Chief Seattle Club
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
CHIEF SEATTLE CLUB EXISTS TO PROVIDE A SACRED SPACE TO NURTURE, AFFIRM, AND RENEW THE SPIRIT OF URBAN NATIVE PEOPLES.
- Income
- $21.8 million
- Spending
- $19.4 million
- Spent on programs
- 79%
- Reserves
- -8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 68%
- Employees
- 212
- Volunteers
- 20
- Highest pay
- $200,057, executive director
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: 55 out of 100. Higher than 36% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 45% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 11% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 13% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1579% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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 35% of charities in its peer group (human services, $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, 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 (2)
- $9.7 million spent. HOUSING: EAGLE VILLAGE IS THE REGION'S FIRST BRIDGE HOUSING FOCUSING ON HOMELESS AMERICAN INDIANS/ALASKA NATIVES. IN 2019 KING COUNTY DONATED SHIPPING CONTAINERS FORMERLY USED BY OIL WORKERS IN TEXAS THAT WERE CONVERTED INTO HOUSING UNITS. EAGLE VILLAGE IS STAFFED 24/7 INCLUDING LIVE-IN ADVOCATES THAT WERE ALL HOMELESS. WE OFFER CULTURALLY-APPROPRIATE PROGRAMMING INCLUDING TALKING CIRCLES, SEWING CIRCLES, DRUM CIRCLES, MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING, AND A TRADITIONAL MEDICINE GARDEN. OUR HOUSING OUTCOMES ARE BETTER THAN THE OVERALL HOMELESS SYSTEM WITH A HIGHER RATE OF EAGLE VILLAGE RESIDENTS EXITING INTO PERMANENT HOUSING, COMPARED TO AMERICAN INDIAN/ALASKA NATIVE EMERGENCY SHELTER RESIDENTS IN KING COUNTY. IN 2022, WE OPENED OUR FIRST PERMANENT HOUSING PROJECT, ?AL?AL. THE CLUB NOW HAS OVER 1,000 UNITS OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING/SHELTER ACROSS 16 SITES THAT ARE OPEN, UNDER CONSTRUCTION, OR IN DEVELOPMENT. ALL OF OUR PROJECTS INCLUDE ON-SITE CULTURALLY-ATTUNED SERVICES TARGETING HOMELESS AMERICAN INDIANS/ALASKA NATIVES (AI/AN). CSC ALSO STARTED A RE-ENTRY PROGRAM IN 2021, PROVIDING A HOME FOR INDIVIDUALS RECENTLY LEAVING INCARCERATION. ?AL?AL INCLUDES 80 UNITS OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING, HEALTH CLINIC, PLANNED CAFE, AND SPACE FOR CHIEF SEATTLE CLUB. IN JUNE 2020 CSC BEGAN DEVELOPING SACRED MEDICINE HOUSE - 125 UNITS OF PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING IN THE LAKE CITY NEIGHBORHOOD OF SEATTLE. IN NOVEMBER 2020, CSC PARTNERED WITH BELLWETHER HOUSING TO DEVELOP 200+ UNITS OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND A COAST SALISH LONGHOUSE AT THE NORTH SEATTLE COLLEGE CAMPUS. CASE MANAGERS PROVIDES SUPPORT AND ASSISTANCE FOR MEMBERS WITH A CRIMINAL HISTORY FOCUSING ON MEMBERS EXITING PRISONS/JAILS, INCLUDING CASE MANAGEMENT, EMPLOYMENT, FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, AND LEGAL AID. IN OCTOBER 2021, WE OPENED AN 8-BED RE-ENTRY HOUSE. CASE MANAGERS PROVIDES SERVICES AND SUPPORT TO VICTIMS/SURVIVORS OF GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE (DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND/OR COMMERCIAL SEXUAL EXPLOITATION). IN 2023, WE OPENED RED ROAD HOUSE, A CLEAN AND SOBER DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTER IN KING COUNTY. CSC PROVIDED RENTAL ASSISTANCE TO MANY HOUSEHOLDS. CASE MANAGERS PAIRED WITH FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE HELP HOMELESS NATIVE AMERICANS OBTAIN PERMANENT HOUSING THROUGH MOVE-IN ASSISTANCE (FIRST/LAST MONTH'S RENT, SECURITY DEPOSITS, APPLICATIONS FEES) MAINTAIN HOUSING TO PREVENT HOMELESSNESS THROUGH EVICTION PREVENTION FUNDS (BACK RENT, UTILITY ASSISTANCE) DIVERSION (EMPLOYMENT AND TRANSPORTATION EXPENSES TO INCREASE ACCESS TO INCOME/RESOURCES TO OBTAIN HOUSING). THE CLUB IS PLAYING A CRITICAL ROLE LOCALLY AND NATIONALLY AS A NATIVE HOUSING DEVELOPER. WE USE AN INDIGENOUS-DESIGN AND TRAUMA-AWARE APPROACH TO HOUSING DEVELOPMENT, AND ARE NOW THE FOURTH LARGEST PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING PROVIDER (PSH) IN KING COUNTY (AND THE ONLY BIPOC AGENCY). OUR PROJECTS INCLUDE PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING, SHELTER, TRANSITIONAL HOUSING AND HOUSING/SHELTER TARGETING ELDERS, FAMILIES, RELATIVES EXITING INCARCERATION, VICTIMS/SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE/SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND TRANS/2- SPIRIT COMMUNITY.
- $5.6 million spent. SUPPORTIVE SERVICES: CHIEF SEATTLE CLUB'S GATEWAY PROGRAM IS A DAY CENTER THAT IS OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK, 364 DAYS A YEAR (CLOSED ON INDIGENOUS PEOPLE'S DAY). EVERY DAY, 115 MEMBERS COME TO THE CLUB FOR BASIC NEEDS SUCH AS HOT MEALS, SHOWERS, AND LAUNDRY SERVICES. WE GAIN OUR MEMBERS' TRUST AND PARTNER WITH GOVERNMENT, NON-PROFITS, AND TRIBES TO OFFER ADDITIONAL ON-SITE SERVICES INCLUDING A NURSE, TRADITIONAL MENTAL HEALTH WORKER, HOUSING CASE MANAGERS, DSHS FINANCIAL ELIGIBILITY WORKER, LEGAL AID, TALKING CIRCLES, DRUM GROUPS, AND ART PROGRAM. CSC PROVIDES 24/7 SUPPORTIVE SERVICES FOR MEMBERS LIVING IN OUR AFFORDABLE TAX CREDIT HOUSING. OUR SUPPORTIVE SERVICES ARE TAILORED TO PREVENT MEMBERS FROM RETURNING TO HOMELESSNESS, MAXIMIZE THEIR HEALTH, SAFETY, FINANCIAL STABILITY, AND MENTAL WELL-BEING. CSC ALSO BEGAN PROVIDING ADVOCACY SERVICES FOR VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. TRADITIONAL WELLNESS PROGRAMS INCLUDING TRADITIONAL MENTAL HEALTH WORKERS, TRADITIONAL WELLNESS MANAGER FOCUSED ON STAFF WELLNESS, AND RECENTLY PURCHASED CEREMONIAL LAND. IN 2023, THE CLUB SHIFTED FROM EXCLUSIVELY USING CONTRACTED LICENSED MENTAL HEALTH CLINICIANS TO TRADITIONAL HEALERS AS FULL-TIME STAFF. LICENSED CLINICIANS HAD LIMITED RESULTS AND THE CLUB IS NOW APPROACHING MENTAL HEALTH THROUGH A LENS OF HEALING. THE CLUB HAS HIRED TRADITIONAL MENTAL HEALTH WORKERS TO LEAD CULTURAL WELLNESS ACTIVITIES SUCH AS SWEAT LODGE, TALKING CIRCLES, DRUM GROUPS, RED ROAD TO WELLBRIETY GROUPS, CULTURAL FIELD TRIPS, AND PROPER PROTOCOLS TO GATHER AND USE TRADITIONAL MEDICINES. WE RECENTLY PURCHASED A HALF-ACRE PROPERTY WITH 82 FEET OF SHORELINE ON THE DUWAMISH RIVER. THE SITE WILL BE THE CLUBS CEREMONIAL LAND FOR HEALTH AND WELLNESS PROGRAMS INCLUDING 2 SWEAT LODGES (MEN AND WOMEN), FIRE PIT, AND TRADITIONAL MEDICINE GARDEN.
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
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.
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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since October 1970.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 21, 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.