Donate Life Northwest
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
DONATE LIFE NORTHWEST'S MISSION IS TO SAVE LIVES AND IMPROVE HEALTH THROUGH THE PROMOTION OF ORGAN, EYE, AND TISSUE DONATION. SINCE 1975, DONATE LIFE NORTHWEST (DLNW) HAS ALIGNED AND SUPPORTED COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIPS WITH ORGAN, EYE, AND TISSUE DONATION AGENCIES, TRANSPLANT CENTERS, AND EDUCATORS. RECOGNIZED NATIONALLY FOR THE ACHIEVEMENT OF REGISTERING MORE THAN 2.5 MILLION OF OREGON'S LICENSED DRIVERS, PROGRAM EFFORTS FOCUS ON EDUCATING AND MOTIVATING CITIZENS OF OREGON AND SW WASHINGTON THROUGH OUR VOLUNTEERS, HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE OUTREACH, SOCIAL MEDIA, COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS AND DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES TO MAKE, REGISTER, AND SHARE THEIR DONATION DECISION.
- Income
- $908,486
- Spending
- $645,343
- Spent on programs
- 74%
- Reserves
- 27.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 76%
- Employees
- 8
- Volunteers
- 151
- Highest pay
- $92,017, interim exec
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
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 84% of charities in its peer group (health care, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 27.1 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 4% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 29% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 18% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1574% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 11 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: 97 out of 100. Higher than 88% of charities in its peer group (health care, $250k to $1m).
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
12 of 15Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.
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 (5)
- $98,265 spent. YOUTH EDUCATION: PROVIDES EDUCATION ON ORGAN, EYE, AND TISSUE DONATION IN AN AGE-APPROPRIATE WAY FOR AUDIENCES FROM SEVENTH GRADE ALL THE WAY UP TO COLLEGE LEVEL. DONATE LIFE NORTHWEST FORGES A CRITICAL LINK BETWEEN MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS AND EDUCATORS, PROVIDING CURRICULUM-BASED LEARNING, CLASSROOM PRESENTATIONS, STUDENT PROJECTS, AND MANY OTHER RESOURCES. THE CURRICULUM IS DESIGNED TO EXPLAIN DONATION IN AN EDUCATIONAL, INTERACTIVE, AND INSPIRATIONAL WAY TO CULTIVATE A PRO-DONATION COMMUNITY THROUGHOUT THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST. EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES CAN BE FOUND ON GORECYCLEYOURSELF.COM. IN FY25, WE REACHED OVER 8,200 STUDENTS THROUGH OUR YOUTH EDUCATION PROGRAM.
- $171,575 spent. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: BUILDS COMMUNITY AND SUPPORT AMONG DONOR FAMILIES, LIVING DONORS, TRANSPLANT RECIPIENTS, PEOPLE ON THE WAITLIST, AND DONATION SUPPORTERS THROUGH EVENTS, MEDIA RESOURCES, VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES, NETWORKING, AND MENTORING IN ORDER TO PROMOTE ORGAN, EYE, AND TISSUE DONATION. COLLABORATES WITH BUSINESSES, FAITH COMMUNITIES, CIVIC AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, AND OTHERS TO PROVIDE THOUGHTFUL, EDUCATIONAL, AND CULTURALLY- AND LINGUISTICALLY-SPECIFIC OUTREACH TO THE PUBLIC. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT RESOURCES CAN BE FOUND ON DONATELIFENW.ORG AND ON FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, AND OTHER SOCIAL MEDIA OUTLETS. IN FY25, WE REACHED NEARLY 10,000 PEOPLE THROUGH 149 DIFFERENT COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES.
- $58,716 spent. LIVING KIDNEY DONATION INITIATIVES: PROVIDES EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND MATERIALS TO HELP EDUCATE MORE END-STAGE RENAL DISEASE PATIENTS ON TRANSPLANT AND LIVING DONATION. THESE PROGRAMS INCLUDE A WORKSHOP FOR PATIENTS WHO ARE LISTED FOR A TRANSPLANT TO EXPLORE LIVING DONATION, AND VARIOUS ONLINE AND PRINTED MATERIALS. ADDITIONALLY WORKS TO INCREASE AWARENESS AROUND LIVING DONATION IN THE GENERAL PUBLIC THROUGH EVENTS, MEDIA, AND A VOLUNTEER-RUN COMMUNITY GROUP. IN FY25, WE REACHED OVER 1,200 MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO EDUCATE AND ENCOURAGE LIVING KIDNEY DONATION.
- $151,134 spent. VOLUNTEER PROGRAM: DONATE LIFE NORTHWEST'S VOLUNTEERS ARE THE HEART OF OUR MISSION, SHARING THEIR POWERFUL PERSONAL STORIES TO INSPIRE OTHERS TO REGISTER AS ORGAN, EYE, AND TISSUE DONORS. THEIR EXPERIENCES-WHETHER AS RECIPIENTS, DONOR FAMILIES, LIVING DONORS, OR ADVOCATES-BRING THE MESSAGE OF DONATION TO LIFE IN COMMUNITIES ACROSS OREGON AND SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON. THROUGH OUTREACH EVENTS, SCHOOL PRESENTATIONS, AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS, OUR TRAINED VOLUNTEERS BUILD UNDERSTANDING, FOSTER COMPASSION, AND MOTIVATE THOUSANDS TO SAY "YES" TO DONATION. IN FY25, WE HAD 150 ACTIVE VOLUNTEERS WHO GAVE 1071 HOURS OF SERVICE.
- VOLUNTEER PROGRAM: DONATE LIFE NORTHWEST'S VOLUNTEERS ARE THE HEART OF OUR MISSION, SHARING THEIR POWERFUL PERSONAL STORIES TO INSPIRE OTHERS TO REGISTER AS ORGAN, EYE, AND TISSUE DONORS. THEIR EXPERIENCES-WHETHER AS RECIPIENTS, DONOR FAMILIES, LIVING DONORS, OR ADVOCATES-BRING THE MESSAGE OF DONATION TO LIFE IN COMMUNITIES ACROSS OREGON AND SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON. THROUGH OUTREACH EVENTS, SCHOOL PRESENTATIONS, AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS, OUR TRAINED VOLUNTEERS BUILD UNDERSTANDING, FOSTER COMPASSION, AND MOTIVATE THOUSANDS TO SAY "YES" TO DONATION. IN FY25, WE HAD 150 ACTIVE VOLUNTEERS WHO GAVE 1071 HOURS OF SERVICE.
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? 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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since August 1984.
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.