Asian Counseling and Referral Service
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
ACRS, GROUNDED IN COMMITMENT TO SOCIAL JUSTICE, PROVIDES SERVICES THAT ADVANCES THE HEALTH, WELLBEING, DIGNITY AND EMPOWERMENT OF ASIAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDERS AND OTHER COMMUNITIES EXPERIENCING DISPARITIES IN HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES.
- Income
- $40.4 million
- Spending
- $41.3 million
- Spent on programs
- 86%
- Reserves
- 6.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 48%
- Employees
- 343
- Volunteers
- 1,443
- Highest pay
- $355,835, medical 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
Good: 72 out of 100. Higher than 64% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 6.8 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 18% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 2% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 11% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1586% 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 2528 of 28 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 (9)
- $12.5 million spent. BEHAVIORAL HEALTH: THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH (BH) PROGRAM SERVES OVER 2616 INDIVIDUALS COMBINES EASTERN AND WESTERN APPROACHES TO OFFER A COMPREHENSIVE ARRAY OF SPECIALIZED MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WITH A TEAM OF TRAINED MENTAL HEALTH CASE MANAGERS, PSYCHIATRISTS, AND PSYCHIATRIC NURSES THAT SPEAK MORE THAN TWENTY DIFFERENT ASIAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER LANGUAGES AND DIALECTS. BH STAFF ASSIST INDIVIDUALS TO DEVELOP AND REGAIN THE SKILLS AND INDEPENDENCE TO LIVE MEANINGFUL LIVES IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. BH STAFF ALSO PROVIDE IMPORTANT LINKAGE TO OTHER COMMUNITY RESOURCES INCLUDING HOUSING, PUBLIC BENEFITS, AND SUPPORTIVE EMPLOYMENT. STAFF WORK COLLABORATIVELY WITH HOSPITALS, NURSING HOMES, AND OTHER HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS TO COORDINATE CARE FOR THEIR MUTUAL CLIENTS.
- $9.4 million spent. AGING AND ADULT SERVICES: THE AGING AND ADULT SERVICES (AAS) PLAYS A VITAL ROLE IN SUPPORTING LOW-INCOME, DIVERSE ASIAN, AND NATIVE HAWAIIAN/PACIFIC ISLANDER (A&NH/PI) SENIORS, MOSTLY LIVING IN THE KING COUNTY AREA. THROUGH ITS FOUR CORE PROGRAMS - TITLE XIX CASE MANAGEMENT, COMMUNITY LIVING CONNECTIONS, HEALTH HOME AND CARE TRANSITIONS, AND CLUB BAMBOO SENIOR CENTER - THE AAS DEPARTMENT PROMOTES THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF ITS FOCUS POPULATION BY CREATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE CLIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES TO HAVE ACCESS TO CULTURALLY, AND LINGUISTICALLY APPROPRIATE COMPREHENSIVE, AND INTEGRATED SERVICES EITHER WITHIN THE AGENCY OR THROUGH THE COMMUNITY PARTNERS. IN 2024, THE AAS DEPARTMENT SERVED OVER 5,536 CLIENTS ACROSS ALL ITS PROGRAMS. THE TITLE XIX CASE MANAGEMENT (CM) PROGRAM SERVED A TOTAL OF UNDUPLICATED 4,250 HOMEBOUND ELDERLY AND ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES IN 2024. THIS PROGRAM HELPS SENIORS AND ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES TO FUNCTION SAFELY AND THRIVE AT HOME WITH THEIR FAMILY AND FRIENDS. THE PROGRAM'S MULTILINGUAL STAFF CONDUCTS PERSON-CENTERED ASSESSMENTS TO IDENTIFY CLIENT'S NEEDS AND CREATE A HOLISTIC CARE PLAN. THEY ALSO CONNECT CLIENTS TO PAID PROVIDERS FOR ASSISTANCE WITH BASIC ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING, AND COORDINATE WITH DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES (DSHS) TO CARE FOR THOSE RECENTLY RELEASED FROM ACUTE AND SUBACUTE SETTINGS. THE COMMUNITY LIVING CONNECTION (CLC) PROGRAM IS DEDICATED TO SUPPORTING AND ADVOCATING FOR ADULTS FACING AGING AND DISABILITY ISSUES. IN 2024, THE PROGRAM SERVED A TOTAL OF 452 CLIENTS. THE MULTILINGUAL CLC SPECIALISTS PROVIDE EASY ACCESS TO INFORMATION AND CREATE LINKAGES WITH COMMUNITY RESOURCES TO ADDRESS CURRENT OR FUTURE NEEDS SUCH AS HEALTH INSURANCE, MEDICARE, MEDICAID, HOUSING, SOCIAL ACTIVITIES AND DEMANDS OF LONG-TERM CARE. CLC SPECIALISTS CAN MEET WITH CLIENTS IN PERSON OR BY PHONE TO IDENTIFY NEEDS AND CREATE A PLAN OF CARE TO ENSURE THOSE NEEDS ARE MET.THE HEALTH HOME PROGRAM OFFERS COMPREHENSIVE, LONG-TERM COORDINATION OF MEDICAL AND SOCIAL SERVICES FOR MEDICAID-ELIGIBLE CLIENTS. THIS PROGRAM FOCUSES ON IMPROVING THE MANAGEMENT OF CHRONIC CONDITIONS BY DEVELOPING A PERSON-CENTERED HEALTH ACTION PLAN AND FACILITATING COMMUNITY REFERRALS. THE GOAL IS TO PROMOTE AND EMPOWER CLIENTS TO MANAGE THEIR HEALTH AND WELLBEING IN THE COMMUNITY SETTING. ON THE OTHER HAND, THE CARE TRANSITION PROGRAM PROVIDES SHORT TERM COORDINATION FOR ADULT CLIENTS TRANSITIONING BACK TO LIVING IN THE COMMUNITY AFTER A HOSPITAL STAY. THE PROGRAM ENSURES THAT CLIENTS RECEIVE THE NECESSARY SUPPORT TO MAINTAIN STABILITY AND MANAGE THEIR HEALTH EFFECTIVELY IN THE COMMUNITY SETTING. THROUGHOUT 2024, A TOTAL OF 285 CLIENTS BENEFITTED FROM SERVICES PROVIDED BY BOTH HEALTH HOME AND CARE TRANSITIONS PROGRAMS. AND THE CLUB BAMBOO SENIOR CENTER, SERVES A&NH/P CLIENTS AGED 55 AND OLDER, BY CREATING A SAFE AND WELCOMING SPACE AND PROVIDING ACCESS TO SERVICES THAT MEET THE CLIENTS' PHYSICAL AND SOCIAL SERVICE NEEDS. THROUGH CLUB BAMBOO, SENIORS CAN PARTICIPATE IN EVIDENCE-BASED AND EVIDENCE-INFORMED PROGRAMS, AS WELL AS OTHER MEANINGFUL AND FAMILIAR ACTIVITIES. THESE ACTIVITIES ARE BOTH CULTURALLY AND LINGUISTICALLY ACCESSIBLE BOTH IN PERSON AND VIRTUALLY. IN 2024, CLUB BAMBOO SENIOR CENTER SERVED 549 UNDUPLICATED CLIENTS."
- $3.3 million spent. CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND FAMILY: SCHOOL-BASED YOUTH PROGRAMS OFFERED IN-SCHOOLS FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS. WE OFFER SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORT WHILE HELPING YOUNG PEOPLE DEVELOP KEY SKILLS. TOPICS INCLUDE CULTURAL IDENTITY, HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS, HISTORY AND CULTURE, JOB SEARCHING, COLLEGE OR CAREER-READINESS AND FINANCIAL PLANNING.YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES INCLUDING INTAKE ASSESSMENTS, INDIVIDUAL THERAPY, GROUP THERAPY, CASE MANAGEMENT, FAMILY THERAPY, CRISIS RESPONSE AND MANAGEMENT, PSYCHIATRIC SERVICES, AND MEDICATION MANAGEMENT. BILINGUAL CASE MANAGERS WORK IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SCHOOLS, DSHS, CPS, AND JUVENILE JUSTICE WORKERS. CASE MANAGERS ALSO FUNCTION AS AN EDUCATIONAL AND SUPPORTIVE LINK TO BROADER MAINSTREAM SERVICES AND THE FAMILIES THEY SERVE.WE LOOK FOR WAYS TO MAKE IN-SCHOOL SERVICES MORE ACCESSIBLE AND ACTIVELY SEEK OPPORTUNITIES TO DO SO. WE PARTNER WITH PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS ON A CASE-BY-CASE BASIS AND HAVE ESTABLISHED MOUS WITH THE FOLLOWING: SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS, LAKE WASHINGTON SCHOOL DISTRICT, BELLEVUE SCHOOL DISTRICT, RENTON SCHOOL DISTRICT, HIGHLINE SCHOOL DISTRICT, KENT SCHOOL DISTRICT, KENT IGRAD AND TUKWILA SCHOOL DISTRICT. THESE PARTNERSHIPS ARE A RESULT OF DECADES OF RELATIONSHIP BUILDING AND REFLECT A HIGH LEVEL OF TRUST AMONG THE IMMIGRANT AND REFUGEE COMMUNITIES WE SERVE.IN 2024, THE CHILDREN MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM SERVED 410 CLIENTS AND THE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM SERVED 162 YOUTHS.
- $3.1 million spent. NUTRITION: WE ARE THE ONLY FOOD BANK IN WASHINGTON STATE THAT REGULARLY DISTRIBUTES FOODS THAT CATER TO ASIAN AMERICAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER DIETS, INCLUDING HEALTHY AND NUTRITIOUS STAPLES LIKE RICE, TOFU, SOY MILK, NOODLES, CANNED PROTEINS AND PRODUCE. KING COUNTY RESIDENTS OVER 60 YEARS OF AGE AND ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES ARE WELCOME TO ENJOY NUTRITIOUS MEALS WHILE ENGAGING IN CULTURAL ACTIVITIES, LEARNING ENGLISH OR FINDING VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES. ACRS PARTNERS WITH VARIOUS VOLUNTEER GROUPS TO OFFER MEALS AT CONVENIENT LOCATIONS IN THE COMMUNITY.IN 2024, OUR MEAL PROGRAM SERVED 68,140 MEALS AND 1,863 CLIENTS.
- $2.6 million spent. RECOVERY SERVICES: WE ADDRESS DISPARITIES IN CARE FOR CLIENTS FACING SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER AND/OR MENTAL HEALTH DISORDER THROUGH A CULTURALLY COMPETENT CONTINUUM OF CARE FROM OUTREACH AND TREATMENT, AND AFTERCARE TO SUPPORT LONG-TERM WELLNESS AND MEANINGFUL RECOVERY.
- $2.6 million spent. EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING: ACRS HELPS JOB-SEEKERS FIND CAREERS, AND WE CONNECT EMPLOYERS WITH QUALIFIED-JOB SEEKERS. OUR SERVICES INCLUDE JOB SEARCH PREPARATION CLASSES, ESOL CLASSES, VOCATIONAL SKILLS TRAINING, JOB PLACEMENT AND RETENTION SERVICES, AS WELL AS THREE LEVELS OF DIGITAL LITERACY CLASSES.IN 2024, THE PROGRAM SERVED 468 CLIENTS.
- $1.0 million spent. CITIZEN AND IMMIGRATION: OUR CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION SERVICES PROGRAM HELPS IMMIGRANTS AND REFUGEES WHO WANT TO BECOME U.S. CITIZENS NAVIGATE THE NATURALIZATION PROCESS BY OFFERING CITIZENSHIP PREPARATION CLASSES, CITIZENSHIP EXAMINATION PREPARATION, MOCK INTERVIEWS AND MORE.IN 2024, THE PROGRAM HELPED CLIENTS SUBMIT 928 CITIZENSHIP APPLICATIONS AND ENROLLED 270 STUDENTS IN ITS NATURALIZATION CLASSES.
- $1.0 million spent. CIVIC ENGAGEMENT: OUR CIVIC ENGAGEMENT DEPARTMENT WORKS TO INCLUDE THE VOICES OF ASIANS, NATIVE HAWIIANS, AND PACIFIC ISLANDERS (A&NH/PI) IN OUR DEMOCRACY THROUGHOUT WASHINGTON STATE. OUR PROGRAMMING BUILDS STATEWIDE CAPACITY, FOSTERS CROSS-GENERATIONAL LEADERSHIP, AND DEVELOPS TOOLS AND SKILLS WITHIN AND ACROSS A&NH/PI COMMUNITIES TO PROMOTE LONG TERM, YEAR-ROUND PARTICIPATION AND ENGAGEMENT ON ISSUES CRITICAL TO THEIR WELL-BEING AND EMPOWERMENT. ADDITIONALLY, WE WORK WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS, PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS, AND ELECTED OFFICIALS TO HELP ADVANCE POLICIES AND PROGRAMS THAT BENEFIT A&NH/PI COMMUNITIES. WE INCORPORATE DIFFERENT LANGUAGES AND CULTURES IN PROMOTING CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AMONG CLIENTS AND INTEGRATE INITIATIVES INTO EXISTING SERVICES AND WORK TO ENGAGE CLIENTS IN A SAFE PLACE THEY KNOW AND TRUST.
- $10,496 spent. MISC PROGRAMS / SPONSORSHIP
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 November 6, 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 2024.
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 April 1975.
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 November 4, 2026.
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