Washington Community Action Network Education & Research Fund
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
To support community organizations that work to achieve racial, social and economic justice.
- Income
- $619,688
- Spending
- $1.1 million
- Spent on programs
- 82%
- Reserves
- 19.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 90%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 82
- Highest pay
- $111,658, 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: 70 out of 100.
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 19.9 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 10% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 77% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 32% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1582% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 20 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
Good: 85 out of 100.
Independent board
18 of 254 of 4 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
12 of 15Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (3)
- $376,047 spent. CIVIC ENGAGEMENT & PUBLIC EDUCATION:WaCANERF provided public education on healthcare, housing justice, and economic equity through 21,594 conversations via phone and field outreach. These interactions helped inform Washington residents about policy issues affecting their communities. Additionally, WaCANERF supported public awareness initiatives by gathering 12,318 petition signatures to inform discussions on housing access in Seattle (4,819), worker protections in Burien (6,126), and governance structures in Kent (1,373).Digital engagement expanded our outreach efforts, with 7,209 texts sent and 1,820 online advocacy actions taken by 710 community members. WaCANERF also had 357 conversations about the mergers and acquisitions process as it pertains to our healthcare/hospital system. Public education events included the Healthcare Rally on the Capitol steps, the HCHR Healthcare Leadership Summit, and the Healthcare Die-In at the federal building in Seattle, all of which increased awareness about healthcare access and affordability. WaCANERF also played a key role in transitioning Health Care is a Human Right (HCHR) organizing meetings back to in-person settings, fostering stronger engagement on healthcare issues.
- $348,856 spent. COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP & CAPACITY BUILDING:WaCANERF strengthened community capacity through 303 one-on-one meetings, where individuals learned about housing rights, healthcare policy, mass incarceration, and economic justice. Educational opportunities focused on understanding legislative processes, civic engagement strategies, and how to interact with policymakers. Community members participated as spokespeople in three Healthcare Cost Transparency Board (HCCTB) meetings, one Health Care is a Human Right General Meeting, and two Universal Health Care discussions, helping share lived experiences to enhance public understanding of these issues. Additionally, 10 leadership council meetings were held with community leaders, each attended by eight engaged participants, fostering education on civic engagement and advocacy strategies. WaCANERF also hosted 4 community members at staff meetings, helping them to develop their public speaking and presentation skills.
- $174,667 spent. COALITION & PUBLIC POLICY EDUCATION:WaCANERF collaborated with community organizations and coalitions to advance public education on economic and housing justice issues. In Burien, WaCANERF played a role in efforts to inform the public on wage equity, supporting education initiatives related to worker protections and minimum wage. Similarly, efforts in Kent helped expand public awareness of governance structures and community representation models. As part of our housing justice education initiatives, WaCANERF conducted 99 renter surveys (49 online, 50 in person) to assess housing conditions and affordability concerns. The findings reinforced the need for greater public education on tenant rights and housing policies. WaCANERF also contributed to efforts educating gig workers and consumers about wage protections, with 87 individuals engaging in educational opportunities focused on worker rights as they pertain to gig-workers specifically. Additionally, community members participated in digital advocacy, sending 151 emails to policymakers to express their perspectives on economic and social issues. These combined efforts expanded public education, increased community participation in civic processes, and strengthened long-term public awareness on key policy issues across Washington State. WaCANERF actively participates in the Powerbuilding Table, a coalition committed to strengthening community-led efforts for economic and racial justice. Through this collaboration, WaCANERF has engaged in public discussions on long-term movement-building strategies, contributed to capacity-building initiatives, and supported efforts to align organizations around shared goals for public education and civic engagement. This work ensures that grassroots leadership and community voices remain central to broader systemic change efforts in Washington State.
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
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 September 7, 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 September 30, 2026.
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 September 10, 2026.
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 September 7, 2026.
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 September 7, 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 7, 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.