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Communities in Schools of Whatcom County

EIN 64-0956619 · Bellingham, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair63 out of 100GovernanceGood82 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SEE SCHEDULE O

Income
$690,276
Spending
$1.5 million
Spent on programs
68%
Reserves
8.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 39%
Employees
26
Volunteers
5
Highest pay
$82,259, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 63 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 110% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 59% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    68% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 16 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 82 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 5 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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

    12 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 June 30, 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)
  1. $986,869 spent. OUR ANNUAL ORGANIZATIONAL EFFORTS PROVIDE LOW-INCOME (AND EXTREMELY LOW INCOME) STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES WITH BASIC NEEDS, RESOURCES, RESILIENCY-BUILDING EFFORTS, AND SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL INTERVENTIONS, ALONG WITH CARING EXPERTISE THAT SURROUNDS STUDENTS WITH A COMMUNITY OF SUPPORT, EMPOWERING THEM TO SUCCEED IN SCHOOL AND LIFE. WE SERVED 383 CASE-MANAGED STUDENTS AT 15 SCHOOLS ACROSS SIX SCHOOL DISTRICTS, IN FOUR ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS, SEVEN MIDDLE SCHOOLS, AND FOUR HIGH SCHOOLS. 15 SITE COORDINATORS PROVIDED 4,388 HOURS OF TIER 1 WHOLE SCHOOL SUPPORTS, 2,065 HOURS OF TIER 2 SMALL GROUP SUPPORTS AND 2,137 HOURS OF TIER 3 ONE-ON-ONE INDIVIDUAL SUPPORTS. A VERY IMPORTANT TIER 1 SUPPORT WE PROVIDE STUDENTS IS BASIC NEEDS ITEMS AND WE PROVIDE 32,077 ITEMS DURING THE AY 24-25.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 June 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 June 2008.

    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.

  7. Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.

    A much larger organization has a similar name: Communities in Schools Inc (Arlington, VA), EIN 58-1289174. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.

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