School's Out Washington (SOWA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Tukwila, Washington. Founded in 1987, the organization works to strengthen and expand youth development programs across Washington state, with a particular focus on ensuring equitable access to high-quality programming for low-income youth and youth of color. The organization operates as an Education Administration Programs entity and employs approximately 30-36 staff members.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$3.8M
-8.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$10.6M
+36.4% YoY
Grant Count
79
+3.9% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$134K
+31.2% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
School's Out Washington's mission is to foster productive partnerships that create inspiring opportunities for Washington's youth to learn, grow and thrive. The organization is committed to racial equity and works to ensure equitable access to high-quality, youth development programs across Washington state.
The organization operates through multiple program areas:
- Grantmaking: Drives resources to culturally responsive programs in underserved communities through grants that break down funding barriers, seed and expand programs, and strengthen opportunities for communities to lead
- Professional Learning: Provides quality improvement, policy and advocacy support, and professional development to youth-serving organizations
- Advocacy & Convening: Advocates for the youth development sector, convenes community advocates and system leaders to advance collective impact
- Data & Storytelling: Showcases data and stories from youth program providers, highlighting the strengths and needs of Washington's expanded learning programs
Current grant programs include support for refugee youth through the Statewide Refugee School Impact Program (RSIP) and summer and after-school programs in King County through the Best Starts for Kids Expanded Learning Initiative (BSK).
Grantmaking
School's Out Washington distributes significant grant funding to youth development organizations. Recent grantmaking activity includes awarding $9.4 million to 421 youth development organizations across Washington state.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
School's Out Washington primarily funds programs in Washington state, with specific current initiatives in King County and statewide programs serving refugee youth.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent (2024):
- Total Assets: $3,777,027
- Total Revenues: $15,296,171
- Total Expenses: $15,289,011
- Total Giving: $10,577,428
2023:
- Total Assets: $4.14 million
- Total Liabilities: $2.49 million
- Revenue: $12 million
- Expenses: $12.6 million
Earlier Data:
- Annual Revenue (reported separately): $4.7 million
The organization maintains a Four-Star rating with a 97% score based on accountability and finance metrics.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $3,777,027 | $4,141,669 | $2,784,973 |
| Revenue | $15,296,171 | $11,963,570 | $14,766,299 |
| Expenses | $15,289,011 | $12,634,106 | $15,675,614 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $18,300 | $13,400 | $9,843 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
200 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from School's Out Washington
Best Starts for Kids Expanded Learning Initiative
SCHOOL'S OUT WASHINGTON
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Washington Youth Development Nonprofit Relief Fund
SCHOOL'S OUT WASHINGTON
Amount
$14.2 million total (Fall 2020: $9.4 million; Spring 2021: $4.8 million)
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Key executives include:
- Elizabeth Whitford: Chief Executive Officer
- Ka'ohe Wong: Program Quality Division Director
- Sala Sataraka: Professional Learning Associate Director
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| AMBER ORTIZ-DIAZ | VP (THRU 1/24) & PRES. (FROM 2/24) | 4 | — |
| SCOTT CALDWELL | PRESIDENT (THRU 1/24) | 4 | — |
| LUIS GOMEZ | VICE-PRESIDENT (FROM 2/24) | 2 | — |
| ROWENA PINEDA | SECRETARY | 2 | — |
| NICOLE YOHALEM | TREASURER | 2 | — |
| GINA ANSTEY | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| CARLINA BROWN BANKS | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| LUIS ORTEGA | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | $4,000 |
| CORINNA QUESADA | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| JENN RAMIREZ ROBSON | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| JODY ROSENTSWIEG | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| ELIZABETH WHITFORD | CEO | 40 | $153,533 |
| ELIZABETH DIRECTOR | DIRECTOR OF FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION | 40 | $125,188 |
| PANG CHANG | PROGRAM DIRECTOR | 40 | $119,477 |
| KA'OHE WONG | PROGRAM QUALITY DIVISION DIRECTOR | 40 | $111,374 |
| OMANA IMANI | PROGRAM DIRECTOR | 40 | $111,357 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
School's Out Washington announced the award of $9.4 million to 421 youth development organizations across Washington state, demonstrating significant recent grantmaking activity and impact in the sector.
$9.4 million awarded to 421 youth development organizations across Washington\Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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