Lutheran Community Services Northwest
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
LCSNW partners with individuals, families and communities for health, justice and hope. LCSNW provides a wide variety of social services in Oregon, Washington and Idaho and serves people of all ages, cultures and faiths.
- Income
- $84.7 million
- Spending
- $80.6 million
- Spent on programs
- 70%
- Reserves
- 3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 56%
- Employees
- 952
- Volunteers
- 3,783
- Highest pay
- $302,046, president & chief executive officer
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: 81 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 3.0 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 25% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 19% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1570% 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 35% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2512 of 12 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (4)
- $22.9 million spent. CHILD, FAMILY, AND SENIOR SUPPORT: LCSNW serves children, youth, families and seniors with stabilization and development services and prevention of outofhome placements and supporting seniors to stay at home as long as possible, including wraparound services, referral and respite, child abuse prevention and reunification services. LCSNW operates a refugee foster care program for unaccompanied minors.
- $17.2 million spent. BEHAVIORAL HEALTH: LCSNW offers outpatient mental health services for children, adults, and families. Specialties include working with immigrants and refugees, survivors of violence, and abused and neglected children. LCSNW also provides substance abuse treatment services and an array of supportive programs to help individuals and families regain control of their lives.
- $16.3 million spent. IMMIGRATION AND REFUGEE SERVICES: LCSNW provides both immigration and refugee resettlement services. Services are focused on helping immigrants and refugees' transition successfully into their new communities. Services are provided in multiple languages and include English as a second language, citizenship classes, health education, case management, and housing assistance.
- HOUSING AND EMERGENCY SERVICE: LCSNW provides support services to support its affiliate, Compass Housing Alliance, to expand emergency and low income housing services.
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
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 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? Worth knowing.
The IRS does not require this organization to file annual returns.
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 January 1965.
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.