West Side Connect
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
To foster bridges of care, uniting and empowering Black, Indigenous, and Pacific Islander communities in the West Portland Metro Area through education, mentorship, and cultural advocacy.
- Income
- $23,000
- Spending
- $16,375
- Reserves
- 4.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 78%
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. 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 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ 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 (2)
- $3,500 spent. In its first year, W.E.S.T. Side Connect launched the EmpowerED Mirror Project, a strategic initiative to recruit and support Black and Pacific Islander future educators in Washington County. In Year One, we successfully recruited seven future teachers, laying the foundation for a long-term solution to Oregon's critical educator diversity gap. Oregon currently faces a shortage of 10,000 educators of color, leaving students without the representation and cultural connection needed for equitable education. The EmpowerED Mirror Project works to close this gap by mentoring, guiding, and advocating for future educators as they navigate college enrollment, scholarships, and systemic barriers. This year, we focused on recruitment and foundational support, ensuring each participant is on a clear path to becoming an educator. In future years, we will expand to strengthen advocacy, increase placements, and build sustainable pathways for educators of color in Oregon.
- $750 spent. In Year One, W.E.S.T. Side Connect provided direct advocacy support to six families in Beaverton, OR, ensuring parents understood their rights and had a voice in their children's education. Most of the students supported were middle schoolers navigating academic challenges. Our advocacy included: Guiding parents through their rights in the education system. Attending Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings, parent-teacher conferences, and disciplinary hearings. Assisting families in filing formal complaints with the Oregon Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Education when necessary. By providing culturally specific advocacy, we empowered families to navigate complex school systems and secure the educational supports their children need to succeed.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since January 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.