The 990 read · EIN 91-1275815 · WA · Fiscal year 2024

Downtown Emergency Service Center

In its own words

“To help people with complex needs through comprehensive services, treatment, and housing.”

Data only Figures straight from the filing, screened by our rules. Not yet reviewed in depth by a CPA.

Methodology by Amir Arani, CPA, CA · Updated November 7, 2026

Top pay: $302K Richard Waters Md, 0.3% of spending
Revenue: $103.4M 88.8% from donations and grants
Spent: $100.2M 79.5% on programs, as reported
Net assets: $32.2M end of 2024
Savings: 3.9 months of spending, net assets ÷ spending
People: 1,260 employees, 385 volunteers

Form 990 (2024), Parts I, VII, IX, X

01 · Red flags

No red flags in its latest filing.

We screen every filing against twelve rules. A flag is a prompt for a closer look, not a finding of wrongdoing.

No reported asset diversions, no insider transactions, no fundraisers keeping most of the money, and the governance policies we check for are in place.

02 · Where $1 goes · 2024

Of each dollar it spent, 79.5¢ went to programs, as reported.

The split the charity filed.

79.5¢

Programs, $79.6M

0.9¢

Fundraising, $853K

19.6¢

Admin, $19.7M

Form 990 (2024), Part IX, line 25

Cost to raise $1

1¢

as reported

For each dollar donated, Downtown Emergency Service Center spent 1¢ on fundraising.

Fundraising ÷ $91.8M contributions · Form 990 Parts VIII, IX

03 · What it does

What it told the IRS it spent on.

The charity's own description of its largest programs, with what each cost.

Program 1 · 42.9% of program spending · $508K in grants $34.1M

Total Housing Programs: In 2024, DESC operated 1566 permanent supportive housing apartments in seventeen project-based programs ranging from 40 units to 190 Units, all of which feature 24/7 onsite support staff and integrated clinical services. DESC also manages, subsidizes and services 49 Master-leased Market rate "scattered site" housing units with intensive case management and other support services as needed. Another 250+ clients are supported with case management and rent subsidies controlled by DESC. DESC's units house individuals coming from homelessness, all of whom have special needs…

Program 2 · 5.8% of program spending $4.6M

Housing Development: DESC develops and operates subsidized supportive housing for individuals experiencing homelessness with disabilities.

Form 990 (2024), Part III

04 · The savings

Net assets: $19.8M to $32.2M in 11 years.

Net assets at each fiscal year end, 2013 to 2024.

Net assets at year end, $ millions

Form 990 history via ProPublica Form 990 (2024)

05 · Who gets paid

The 8 highest-paid people.

Reportable pay in 2024, from the charity and related organizations.

Richard Waters Md

Agency Medical Director

$302,377

Christopher Gross

Pact Psychiatrist Supervisor

$288,766

Jim Hopfenbeck Md

Medical Director - Csc

$255,647

Bertha Malle

Residential Counselor

$211,116

Daniel Malone

Executive Director

$202,904

Jennifer Tripp

CFO (until Dec)

$201,135

Gash Bantifru

On Call Counselor

$196,803

Patrick Gehring

CFO (from Dec)

$2,664

Form 990 (2024), Part VII, Section A

Largest outside contractors

Contractor	Service	Paid
Absher Slicc-Desc LLC	General contractor - new construction	$5,346,366
Stickney Murphy Romaine Architects Pllc	Consultant - architect services new cons	$2,189,365
Brandon Eugene Stringer Dba Stringers Co	General contractor - renovations	$584,326
The Lunch Ladies LLC	Meal service clients	$482,204
255 Courtland Tenant LLC Dba Hilton Atla	Conference facilitator services	$466,073

Form 990 (2024), Part VII, Section B

06 · Questions

The questions people ask about the Downtown Emergency Service Center.

Short, sourced answers. Each one stands on its own.

How much does the Downtown Emergency Service Center CEO make?

Richard Waters Md, Agency Medical Director, received $302,377 in reportable compensation in 2024, 0.3% of Downtown Emergency Service Center's $100.2M in spending.

Form 990 (2024), Part VII

What percentage of Downtown Emergency Service Center donations go to programs?

Downtown Emergency Service Center reported 79.5% of 2024 spending as programs, 0.9% as fundraising and 19.6% as management.

Form 990 (2024), Part IX

How much money does Downtown Emergency Service Center have?

Net assets were $32.2M at the end of 2024, about 3.9 months of spending.

Form 990 (2024), Part X

Does Downtown Emergency Service Center have any red flags in its filing?

Its latest Form 990 triggered none of our twelve screening rules, which cover reported asset diversions, insider transactions, fundraiser costs, governance policies and spending patterns.

Form 990 (2024)

07 · Sources and citing

Every number, traced.

Cite this page

Amir Arani, “Downtown Emergency Service Center: CEO salary, finances and where your dollar goes,” Charity Math, updated 2026-11-07. https://charitymath.com/charities/downtown-emergency-service-center/