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Pioneer Human Services

EIN 91-0791552 · Seattle, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair66 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 86 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 PROVIDE INDIVIDUALS WITH CRIMINAL HISTORIES THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEAD HEALTHY, PRODUCTIVE LIVES, AND FURTHER THE FOSTERING OF LOW INCOME HOUSING.

Income
$105.3 million
Spending
$95.3 million
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
4.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 88%
Employees
995
Volunteers
9
Highest pay
$548,990, 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

Fair: 66 out of 100. Higher than 68% of charities in its peer group (human services, over $100m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 28% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 10% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 17% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    86% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 86 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 28% of charities in its peer group (human services, over $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

    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 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 (5)
  1. $31.8 million spent. TREATMENT: PIONEER OFFERS A RANGE OF TREATMENT SERVICES IN THE COMMUNITY INCLUDING DETOX, OUTPATIENT AND RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT OPTIONS AND WITHIN LOCAL JAILS TO SUPPORT RECOVERY FROM SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS. ALL OF OUR SERVICES ARE FOCUSED ON MEETING PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE, UNDERSTANDING THEIR INDIVIDUAL NEEDS, AND DEVELOPING A PLAN TO SUPPORT THEM AS THEY WORK TOWARD BECOMING HEALTHY, PRODUCTIVE MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITIES.
  2. $23.3 million spent. ENTERPRISES: EMPLOYMENT IS KEY TO BUILDING A STABLE LIFE IN THE COMMUNITY AFTER INCARCERATION. THAT'S WHY WE STARTED PIONEER INDUSTRIES IN 1967. TODAY WE OPERATE MULTIPLE BUSINESS LINES THAT HELP SUPPORT OUR SOCIAL SERVICE PROGRAMS WHILE PROVIDING A TRAINING GROUND AND WORK EXPERIENCE THAT PROMOTE A CAREER TRAJECTORY FOR THOSE WE SERVE, AND SERVE AS A MODEL TO OTHER BUSINESSES ON HOW THEY CAN SUCCESSFULLY EMPLOY FORMERLY INCARCERATED INDIVIDUALS. OUR BUSINESS LINES INCLUDE MANUFACTURING, DISTRIBUTION, FOOD SERVICE AND CONSTRUCTION.
  3. $11.7 million spent. YOUTH/JUVENILE: PIONEER PROVIDES AN ARRAY OF SPECIALIZED RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMS TO SERVE YOUTH, YOUNG ADULTS AND FAMILIES IN CRISIS. OUR GOAL IS TO PRESERVE FAMILIES, IF IT IS SAFE FOR THE YOUTH, AND PROVIDE THE TOOLS AND SKILLS NEEDED TO PREVENT YOUTH FROM ENTERING THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM OR FROM RETURNING TO IT.
  4. $8.4 million spent. REENTRY: AS THE SOLE PROVIDER OF RESIDENTIAL REENTRY SERVICES FOR PEOPLE RELEASING FROM FEDERAL PRISON IN WASHINGTON STATE, PIONEER WORKS WITH EACH RESIDENT TO PREPARE FOR LIFE IN THE COMMUNITY. OUR REENTRY CENTERS OFFER A WIDE RANGE OF SUPPORT TO MEET INDIVIDUAL RESIDENT NEEDS, INCLUDING ON-SITE SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT, JOB-READINESS WORKSHOPS, PARENTING CLASSES AND FAMILY REUNIFICATION SERVICES.
  5. $6.8 million spent. HOUSING: RECOGNIZING THAT HOUSING IS VITAL TO STABILITY AND IS AN AREA WHERE PEOPLE WITH CRIMINAL HISTORIES FREQUENTLY FACE DISCRIMINATION, PIONEER OFFERS A RANGE OF AFFORDABLE AND SERVICE-ENRICHED HOUSING OPTIONS ACROSS THE STATE OF WASHINGTON.

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 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 December 2024.

    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 January 1972.

    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.