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Seeding Justice

EIN 93-0691187 · Portland, OR

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair60 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SEEDING JUSTICE BUILDS COLLECTIVE POWER BY TRANSFORMING PHILANTHROPY AND FUNDING MOVEMENTS, IN THE PURSUIT OF JUSTICE AND LIBERATION FOR ALL COMMUNITIES. OUR PROGRAMS ARE BASED ON TRUST, RELATIONSHIPS, AND PARTNERSHIP. THEY ARE FOUNDED ON THE BELIEF THAT THE COMMUNITIES MOST IMPACTED BY INJUSTICE ARE THE ONES BEST EQUIPPED TO SOLVE THE ISSUES THEY FACE.

Income
$10.7 million
Spending
$9.7 million
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
2.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 81%
Employees
16
Volunteers
25
Highest pay
$469,565, executive director (see sch j)

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

Fair: 60 out of 100. Higher than 14% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 66% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    81% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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 37% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $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

    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. $2.7 million spent. SEEDING JUSTICE AWARDED $2,490,701 OF SETTLEMENTS OBTAINED THROUGH LITIGATION AGAINST POLLUTERS THROUGH A COMMUNITY-LED STEERING COMMITTEE TO PROJECTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ORGANIZATIONS WORKING TO RESTORE, PROTECT, AND MAINTAIN THE COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN AND ITS TRIBUTARIES.
  2. $1.1 million spent. SEEDING JUSTICE WORKED WITH DONORS ACROSS OREGON TO AWARD $1,076,139 IN DONOR ADVISED GRANTS.
  3. $4.0 million spent. SEEDING JUSTICE AWARDED $595,000 TO GRASSROOTS SOCIAL CHANGE ORGANIZATIONS THROUGH OUR UNIQUE, ACTIVISTLED GRANTMAKING PROCESS. SEEDING JUSTICE AWARDED $575,867 THROUGH REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AND EQUITY FUND (RHEF) PROGRAM TO ADVANCE SEXUAL, REPRODUCTIVE, AND BIRTHING HEALTH EQUITY.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since September 1977.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.