A Seattle nonprofit leader has raised concerns about delayed payments to community organizations, saying her agency has not received funding despite repeated attempts to contact Mayor Katie Wilson’s office.
Dr. Jacqueline Bowles, executive director of Redeemed Wellness Center, spoke publicly during a news conference where the mayor was addressing a recent gang-related mass shooting at the Bite of Seattle. Bowles later appeared on KIRO Newsradio’s The John Curley Show to explain why she decided to speak out.
Confrontation
Bowles said she attended the mayor’s news conference primarily to hear how city leaders planned to respond to recent violence.
According to Bowles, she did not intend to address the event publicly until she heard Mayor Wilson discuss violence intervention programs and partnerships with community organizations.
She said she believed the mayor might not have been aware of her organization’s funding situation.
“I was like, well maybe she doesn’t really know. We haven’t been paid.”
Bowles also suggested that other agencies were facing similar issues.
Funding
According to Bowles, Redeemed Wellness Center has submitted invoices but has yet to receive payment.
She said multiple efforts to communicate with the mayor’s office had not resolved the issue.
The city has previously cited paperwork and administrative issues as part of its explanation regarding delayed payments.
Interview
During the radio interview, host John Curley discussed the nonprofit’s publicly available financial records.
Curley noted that the organization’s IRS Form 990 showed limited financial resources and asked Bowles about her salary.
According to Curley, Bowles earns approximately $38,095 annually while working full time.
He argued that the nonprofit operates on very narrow financial margins.
Audit
Bowles said she noticed changes in administrative processes following the King County Regional Homelessness Authority audit.
According to her, organizations working with public agencies experienced increased oversight and additional administrative requirements.
She said:
“Every system I’m involved in got totally weird.”
Bowles added that she had anticipated stricter oversight and expected agencies would receive technical assistance while adapting to new requirements.
Perspective
During the interview, Bowles compared her experience with guidance she said had been provided by state agencies.
She explained that stronger financial controls and audits can improve accountability but said nonprofit organizations also need support to continue delivering services.
According to Bowles, balancing oversight with timely funding is important for community organizations that rely on government contracts.
City Response
According to the interview, the mayor’s office has pointed to paperwork-related issues when discussing delayed payments.
At the time of the interview, there was no indication that the city had publicly responded to Bowles’ latest comments during the news conference.
Whether the payment delays involve one organization or affect multiple agencies remains unclear.
Next Steps
The dispute highlights the challenges that can arise when nonprofit organizations depend on government funding to provide community services.
Organizations often rely on timely reimbursements to cover staffing, operating expenses, and program costs.
As discussions continue between the nonprofit and city officials, the funding questions are expected to remain an issue for both community partners and local government. Further clarification from the City of Seattle may provide additional context regarding the payment process and the status of the outstanding invoices.
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