Washington Community Action Network Education & Research Fund

What it reported doing in 2024

COALITION & PUBLIC POLICY EDUCATION: WaCANERF collaborated with community organizations and coalitions to advance public education on economic and housing justice issues. In Burien, WaCANERF played a role in efforts to inform the public on wage equity, supporting education initiatives related to worker protections and minimum wage. Similarly, efforts in Kent helped expand public awareness of governance structures and community representation models. As part of our housing justice education initiatives, WaCANERF conducted 99 renter surveys (49 online, 50 in person) to assess housing conditions and affordability concerns. The findings reinforced the need for greater public education on tenant rights and housing policies. WaCANERF also contributed to efforts educating gig workers and consumers about wage protections, with 87 individuals engaging in educational opportunities focused on worker rights as they pertain to gig-workers specifically. Additionally, community members participated in digital advocacy, sending 151 emails to policymakers to express their perspectives on economic and social issues. These combined efforts expanded public education, increased community participation in civic processes, and strengthened long-term public awareness on key policy issues across Washington State. WaCANERF actively participates in the Powerbuilding Table, a coalition committed to strengthening community-led efforts for economic and racial justice. Through this collaboration, WaCANERF has engaged in public discussions on long-term movement-building strategies, contributed to capacity-building initiatives, and supported efforts to align organizations around shared goals for public education and civic engagement. This work ensures that grassroots leadership and community voices remain central to broader systemic change efforts in Washington State.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 100%; rating input score 100
• Program expense ratio: 81.9%; rating input score 82
• Fundraising efficiency: $4.88 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 17; 17th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: Limited
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: 100%; rating input score 100; 76th percentile among comparable filings
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 6 of 9 controls in place; rating input score 67
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Fail
  • Other executive compensation review process: Fail
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Fail

Sustainability

• Operating margin: -77.2%; rating input score 2; 2nd percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 3.21; rating input score 77; 77th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.1; rating input score 42; 42nd percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 0.9%; rating input score 60; 60th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 10.6% per year; rating input score 100; 64th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: -12.4% per year; rating input score 0; 2nd percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 4.9% per year; rating input score 100; 38th percentile among comparable filings