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Recreation Northwest

EIN 46-1774882 · Bellingham, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair63 out of 100GovernanceGood81 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WE TEACH THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF NATURE, PROMOTE OUTDOOR RECREATION, AND STEWARD THE PLACES WHERE WE PLAY.

Income
$55,551
Spending
$297,847
Spent on programs
51%
Reserves
12.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 71%
Employees
3
Volunteers
30

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

Fair: 63 out of 100. Higher than 27% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 12.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 436% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 38% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    51% of spending went to programs.

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: 81 out of 100. Higher than 84% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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.

  • 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. $79,954 spent. EDUCATION: PARKSCRIPTIONS IS AN EVOLVING MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM THAT EMPOWERS HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TO LEARN THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF TIME IN NATURE TO IMPROVE MENTAL HEALTH, ENCOURAGE SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT WITHIN COMMUNITY SPACES, AND PROMOTE ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP.
  2. $44,409 spent. TRAILS STEWARDSHIP: RECREATION NORTHWEST IS DEDICATED TO WORKING ON OUR REGIONAL TRAIL NETWORKS WITH OUR JURISDICTIONAL PARTNERS. HOSTED THE FIRST WHATCOM REGIONAL TRAILS SUMMIT TO BRING JURISDICTION AND AGENCY LANDOWNERS TOGETHER TO BEGIN THE COLLABORATIVE EFFORT TOWARDS COMPLETION OF THE COAST MILLENNIUM TRAIL AND BAY TO BAKER TRAIL.
  3. $27,341 spent. OUTDOOR RECREATION ADVOCACY: EDUCATION FOR CIVIC ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN RECREATION PROCESS PLANNING AND ENGAGED IN OPPORTUNITIES TO SUPPORT LOCAL OUTDOOR RECREATION ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS IN ORDER TO INCREASE THE IMPACTS OF THE OUTDOOR RECREATION SECTOR.

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 July 2014.

    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.