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Korean Womens Association

EIN 91-1066806 · Lakewood, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood89 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

KWA PARTNERS WITH DIVERSE COMMUNITIES TO EMPOWER INDIVIDUALS TO LIVE SAFE AND DIGNIFIED LIVES.

Income
$74.5 million
Spending
$69.1 million
Spent on programs
99%
Reserves
6 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 95%
Employees
2,448
Volunteers
100
Highest pay
$334,006, 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

Good: 89 out of 100. Higher than 85% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 18% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 10% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    99% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 16% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 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

    0 of 10

    Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, 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. $66.8 million spent. IN-HOME CARE: KWA HOME CARE HAS PROVIDED HOUSEHOLD AND PERSONAL CARE SERVICES (SUCH AS ASSISTANCE WITH TAKING MEDICATIONS AND BATHING) TO THE ELDERLY AND DISABLED THROUGHOUT THE PUGET SOUND FOR OVER 30 YEARS. ONE OF THE LARGEST AND MOST RESPECTED HOME CARE PROVIDERS IN THE STATE SINCE 1989, KWA HAS A STELLAR REPUTATION FOR PROVIDING EXCELLENT CARE AND COMPASSION TO A WIDE RANGE OF CLIENTS ENABLING THEM TO REMAIN IN THE COMFORT OF THEIR OWN HOMES. KWA HOME CARE HAS 2,292 CAREGIVERS SERVING APPROXIMATELY 2,660 CLIENTS A YEAR.
  2. $723,970 spent. SENIOR MEAL SITE: THIS PROGRAM, PROVIDES HEALTHY ETHNIC MEALS, A LIVELY ATMOSPHERE, OPPORTUNITIES FOR SENIORS TO CONNECT AND ENGAGE IN PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, PARTICIPATE IN FIRST-RATE HEALTH AND NUTRITION WORKSHOPS, AND RECEIVE ASSISTANCE WITH NAVIGATING MANY SOCIAL SERVICES SUCH AS MEDICAID, MEDICARE, MEDICARE PART D INSURANCE, HOUSING ASSISTANCE/REFERRALS, BASIC FOOD INFORMATION & APPLICATIONS, LOW INCOME SUBSIDY PROGRAM AND ENERGY ASSISTANCE. KWA PROVIDES MEAL SITES FOR KOREAN MEALS, INTERNATIONAL MEALS, VIETNAMESE MEALS, CAMBODIAN MEALS, AND FEDERAL WAY MEALSITE.
  3. $744,534 spent. WE ARE FAMILY: THE WE ARE FAMILY PROGRAM PROVIDES PREVENTION AND INTERVENTION SERVICES TO WOMEN AND CHILDREN WHO ARE VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ABUSE. THE PROGRAM BEGAN IN 1972 AS KWA'S FIRST VOLUNTEER EFFORT, A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SUPPORT GROUP. SINCE THEN, KWA HAS EXPANDED THE PROGRAM TO PROVIDE SERVICES INCLUDING COUNSELING, BILINGUAL SUPPORT GROUPS, FAMILY EDUCATION PROGRAMS, LEGAL ADVOCACY AND ASSISTANCE WITH COURT HEARINGS, RESTRAINING ORDERS, LAW ENFORCEMENT REPORTS, TRANSITIONAL/PERMANENT HOUSING AND AN EMERGENCY SHELTER. KWA'S CONFIDENTIAL EMERGENCY SHELTER PROVIDES 19 BEDS FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ABUSE FOR UP TO FOUR MONTHS, SERVICG 138 CLIENTS AND 11,229 MEALS ANNUALLY.
  4. HOTEL OLYMPUS: HOTEL OLYMPUS APARTMENT IS A 49 RESIDENTIAL UNIT AND COMMERCIAL SPACE LOCATED IN TACOMA, WASHINGTON. EACH BUILDING OF THE PROJECT WAS ALLOCATED LOW-INCOME HOUSING CREDITS PURSUANT TO IRS CODE SECTION 42 (SECTION 42), WHICH REGULATES THE USE OF THE PROJECT AS TO OCCUPANT ELIGIBILITY AND UNIT GROSS RENT, AMONG OTHER REQUIREMENTS. EACH BUILDING OF THE PROJECT MUST MEET THE PROVISION OF THESE REGULATIONS DURING EACH OF 15 CONSECUTIVE YEARS IN ORDER TO REMAIN QUALIFIED TO RECEIVE THE CREDITS, EVEN IF DISPOSITION OF THE PROJECT BY THE OWNER OCCURS. THE APARTMENT MANAGER WORKS FULL-TIME AND LIVES ON SITE. SHE ARRANGES COMMUNITY MEALS, ASSISTS TENANTS WITH UNDERSTANDING BENEFITS FOR WHICH THEY MAY BE ELIGIBLE, AND REFERS THEM TO OTHER SERVICES THAT MAY HELP WITH THEIR EXPENDABLE INCOME AND CONNECT THEM TO OPPORTUNITIES FOR EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT.

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? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    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 December 1979.

    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.