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Firs Bible & Missionary Conference

EIN 91-0609820 · Bellingham, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair54 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

EQUIPPING YOUNG PEOPLE TO SHARE THE LOVE OF JESUS AND RADICALLY TRANSFORM THE WORLD.

Income
$4.1 million
Spending
$4.3 million
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
-2.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 69%
Employees
211
Volunteers
65
Highest pay
$88,801, 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: 54 out of 100. Higher than 21% of charities in its peer group (religion, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 29% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 19% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 85% of charities in its peer group (religion, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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. $710,707 spent. FOUNDED IN 1921 AND LOCATED NEAR LAKE WHATCOM, THE FIRS RETREAT CENTER IS AN IDEAL SPOT FOR FAMILY, ADULT AND YOUTH RETREATS. RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDE A SEASONAL WATERFRONT; FULL MEAL SERVICE; TOTAL CAPACITY IS 260. DURING 2024, THE RETREAT CENTER WAS UTILIZED FOR 6,523 CAMPER DAYS.
  2. $1.2 million spent. LOCATED ON THE SHORES OF LAKE WHATCOM, CAMP FIRWOOD OFFERS: RUSTIC CABINS, INCREDIBLE SCENERY AND A WIDE VARIETY OF LAND AND WATER BASED ACTIVITIES. SEASONAL (MAY THROUGH SEPTEMBER) RETREATS UP TO 250; FULL MEAL SERVICE IN OUR SPACIOUS CENTERHOUSE. RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDE A CHALLENGE COURSE, CLIMBING CENTER, PAINTBALL, SPORTS FIELD AND NUMEROUS WATER ACTIVITIES. DURING 2024, CAMP FIRWOOD WAS UTILIZED FOR 8,501 CAMPER DAYS.
  3. $772,293 spent. AFTER SCHOOL ADVENTURE (ASA) IS A PROGRAM, SERVING STUDENTS IN THE BELLINGHAM SCHOOL DISTRICT (K-FIFTH GRADERS) DURING NON-SCHOOL HOURS. EACH YEAR, THE ASA PROGRAM CENTERS AROUND A MAJOR THEME, CREATING A BACKDROP OF FUN AND ADVENTURE. FALL 2019 SAW THE ADDITION OF THE FIRS & FIDDLEHEADS FOREST SCHOOL (OUTDOOR PRE-SCHOOL). DURING 2024, THE ASA PROGRAM RECORDED 4,840 CAMPER DAYS.
  4. $313,124 spent. THE FIRS CHALET IS A FOUR STORY, 100 BED, FULLY CONTAINED RETREAT FACILITY ADJACENT TO THE MT. BAKER SKI AREA AND APPROXIMATELY 54 MILES FROM BELLINGHAM. THE FACILITY, SITUATED IN A BEAUTIFUL ALPINE SETTING, OFFERS SPECTACULAR SCENERY AND PROVIDES A SETTING FOR YOUTH RETREATS AS WELL AS A VARIETY OF ADULT AND FAMILY RETREATS. RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDE SEASONAL SNOW SPORTS; FULL MEAL SERVICE. DURING 2024, THE FIRS CHALET WAS UTILIZED FOR 3,791 CAMPER DAYS.
  5. $493,581 spent. FIRCREEK DAY CAMP PROVIDES A NON-STOP WEEK OF GREAT ADVENTURE FOR CHILDREN ENTERING GRADES 1-6. FROM SPORTS AND GAMES, SWIMMING AND BOATING, TO CREATIVE CRAFTS, SINGING, AND ALL MANNER OF SILLINESS, SUMMER WEEKS ARE PACKED WITH WELCOME FOR CAMPERS. EVEN FIELD TRIPS ARE OFFERED FOR 4TH-6TH GRADERS. DURING 2024, FIRCREEK DAY CAMP RECORDED 2,098 CAMPER DAYS.
  6. $125,346 spent. THE FIRS DISCIPLESHIP PROGRAM, RADICLE AND ROOTED, OFFERS YOUNG ADULTS AGED 18-24 THE OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP A RADICALLY ROOTED FAITH BUILT ON THE TRUTHS FOUND IN SCRIPTURE THROUGH THE CONVERGENCE OF FORMAL POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION, INTENTIONAL DISCIPLESHIP, AND PRACTICAL MINISTRY EXPERIENCES. GRADUATES OF THE ONE YEAR RADICLE PROGRAM HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO EARN UP TO 30 COLLEGE CREDITS AND A MINISTRY CERTIFICATE. RADICLE GRADUATES WILL HAVE THE OPTION TO ATTEND OUR 2ND YEAR ROOTED PROGRAM. DURING THE ROOTED YEAR, STUDENTS WILL DEEPEN THEIR EDUCATION AND SPIRITUAL JOURNEY WHILE EXPLORING A FIELD OF INTEREST. THEY CAN CONTINUE THE BIBLICAL STUDIES PROGRAM TO EARN A TWO-YEAR AA DEGREE FROM ANCHOR CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY, OR THEY MAY CHOOSE TO STUDY SUBJECTS SUCH AS HOSPITALITY AND CULINARY ARTS, FOREST SCHOOL EDUCATION, OUTDOOR EDUCATION, OR WORSHIP TRAINING, AMONG OTHERS.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since October 1946.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.