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Cascade Public Media

EIN 91-1221895 · Seattle, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong96 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

CASCADE PUBLIC MEDIA IS A NONPROFIT MEDIA ORGANIZATION WITH A MISSION TO INFORM AND INSPIRE OUR COMMUNITY TO MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE.

Income
$53.1 million
Spending
$31.7 million
Spent on programs
70%
Reserves
15.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 86%
Employees
185
Volunteers
170
Highest pay
$595,989, president/ceo

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

Strong: 96 out of 100. Higher than 85% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 15.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 16% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 40% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 28% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    70% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 34% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    22 of 22 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 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. $13.7 million spent. PROGRAMMING AND CONTENT CREATIONCASCADE PUBLIC MEDIA PRODUCES, ACQUIRES, AND DISTRIBUTES HIGH-QUALITY FACTUAL, CULTURAL AND COMMUNITY CENTERED PROGRAMMING FOR PEOPLE OF ALL AGES ACROSS THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST. ITS NON-COMMERCIAL PROGRAMMING SLATE INCLUDES LOCAL, NATIONAL, AND INTERNATIONAL NEWS SCIENCE AND NATURE HISTORY AND CULTURE ARTS AND PERFORMANCE INDEPENDENT DOCUMENTARY, INTERNATIONAL DRAMA AND CHILDREN'S PROGRAMMING.
  2. $2.2 million spent. PROGRAM INFORMATION AND PROMOTIONCASCADE PUBLIC MEDIA PROVIDES UPDATES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS ABOUT OUR LOCAL NEWS, PROGRAMMING, AND EVENTS THROUGH MANY COMMUNICATION CHANNELS INCLUDING ON-AIR, E-MAIL, SOCIAL MEDIA, EVENT LISTINGS, COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS AND WEBSITE POSTINGS. ALL OF THESE OUTREACH ACTIVITIES ARE INTENDED TO RAISE AWARENESS, DEEPEN ENGAGEMENT AND MAXIMIZE THE IMPACT OF OUR PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES.
  3. $6.4 million spent. BROADCASTCASCADE PUBLIC MEDIA OFFERS 24/7 NONCOMMERCIAL PROGRAM DISTRIBUTION SERVICES ACROSS FOUR LINEAR CHANNELS OF PROGRAMMING - CASCADE PUBLIC MEDIA: GENERAL INTEREST PUBLIC TELEVISION CREATE: HOW-TO AND LIFESTYLE SHOWS WORLD: NON-FICTION, NEWS, SCIENCE AND DOCUMENTARY CONTENT AND PBS KIDS: CURRICULUM-BASED SHOWS DESIGNED TO BUILD BASIC SKILLS IN SUBJECTS SUCH AS MATH, SCIENCE AND READING.

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 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 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 October 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 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.