Whatcom Rowing Association
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
Whatcom Rowing Association is a volunteer led community organization providing youth and adults with the skills, joys, fitness, teamwork and camaraderie of the sport of rowing. WRA offers recreational and competitive opportunities for the entire community surrounding Whatcom County from middle school age children to senior citizens through the lifelong sport of rowing.
- Income
- $191,790
- Spending
- $157,396
- Reserves
- 8.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 54%
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 70% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, under $250k).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 8.1 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 6% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 18% of income.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ 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 (1)
- $146,175 spent. Participants range in age for 12 years to 86 years with novice and experienced rowers sharing equipment, classes and resources out of the Bob Diehl Boathouse at Bloedel Donovan Park. The Association's membership continues to grow with over 150 individuals on the active roster in Junior and Masters Programs. During 2025, WRA is taking on it's first advertising and promotion campaign utilizing Whatcom Transit buses with the goal to increase reach to all areas of the county, specifically through the Summer Junior program that will resume in June. WRA continues to introduce hundreds of middle school students to the sport of rowing through the Erg Education program, which is a partnership with the Bellingham School District and provides a platform for WRA and trained staff to teach rowing as a 2-week unit in the PE curriculum. The Junior program remained strong despite a coaching and leadership turnover in 2024 with a solid core of returning students as well as new athletes. WRA shifted to a fully volunteer led structure for 2025 upon the transition of the prior Director into a collegiate coaching role, and after some growing pains, is well on target to see growth in participation, membership, reach into the community in 2025.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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.
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 November 6, 2026.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since August 2011.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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 November 4, 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.