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Gowest Foundation

EIN 91-1649328 · Seatac, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceGood89 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

POWERED BY A NETWORK OF CREDIT UNIONS, WE ARE UNIQUELY POSITIONED TO HARNESS AND DELIVER RESOURCES THAT STRENGTHEN THE FINANCIAL LIVES OF PEOPLE AND COMMUNITIES OPERATING IN ARIZONA, COLORADO, IDAHO, OREGON, WASHINGTON AND WYOMING.

Income
$13.5 million
Spending
$12.9 million
Spent on programs
94%
Reserves
9.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 85%
Employees
0
Volunteers
15

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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 89% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 9.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 12% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 519% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    94% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 89 out of 100. Higher than 16% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • 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 (2)
  1. $1.1 million spent. THE GRANTS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM AND PUBLIC EDUCATION PROGRAM PROVIDED FUNDS TO CREDIT UNIONS AND THEIR STAFF FOR PROGRAMS AND EDUCATION FOCUSED ON IMPROVING THE FINANCIAL LIVES OF PEOPLE AND COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE REGION.
  2. $11.0 million spent. PROGRAM GRANT FUNDS WERE OBTAINED FROM THE WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, PURSUANT TO THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY'S CORONAVIRUS STATE AND LOCAL FISCAL RECOVERY FUNDS (SLFRF) PROGRAM. THESE FUNDS WERE UTILIZED TO ADVANCE INCLUSIVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BY FACILITATING ACCESS TO CREDIT AND CAPITAL FOR UNDERSERVED ENTREPRENEURS. THE PILOT PROGRAM WAS INTENTIONALLY DESIGNED TO DISTRIBUTE GRANT FUNDING IN A MANNER THAT SIMULTANEOUSLY SUPPORTS CREDIT-BUILDING FOR TARGETED RECIPIENTS. BY DOING SO, THE INITIATIVE AIMS TO STRENGTHEN THE FINANCIAL STABILITY OF INDIVIDUALS AND SMALL BUSINESSES IN HISTORICALLY MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES, FOSTERING LONG-TERM ECONOMIC RESILIENCE AND UPWARD MOBILITY.

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 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 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 2024.

    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 April 1997.

    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.