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Tacoma Urban League

EIN 91-0826302 · Tacoma, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak25 out of 100GovernanceGood71 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

To assist African Americans, other ethnic minorities and economically disadvantaged individuals and families in the achievement of social equity and economic independence.

Income
$863,556
Spending
$1.3 million
Spent on programs
78%
Reserves
-2.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 95%
Employees
9
Volunteers
75
Highest pay
$125,018, executive director until 0924

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: 25 out of 100. Higher than 2% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 68% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 48% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 16% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    78% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 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

Good: 71 out of 100. Higher than 48% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (4)
  1. $236,965 spent. BLACK EMPOWERMENT CENTER (BEC)THE TACOMA URBAN LEAGUE BLACK EMPOWERMENT CENTER IS DEDICATED TO EMPOWERING BLACK ENTREPRENEURS AND ASPIRING BUSINESS OWNERS IN THE COMMUNITY. THROUGH TAILORED BUSINESS WORKSHOPS, MENTORSHIP, AND RESOURCES, THE CENTER EQUIPS INDIVIDUALS WITH THE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS NEEDED TO LAUNCH, GROW, AND SUSTAIN SUCCESSFUL BUSINESSES. WITH A FOCUS ON FINANCIAL LITERACY,STRATEGIC PLANNING, AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, THE BLACK EMPOWERMENT CENTER IS COMMITTED TO FOSTERING ECONOMIC GROWTH AND HELPING BUSINESSES THRIVE IN TODAYS COMPETITIVE MARKET.
  2. $179,975 spent. MALE INVOLVEMENT PROGRAM (MIP)THE TACOMA URBAN LEAGUES MALE INVOLVEMENT PROGRAM (MIP) IS A MENTORSHIP INITIATIVE DEDICATED TO EMPOWERING YOUNG MEN IN THE COMMUNITY. WITH A 100% RETENTION RATE, THE PROGRAM PROVIDES CONSISTENT GUIDANCE, SUPPORT, AND POSITIVE ROLE MODELS TO STUDENTS ACROSS FOUR SCHOOLS: STEWART MIDDLE SCHOOL, LISTER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, GRAY MIDDLE SCHOOL, AND FOSTER MIDDLE SCHOOL. MIP FOCUSES ON PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT, ACADEMIC SUCCESS, AND LEADERSHIP SKILLS, HELPING STUDENTS BUILD CONFIDENCE, SET GOALS, AND STAY ON TRACK FOR A SUCCESSFUL FUTURE. THROUGH STRONG RELATIONSHIPS AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT, MIP ENSURES THAT EACH PARTICIPANT RECEIVES THE MENTORSHIP THEY NEED TO THRIVE.
  3. $78,322 spent. POSITIVE PARENTING PROGRAM (PPP)THE TACOMA URBAN LEAGUES POSITIVE PARENTING PROGRAM (PPP) IS DESIGNED TO EQUIP PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS WITH THE SKILLS AND RESOURCES THEY NEED TO CREATE NURTURING, SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENTS FOR THEIR CHILDREN. THROUGH WORKSHOPS, ONEON ONE COACHING, AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT, THE PROGRAM FOCUSES ON STRENGTHENING PARENTCHILD RELATIONSHIPS, PROMOTING POSITIVE DISCIPLINE STRATEGIES, AND FOSTERING EMOTIONAL AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT IN CHILDREN. PPP EMPOWERS PARENTS WITH PRACTICAL TOOLS TO MANAGE CHALLENGES, ENHANCE COMMUNICATION, AND BUILD STRONG FAMILY FOUNDATIONS, CONTRIBUTING TO THE OVERALL WELLBEING AND SUCCESS OF BOTH PARENTS AND CHILDREN.
  4. $501,456 spent. Other Programs

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? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on May 15, 2012 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on March 15, 2013.

    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 May 2013.

    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.

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.