Solid Ground Washington

The information for Solid Ground Washington is as of the organization's most recent filing in December '21. This organization is located in Seattle, WA. It has been in existence for 46 years, following its founding in 1975.

Organization Classification

The IRS classifies organizations according to the National Taxonomy of Exempt Entities (NTEE) system. The NTEE system helps the IRS assign a 3-character code to each organization to describe the organization's activities.

Solid Ground Washington is an organization that falls under the NTEE code L40, which indicates its major classification as Housing & Shelter. Within this category, it is further classified as providing Temporary Housing. This means that Solid Ground Washington offers a temporary place to stay for newcomers, travelers, individuals in crisis, or those who are homeless in the community. As a 501(c)(3) organization, it is classified under the C Section Code 3, which encompasses Religious, Educational, Charitable, Scientific, Literary, Testing for Public Safety, Amateur Sports, or Prevention of Cruelty to Children or Animals Organizations. The mission of Solid Ground Washington is to work as a community action agency to end poverty and undo racism.

Program Areas

Program Area 1: Within the transportation program, the organization provides specialized transportation to people living with disabilities or on low incomes to access community support services. In 2021, over 159,500 trips were provided to clients to get to work or other life-enriching activities.

Program Area 2: Stabilization services aim to educate and empower individuals by providing tools to solve housing-related problems. This is achieved through housing advocacy, case management, and limited financial support to help individuals find and maintain safe and permanent housing. In 2021, the organization provided counseling, loans, and grants to assist over 1,300 individuals. Additionally, legal aid was offered to 200 individuals to obtain government benefits, and over 3,000 individuals were connected to essential resources through telephone referrals.

Program Area 3: The organization's residential services program provides service-enriched housing, including emergency shelter and transitional and permanent housing, as well as life skills training, children's programs, and financial assistance to residents. In 2021, the program successfully housed 457 households, helped an additional 314 households obtain safe and affordable housing, and provided a safe haven for 180 mothers and their children escaping domestic violence.

Program Area 4: To provide a wide range of additional services to give people the skills to thrive, the organization focuses on hunger and food resources by providing nourishing food and skill-building opportunities to those in need. In 2021, over 200 children were introduced to healthy life choices through nutrition classes, and another 200 individuals gained resources and information to grow their own food. Advocacy efforts mobilized over 4,900 people to participate in community building and anti-poverty initiatives. Additionally, the organization forged and strengthened 175 partnerships with other community-based agencies.

Organization Staffing

Solid Ground Washington is run by Shalimar Gonzales, who is the CEO. The organization has 324 employees, with only 6 of them being paid over $100k per year. Supporting the paid staff are 670 volunteers.

Board Governance

Solid Ground Washington appears to be a well-governed non-profit organization. With 11 voting members, all of whom are independent, the organization ensures a diverse and unbiased decision-making process. The absence of potential conflicts of interest further enhances the organization's governance, ensuring that decisions are made solely in the best interest of the organization and its mission. Delegating management to an outside firm suggests that Solid Ground Washington prioritizes efficiency and expertise in its operations. This decision allows the organization to benefit from specialized knowledge while maintaining oversight through documented board and committee meetings. The documentation of these meetings indicates a commitment to transparency and accountability. Solid Ground Washington's conflict of interest policy, along with the requirement for disclosure, demonstrates a proactive approach to managing potential conflicts and ensuring that decisions are made impartially. The presence of a written whistleblower policy and document retention policy further highlights the organization's commitment to ethical practices and accountability. The organization's commitment to substantiating and reviewing leadership and officer salaries indicates a dedication to fair compensation practices. Additionally, providing copies of the 990 to the board prior to filing ensures that board members have access to financial information and can actively participate in financial oversight. Overall, Solid Ground Washington's governance practices demonstrate a strong commitment to transparency, accountability, and ethical decision-making. The organization's policies and practices create a solid foundation for effective leadership and responsible management of resources, allowing it to effectively fulfill its mission and serve its community.

Organization Growth

Solid Ground Washington has experienced growth over the given time period. Contributions & Grants Received increased from $3.3M in 2014 to $3.8M in 2021. Program Service Revenue also saw an increase, rising from $19.0M in 2014 to $25.1M in 2021. Investment Income grew from $34.1K in 2014 to $72.4K in 2021. Additionally, Total Revenue increased from $22.9M in 2014 to $29.2M in 2021. Grants Paid also saw significant growth, rising from $2.7M in 2014 to $5.4M in 2021. Employee Salaries increased from $14.6M in 2014 to $17.6M in 2021. Total Expenses also saw an increase, rising from $22.8M in 2014 to $28.9M in 2021. The organization's Total Employees increased from 314 in 2014 to 324 in 2021. However, Total Volunteers decreased from 4.4K in 2014 to 670 in 2021. Overall, Solid Ground Washington has experienced growth in various areas, indicating expansion and development over the given time period.