Urban Impact
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Urban Impact cultivates thriving communities, by creating access, opportunity, and lasting change. Our vision is that all people and every neighborhood are rooted and thriving in community.
- Income
- $2.2 million
- Spending
- $2.8 million
- Spent on programs
- 76%
- Reserves
- 1.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 57%
- Employees
- 32
- Highest pay
- $50,048, president
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 51 out of 100. Higher than 18% of charities in its peer group (religion, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 1.3 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 27% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 29% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 9% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1576% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 30 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 94 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (religion, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 258 of 9 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
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
9 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 August 31, 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 (4)
- $881,940 spent. Health & Wellness - Urban Impacts Health & Wellness efforts are led by Rainier Health & Fitness (RHF), an affordable, community-centered fitness facility located at Emerald City Commons. RHF provides culturally responsive, accessible fitness programs to more than 1,800 members annually. More than a fitness center, RHF creates a welcoming environment that supports both physical and emotional well-being across all ages. Through personalized coaching, group classes, and relational engagement, RHF helps individuals build healthy habits, reduce barriers to wellness, and strengthen overall quality of lifecontributing to healthier families and more resilient communities.
- $634,078 spent. Youth, Families, and Community Engagement - Urban Impact is a nonprofit community development organization that has been serving South Seattle since 1987. Our mission is to cultivate thriving communities by creating access, opportunity, and lasting change through programs focused on youth and families, health and wellness, entrepreneurship, leadership, faith, and equipping churches to love their neighbors and neighborhoodsparticularly in historically under-resourced neighborhoods and BIPOC communities. Rooted in faith, we take a comprehensive, place-based approach to community development, guided by the belief that lasting transformation happens when individuals, families, and communities are supported holistically. Through partnerships with local churches, organizations, and community leaders, we provide relational, place-based support to youth and families that addresses immediate needs while building toward long-term impact. Our core services include expanded learning and outreach programs serving Pre-K through high school students. These programs offer tutoring, academic enrichment, nutrition support, discipleship, and family engagementbuilding trust, strengthening resilience, and fostering a sense of belonging. In addition, our Unlocked Chaplaincy Program serves youth involved in the juvenile justice system through one-to-one mentoring, spiritual care, and re-entry support. This program walks alongside young people as they navigate critical life transitions, helping them discover their God-given identity, purpose, and pathways toward restoration and stability.
- $336,725 spent. Neighborhood Transformation & Leadership Development - Building on this holistic foundation, Urban Impact also invests in Neighborhood Transformation and Leadership Development. Through Neighborhood Transformation, we train and equip churches and community leaders in adaptive leadership and community engagementempowering them to love and serve their neighborhoods effectively. We host annual cohorts that equip leaders in community listening, organizing, innovation, and collaborative problem-solving, helping them respond to local needs with creativity and care. Our Leadership Development efforts also include regular convenings of pastors and ministry leaders to foster unity, shared learning, and city-wide collaboration. These gatheringssuch as the Seattle Pastors & Leaders Gatherings, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast, Holy Innovation, and the Christian Community Development Association (CCDA) PNW Networkcreate space for pastoral encouragement, racial reconciliation, theological reflection, and strategic ministry development. Together, these initiatives strengthen relational networks, equip leaders, and contribute to the long-term flourishing of communities across Seattle.
- $286,538 spent. Economic Development (Entrepreneurship and Housing) - Urban Impacts Economic Development initiatives are focused on building vibrant, sustainable local economies within historically under-resourced communities. Through entrepreneurship training and business development programs, we equip BIPOC entrepreneurs with the tools, mentorship, and resources needed to launch and grow successful businesses. Key programs include the Ignite Ideas Accelerator, Sharks Pitch Competition, and Scale, Succeed & Soar workshops. These initiatives provide business training, mentorship, access to networks, and pathways to capitalhelping entrepreneurs move from idea to implementation and long-term sustainability. In addition to entrepreneurship, Urban Impact supports economic stability through affordable housing. In 2014, we opened Emerald City Commons, providing quality housing and resident support services for 61 families. Looking ahead, we plan to break ground on a second mixed-use housing development adjacent to Emerald City Commons by 2030, adding approximately 100 units for families and seniors. This future development will also include an entrepreneurship hub and co-working space, further strengthening opportunities for economic mobility and community-based business growth.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, 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 August 2025.
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 January 1988.
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.