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Nami Washington

EIN 91-1689067 · Seattle, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak45 out of 100GovernanceStrong94 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF NAMI WASHINGTON IS TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL THOSE AFFECTED BY MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS IN WASHINGTON STATE THROUGH A PROGRAM OF EDUCATION, SUPPORT & RECOVERY, AND ADVOCACY.

Income
$1.5 million
Spending
$1.7 million
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
1.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 53%
Employees
18
Volunteers
100
Highest pay
$119,564, 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

Weak: 45 out of 100. Higher than 13% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 62% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 15% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 41% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    83% 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: 94 out of 100. Higher than 58% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    16 of 16 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

    9 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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 (3)
  1. $678,665 spent. SUPPORT & OUTREACH: NAMI WASHINGTON'S ARRAY OF SUPPORT AND OUTREACH EFFORTS ARE FOCUSED ON EDUCATING WASHINGTONIANS ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS, TREATMENT, SUPPORT SERVICES AND RECOVERY. IN FY2024, NAMI WASHINGTON HOSTED THE 20TH ANNUAL NAMIWALKS WASHINGTON EVENT WHERE SUPPORTERS GATHERED AT FOUR LOCATIONS ACROSS THE STATE TO CELEBRATE RECOVERY, ADVOCATE FOR A MORE ROBUST MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE SYSTEM, AND COMBAT THE STIGMA ASSOCIATED WITH MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS. THE ANNUAL STATE CONFERENCE BROUGHT OVER 120 MEMBERS AND PROVIDERS TOGETHER FOR A DAY OF EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS FOCUSED ON ALL ASPECTS OF MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT, RECOVERY, AND SYSTEM OPERATIONS AND TO CELEBRATE OUR 45TH ANNIVERSARY.AFFILIATE SUPPORT, DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT IS PART OF OUR SUPPORT AND OUTREACH ACTIVITIES. NAMI WASHINGTON PROVIDES ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT FOR OUR ALLIANCE OF AFFILIATES, AND WE CONSULT AND PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES ON HOW TO RUN A NONPROFIT, BOARD DEVELOPMENT AND RETENTION AND FUNCTION, COMMITTEE BUILDING, VOLUNTEER RECRUITMENT AND ENGAGEMENT. THROUGH OUR SHARING HOPE AND COMPARTIENDO ESPERANZA, AND ME MENTE AND ME FUERZA EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, WE WORK WITH COMMUNITY LEADERS IN THE BLACK/AFRICAN AMERICAN AND THE LATINO/A/E/HISPANIC COMMUNITIES TO BRING DISCUSSION OF MENTAL HEALTH AND RESOURCES TO THEM. WE ALSO PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING TO ALL FAITH COMMUNITIES VIA NAMI FAITHNET. NAMI WASHINGTON HOLDS A PERFORMANCE STORYTELLING EVENT, THE BRAINPOWER CHRONICLES, FEATURING SIX NAMI MEMBERS WHO SHARE THEIR MENTAL HEALTH JOURNEYS DURING A 1-EVENING PERFORMANCE. IN 2024 THIS EVENT WAS HELD ON NOVEMBER 16TH WITH AN IN PERSON AUDIENCE OF APPROXIMATELY 45.
  2. $660,430 spent. EDUCATION: NAMI WASHINGTON OFFERS AN ARRAY OF PEER EDUCATION AND TRAINING PROGRAMS AND SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS LIVING WITH A MENTAL HEALTH CONDITION, FAMILY MEMBERS/CAREGIVERS OF PEOPLE LIVING WITH A MENTAL HEALTH CONDITION, PROVIDERS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC AT NO COST TO PARTICIPANTS. THESE EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES PROVIDE CRITICAL INFORMATION AND SUPPORT NOT FOUND ELSEWHERE IN THE MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION SYSTEM. THESE PROGRAMS DRAW ON THE LIVED EXPERIENCE OF PEOPLE LIVING WITH A MENTAL HEALTH CONDITION AND FAMILY MEMBERS/CAREGIVERS WHO HAVE BEEN EXTENSIVELY TRAINED IN NAMI'S SIGNATURE EDUCATION PROGRAM TO HELP OTHERS THROUGH THESE PROGRAMS. NAMI WASHINGTON HOLDS TEACHER, FACILITATOR, AND PRESENTER TRAININGS FOR ITS CORE EDUCATION AND SUPPORT GROUP PROGRAMS: CONNECTION RECOVERY SUPPORT GROUP, FAMILY SUPPORT GROUP, PEER TO PEER CLASS, FAMILY TO FAMILY CLASS, BASICS CLASS FOR PARENTS WITH YOUNG CHILDREN, HOMEFRONT CLASS FOR FAMILY MEMBER/CAREGIVERS OF ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY OF VETERANS, PROVIDER EDUCATION PRESENTATION PROGRAM FOR FRONTLINE WORKERS, ENDING THE SILENCE PRESENTATION FOR MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS; PARENTS; EDUCATORS, AND IN OUR OWN VOICE PRESENTATION PROGRAM FOR ANY GROUP INTERESTED IN HEARING FROM A PERSON LIVING WITH A MENTAL HEALTH CONDITION IN RECOVERY. STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS ALSO FIELD INFORMATION AND REFERRAL CALLS FROM INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES ABOUT TREATMENT AND SUPPORT SERVICES IN THEIR LOCAL COMMUNITIES ACROSS WASHINGTON.
  3. $97,076 spent. ADVOCACY: NAMI WASHINGTON IS THE LARGEST MEMBERSHIP-BASED MENTAL HEALTH ORGANIZATION IN THE STATE OF WASHINGTON AND IS RECOGNIZED AS THE LEADING VOICE ON MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES AMONG STATE LAWMAKERS AND AMONG LOCAL MENTAL HEALTH POLICYMAKERS ACROSS THE STATE. NAMI ADVOCATES CONTINUE TO FIGHT FOR POLICY CHANGES AND HEALTH CARE TRANSFORMATION THAT RAISES THE BAR ON MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT AND SUPPORT SERVICES WHICH PROMOTE RECOVERY AND TIMELY ACCESS TO SERVICES AND SUPPORTS, REDUCE BARRIERS TO EFFECTIVE TREATMENT, AND PRESERVE FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES. NAMI'S GRASSROOTS ADVOCATES AND VOLUNTEERS ARE ACTIVE WITH THEIR STATE LEGISLATORS, INFORMING THEM OF POSITIVE DEVELOPMENTS IN THE MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEM AND ADVOCATING FOR IMPROVEMENTS THAT WILL LEAD TO MORE POSITIVE MENTAL HEALTH AND HEALTH CARE OUTCOMES. THEY ALSO ADVOCATE WITH LOCAL MENTAL HEALTH AUTHORITIES, COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, CITY LEADERS, LAW ENFORCEMENT AND FIRST RESPONDERS, AND OTHERS IN LOCAL COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE 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

  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 November 6, 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 July 1995.

    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 November 4, 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.