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Disability Rights Washington

EIN 91-0956784 · Seattle, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

DISABILITY RIGHTS WASHINGTON'S MISSION IS TO ADVANCE THE DIGNITY, EQUALITY, AND SELF DETERMINATION OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. WE WORK TO PURSUE JUSTICE ON MATTERS RELATED TO HUMAN AND LEGAL RIGHTS.

Income
$7.4 million
Spending
$5.8 million
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
11.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 50%
Employees
65
Volunteers
19
Highest pay
$157,181, attorney

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 11.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 11% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 22% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 28% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 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 September 30, 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. $850,097 spent. OFFICE OF DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES OMBUDS (DD OMBUDS) ASSISTS PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES WITH COMPLAINTS AND CONCERNS ABOUT THEIR SERVICES. THE DD OMBUDS OPENED 166 NEW INDIVIDUAL COMPLAINT INVESTIGATIONS, CONDUCTED 101 MONITORING VISITS ACROSS THE STATE TO REVIEW FACILITIES, RESIDENCES, AND PROGRAMS WHERE PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES RECEIVE SERVICES. THE DD OMBUDS PROVIDED MORE THAN 1,805 PEOPLE ACROSS THE STATE WITH INFORMATION ABOUT OUR SERVICES, SELF-ADVOCACY, AND RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES AND ADVOCATED FOR POLICY AND PROCEDURE CHANGES WHICH AFFECTED OVER 60,000 CLIENTS OF THE DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES ADMINISTRATION.
  2. $742,476 spent. PROTECTION AND ADVOCACY FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES (PADD) THE PADD PROGRAM PROVIDES LEGAL-BASED ADVOCACY SERVICES TO PROTECT AND ADVOCATE FOR THE RIGHTS OF INDIVIDUALS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES IN WASHINGTON STATE. IN 2024, DRW MONITORED THE LIVING, WORKING AND/OR OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES OF APPROXIMATELY 500 INDIVIDUALS WITH INTELLECTUAL OR DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AT APPROXIMATELY NINE FACILITIES ACROSS THE STATE. ADDITIONALLY, DRW COMPLETED 60 INDIVIDUAL ADVOCACY SERVICES, PROVIDED INFORMATION AND REFERRAL SERVICES TO 88 PEOPLE, AND WORKED ON 23 GROUP ADVOCACY PROJECTS AND CASES THAT IMPACTED 491,768 INDIVIDUALS.
  3. $677,868 spent. PROTECTION AND ADVOCACY FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH MENTAL ILLNESS (PAIMI) THE PAIMI PROGRAM PROVIDES LEGAL-BASED ADVOCACY SERVICES TO PROTECT AND ADVOCATE FOR THE RIGHTS OF INDIVIDUALS WITH SIGNIFICANT MENTAL ILLNESS IN WASHINGTON STATE. IN 2024, DRW'S PAIMI PROGRAM MONITORED LIVING FACILITIES TO ENSURE SAFE CONDITIONS FOR 4,700 INDIVIDUALS. ADDITIONALLY, DRW COMPLETED 254 INDIVIDUAL ADVOCACY SERVICES, PROVIDED INFORMATION AND REFERRAL SERVICES TO 1,160 PEOPLE, AND IMPACTED 831,961 THROUGH GROUP ADVOCACY PROJECTS AND CASES.
  4. $2.8 million spent. ASSISTANCE TO DISABLED BENEFICIARIES, PROTECTION AND ADVOCACY OF INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS, TO SUPPORT THE ROOTED IN RIGHTS PROGRAM, AND OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 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 September 2025.

    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 December 1975.

    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.