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Northwest Mothers Milk Bank

EIN 26-3458029 · Tigard, OR

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair66 out of 100GovernanceStrong94 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 63 cents.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF NORTHWEST MOTHER'S MILK BANK IS TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH AND SURVIVAL OF THE NORTHWEST'S MOST VULNERABLE INFANTS.

Income
$3.3 million
Spending
$3.2 million
Spent on programs
75%
Reserves
4.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 93%
Employees
32
Volunteers
1,012
Highest pay
$202,400, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 66 out of 100. Higher than 40% of charities in its peer group (health care, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 26% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 26% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    75% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 63 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 94 out of 100. Higher than 56% of charities in its peer group (health care, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 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

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    9 of 15

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

  • 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, 2024, 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 (1)
  1. $2.4 million spent. 2024 CELEBRATIONS2024 was filled with celebration, including lighting the Morrison Bridge on the Willamette River to shine a bright light on World Breastfeeding Week. Two fundraising events on the water in a retired coast guard vessel was fondly named The Boob Cruise. Each event was sold out.MISSION DRIVENThe mission of Northwest Mothers Milk Bank (NWMMB) is to improve the health and survival of the Pacific Northwests most vulnerable infants. As a community-based, nonprofit milk bank, our organization envisions a region where all babies have access to the human milk they need to grow and thrive. NWMMB assists when a birth parent's own milk is not 100% available, supplying a safe source of donor milk to infants with medical need. We carry out our mission through collection, pasteurization, and distribution of human donor milk, as well as providing education, advocacy, and research on human milk banking.ACCOMPLISHMENTSOver the last 10 years, NWMMB has worked to build community care programs to improve access to pasteurized donor human milk. Programs include: Evies Fund provides donor milk to infants with ongoing medical needs. Rapid Relief serves as a bridge for families who need donor milk on an immediate short-term basis. Expression of Care works to eliminate barriers for parents in Oregon who choose to provide breastmilk for their own infant despite incarceration and separation. Breast Pump Rentals are available to lactating parents at affordable and sliding scale rates. WHO RECEIVES HUMAN DONOR MILKOne in nine infants is born premature. Prematurity puts infants at risk for infection, prolonged hospital stays, and long-term disabilities. Research supports that the nutrition and immunological protection provided by human milk is best for all infants, particularly those with medical needs. When a parents own milk is not available, donor milk is the next best option. NWMMB prioritizes premature infants. Milk is dispensed to hospitals daily. Families who are discharged but have an on-going need for supplementation of donor milk have access to our milk distribution centers or outpatient program.LOVE IN EVERY DROPMilk donation is an altruistic act - a unique gift that makes a significant impact on the health of a baby, other than your own. NWMMB screens milk donors who are healthy, non-smoking and have an excess of breastmilk that their own baby does not need. Milk donors are not compensated for their donations. They are willing to undergo a screening process and blood testing to confirm their eligibility.Milk donors in 2024 made the following impact:991 Approved Milk Donors, over 706K ounces donated, 880+ Hospitals served. NWMMB follows strict guidelines to assure that donated milk is safe. NWMMB uses a multi-step donor screening process, laboratory testing and holder pasteurization techniques. Safety standards are put forth by the Human Milk Banking Association of North America (HMBANA), which follows measures from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Center for Disease Control (CDC). NWMMB is an accredited member of HMBANA and is assessed annually for safety and quality compliance.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 February 2009.

    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.