Whatcom Peace & Justice Center
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- Only 45% of its spending went to programs.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
The Whatcom Peace & Justice Center promotes lasting peace, social justice, and a culture of nonviolence at home and worldwide through partnerships, education, and direct action.
- Income
- $244,805
- Spending
- $173,443
- Spent on programs
- 45%
- Reserves
- 23.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 6
- Volunteers
- 100
- Highest pay
- $71,190, 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
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 71% of charities in its peer group (international, under $250k).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 23.5 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 29% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 13% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1545% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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
Good: 82 out of 100. Higher than 77% of charities in its peer group (international, under $250k).
Independent board
25 of 259 of 9 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (6)
- $26,316 spent. Alternatives to Military Service tables in all schools and other career fair in Whatcom County providing resources for nonviolent professional training, travel and service pathways.
- $9,706 spent. WPJC works as a community hub, library and resource center for people of all ages and backgrounds interested in peace and social justice Whatcom County. We provide a space for the community to meet and educate themselves through talks, study groups, and sharing materials for vigils and demonstrations. We also maintain open office hours twice a week and a calendar of community peace and justice events.
- $3,204 spent. Supports and connects community members around reproductive justice. The program focuses on abortion access and education, single moms & parents community building, and youth organizing for reproductive justice.
- $30,732 spent. Program participants study transformative justice resources from a BIPOC feminist queer-led perspective, co-facilitate pod-building meetings and activities, and collaboratively learn how to address interpersonal and systemic harms for violence reduction and prevention. ReproJustice - Supports and connects community members around reproductive justice. The program focuses on abortion access and education, single moms & parents community building, and youth organizing for reproductive justice.
- $1,886 spent. Working in conjunction with a network of local attorneys, WCJP provides legal assistance and advocacy to victims of discrimination and civil rights abuse in Whatcom County.
- $6,373 spent. Grantmaking and charitable distributions includes special-purpose grants and one-time distributions made to other nonprofits to advance charitable activities aligned with the organization's exempt purpose.
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
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 2024.
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 February 2005.
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.