS AND ADULT PROGRAMS. THE THRIFT OR BIG BLUE TRUCK(TM) DIVISION HAS BEEN OPERATED BY NORTHWEST CENTER FOR OVER 50 YEARS.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 2025.
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 June 1966.
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.