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Whatcom Council on Aging

EIN 91-0784024 · Bellingham, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong91 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WHATCOM COUNCIL ON AGING PROVIDES NUTRITIONAL, SOCIAL, RECREATIONAL, AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS THAT PROMOTE WELLNESS OF MIND AND BODY FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS AS THEY AGE.

Income
$3.6 million
Spending
$3.5 million
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
14 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 48%
Employees
52
Volunteers
175
Highest pay
$125,341, executive di

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

Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 14.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 27% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    80% 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 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 (3)
  1. $2.3 million spent. THE SENIOR NUTRITION PROGRAM'S GOAL IS TO ENSURE THAT SENIORS - ESPECIALLY THOSE WITH LOW TO VERY LOW INCOMES - ARE EATING WELL AND HAVE THE NUTRITIONAL AND SOCIAL SUPPORT THEY NEED FOR HEALTHY, ACTIVE AGING AND INDEPENDENT LIVING IN ADDITION TO DELIVERING MEALS ON WHEELS TO HOMEBOUND SENIORS, THE COUNCIL ON AGING SERVES HOT LUNCHES IN SENIOR CENTERS THROUGHOUT WHATCOM AND SAN JUAN COUNTIES AND PUBLIC HOUSING FOR LOW- INCOME SENIORS IN BELLINGHAM.
  2. $12,397 spent. BELLINGHAM AT HOME TO EMPOWER SENIORS TO STAY ACTIVE AND ENGAGED WHILE CONTINUING TO LIVE IN THEIR OWN HOMES AND NEIGHBORHOODS.
  3. $444,741 spent. THE BELLINGHAM SENIOR ACTIVITY CENTER IS THE ONLY WHATCOM COUNTY CENTER DIRECTLY MANAGED BY WCOA. THE CENTER OFFERS A WIDE RANGE OF CLASSES, ACTIVITIES AND SERVICES FOR PERSONS 50 YEARS OF AGE AND OVER, ALL OF WHICH ARE DESIGNED TO ENCOURAGE EMOTIONAL, MENTAL AND PHYSICAL WELLNESS FOR A HEALTHY, ACTIVE AND INDEPENDENT LIFESTYLE. A MEMBER CAN PARTICIPATE IN WEIGHT TRAINING IN THE GYM, TAKE A LINE DANCING CLASS, PLAY CARDS OR POOL, LEARN HOW TO USE COMPUTERS OR READ IN OUR LIBRARY AS WELL AS ENJOY A VARIETY OF PRESENTATIONS. ALL OF THESE ACTIVITIES PROMOTE PHYSICAL, MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL HEALTH.

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 1984.

    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.

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