Washington Community Action Network
Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.
What it says it does
To achieve economic fairness in order to establish a more democratic society characterized by racial, social & gender justice, with respect for diversity, & a decent quality of life for those who reside in WA. We are building a movement of people whose collective action ensures that all communities are healthy, prosperous & have an equal voice.
- Income
- $2.9 million
- Spending
- $3.4 million
- Employees
- 140
- Volunteers
- 64
- Highest pay
- $111,658, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Governance
This return does not answer enough of the governance questions to score.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. 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)
- $1.2 million spent. CIVIC ENGAGEMENT & ELECTORAL IMPACT:Washington CAN (WaCAN) played a leading role in electoral organizing and statewide initiative campaigns, ensuring working-class communities and people of color had a direct impact on shaping policies and electing progressive leadership. In 2024, WaCAN engaged 51,303 voters through door-knocking, phone, and pledge to vote card outreach, educating residents on key ballot initiatives that would have significantly impacted economic and environmental justice. These efforts contributed to the defeat of three harmful initiatives: Initiative 2117, which sought to repeal the Climate Commitment Act; Initiative 2109, which would have eliminated Washington's capital gains tax, endangering essential investments in education and social programs; and Initiative 2124, which proposed allowing residents to opt out of Washington's long-term care program, jeopardizing future support for seniors and disabled individuals. WaCAN was the top-performing organization in the fight against Initiative 2117, accounting for 37.51% of all doors knocked across 14 partner organizations. Our deep canvassing and voter outreach resulted in a 14.7% increase in turnout among our targeted communities, significantly outpacing the 1.8% impact from the No on 2117 campaign. Through 7,973 direct voter conversations and high-contact canvassing in BIPOC and working-class communities, Washington CAN helped secure victories for our state.
- $469,591 spent. COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP, MEMBER-LED ENDORSEMENTS & CANDIDATE VICTORIES:Washington CAN expanded political power through a member-led endorsement process, ensuring that community voices were centered in candidate selection. This process empowered 15 grassroots leaders by developing issue-based candidate questionnaires, focusing on housing, healthcare, workers' rights, and economic justice. Through direct interviews, members engaged with candidates to assess their alignment with WaCAN's priorities. WaCAN played a key role in electing progressive candidates in 2024.These statewide victories included Dave Upthegrove's as Land Commissioner, securing leadership that prioritizes environmental and climate justice and Nick Brown as Attorney General, bringing a strong advocate for justice reform and corporate accountability. At the local level, WaCAN played in instrumental role in electing Alexis Mercedes Rinck's bringing her leadership in budget, policy, and advocacy, strengthening grassroots momentum to Seattle and Deana Knutsen to the Snohomish Hospital Commission seat with Verdant Health, ensuring that healthcare governance reflects the needs of the community.
- $407,910 spent. PACIFIC COUNTY:Pacific County Voices Uniting (PCVU) is a fiscally sponsored project of Washington CAN's that aims to shift, balance, and develop a culture of healthy civic engagement. In a county with large disparities, PCVU is uniting crosscultural and multi-generational demographics to participate in collaborative social movements that increase civic engagement through education, create more reflective representation and build political power. In 2024, through door-to-door canvassing, Community Engagement Organizers knocked on 7,817 doors to Get Out The Vote, an increase of 4,625 doors from 2023. In addition to door knocking, PCVU hosted 5 community-based ballot parties and Community Outreach Navigators helped to distribute over 24,260 pounds of food to Pacific County families through community grants and the organization participated in 3 community festivals throughout the year.
- $281,737 spent. LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY & POLICY ACTION:Beyond electoral engagement, Washington CAN mobilized supporters to take direct action in policy fights at the local and state level. Our advocacy efforts included: 557 community sign-ins in support of progressive policies, amplifying constituent voices in legislative decision-making; a highly successful lobby day, bringing 97 community leaders to Olympia to meet with legislators and advocate for economic, housing, and healthcare justice; and 87 gig workers mobilized in advocacy efforts to fight for fair wages and workplace protections. Washington CAN also engaged in coalition efforts to advance policy change, including active participation in the Powerbuilding Table, a statewide movement-building coalition that aligns long-term strategies for social and economic justice.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(4) social welfare organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.
Are donations tax-deductible? Caution.
The IRS master file records contributions to this 501(c)(4) social welfare organization as not deductible.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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 October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since September 1984.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.
Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.
A much larger organization has a similar name: Community Health Network of Washington (Seattle, WA), EIN 91-1577184. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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.