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Sustainable Connections

EIN 75-3041952 · Bellingham, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair64 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WE CREATE THRIVING COMMUNITIES THROUGH INNOVATIVE IDEAS, COLLABORATION AND ACTION.

Income
$3.1 million
Spending
$3.3 million
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
4.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 45%
Employees
47
Volunteers
144
Highest pay
$134,535, 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: 64 out of 100. Higher than 28% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 12% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 15% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    88% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 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: 85 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 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

    0 of 15

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

  • 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 (6)
  1. $1.1 million spent. THE CLOUD MOUNTAIN FARM CENTER WORKS TO PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR NEW AND EXISTING FARMERS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS TROUGH WORKSHOPS, INTERNSHIPS, AND EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS. CLOUD MOUNTAIN SERVES AS A FOOD HUB BY BRINGING TOGETHER FARMERS TO BUILD PRODUCTION AND MARKETING OPPORTUNITIES, CONDUCTS REACHES FOCUSING ON PLANTS BEST ADAPTED TO THE PNW, AND DISSEMINATES THE INFORMATION TO REGIONAL FARMERS.
  2. $630,978 spent. THE FOOD & FARMING PROGRAM IS CREATING A VIBRANT LOCAL FOOD ECONOMY BY SUPPORTING LOCAL FARMERS, CONNECTING FOOD BUYERS TO LOCAL FARMS AND ARTISANS, AND ENCOURAGING OUR COMMUNITY TO ALWAYS EAT LOCAL FIRST. BY MARKETING LOCAL FOOD-PRODUCING BUSINESSES TO THE PUBLIC, WE ARE STRENGTHENING OUR LOCAL ECONOMY, HELPING LOWER OUR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT (CLIMATE FOOTPRINT OF NON-LOCALLY PRODUCED FOOD), AND ENCOURAGING HEALTHY NUTRITION FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
  3. $395,169 spent. THE ENERGY EFFICIENCY & GREEN BUILDING PROGRAM STRENGTHENS THE LOCAL ECONOMY THROUGH THE EFFICIENT USE OF CLEAN, RENEWABLE, AND SECURE ENERGY. WE PROVIDE EACH PARTICIPATING BUSINESS WITH VETTED INFORMATION, A FULL ENERGY ASSESSMENT, A CUSTOMIZED ENERGY ACTION PLAN DETAILING COST-EFFECTIVE MEASURES, ASSISTANCE WITH UTILITY AND TAX REBATES, RELIABLE CONTRACTORS, AND QUALITY ASSURANCE TO HELP THEM SAVE ENERGY AND CUT COSTS WITH CUTTING-EDGE UPGRADES AND THE LATEST INCENTIVES.
  4. $367,494 spent. TOWARD ZERO WASTE (INCLUDING THE FOOD RECOVERY PROGRAM) PROGRAM HELPS BUSINESSES REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF WASTE THEY PRODUCE AND THE AMOUNT OF WASTE THEY DIVERT FROM LANDFILL BY PROVIDING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND EDUCATION TO BUSINESSES, CREATING IMPACTFUL PUBLIC INFORMATION CAMPAIGNS, AND WORKING WITH KEY COLLABORATIVE COMMUNITY PARTNERS. OUR FOOD RECOVERY PROGRAM INTEGRATES AN INNOVATIVE FOOD AID MODEL INTO OUR LONG-STANDING TOWARD ZERO WASTE PROGRAM TO HELP FEED COMMUNITY MEMBERS EXPERIENCING HUNGER.
  5. $289,342 spent. THE HOUSING & SMART GROWTH PROGRAM IS THE BACKBONE AGENCY FOR THE WHATCOM HOUSING ALLIANCE. THIS PROGRAM ENCOMPASSES SEVERAL EFFORTS TOWARD AFFORDABLE AND SMART-GROWTH HOUSING, INCLUDING MEMBER COLLABORATION TO BUILD AN AFFORDABLE, HEALTHY, EQUITABLE, THRIVING, AND INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY.
  6. $143,086 spent. THE THINK LOCAL FIRST PROGRAM SUPPORTS LOCAL BUSINESSES BY PROMOTING THEM TO THE PUBLIC THROUGH COLLECTIVE MARKETING AND SPECIAL COMMUNITY EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. THE PROGRAM EDUCATES THE COMMUNITY IN THE ROLE OF LOCAL BUSINESSES IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP, AND STRENGTHENING OUR LOCAL ECONOMY.

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 2024.

    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 September 2003.

    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.