Boys & Girls Clubs of Whatcom Co
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The mission of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Whatcom County is to enable all the young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.
- Income
- $6.8 million
- Spending
- $7.2 million
- Spent on programs
- 87%
- Reserves
- 1.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 75%
- Employees
- 171
- Volunteers
- 300
- Highest pay
- $256,322, ceo
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 19% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 1.6 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 12% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 5% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 17% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1587% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 18 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 64% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 257 of 7 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 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 (4)
- $4.6 million spent. Boys & Girls Clubs of Whatcom County operates licensed care centers under the name Kids World. We hold five licenses for centers that reside on four campuses and serve children from birth to 12. We are licensed to serve 540 children in the five facilities. Programming runs from 6:00am to 6:00pm five days per week and focuses on developmentally appropriate activities to help children achieve appropriate developmental milestones.
- $715,980 spent. Blaine and Lynden branches provide after school programs that focus on the youth ages 6-18. Members of the club have access to an array of programming that fit within our priority outcome areas of academic success, healthy lifestyles and good character & leadership. Each day members have opportunities to consume a healthy meal and snack, complete homework and participate in a variety of enrichment programs that align with core curriculum grade level standards. Members also have access to technology programs including circuitry, coding and robotics. Small group programs focused on making choices that are age appropriate and help youth navigate their developmental years are offered regularly. (Continued on Schedule O)Members also have access to athletic programs including football, volleyball, basketball and baseball. Membership for clubhouse programming is $40 annually and scholarships are available to any youth who needs them.
- $481,661 spent. Ferndale branch provides after school and summer programs that focus on the development of youth ages 6-18. Members of the club have access to an array of programming that fit within our priority outcome areas of academic success, healthy lifestyles and good character & leadership. Each day members have opportunities to consume a healthy meal and snack, complete homework and participate in a variety of enrichment programs that align with core curriculum grade level standards. Members also have access to technology programs including circuitry, coding and robotics. Small group programs focused on making choices that are age appropriate and help youth navigate their developmental years are offered regularly. (Continued on Schedule O)Children who attend before school programs receive breakfast and small group mentoring as well as a ride to school. When school is out for the summer, the club is open all day offering breakfast, lunch and snacks to all attendees and filling their days with purposeful and fun activities that keep them active and help to prevent summer learning loss. Members also have access to athletic programs including football, volleyball, basketball and baseball. Membership for clubhouse programming is $40 annually and scholarships are available to any youth who needs them.
- $460,948 spent. Bellingham branch provides after school and summer programs that focus on the development of youth ages 6-18. Members of the club have access to an array of programming that fit within our priority outcome areas of academic success, healthy lifestyles and good character & leadership. Each day members have opportunities to consume a healthy meal and snack, complete homework and participate in a variety of enrichment programs that align with core curriculum grade level standards. Members also have access to technology programs including circuitry, coding and robotics. Small group programs focused on making choices that are age appropriate and help youth navigate their developmental years are offered regularly. When school is out for summer the club is open all day offering breakfast, lunch and snacks to all attendees and filling their days with purposeful and fun activities that keep them active and help to prevent summer learning loss. Members also have access to athletic programs including football, volleyball, basketball and baseball. Membership for clubhouse programming is $40 annually and scholarships are available to any youth who needs them.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since July 1975.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 2026.
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