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Whatcom Mountain Bike Coalition

EIN 20-4994769 · Bellingham, WA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood76 out of 100GovernanceGood86 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Whatcom Mountain Bike Coalition's (WMBC) mission is to preserve and enhance bicycle trail access in Whatcom County through stewardship, education, and advocacy.WMBC is a federal non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. We work with many diverse groups such as land managers, elected officials and educational institutions to promote and expand access for mountain biking and cycling on public and private land. We are stewards of the land we recreate on and coordinate efforts to build or maintain trails. We also promote biking and trail building through our education programs and events.

Income
$888,734
Spending
$929,973
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
7.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 93%
Employees
12
Volunteers
950
Highest pay
$86,659, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 76 out of 100. Higher than 49% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 7% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 16% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 86 out of 100. Higher than 88% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (3)
  1. $446,159 spent. Trail Stewardship/Advocacy: This year we hosted 34 public trail days. We added a variety of new trails to Galbraith Mountain:-The Breaux Zone A family friendly area close to the bottom of Galbraith Mountain with a green and blue line that kids love; -Hidden Valley A hand built blue trail on the northside of the mountain; -Closing Time An exit trail intended to reduce two-way traffic leaving Galbraith Moutnain; -Space Wolf Alternate An alternate line on Space Wolf adds a new choice for riders. -Natural Delight A hand-built trail on Galbraith Mountain.We also re-built the Rank Advancement Zone, an area used by youth programs and camps throughout the year. Working with the City of Bellingham, we made some significant repairs to the trail Mali, alleviating standing water and drainage issues.We maintained 100 miles of trail throughout Whatcom County, including brushing more than 21 miles of trail on Galbraith.We rebuilt the dirt jumps at the Civic Dirt Jump area and built new lines at the Bellingham Waterfront.
  2. $63,134 spent. Events: We hosted a nine-race series on Wednesday evenings from May to June called the Whatcom World Cup that showcased our trails on Galbraith Mountain. The race series had 430 total racers and many first-time racers. Our longest running fundraiser, Shoot The Trails sold over 800 tickets and it was a big success. We also hosted the beer garden at the Northwest Tune-Up, and with over 100 volunteers, we operated the beer garden at the three-day festival.We hosted the inaugural Family Mountain Bike Day in September 2025. We hosted over 150 families that participated in a scavenger hunt, tie-dying shirts, coloring bike fenders, and other family friendly activities.
  3. $272,893 spent. Education: WMBC After School Ride Clubs (ASBC): 13 Bellingham elementary and middle school clubs, including Flying Squirrels girls riding group. ASBC's groups ride spring and fall on weekly rides. This program reached 454 students this year. We had over 90 volunteer ride leaders support this program.Youth Dig & Ride (YDR): Our Youth Trail Corp program rebranded this year to the Youth Dig & Ride Program. Our Youth Dig & Ride Day program is one of the best ways for middle schoolers to have fun in the woods with their friends, while also giving back to the Galbraith Trail community. Participants have the opportunity to trail build on their favorite trails, then go ride with their friends (and instructors) afterwards, learning the basics of trail building, history of stewardship on Galbraith, as well as riding with kids their age. They worked hard all year on Galbraith Mountain focusing on a variety of issues, strategies and solutions to help our trails run even better. We served over 62 students in 2025 and offered 13 trail days and one summer camp.WMBC/Vamos Outdoors Project: WMBC and Vamos Outdoors Project have partnered to offer Latin, Migrant, and multi-lingual youth in our community a weekly after school bike program. This program focuses on building community, empowering youth to use bikes as transportation, and fostering leadership skills.Youth participants spend afternoons outside learning bike maintenance skills, how to ride on multi-use trails, and how to navigate around their community by bike. There are many pump tracks in our county that allow youth to practice basic and advanced bike skills from their own neighborhood. Students in grades 6th-12th have the opportunity to earn a bike of their own plus a helmet, lock, and light. Participants must attend 80% of rides and make up missed skills to earn a bike.The active transportation portion of this bike program is supported with funding from Washington's Climate Commitment Act. The CCA supports Washington's climate action efforts by putting cap-and-invest dollars to work reducing climate pollution, creating jobs, and improving public health. Information about the CCA is available at www.climate.wa.gov.JoyRiders: The JoyRiders is a mountain bike club that is all about getting women (18+) out on the trails and having fun. In 2025, the JoyRiders hosted 213 riders on 25 group rides. They also held a trail workday, sponsored a women's only race, and held a maintenance clinic. This program is supported by 15 very dedicated volunteers.WMBC Summer Mountain Biking Camps: 2025 was our second year of running summer mountain biking camps on Galbraith Mountain! We offer camps for children aged 8-13 and beginner and intermediate skill levels for all ages. We had nine weeks of summer camp and 135 students participated.WMBC Ambassador Program: In 2025, we utilized the Ambassador Program to help foster a positive interaction on the trails we manage. We have 39 trail ambassadors who help folks navigate various areas, provide etiquette reminders and directional assistance, and help support our other fundraisers and events.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since September 2011.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.