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Lake Whatcom Residential & Treatment Center

EIN 91-0844168 · Bellingham, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

OUR MISSION IS TO EMPOWER CHRONICALLY MENTALLY ILL ADULTS IN OUR COMMUNITY TO ACHIEVE AND MAINTAIN THE HIGHEST POSSIBLE LEVEL OF INDEPENDENCE. WE ACCOMPLISH THIS BY PROVIDING COMPASSIONATE, COMPREHENSIVE SERVICES - INCLUDING OUTPATIENT MENTAL HEALTH CARE, RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMS, PRIMARY CARE, COMMUNITY CRISIS SUPPORT, AND ADULT FAMILY HOMES - THAT PROMOTE STABILITY, DIGNITY, AND PERSONAL GROWTH. THROUGH INTEGRATED CARE AND A COMMITMENT TO RECOVERY, WE STRIVE TO CREATE PATHWAYS FOR WELLNESS, RESILIENCE, AND MEANINGFUL PARTICIPATION IN COMMUNITY LIFE.

Income
$16.7 million
Spending
$16.1 million
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
3.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 100%
Employees
195
Volunteers
6
Highest pay
$231,523, ceo-executive director

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

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 64% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 39% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 18% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 95 out of 100. Higher than 32% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 6 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 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 (4)
  1. $10.8 million spent. THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PROGRAM PROVIDES INDIVIDUALIZED SUPPORT FOR PEOPLE WITH CHRONIC MENTAL ILLNESS, FOCUSING ON HOUSING, EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION, DAILY LIVING, FINANCIAL AND LEGAL ISSUES, MEDICAL AND PSYCHIATRIC CARE, AND PERSONAL GROWTH. WE SERVE CLIENTS THROUGH A RANGE OF PROGRAMS: ABOUT 50 IN PACT, 230-240 IN IOP, 260 IN OUTPATIENT CARE, 67 IN AGATE HEIGHTS RESIDENTIAL, 70 IN EMPLOYMENT, 115 IN THERAPY, 12 IN OUR ADULT FAMILY HOME, AND 16 IN OUR ENHANCED SERVICES FACILITY. IN ADDITION WE HAVE PRIMARY CARE PROGRAM THAT SERVICES APPROXIMATELY 200 INDIVIDUALS.
  2. $1.6 million spent. THE BAKER CREEK RESIDENTIAL SUBSTANCE USE TREATMENT FACILITY HAS 32 BEDS AND PROVIDES SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT TO PEOPLE DUALLY DIAGNOSED WITH MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER. THE FOCUS IS ON EDUCATION/SUPPORT OF RECOVERY IN RELAPSE PREVENTION, LIFE SKILLS AND POSITIVE COPING SKILLS INCLUDING POSITIVE SUPPORT.
  3. $1.2 million spent. THE HOUSING PROGRAM PROVIDE SAFE AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN THE COMMUNITY. MOST OF THE APARTMENTS ARE TWO BEDROOM AND ARE THEREFORE SHARED WITH A ROOMMATE. ALL APARTMENTS ARE COMPLETELY FURNISHED AND SUPPLIED WITH ALL KITCHEN UTENSILS LINENS AND SMALL APPLIANCES. THE ORGANIZATION WORKS WITH THE BELLINGHAM WHATCOM COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY AND OTHER NON GOVERNMENT AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES IN THE COMMUNITY TO HELP CLIENTS WITH RENTAL ASSISTANCE AND SUBSIDIES THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES HOUSING FOR APPROXIMATELY 200 MENTAL HEALTH CLIENTS.
  4. $805,298 spent. THE HEART & ACES PROGRAMS OF LAKE WHATCOM CENTER ARE FUNDED BY A SAMSHA CCBHC GRANT. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES 24/7 ACCESS TO COMMUNITY-BASED BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CRISIS INTERVENTION SERVICES THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENT OF HOLISTIC ENGAGEMENT AND ALLIED RECOVERY AND TREATMENT, BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CRISIS STABILIZATION AND OUTREACH SUPPORT PROGRAMS. SINCE IMPLANTATION, THE PROGRAM HAS PROVIDED OVER 5,000 CRISIS STABILIZATION AND OUTREACH SUPPORT CONTACTS TO INDIVIDUALS OTHERWISE NOT ASSISTED IN THE COMMUNITY.

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

  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 October 13, 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 November 6, 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 October 13, 2026.

  4. 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.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since August 1969.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 November 4, 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.