Association of Washington Cities
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE ASSOCIATION OF WASHINGTON CITIES BUILDS CONNECTIONS BETWEEN OUR STATE'S DIVERSE CITIES AND TOWNS, WHILE PROVIDING OUR MEMBERS WITH THE SUPPORT NEEDED TO THRIVE THROUGH DELIVERY OF DATA-DRIVEN EDUCATION, NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED POOLING PROGRAMS, AND NONPARTISAN ADVOCACY.
- Income
- $17.7 million
- Spending
- $15.3 million
- Employees
- 80
- Volunteers
- 27
- Highest pay
- $447,568, chief executive officer
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Governance
This return does not answer enough of the governance questions to score.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. 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)
- $5.5 million spent. THE EDUCATION, EVENTS, AND ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM INCLUDES ANNUAL PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS THAT EDUCATE MEMBERS ON ESSENTIAL MUNICIPAL ISSUES. EDUCATION IS PROVIDED IN THE FORM OF TRAININGS, FORUS, CONFERENCES, WEBINARS, AND EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS. STRATEGIC AREAS OF EMPHASIS INCLUDE EFFECTIVE LOCAL LEADERSHIP, ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES, BUDGETING AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT, INFRASTRUCTURE AND LAND USE, SAFE AND THRIVING COMMUNITIES, LABOR RELATIONS. PROGRAMS ARE SPECIALIZED FOR OFFICIALS FROM SMALL CITIES, MAYORS, NEW ELECTED OFFICIALS, AND LABOR RELATIONS AND HUMAN RESOURCES PROFESSIONALS. APPROXIMATELY 3,323 PARTICIPANTS ATTENDED TRAININGS OFFERED BY AWC INCLUDING 473 MEMBER DELEGATES THAT ATTENDED THE 2024 ANNUAL CONFERENCE. MEMBERSHIP IS COMPRISED OF ALL 281 INCORPORATED CITIES AND TOWNS IN WASHINGTON. AWC HAS CONSISTENTLY MAINTAINED 100% PARTICIPATION OF ALL INCORPORATED CITIES AND TOWNS IN THE STATE.
- $5.6 million spent. CONTRACTS AND GRANTS - AWC PROVIDES A VARIETY OF TECHNICAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES, INCLUDING THE AWC EMPLOYEE BENEFIT TRUST, THE AWC-RISK MANAGEMENT SERVICE AGENCY, GIS CONSORTIUM, THE DEPARTMENT OF ECOLOGY WATER QUALITY PUGET SOUND NUTRIENT REDUCTION PROJECT, THE WASHINGTON STATE HEALTH CARE AUTHORITY ALTERNATIVE RESPONSE TEAM GRANT PROGRAM AND THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE ENERGY AUDIT GRANT PROJECT.
- $1.9 million spent. STATE AND FEDERAL RELATIONS - A PROGRAM OF INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS IS PROVIDED BY A TEAM OF ADVOCATES AND RESEARCH ANALYSTS. SERVICES INCLUDE DEVELOPING THE ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE AGENDA, BUILDING LEGISLATIVE AND OTHER GOVERNMENTAL RELATIONSHIPS, CONDUCTING POLICY RELATED RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS AND PROVIDING INFORMATION AND POLICY LEVEL ASSISTANCE TO MEMBERS.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. 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)(4) social welfare 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 December 2024.
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 December 1943.
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.