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Seattle Center Foundation

EIN 91-1003385 · Seattle, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair55 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The Seattle Center Foundation supports the vision and purpose of Seattle Center by advocating for public support and private dollars for major capital and program improvements.

Income
$1.8 million
Spending
$2.2 million
Spent on programs
74%
Reserves
6.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 46%
Employees
7
Volunteers
16
Highest pay
$252,379, executive director (former)

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 55 out of 100. Higher than 26% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 89% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 25% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 5% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    74% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 18 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 14 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, 2025, 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 (3)
  1. $1.1 million spent. Seattle/King County Clinic: Seattle Center and Seattle Center Foundation bring together healthcare organizations, civic agencies, nonprofits, businesses, and thousands of volunteers to produce a massive four-day health clinic which provides free dental, vision, medical and social services to underserved and vulnerable populations in the region. In 2025, the Clinic served 3,319 patients and saved them nearly $3.1M in out-of-pocket healthcare costs.
  2. $449,586 spent. Events:Seattle Center Festal celebrates 25 free cultural festivals over 36 program days throughout the year, that run February through November. The Festal series showcases the heritage and richness of hundreds of cultural communities with live music, dance, vendor marketplaces, visual art, food, exhibits, hands-on activities, and more. Produced in partnership with community-based organizations, the 2025 Festal season was a record-breaking attendance year with over 400,000 people in attendance, and it is expected to continue trending in 2026.In 2025, Seattle Center hosted the 40th Annual Naturalization Ceremony for over 500 candidates taking the oath as new citizens. The ceremony was presided by The Honorable David G. Estudillo, Chief United States District Judge for the Western District Court of Washington. Currently, planning is underway for the 2026 ceremony and there will be 250 candidates being sworn in, which ties into America's 250th.Seattle Center Winterfest presented by Symetra offers five weeks of uplifting seasonal spirit and delightful diversion, including seasonal decor, ice sculpting, our Winter Train & Village, weekend entertainment on the Armory Stage, and a New Year's Eve Celebration. 2025 boasted 600,000 attendees, 33,000 patrons who engaged with the train, 25 live performances attended by nearly 5000 people, and a New Years Eve Celebration that served 35,000 patrons.
  3. $66,131 spent. Sound Transit Project:Sound Transit is working on the Link light rail system which will have one or two stations near Seattle Center and a rail system passing the center. Seattle Center Foundation has been working with Sound Transit and Seattle Center partner organizations to provide feedback, revenue and information about the light rail process and the effects the stations and the trains rail system could have on the Seattle Center and surrounding area.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 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 September 1977.

    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.

  7. Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.

    A much larger organization has a similar name: The Seattle Foundation (Seattle, WA), EIN 91-6013536. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 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.