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Kandelia

EIN 91-1122532 · Seattle, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair60 out of 100GovernanceStrong94 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WE REMOVE BARRIERS TO OPPORTUNITIES SO IMMIGRANT AND REFUGEE COMMUNITIES CAN FLOURISH WITHOUT COMPROMISING VALUES, HERITAGE OR ETHNICITY.

Income
$1.1 million
Spending
$1.3 million
Spent on programs
71%
Reserves
4.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 58%
Employees
15
Volunteers
63
Highest pay
$112,944, coexecutive

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 60 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 6% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 17% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 15% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    71% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 18 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 94 out of 100. Higher than 58% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • 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

    9 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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. $431,863 spent. YOUTH PROGRAM - KANDELIA'S YOUTH PROGRAM IS BASED OUT OF SEATTLE WORLD SCHOOL, A SCHOOL WITHIN THE SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT DESIGNED FOR NEWLY ARRIVED IMMIGRANT AND REFUGEE STUDENTS. WE PARTNER WITH THE SCHOOL TO HELP STUDENTS GROW THEIR RESOURCES, SKILLS, AND SUPPORTIVE RELATIONSHIPS TO SUCCEED IN SCHOOL AND PREPARE FOR POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION AND CAREER PLANS. OUR PROGRAM INCLUDES ENGLISH CLASSES, INDIVIDUALIZED STUDENT SUCCESS COACHING, JOB READINESS TRAINING AND CAREER EXPLORATION, SOCCER, AND A SUMMER SCHOOL PROGRAM WHERE STUDENTS CATCH UP ON CORE CLASSES AND GAIN CREDIT TOWARDS GRADUATION. OUR GOAL IS FOR IMMIGRANT AND REFUGEE STUDENTS TO HAVE EQUITABLE ACCESS AND CHOICE FOR EDUCATIONAL CAREER OPPORTUNITIES.
  2. $175,860 spent. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT - KANDELIA'S COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM BRINGS TOGETHER PARTNERSHIPS AND RESOURCES TO REMOVE BARRIERS TO IMMIGRANT AND REFUGEE STUDENTS AND FAMILIES. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES WEEKLY, CULTURALLY RELEVANT GROCERIES, AND SECURES IN-KIND DONATIONS OF SCHOOL SUPPLIES AND GROCERY GIFT CARDS TO MEET STUDENT AND FAMILY NEEDS. THIS PROGRAM MAINTAINS A NETWORK OF REFERRAL PARTNERS SO WE CAN CONNECT STUDENTS AND FAMILIES TO RESOURCES ACROSS SEATTLE.
  3. $283,578 spent. FAMILY PROGRAM - KANDELIA'S FAMILY PROGRAM HELPS CAREGIVERS OF IMMIGRANT AND REFUGEE STUDENTS GROW SKILLS FOR SELF-SUFFICIENCY AND SELF-ADVOCACY, AND EMPOWERS CAREGIVERS TO BE MORE INFORMED, INVOLVED, AND ENGAGED WITH THEIR SCHOOLS AND IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. FAMILY PROGRAM CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS ARE OPEN TO CAREGIVERS OF IMMIGRANT AND REFUGEE STUDENTS ACROSS THE SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. CLASSES INCLUDE ENGLISH CLASSES AT VARIOUS LEVELS AND DIGITAL LITERACY CLASSES. SELF-SUFFICIENCY WORKSHOP TOPICS ARE SELECTED EACH YEAR BASED ON CAREGIVER INPUT, AND INCLUDE TOPICS LIKE NAVIGATING THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM, WORKERS' RIGHTS, FINANCIAL LITERACY, YOUTH MENTAL AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, AND MORE.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 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 October 13, 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 June 2025.

    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 May 1983.

    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 October 21, 2026.

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