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Abused Deaf Womens Advocacy Services

EIN 91-1339173 · Seattle, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair68 out of 100GovernanceStrong93 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SEE SCHEDULE O FOR MISSION STATEMENT.

Income
$1.8 million
Spending
$2.0 million
Spent on programs
92%
Reserves
7.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 87%
Employees
23
Volunteers
20
Highest pay
$113,978, 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

Fair: 68 out of 100. Higher than 42% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 16% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 11% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    92% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 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: 93 out of 100. Higher than 55% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    4 of 4 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 (6)
  1. $1.3 million spent. DIRECT SERVICESIN 2024, ADWAS PROVIDED SERVICES TO APPROXIMATELY 140 DEAF, DEAFBLIND, AND HARD OF HEARING SURVIVORS OF ABUSE, INCLUDING AN ESTIMATED 68 ADULTS AND 72 CHILDREN. SERVICES INCLUDED ADVOCACY, CASE MANAGEMENT, HOUSING SUPPORT, AND CRISIS INTERVENTION. ADWAS HIRED A PROJECT COORDINATOR TO SUPERVISE ADVOCATES AND COORDINATE PROJECTS TO ENSURE THAT DIRECT SERVICES RUN MORE EFFECTIVELY AND EFFICIENTLY. THE OBJECTIVE WAS TO STRENGTHEN ADVOCACY, STREAMLINE SERVICE DELIVERY, AND IMPROVE OUTCOMES FOR SURVIVORS. THE LONG-TERM GOAL IS TO SUSTAIN STRONG PROGRAM OVERSIGHT AND EXPAND ACCESS TO CULTURALLY AND LINGUISTICALLY APPROPRIATE SERVICES.
  2. $429,984 spent. NATIONAL DEAF HOTLINETHE NATIONAL DEAF HOTLINE RECEIVED 2,431 CONTACTS IN 2024, INCLUDING CALLS, EMAILS AND CHATS. THE HOTLINE TEAM PROVIDED TRAUMA-INFORMED CRISIS INTERVENTION, SAFETY PLANNING, AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORT TO DEAF, DEAFBLIND, AND HARD OF HEARING SURVIVORS OF ABUSE NATIONWIDE. THE OBJECTIVE WAS TO ENSURE IMMEDIATE ACCESS TO CULTURALLY AND LINGUISTICALLY APPROPRIATE SUPPORT. THE LONG-TERM GOAL IS TO MAINTAIN AND EXPAND THIS NATIONAL LIFELINE FOR SURVIVORS SEEKING SAFETY AND RESOURCES.
  3. $70,217 spent. CHILDREN'S PROGRAM ADWAS EXPANDED SERVICES FOR CHILDREN IMPACTED BY VIOLENCE THROUGH FOUR MAJOR INITIATIVES. THE HOMEWORK CLUB WAS CREATED TO ADDRESS THE EFFECTS OF TRAUMA ON LEARNING. IT PROVIDED ACADEMIC SUPPORT AND A SAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR CHILDREN TO REGAIN CONFIDENCE. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON TUTORS, MORE THAN 20 CHILDREN PARTICIPATED AND THE MAJORITY SHOWED INCREASED ACADEMIC ENGAGEMENT AND CONFIDENCE. ASL CLASSES WERE OFFERED FOR CHILDREN OF DEAF PARENTS TO STRENGTHEN COMMUNICATION SKILLS AND FAMILY CONNECTIONS. APPROXIMATELY 15 CHILDREN PARTICIPATED, WITH FAMILIES REPORTING REDUCED ISOLATION AND STRONGER BONDS. WAM, THE WORD ART MOVEMENT, WAS INTRODUCED AS A CREATIVE PROGRAM TO HELP CHILDREN PROCESS TRAUMA. AROUND 25 CHILDREN ENGAGED IN EXPRESSIVE ARTS ACTIVITIES THAT PROVIDED SAFE AND DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE OUTLETS FOR HEALING AND RESILIENCE. THE ANNUAL CHILDREN'S CAMP SERVED 50 DEAF, DEAFBLIND, DEAFDISABLED, AND CODA CHILDREN, OFFERING SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL SUPPORT, RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES, AND A SAFE COMMUNITY FOR HEALING AND GROWTH.
  4. LEGAL SERVICESIN 2024, ADWAS STRENGTHENED ACCESS TO LEGAL ADVOCACY BY SECURING INTERPRETERS TO PROVIDE SIGHT TRANSLATION FOR DEAF, DEAFBLIND, AND DEAFDISABLED SURVIVORS. THIS ALLOWED SURVIVORS TO BETTER UNDERSTAND LEGAL DOCUMENTS AND COURT PROCESSES, ENSURING INFORMED DECISION-MAKING IN CRITICAL SITUATIONS. THE OBJECTIVE WAS TO REDUCE LANGUAGE AND ACCESSIBILITY BARRIERS WITHIN THE LEGAL SYSTEM. THE LONG-TERM GOAL IS TO BUILD SUSTAINABLE PARTNERSHIPS WITH INTERPRETERS AND LEGAL PROVIDERS TO ENSURE EQUAL ACCESS TO JUSTICE FOR ALL SURVIVORS SERVED BY ADWAS.
  5. OUTREACH AND PREVENTIONTHE TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (TTA) TEAM INCREASED OUTREACH EFFORTS BY OFFERING TRAUMA-INFORMED TRAINING FOR INTERPRETERS, WITH 30 INTERPRETERS IN ATTENDANCE. THE TRAINING WAS A SIGNIFICANT SUCCESS AND STRENGTHENED THE CAPACITY OF INTERPRETERS TO SUPPORT SURVIVORS OF VIOLENCE WITH CULTURAL AND LINGUISTIC SENSITIVITY. ADWAS ALSO PROVIDED SCHOOL-BASED OUTREACH THAT REACHED APPROXIMATELY 50 STUDENTS AND 10 STAFF THROUGH PRESENTATIONS ON HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS AND VIOLENCE PREVENTION. THE OBJECTIVE WAS TO STRENGTHEN PROFESSIONAL AND COMMUNITY UNDERSTANDING OF TRAUMA-INFORMED PRACTICES. THE LONG-TERM GOAL IS TO EXPAND INTERPRETER TRAINING AND DEEPEN PARTNERSHIPS WITH SCHOOLS TO FOSTER SAFER AND MORE SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENTS FOR DEAF AND DEAFBLIND YOUTH.
  6. NATIONAL DEAF HOTLINETHE NATIONAL DEAF HOTLINE RECEIVED 2,431 CONTACTS IN 2024, INCLUDING CALLS, EMAILS AND CHATS. THE HOTLINE TEAM PROVIDED TRAUMA-INFORMED CRISIS INTERVENTION, SAFETY PLANNING, AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORT TO DEAF, DEAFBLIND, AND HARD OF HEARING SURVIVORS OF ABUSE NATIONWIDE. THE OBJECTIVE WAS TO ENSURE IMMEDIATE ACCESS TO CULTURALLY AND LINGUISTICALLY APPROPRIATE SUPPORT. THE LONG-TERM GOAL IS TO MAINTAIN AND EXPAND THIS NATIONAL LIFELINE FOR SURVIVORS SEEKING SAFETY AND RESOURCES.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since May 1991.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.