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501 Commons

EIN 94-3089631 · Seattle, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair54 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

We all rise when nonprofits thrive. At 501 Commons we serve nonprofits as experts, innovators, and partners. Our passion is to amplify the strength of nonprofits - so all people and communities flourish.

Income
$21.4 million
Spending
$19.5 million
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
0.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 58%
Employees
83
Volunteers
66
Highest pay
$191,357, wsos executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 54 out of 100. Higher than 32% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 41% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 16% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $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

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 December 31, 2024, 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)
  1. $13.4 million spent. 501 Commons serves as the program administrator for Washington Opportunity Scholarship. WSOS removes barriers to education and helps Washington students forge their path to high-demand STEM, health care, and trade careers in Washington state. Opportunity scholars receive financial assistance, career training, and mentorship services that uniquely position them to meet our states workforce shortages. 70% of participants are scholars of color, 57% are women or nonbinary, and 67% are first generation scholars.
  2. $1.2 million spent. Our technology programs include IT infrastructure, cybersecurity, and data solutions. Data solutions worked on 58 database development and maintenance projects with 32 organizations. IT infrastructure worked on 100 projects or ongoing IT managed services with 90 organizations. Organizations receiving managed services have the benefits of ongoing backup, antivirus, and monitoring the security of their networks. These services allow nonprofits of all types and sizes keep their data safe, work efficiently, communicate effectively, and track relationships and results.
  3. $589,907 spent. Our financial services program worked on 127 accounting, tax, and consulting engagements with organizations. Having professional financial services at affordable rates provides our clients with the financial data they need to make sound management decisions and allows them to focus on their mission. Budgets, financial reports, and tax returns that meet professional standards are a baseline requirement for effective fundraising.
  4. $1.4 million spent. 1370 nonprofits raised $9.3 million on Washington Gives, our year-round fundraising platform, management services include HR, Coaching, Executive Advising, Fundraising guidance, and Management Consulting. BIPOC-led organizations participated in next level, an action learning program that partners executives with an experienced BIPOC leader. Management services provided 217 services to 162 organizations. Many management services are provided by skilled volunteers who are members of our Executive Serivice Corps. Their donated expertise and time is valued at $391,993. Free nonprofit advisory services were provided to 317 organizations. Over 1100 people participated in learning sessions.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 December 2024.

    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 April 1993.

    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.