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Communities in Schools of Lakewood Wa

EIN 91-1732922 · Lakewood, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood89 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

CISL SURROUNDS STUDENTS WITH A COMMUNITY OF SUPPORT, EMPOWERING THEM TO STAY IN SCHOOL AND ACHIEVE IN LIFE. FROM ELEMENTARY THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL, STUDENTS ARE SUPPORTED THROUGH SCHOOL-WIDE ACTIVITIES, TARGETED GROUP SUPPORTS AND INDIVIDUALIZED INTERVENTIONS.

Income
$1.5 million
Spending
$1.3 million
Spent on programs
66%
Reserves
6.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 59%
Employees
30
Volunteers
32
Highest pay
$89,420, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 89 out of 100. Higher than 77% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 19% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 16% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 15% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    66% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 64% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 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 June 30, 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 (3)
  1. $239,985 spent. CISL SERVED TWO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SITES BY PROVIDING TARGETED STUDENT SUPPORT, SCHOOLWIDE INITIATIVES, AND INDIVIDUALIZED 1:1 CASE MANAGEMENT FOR 49 ELEMENTARY STUDENTS. SITE COORDINATORS COMPLETED NEEDS ASSESSMENTS AND DEVELOPED SCHOOL SUPPORT PLANS TO IDENTIFY BARRIERS TO STUDENT SUCCESS, SUPPORT INDIVIDUAL STUDENT GOALS, IMPROVE SCHOOLWIDE OUTCOMES, AND ADDRESS STUDENTS' BASIC NEEDS. SERVICES WERE DELIVERED THROUGH THE CIS MODEL, INCLUDING 1:1 CASE MANAGEMENT, SMALL-GROUP SUPPORT, AND SCHOOLWIDE INITIATIVES, WITH ADDITIONAL COORDINATION THROUGH CISL'S HOUSING STABILITY, WELLNESS, AND OTHER SUPPORT SERVICES.
  2. $302,636 spent. CISL SERVED TWO MIDDLE SCHOOL SITES BY PROVIDING TARGETED STUDENT SUPPORT, SCHOOLWIDE INITIATIVES, AND INDIVIDUALIZED 1:1 CASE MANAGEMENT FOR 69 MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS. SITE COORDINATORS COMPLETED NEEDS ASSESSMENTS AND DEVELOPED SCHOOL SUPPORT PLANS TO IDENTIFY BARRIERS TO STUDENT SUCCESS, SUPPORT INDIVIDUAL STUDENT GOALS, IMPROVE SCHOOLWIDE OUTCOMES, AND ADDRESS STUDENTS' BASIC NEEDS. SERVICES WERE DELIVERED THROUGH THE CIS MODEL, INCLUDING 1:1 CASE MANAGEMENT, SMALL-GROUP SUPPORT, AND SCHOOLWIDE INITIATIVES, WITH ADDITIONAL COORDINATION THROUGH CISL'S HOUSING STABILITY, WELLNESS, AND OTHER SUPPORT SERVICES.
  3. $316,501 spent. CISL SERVED ONE HIGH SCHOOL SITE BY PROVIDING TARGETED STUDENT SUPPORT, SCHOOLWIDE INITIATIVES, AND INDIVIDUALIZED 1:1 CASE MANAGEMENT FOR 82 HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS. SITE COORDINATORS COMPLETED NEEDS ASSESSMENTS AND DEVELOPED A SCHOOL SUPPORT PLAN TO IDENTIFY BARRIERS TO STUDENT SUCCESS, SUPPORT INDIVIDUAL STUDENT GOALS, IMPROVE SCHOOLWIDE OUTCOMES, AND ADDRESS STUDENTS' BASIC NEEDS. SERVICES WERE DELIVERED THROUGH THE CIS MODEL, INCLUDING 1:1 CASE MANAGEMENT, SMALL-GROUP SUPPORT, AND SCHOOLWIDE INITIATIVES, WITH ADDITIONAL STUDENTS AND FAMILIES SUPPORTED THROUGH CISL'S HOUSING STABILITY AND WELLNESS SUPPORTS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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? 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 June 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 February 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.