Korean Women's Association

What Korean Women's Association does

Korean Women's Association (KWA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1972 in Tacoma, Washington, that delivers culturally-attentive, multilingual human services to diverse communities across Western Washington. Operating through 16 offices in 14 counties with a workforce of 1,800+ employees and hundreds of volunteers, KWA serves more than 20,000 individuals annually through seven core program lines: domestic violence and survival services anchored by the WAFHOME emergency shelter, crime victim advocacy, DOJ-accredited citizenship and immigration legal services, senior nutrition and caregiver programs, in-home care (Medicaid, COPES, VA, private-pay), affordable housing, and veterans services. The organization owns and operates a portfolio of 200+ affordable housing units across named properties (Pacific Villa, International Place, Senior City, Tahoma Place, Hotel Olympus, The Orchard Project) and manages the WAFHOME facility.

KWA's service delivery model is built on a multilingual, multicultural workforce capable of serving clients in Korean, Vietnamese, Ukrainian, Russian, Cambodian, and English, supported by DOJ accreditation for immigration legal services and co-funded partnerships with HUD, the VA, Elevate Health, MultiCare, and 80+ community organizations. Technology infrastructure is limited to standard nonprofit operations tools (no proprietary platform, no APIs, no AI/ML products); the organization's value proposition is grounded in human capital, regulatory credentials, and physical infrastructure (housing portfolio, DV shelter, regional offices) rather than technology.

Revenue is generated through a diversified mix of government grants and contracts (HUD, VA, state and county agencies, DSHS), Medicaid and managed-care reimbursements for homecare, private-pay client fees, rental income from affordable housing properties (typically 30% of tenant income), and charitable contributions from individuals, corporations, and foundations including Bamford, Milgard, and Fuchs Foundations. KWA operated with an annual budget exceeding $70 million as of 2024-2025, administered more than $11 million in COVID-19 emergency public funding during 2020-2021, and secured $36 million in HUD 202 Capital Advance and Low-Income Housing Tax Credits in 2024 to fund the Tahoma Place development.

Name

Korean Women's Association

Legal name

Korean Women's Association

Website

https://kwacares.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1972

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Korean Women's Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1972 that delivers culturally-attentive, multilingual human services—including domestic violence support, immigration legal aid, senior programs, homecare, and 200+ units of affordable housing—to over 20,000 individuals annually across 14 counties in Western Washington.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Social and Human Services

NAICS

Temporary Shelters (624221), Assisted Living Facilities for the Elderly (623312), Community Housing Services (62422)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Home Health Care Services (8082)

akta.pro primary industry

Senior Social Clubs & Community-Based Day Programs (Non-Clinical) (HSABANAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Gender Equality & Women’s Rights Advocacy (BPAGAFAD), Veterans Affairs & Military Family Services (BPAIAHAL)

Keywords

• Multicultural social services
• Affordable housing programs
• Immigration legal services
• Senior wellness programs
• Domestic violence support

Headquarters

HQ city

Lakewood

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices17 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Grants and Contracts: KWA receives substantial funding from government sources including HUD (housing development, $2.2M awarded in 1996 for Pacific Villa), state grants, and federal emergency funding ($11 million in COVID-19 public emergency funding during 2020-2021). The organization received $36 million in funding including HUD 202 Capital Advance and Low-Income Housing Tax Credits for affordable housing development.
2. Medicaid and DSHS Programs: KWA Homecare accepts Medicaid, Community Options Program Entry System (COPES), Veterans programs, and private-pay clients. Many clients qualify for free or reduced-cost services through Washington State DSHS.
3. Private Donations and Foundation Support: KWA receives charitable contributions from individuals, corporations, and foundations. Notable donors include Bamford Foundation, Milgard Foundation, Fuchs Foundation, and others listed in their partnership page.
4. Program Service Fees: Revenue from homecare services (Medicaid, COPES, VA, private-pay) and housing rental income from affordable housing units.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Korean Women's Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing multicultural, multilingual human services across Western Washington. Its core offerings include domestic violence advocacy and emergency shelter, crime victim advocacy, U.S. DOJ-accredited immigration legal services, senior nutrition and caregiver support programs, in-home personal care (homecare), and a portfolio of 200+ affordable housing units for seniors, low-income families, veterans, and people with disabilities.

Product overview

Korean Women's Association (KWA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization providing multicultural, multilingual human services across Western Washington. Rather than a single software product, KWA operates a portfolio of social service programs including DV & Survival Services, Crime Victim Advocacy, a Center for Citizenship and Immigration Services, Senior Services, Homecare, Affordable Housing, and Veterans Services. The organization manages a housing portfolio of over 200 affordable housing units across multiple properties including Pacific Villa, International Place, Senior City, Tahoma Place, Hotel Olympus, and The Orchard Project. Services are delivered through 15+ offices across 14+ counties, serving diverse communities regardless of race or ethnic background through education, socialization, advocacy, and support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• We Are Family Home (WAFHOME): Emergency shelter for domestic violence survivors offering safe, stable, and supportive environment with private rooms, communal facilities, and support services including case management, safety planning, and legal advocacy.

Products and services

• DV & Survival Services Domestic violence survivor advocacy and emergency shelter program offering confidential support, safety planning, and 24-hour hotline services for individuals fleeing abusive situations.
• We Are Family Home (WAFHOME) Emergency domestic violence shelter providing safe, supportive communal housing for survivors of intimate partner violence and their dependent children, offering 45-day stays with access to advocacy and support services.
• Crime Victim Advocacy Program Community-based advocacy providing free support and guidance to adults affected by crime, including safety planning, court support, protection orders, and referrals to housing, legal, financial, and medical resources.
• Center for Citizenship and Immigration Services Multilingual immigration legal assistance including N-400 naturalization application support, citizenship English classes in six languages, interview preparation, DACA services, TPS, and re-parole applications, delivered under U.S. Department of Justice accreditation.
• Senior Services Programs Comprehensive programs supporting older adults including congregate nutrition services, home delivery meals, senior centers, unpaid caregiver support, disability family support, benefits enrollment, and resident services at senior housing facilities.
• Homecare Services Culturally responsive in-home support for seniors, adults, children with disabilities, and families, offering personal care, homemaking, overnight care, post-hospital recovery care, veteran homecare, and developmental disabilities support.
• Affordable Housing Portfolio Portfolio of 200+ affordable housing units for working individuals, seniors, and people with disabilities, including senior-specific properties and low-income housing developments across Western Washington.
• KWA Veterans Services Support services helping veterans access VA care, resources, and community-based programs, including assistance with navigating the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs systems.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 96% of citizenship applicants who receive KWA support successfully achieve U.S. citizenship
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles7 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKWA assists veterans with navigating VA systems, connecting them to culturally and linguistically appropriate healthcare providers, social services, and community-based programs. Veterans are encouraged to schedule PCP consultations as PCP referrals are typically required for specialty care and community care authorizations.
• City of TacomacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCity of Tacoma partnership includes first public grant to KWA in 1996, purchase of headquarters property at 125 East 96th St, and ongoing collaboration on community services.
• Tacoma-Pierce County Health DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for COVID-19 testing events, vaccination clinics, and public health outreach to multicultural communities.
• Elevate HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKWA is one of six community organizations partnering with Elevate Health to coordinate and deliver outcome-based health and social services through a hub and spoke model. Pathways Care Coordinators work with Elevate Health to bring services to clients.
• Service Employee International Union (SEIU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKWA Homecare caregivers are members of SEIU 775 Union. SEIU 775 Secure Retirement Plan is the first of its kind in the United States for Home Care Workers.
• MultiCareminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare partner providing referral pathways and health services coordination for KWA clients.
• Pierce County Human ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCounty government partner providing funding and coordination for social services, housing programs, and community development.
• Lutheran Community ServicesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Senior Resource Fair 2025 and community outreach events for seniors.
• U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-6th District)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCongressional support for affordable housing funding and recognition of KWA's community impact.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves17 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• YWCA Pierce County: Tacoma-based nonprofit delivering domestic violence advocacy, shelter, housing, and women's empowerment services across Pierce County. Direct overlap with KWA's DV & Survival Services and affordable housing programs in the same geography.
• Asian Counseling and Referral Service (ACRS): Seattle-based multicultural nonprofit providing behavioral health, immigration legal, senior, and youth services to Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. Highly comparable multilingual, wraparound service model targeting overlapping immigrant populations.
• Korean American Family Services (KFAM): Korean American-focused family services nonprofit offering DV intervention, counseling, and youth programming. Direct peer on Korean-community DV advocacy and cultural service delivery, though smaller in scale and geographically based in greater Los Angeles.
• Hopelink: King and Snohomish County-based human services nonprofit providing affordable housing, senior services, financial assistance, and DV support. Directly competes with KWA for VSHSL, HUD, and county funding across overlapping service lines.
• Multi-Service Center: Federal Way-based social services agency serving South King County with senior nutrition, housing, energy assistance, and case management. Direct geographic peer with overlapping senior services and affordable housing delivery.
• Sound Generations: Seattle-based nonprofit (formerly Senior Services) operating nutrition programs, senior centers, and homecare across King County. Direct peer on congregate nutrition, home-delivered meals, and senior in-home support funded by the same VSHSL and DSHS sources.

Broad incumbents

• Catholic Community Services of Western Washington: Large multi-service Catholic nonprofit operating across Western Washington with programs in housing, immigration, senior services, homecare, and family support. Competes with KWA for the same HUD, VSHSL, and county funding pools at meaningfully greater scale.

Emerging players

• Jewish Family Service of Seattle: Seattle-based human services agency delivering senior support, refugee/immigration assistance, behavioral health, and case management. Comparable wraparound model and government-funded senior services delivery to the same Western Washington population.
• International Community Health Services (ICHS): Federally qualified health center and social services provider serving Asian Pacific Islander communities in Seattle with multilingual medical, behavioral health, and senior services. Comparable multicultural health and social services integration.
• El Centro de la Raza: Seattle-based multicultural nonprofit providing housing, education, senior services, and immigrant integration programs. Comparable wraparound community services model targeting multicultural, low-income populations in Western Washington.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/KWACares
• Xx.com/kwacares

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Korean Women's Association