Wild Whatcom
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Wild Whatcom's mission is to foster lifelong connections with nature and community through outdoor exploration and service.
- Income
- $1.2 million
- Spending
- $1.2 million
- Spent on programs
- 90%
- Reserves
- 1.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 62%
- Employees
- 31
- Volunteers
- 187
- Highest pay
- $80,074, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 49 out of 100. Higher than 28% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 1.3 months of spending.
Debt
5 of 20It owes 62% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 7% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 24% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1590% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 14 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 78 out of 100. Higher than 36% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
18 of 253 of 3 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a 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.
Independent check of accounts
0 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 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 (5)
- $272,974 spent. Explorers Club is a long-term, outdoor, youth mentoring program based on exploration, service, and connection. Our goals are to awaken and strengthen in youth a profound connection to the natural world; instill a life-long ethic of service to the community; and to reinforce character traits that sustain the capacity for healthy relationships with self, others, and the earth.
- $430,212 spent. School programs offer children the opportunity to explore and connect with the natural world near their school and neighborhoods. The program encourages students to develop a connection to local natural and cultural history through exploration, games, play, art, and nature activities.
- $223,525 spent. Camps are three to five day adventures that utilize mentor-facilitated learning and discovery outdoors in and around Whatcom County. While exploring, we aim to help kids: discover their capabilities through appropriate challenges; better understand themselves and others; and develop their collaborative leadership capacity.
- $88,543 spent. The Nature Preschool delivers outdoor education and enrichment to preschool-aged youth, ages 3-5, with half-day, 4-hour programming. Program offerings include 1-4 days per week during the academic year and multi-day summer camps.
- $99,865 spent. Community programs inspire and awaken wonder in the natural world by sharing nature's mysteries with others. The program facilitates explorations, discovery, and fun in the natural world for people of all ages in local parks in and around Whatcom County.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 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 October 13, 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 August 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 February 2013.
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 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.