United Way of Whatcom County
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
UNITED WAY OF WHATCOM COUNTY'S MISSION IS TO UNITE WITH A NETWORK OF LOCAL BUSINESSES, NONPROFITS, AND COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS TO ENABLE FINANCIAL STABILITY FOR EVERY PERSON IN WHATCOM COUNTY. OUR FOCUS IS ON INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES FACING FINANCIAL HARDSHIP.
- Income
- $1.4 million
- Spending
- $1.4 million
- Spent on programs
- 72%
- Reserves
- 20.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 94%
- Employees
- 5
- Volunteers
- 95
- Highest pay
- $126,324, president/ceo
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
Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 68% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 20.3 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 4% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 3% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 5% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1572% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 21 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
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).
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
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
15 of 15Its accounts were audited 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 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 (3)
- $754,521 spent. THE AGENCY'S COMMUNITY IMPACT FUND GRANT AWARDS PROVIDE SUPPORT TO A COMPREHENSIVE NETWORK OF LOCAL NONPROFITS REACHING MORE THAN 50,000 RESIDENTS EACH YEAR, PROVIDING ACCESS TO BASIC NEEDS LIKE FOOD, HOUSING, AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, INCREASING ECONOMIC MOBILITY THROUGH EDUCATION, JOB SKILLS, AND TRAINING, AND BREAKING THE CYCLE OF POVERTY BY REMOVING BARRIERS LIKE VIOLENCE, ABUSE, AND ADDICTION AND PROVIDING A VARIETY OF SUPPORTS AND SERVICES TO HELP FAMILIES SUCCEED FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION. UNITED WAY OF WHATCOM COUNTY'S GOAL IS TO CREATE A COMMUNITY WHERE EVERYONE HAS THE TOOLS AND OPPORTUNITIES THEY NEED TO ACHIEVE FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE AND STABILITY.
- $150,905 spent. DOLLY PARTON'S IMAGINATION LIBRARY (DPIL). THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES ONE AGE APPROPRIATE BOOK BY MAIL EACH MONTH FOR ENROLLED WHATCOM COUNTY CHILDREN AGE BIRTH TO FIVE AT NO COST TO FAMILIES. BOOKS ARE SELECTED BY A NATIONAL COMMITTEE OF EARLY CHILDHOOD LITERACY EXPERTS WITH THE INTENT TO DELIVER A VARIETY OF INCLUSIVE AND DIVERSE TITLES THAT COVER FEEL GOOD TOPICS. DATA SHOWS CHILDREN IN EVERY ZIP CODE IN WHATCOM COUNTY HAVE ENROLLED, INCLUDING RURAL AND UNDERSERVED AREAS OF THE COMMUNITY. THE DATA CONFIRMS THE ORGANIZATION IS WORKING IN THE RIGHT WAYS TO PARTNER WITH TRUSTED ENTITIES TO EXPAND THE REACH OF THIS PROGRAM.
- $100,602 spent. UNITED WAY OF WHATCOM COUNTY PROVIDES ADDITIONAL GRANTS FOR PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS THAT ALIGN WITH OUR MISSION AND COMMUNITY GOALS. EXAMPLES INCLUDE: EMERGENCY RELIEF FUNDING, COMMUNITY INITIATIVES, AND EMERGING PROGRAMS THAT ADDRESS SPECIFIC ISSUES IN OUR COMMUNITY. SOME EXAMPLES INCLUDE PANDEMIC AND FLOOD RELIEF GRANTS, SUPPORT FOR ALICE AND OTHER CRITICAL RESEARCH, CHILDCARE INITIATIVES, AND EARLY LEARNING PROGRAMS.
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
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 June 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 July 1953.
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.