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Lifewire

EIN 91-1190193 · Bellevue, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak20 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

OUR MISSION IS TO END DOMESTIC VIOLENCE BY CHANGING INDIVIDUAL, INSTITUTIONAL AND SOCIETAL BELIEFS, ATTITUDES AND BEHAVIORS THAT PERPETUATE IT. TO ACHIEVE THIS WE WORK WITH THE COMMUNITY TO PROVIDE SERVICES IN EAST AND NORTH KING COUNTY FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL OR SEXUAL ABUSE; AND PREVENT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE THROUGH ADVOCACY, EDUCATION AND SUPPORT.

Income
$5.2 million
Spending
$7.2 million
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
-11 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 74%
Employees
44
Volunteers
30
Highest pay
$141,866, co-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

Weak: 20 out of 100. Higher than 1% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 53% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 37% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 35% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $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, 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 (5)
  1. $2.3 million spent. SURVIVOR ADVOCACY SERVICES: ONE-ON-ONE SUPPORT TO SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. THE PROGRAM ENCOMPASSES SAFETY PLANNING; RESOURCE REFERRAL; LEGAL ADVOCACY (FOR PROTECTION ORDERS, PARENTING PLANS, DIVORCE ETC.); SUPPORT GROUPS FOR ADULTS, TEENS, AND CHILDREN; DOMESTIC VIOLENCE EDUCATION; AND ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY STABILIZATION ASSISTANCE. SURVIVOR ADVOCACY SERVICES WORKS WITH SURVIVORS WHO CONTACT US DIRECTLY EITHER PERSONALLY OR THROUGH OUR 24-HOUR HELPLINE AND WHO ARE REFERRED FROM HOSPITALS, DSHS, LAW ENFORCEMENT AND OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS. WE ALSO PROVIDE ONE-ON-ONE SUPPORT FOR SURVIVORS THROUGH THE LEGAL SYSTEM BY PARTNERING WITH COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS AND PRO-BONO ATTORNEYS TO SUPPORT SURVIVORS AS THEY NAVIGATE THE LEGAL ENTANGLEMENTS NECESSITATED BY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. WE PROVIDE TRAUMA-INFORMED, SURVIVOR-DRIVEN SERVICES.
  2. $1.7 million spent. RENTAL ASSISTANCE, RAPID REHOUSING, AND HOUSING STABILITY: THESE PROGRAMS PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT SERVICES FOR FAMILIES IN NON-TIME-LIMITED HOUSING. SAFETY PLANNING, SUPPORT GROUPS, LEGAL ADVOCACY SERVICES, CHILDREN'S SERVICES, CRISIS SUPPORT SERVICES, REFERRALS, AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE EDUCATION INFORMATION AND SUPPORT REMAIN AVAILABLE TO PARTICIPANTS IN THESE PROGRAMS. THE RAPID REHOUSING AND HOUSING STABILITY PROGRAMS PROVIDE FLEXIBLE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WITH INDIVIDUALIZED HOUSING AND SUPPORT SERVICES FOCUSED ON OBTAINING AND/OR MAINTAINING HOUSING, AS WELL AS HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION EFFORTS.
  3. $879,437 spent. TRANSITIONAL SHELTER: MY FRIEND'S PLACE PROVIDES CONFIDENTIAL TRANSITIONAL HOUSING TO SURVIVORS EXPERIENCING BOTH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND CHEMICAL USE FOR UP TO 24 MONTHS. SAFETY PLANNING, SUPPORT GROUPS, LEGAL ADVOCACY SERVICES, CHILDREN'S SERVICES, AND CHEMICAL USE COUNSELING SERVICES ARE PROVIDED ON SITE TO RESIDENTS DURING THEIR STAY.
  4. $1.1 million spent. EMERGENCY HOUSING: MY SISTER'S HOME IS AN EMERGENCY, CONFIDENTIAL SHELTER THAT PROVIDES INTERIM HOUSING AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES FOR FAMILIES AND/OR INDIVIDUALS IN THE MOST DANGEROUS SITUATIONS. SAFETY PLANNING, SUPPORT GROUPS, LEGAL ADVOCACY SERVICES, CHILDREN'S SERVICES, CRISIS SUPPORT SERVICES, REFERRALS, AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE EDUCATION INFORMATION AND SUPPORT ARE PROVIDED TO RESIDENTS DURING THEIR STAY. IN ADDITION, THE HOTEL MOTEL VOUCHER PROGRAM PROVIDES FAMILIES AND/OR INDIVIDUALS SUPPORTIVE SERVICES AND EMERGENCY HOUSING IN A HOTEL OR MOTEL FOR SHORT-TERM STAYS. 24 HOUR HELPLINE: 24/7 YEAR ROUND GATEWAY TO ALL SERVICES. ADVOCATE STAFFED TO PROVIDE SUPPORT LISTENING, SAFETY PLANNING, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE EDUCATION, REFERRALS TO COMMUNITY RESOURCES, AND INTAKE INTO SERVICES. MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING: INDIVIDUAL MENTAL HEALTH THERAPY FOR ADULT, YOUTH, AND CHILD SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND PREVENTION: RESOURCE AND CATALYST FOR SOCIAL CHANGE IN THE COMMUNITY. LIFEWIRE LEADS SOCIAL CHANGE EFFORTS THROUGH INNOVATIVE COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS AND COLLABORATIONS; BY EDUCATING COMMUNITY LEADERS, EDUCATORS AND STUDENTS ABOUT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS; AND BY WORKING FOR JUSTICE THROUGH MULTIPLE SYSTEMS.
  5. (Expenses $ 1,115,512 including grants of $ 136,712)(Revenue $ 0) EMERGENCY HOUSING: MY SISTER'S HOME IS AN EMERGENCY, CONFIDENTIAL SHELTER THAT PROVIDES INTERIM HOUSING AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES FOR FAMILIES AND/OR INDIVIDUALS IN THE MOST DANGEROUS SITUATIONS. SAFETY PLANNING, SUPPORT GROUPS, LEGAL ADVOCACY SERVICES, CHILDREN'S SERVICES, CRISIS SUPPORT SERVICES, REFERRALS, AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE EDUCATION INFORMATION AND SUPPORT ARE PROVIDED TO RESIDENTS DURING THEIR STAY. IN ADDITION, THE HOTEL MOTEL VOUCHER PROGRAM PROVIDES FAMILIES AND/OR INDIVIDUALS SUPPORTIVE SERVICES AND EMERGENCY HOUSING IN A HOTEL OR MOTEL FOR SHORT-TERM STAYS. 24 HOUR HELPLINE: 24/7 YEAR ROUND GATEWAY TO ALL SERVICES. ADVOCATE STAFFED TO PROVIDE SUPPORT LISTENING, SAFETY PLANNING, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE EDUCATION, REFERRALS TO COMMUNITY RESOURCES, AND INTAKE INTO SERVICES. MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING: INDIVIDUAL MENTAL HEALTH THERAPY FOR ADULT, YOUTH, AND CHILD SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND PREVENTION: RESOURCE AND CATALYST FOR SOCIAL CHANGE IN THE COMMUNITY. LIFEWIRE LEADS SOCIAL CHANGE EFFORTS THROUGH INNOVATIVE COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS AND COLLABORATIONS; BY EDUCATING COMMUNITY LEADERS, EDUCATORS AND STUDENTS ABOUT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS; AND BY WORKING FOR JUSTICE THROUGH MULTIPLE SYSTEMS.

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 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 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 July 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.

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.