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Adefua Cultural Education Workshop

EIN 91-1641230 · Seattle, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair60 out of 100GovernanceGood71 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 25% of its spending went to programs.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

Adefua Cultural Education Workshop (A.C.E.W) WHO WE ARE (A.C.E.W), is a non-profit Organization that is central to youth and families within and surrounding Seattle communities. Providing year-round various interactive activities that engage, serves and have available West African experiences, both academically and socially to all generations. ADEFUA Vision Statement: Our vision is to enhance, maintain and sustain an African Arts Cultural Center that promotes jobs, economic development and arts education which influences healthy living and an intergenerational legacy. ADEFUA Mission: Our mission is create, expand and offer options for youth to enhance growth, personal development, and academic success through the study of African culture, music and dance.

Income
$363,148
Spending
$335,974
Spent on programs
25%
Reserves
1.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 88%
Employees
0
Volunteers
30
Highest pay
$143,678, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 60 out of 100. Higher than 28% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 37% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    25% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 71 out of 100. Higher than 47% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 8 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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, 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)
  1. $11,293 spent. Community Classes, Events and Educational Programming Dance and Drum Classes Starting Classes are offered to Youth and Adults African Dance African Drumming Youth Performance Ensemble School Programs ADEFUA works in the preservation of Folkloric West African Cultures to youth and children. We are available to present performances, educational workshops, and inter-active celebrations for all occasions. Community Dance and exercises and LIVE Drumming Class. We also travel to Guinea once a year if possible.
  2. $13,499 spent. We have opened up a space for workshops, meeting and group travel to Africa planning. We are the PNW Premier Provider for African Cultural & Heritage Activities, Gatherings, Lessons and Artifact Display. ADEFUA Cultural Education Workshop is both locally and widely recognized as the proud Cultural Anchor for the African Cultural Arts Center, LLC.
  3. $383 spent. Rainier Valley Creative District-(RVCD), a is focusing on developing and maintaining relationships with community agencies, cultural councils, school districts, scholars, parents and education-focused organizations. Rainier Valley Creative District-(RVCD), values group cohesion, individual responsibility and personal development. Rainier Valley Creative District-(RVCD), recognizes and encourages individual with everyone working towards the same objectives; To unify the five neighborhoods in Rainier Valley through Art and Culture.
  4. $57,265 spent. The ACAC will be a state-of-the-art cultural facility dedicated to African history, dance, music, and the arts, offering: Art Gallery & Exhibit Spaces showcasing African and African American art and cultural artifacts. Indoor & Outdoor Performance Spaces for dance, music, and storytelling. Classrooms & Workshop Studios for cultural education, drumming, and dance. Artist Residency & Studio Spaces to nurture creative expression. Commercial Kitchen & Café for culinary experiences and community gatherings. ADEFUA Administrative Offices to coordinate cultural programs and events.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on May 15, 2012 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on May 15, 2012.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 December 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 2019.

    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 October 21, 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.