Impact & Measurement
Accountability & Finance
Culture & Community
Leadership & Adaptability
Birds Connect Seattle (formerly Seattle Audubon)
Seattle WA | IRS ruling year: 1978 | EIN: 91-6009716 
An EIN is a unique nine-digit number that identifies a business for tax purposes.
An EIN is a unique nine-digit number that identifies a business for tax purposes.Organization Mission
Birds Connect Seattle advocates and organizes for cities where people and birds thrive. Since 1916, Birds Connect Seattle members and volunteers have helped protect ... (More)
Rating Information
Great
This charity's score is 94%, earning it a Four-Star rating. If this organization aligns with your passions and values, you can give with confidence.
This overall score is calculated from multiple beacon scores, weighted as follows: 74% Accountability & Finance, 10% Leadership & Adaptability, 16% Culture & Community. Learn more about our criteria and methodology.
Historical Ratings 
Historical Ratings 
Charity Navigator's ratings previously did not consider Leadership & Adaptability, Culture & Community, or Impact & Measurement. The historic rating mainly reflects a version of today’s Accountability and Finance score. More information on our previous rating methodologies can be found on our rating methodology page.
| Date Published | Overall Rating | ||
| 12/1/2020 |  | ||
| 7/1/2019 | | ||
| 7/1/2018 | | ||
| 2/1/2018 | | ||
| 12/1/2016 | | ||
| 6/1/2016 | | ||
| 11/1/2015 |  | ||
 This organization received multiple star ratings within this fiscal year, due to an update to its Accountability and Transparency data and/or the receipt of an amended Form 990. | |||
| 10/1/2014 | | ||
| 8/1/2013 | | ||
| 4/1/2012 | | ||
| 2/1/2012 | | ||
| 9/20/2011 | | ||
| 3/1/2011 | | ||
| 9/1/2009 | | ||
| 9/1/2008 | | ||
| 5/1/2007 | | ||
| 5/1/2006 | | ||
| 7/1/2005 | | ||
| 11/1/2004 | | ||
Rating Report
Accountability & Finance
Score
94
Most Recent Fiscal Year:
FY 2023
FY 2023
This beacon provides an assessment of a charity's financial health (financial efficiency, sustainability, and trustworthiness) and its commitment to governance practices and policies.
Key Accountability Metrics
Full Credit
Partial Credit
No CreditMajority Independent Board Members - 100% independent members8 out of 8 points
Majority Independent Board Members - 100% independent members8 out of 8 points
Industry professionals strongly recommend an independent governing body to allow for full deliberation and diversity of thinking on governance and other organizational matters. We check to see that a majority of board members are identified as independent on their tax form.
Source: IRS Form 990
Independent Board Size - 10 independent members7 out of 7 points
Independent Board Size - 10 independent members7 out of 7 points
Industry professionals strongly recommend an independent governing body to allow for full deliberation and diversity of thinking on governance and other organizational matters. For most organizations, we check to see if the organization has at least three independent board members. For large, donor-funded organizations, we check to see if the organization has at least five independent board members
Source: IRS Form 990
Financial Statements - Audit and Oversight Committee15 out of 15 points
Financial Statements - Audit and Oversight Committee15 out of 15 points
An Audit, Review, or Compilation provides important information about financial accountability and accuracy. Organizations are scored based on their Total Revenue Amount:
| Total Revenue Amount | Expectation to Receive Credit |
| $2 million or higher and 40% or higher donor support | Expected to complete an audit and have an audit oversight committee |
| $1 million or higher | Expected to complete an audit |
| $500,000 - $1 million | Expected to complete an audit, review, or compilation |
| Less than $500,000 | No expectation (removed from scoring methodology) |
Source: IRS Form 990
Material Diversion of Assets - None10 out of 10 points
Material Diversion of Assets - None10 out of 10 points
A diversion of assets — any unauthorized conversion or use of the organization's assets other than for the organization's authorized purposes, including but not limited to embezzlement or theft — also can seriously call into question a charity's financial integrity. We review the charity's most recent IRS Form 990 to see if the charity has reported any diversion of assets.
Source: IRS Form 990
Tax Form Disclosures and Policies
Full CreditPartial CreditNo CreditWebsite Listed on Tax Form - Listed2 out of 2 points
Website Listed on Tax Form - Listed2 out of 2 points
Charity Navigator looks for a website on the IRS Form 990 as an accountability and transparency metric.
Nonprofits act in the public trust and reporting publicly on activities is an important component.
Source: IRS Form 990
Conflict of Interest Policy - Listed4 out of 4 points
Conflict of Interest Policy - Listed4 out of 4 points
Charity Navigator looks for the existence of a conflict of interest policy on the IRS Form 990 as an accountability and transparency measure.
This policy protects the organization and by extension those it serves, when it is considering entering into a transaction that may benefit the private interest of an officer, director and/or key employee of the organization.
Source: IRS Form 990
Whistleblower Policy - Listed4 out of 4 points
Whistleblower Policy - Listed4 out of 4 points
Charity Navigator looks for the existence of a whistleblower policy per the IRS Form 990 as an accountability and transparency measure.
This policy outlines procedures for handling employee complaints, as well as a confidential way for employees to report financial or other types of mismanagement.
Source: IRS Form 990
Document Retention and Destruction - Listed4 out of 4 points
Document Retention and Destruction - Listed4 out of 4 points
Charity Navigator looks for the existence of a document retention and destruction policy per the IRS Form 990 as an accountability and transparency measure.
This policy establishes guidelines for the handling, backing up, archiving and destruction of documents. These guidelines foster good record keeping procedures that promote data integrity.
Source: IRS Form 990
Documents Board Meeting Minutes - Yes2 out of 2 points
Documents Board Meeting Minutes - Yes2 out of 2 points
Charity Navigator looks to confirm on the IRS Form 990 that the organization has this process in place as an accountability and transparency measure.
An official record of the events that take place during a board meeting ensures that a contemporaneous document exists for future reference.
Source: IRS Form 990
Website Disclosures
Full CreditPartial CreditNo CreditTax Form Posted on Nonprofit's Website - Listed4 out of 4 points
Tax Form Posted on Nonprofit's Website - Listed4 out of 4 points
For almost all charities, we check the charity's IRS Form 990 to see if it discloses that the Form 990 is available on the charity's website. As with the audited financial statement, donors need easy access to this financial report to help determine if the organization is managing its financial resources well.
Source: IRS Form 990
Financial Metrics
Full CreditPartial CreditNo CreditLiabilities to Assets: Ratio - 7.77%15 out of 15 points
Liabilities to Assets: Ratio - 7.77%15 out of 15 points
The Liabilities to Assets Ratio is determined by Total Liabilities divided by Total Assets (most recent IRS Form 990). This ratio is an indicator of an organization's solvency and/or long-term sustainability.
Source: IRS Form 990
Program Expense: Ratio - 65.20%19 out of 25 points
Program Expense: Ratio - 65.20%19 out of 25 points
The Program Expense Ratio is determined by Program Expenses divided by Total Expense (average of most recent three IRS Forms 990). This measure reflects the percent of its total expenses a charity spends on the programs and services it exists to deliver.
Source: IRS Form 990
Additional Information
Total Revenue and Expenses - Data Available
Total Revenue and Expenses - Data Available
This chart displays the trend of revenue and expenses over the past several years for this organization, as reported on their IRS Form 990.
Salary of Key Persons - Data Available
Salary of Key Persons - Data Available
Presented here are up to five of this organization's highest compensated employees. This compensation data includes salary, cash bonuses, and expense accounts and is displayed exactly how it is reported to the IRS. The amounts do not include nontaxable benefits, deferred compensation, or other amounts not reported on Form W-2. In some cases, these amounts may include compensation from related organizations. Read the IRS policies for compensation reporting
Claire Catania, Executive Director
$61,386
Andrew Schepers, President
$0
Katie Amrhein-dang, Vice President
$0
Megan Ko, Treasurer
$0
Sharon Wada, Secretary
$0
Source: IRS Form 990 (page 7), filing year 2023
IRS Published Data (Business Master File) - Data Available
IRS Published Data (Business Master File) - Data Available
Below are some key data points from the Exempt Organization IRS Business Master File (BMF) for this organization. Learn more about the BMF on the IRS website
Foundation Status:
Organization which receives a substantial part of its support from a governmental unit or the general public 170(b)(1)(A)(vi) (BMF foundation code: 15)
Affiliation:
Independent - the organization is an independent organization or an independent auxiliary (i.e., not affiliated with a National, Regional, or Geographic grouping of organizations). (BMF affiliation code: 3)
Data Sources (IRS Forms 990) - Data Available
Data Sources (IRS Forms 990) - Data Available
The Form 990 is a document that nonprofit organizations file with the IRS annually. We leverage accountability and finance data from it to form Encompass ratings. Click here to search for this organization's Forms 990 on the IRS website (if any are available). Simply enter the organization's name (Birds Connect Seattle (formerly Seattle Audubon)) or EIN (916009716) in the 'Search Term' field.
Impact & Measurement
Not Currently Scored
Birds Connect Seattle (formerly Seattle Audubon) cannot currently be evaluated by our Impact & Measurement methodology because either (A) it is eligible, but we have not yet received data; (B) we have not yet developed an algorithm to estimate its programmatic impact; (C) its programs are not direct services; or (D) it is not heavily reliant on contributions from individual donors.
Note: The absence of a score does not indicate a positive or negative assessment, it only indicates that we have not yet evaluated the organization.
Note: The absence of a score does not indicate a positive or negative assessment, it only indicates that we have not yet evaluated the organization.
Culture & Community
Score
93
This beacon provides an assessment of the organization's culture and connectedness to the community it serves.
Metrics
Full CreditPartial CreditNo CreditConstituent Feedback - Data Available100/100 points
Constituent Feedback - Data Available100/100 points
33.33% of beacon score
This organization reported that it is collecting feedback from the constituents and/or communities it serves. The methodology leveraged for Constituent Feedback is based on The Core Principles of Constituent Feedback, which describes listening and responding well to feedback. Charity Navigator participates in a consortium with other feedback experts and leading nonprofit infrastructure platforms to drive Constituent Feedback's advancement, promotion, and data collection.
How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To identify where we are less inclusive or equitable across demographic groups, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve
What challenges does your organization face in collecting feedback from the people you serve?
It is difficult to get the people we serve to respond to requests for feedback, We don't have the right technology to collect and aggregate feedback efficiently, It is difficult to find the ongoing funding to support feedback collection
Equity Practices - Data Available89/100 points
Equity Practices - Data Available89/100 points
66.67% of beacon score
This organization's score of 89 is a passing score. The organization reported that it is implementing 9 Equity Practices.
The Equity Strategies Checklist, developed by Equity in the Center, consists of practices and policies that promote racial equity in operations and programs. This data is collected in partnership with Candid.
| Equity Practices (4/7) | |
We review compensation data across the organization (and by staff levels) to identify disparities by race. | |
We ask team members to identify racial disparities in their programs and/or portfolios. | |
We analyze disaggregated data and root causes of race disparities that impact the organization/'s programs, portfolios, and the populations served. | |
We disaggregate data to adjust programming goals to keep pace with changing needs of the communities we support. | |
We employ non-traditional ways of gathering feedback on programs and trainings, which may include interviews, roundtables, and external reviews with/by community stakeholders. | |
We disaggregate data by demographics, including race, in every policy and program measured | |
We have long-term strategic plans and measurable goals for creating a culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization. | |
| Equity Policies and Procedures (5/7) | |
We use a vetting process to identify vendors and partners that share our commitment to race equity. | |
We have a promotion process that anticipates and mitigates implicit and explicit biases about people of color serving in leadership positions. | |
We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization. | |
We have community representation at the board level, either on the board itself or through a community advisory board. | |
We help senior leadership understand how to be inclusive leaders with learning approaches that emphasize reflection, iteration, and adaptability. | |
We measure and then disaggregate job satisfaction and retention data by race, function, level, and/or team. | |
We engage everyone, from the board to staff levels of the organization, in race equity work and ensure that individuals understand their roles in creating culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization. | |
Leadership & Adaptability
Score
100
This beacon provides an assessment of the organization's leadership capacity, strategic thinking and planning, and ability to innovate or respond to changes in constituent demand/need or other relevant social and economic conditions to achieve the organization's mission.
- Strategic Partnerships
- Networks of Collective Impact Efforts
- Raising Awareness
- Community Building
- Policy Advocacy
Metrics
Full CreditPartial CreditNo CreditMission 10/10 points
Mission 10/10 points
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking through articulating the organization's mission
Note: The organization did not respond to this question.
Vision 10/10 points
Vision 10/10 points
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking through articulating the organization’s vision.
Note: The organization did not respond to this question.
Source: Nonprofit submitted responses
Goals 20/20 points
Goals 20/20 points
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking and goal setting through sharing their most important strategic goals.
Goal One: Urban Conservation: Advocate for bird-safe cities and include specific conservation calls-to-action in all our programs.
Goal Type: Focus on core programs to achieve mission and scale back on programs not seen as core.
Goal Two: Equity: Understand and eradicate racial inequity and injustice in our field and in our own organization, shifting our culture and practices to create welcoming spaces.
Goal Type: Grow, expand, scale or increase access to the existing programs and services.
Goal Three: Resilience: Be excellent stewards of our existing resources, diversify and enhance our funding sources, and maximize retention by developing our staff, board, and leadership.
Goal Type: Invest in the capacity of our organization (financial, management, technical, etc.).
Leadership Development 15/15 points
Leadership Development 15/15 points
The nonprofit provides evidence of investment in leadership development
Describe an investment in leadership
Birds Connect Seattle launched Hoot Camp in November 2021, as an annual leadership development series for staff, board, and volunteers. Hoot Camp is a response to an immediate need for skills development within our leadership. As representatives of the organization, Birds Connects Seattle volunteers and staff engage with members of the public and serve as important ambassadors for our mission in the community. It is imperative that they represent and model the organization’s values, which center equity, diversity, and inclusion.
In order to put our organizational values into practice and promote programs that are truly safe and welcoming for all, Birds Connect Seattle provides a comprehensive multi-day, multi-module training to our staff and leadership volunteers, called Hoot Camp. Participants address the following core competencies:
• Implicit bias awareness
• Sexual harassment bystander response
• Field safety
• First Aid / CPR
• Conservation advocacy
• Leadership skills
Mobilizing for Mission 15/15 points
Mobilizing for Mission 15/15 points
The nonprofit provides evidence of leadership through focusing externally and mobilizing resources for the mission.
This organization mobilizes for mission in the following ways:
What are this organization’s external mobilizaton efforts?
As a member of Urban Bird Treaty City, we and 20+ community partners are working together conserving birds and their habitats, while providing opportunities for people in diverse, underserved communities to engage in bird-related recreation, education, science, and conservation activities in urban areas. In addition to these conservation partners we also collaborate with local schools on environmental education outreach.
Birds Connect Seattle maintains Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter accounts that collectively have over 130,000 followers. We use our extensive social network to inform our community about opportunities to support our work.
Birds Connect Seattle has a growing email list of more than 14,000 that we use to inform these grassroots activists about opportunities to contact local, state, and national policy makers and politicians about bird-friendly initiatives such as tree protections, climate change, bird-safe building practices, and more.
Adaptability Story 30/30 points
Adaptability Story 30/30 points
The nonprofit has an opportunity to tell the story of how the organization adapted to tremendous external changes in the last year.
In 2020, we updated our mission to state, “Birds Connect Seattle advocates and organizes for cities where people and birds thrive.” to explicitly center human beings in our work for birds. We also updated our vision and values statements to celebrate the interconnectedness of all life, including the essential role that diversity and social justice play in our vision for the future.
As a conservation organization, we know that the threats facing birds are immense. And we know that the ideologies and institutions that exploit and degrade nature also exploit and degrade people, particularly Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC). The fight to protect birds and nature is not separate from the fight for equity and justice, and to succeed at one we must succeed at both.
Birds Connect Seattle is committed to identifying and dismantling systems of oppression in our organization and our community, and to reflecting the human diversity of our cities in our board, staff, volunteers, and members. We believe that ongoing investments in this work will lead to systemic change, a healthier environment, and community solidarity over the long run.