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Northwest Youth Service

EIN 91-0970561 · Bellingham, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair59 out of 100GovernanceStrong93 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

NORTHWEST YOUTH SERVICES COLLABORATES WITH AT-RISK, RUNAWAY, AND HOMELESS YOUTH TO FOSTER SELF-RELIANCE. THE ORGANIZATION'S GOAL IS TO KEEP YOUTH SAFE, HEAL FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS, AND RECONNECT YOUTH TO THE COMMUNITY. THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES EMERGENCY SHELTER AND OTHER SUPPORTIVE SERVICES TO YOUTH AND FAMILIES TO ACHIEVE THESE GOALS.

Income
$7.6 million
Spending
$6.8 million
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
0.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 83%
Employees
86
Volunteers
16
Highest pay
$151,804, 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: 59 out of 100. Higher than 30% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 31% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 11% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 24% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    77% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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: 93 out of 100. Higher than 55% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    3 of 3 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 (4)
  1. $1.4 million spent. HOUSING PROGRAMS - THESE PROGRAMS PROVIDE HOUSING AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES TO HOMELESS YOUTH (AGES 18-25) INCLUDING PREGNANT AND PARENTING YOUTH IN WHATCOM AND SKAGIT COUNTIES. SERVICE PLANS ARE DEVELOPED WITH EACH PARTICIPANT DEPENDING ON INDIVIDUAL STRENGTHS AND NEEDS. FOCUS AREAS INCLUDE DEVELOPMENT OF INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS, EMPLOYMENT, VOCATIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT, ACCESS TO COUNSELING, PARENTING SUPPORT, FINANCIAL LITERACY, AND RENTER EDUCATION. PROGRAM GOALS ARE AIMED TOWARD PARTICIPANT INDEPENDENCE AND SELF-RELIANCE.
  2. $931,760 spent. THE POSITIVE ADOLESCENT DEVELOPMENT (PAD) PROGRAM IS AN EMERGENCY HOUSING PROGRAM PROVIDING HOUSING FOR MINORS (AGES 13-17). IN THIS PROGRAM, CLIENTS WORK WITH A CASE MANAGER TO CREATE A PLAN FOR OBTAINING STABLE HOUSING. THE PAD PROGRAM PROVIDES SHELTER, FOOD, FUN ACTIVITIES, AND SCHOOL ENROLLMENT SERVICES.
  3. $1.5 million spent. THE ANCHOR COMMUNITY INTIATIVE OUTREACH PROGRAM PROVIDES TARGETED OUTREACH AND DIVERSION SERVICES TO YOUTH 12-17 AND YOUNG ADULTS 18-24. THESE PROGRAMS PROVIDE FLEXIBLE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO DIVERT YOUTH FROM THE HOMELESS SYSTEM AND FUND HOUSING SOLUTIONS. OUTREACH SERVICES REACH OUT TO RURAL AREAS AND ADDRESS GAPS IN COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE SYSTEMS TO FACILITATE ACCESS TO SHELTER AND OTHER SERVICES. PROGRAM SERVICES ALSO SUPPORT YOUTH ACTION BOARD ADVISORY COMMITTEE WORK TO PARTNER WITH YOUNG PEOPLE TO DEVELOP SUSTAINABLE LONG TERM SOLUTIONS TO YOUTH HOMELESSNESS.
  4. $1.4 million spent. THE VOCATIONAL PROGRAM SUPPORTS PARTICIPANTS IN EXPLORING AND IDENTIFYING STRENGTHS AND INTEREST, BUILDING SELF-CONFIDENCE, AND DEVELOPING THE SKILLS AND RELATIONSHIPS NECESSARY TO ACHIEVE AND MAINTAIN SUSTAINABLE EMPLOYMENT AND BECOME SELF-SUFFICIENT. CURRENTLY, THE PROGRAM CONSISTS OF THE FOLLOWING ASPECTS: SUPPORTING EMPLOYMENT READINESS, INDIVIDUAL CASE MANAGEMENT, WE GROW, AND SUMMER JOBS/YOUTH JOBS. TEEN COURT IS A COLLABORATIVE PROGRAM BETWEEN THE ORGANIZATION AND THE WHATCOM COUNTY SUPERIOR COURTS AND IS DESIGNED TO DEAL WITH SECOND-TIME YOUTH OFFENDERS. TEEN COURT IS BASED UPON A PHILOSOPHY OF RESTORATIVE JUSTICE IN WHICH (1) THE OFFENDER IS HELD ACCOUNTABLE, (2) THE VICTIM IS MADE WHOLE, AND (3) THE OFFENDER IS RESTORED TO THE COMMUNITY. THE GROUND FLOOR PROGRAM IS A DAY CENTER PROVIDING BASIC NEED SERVICES TO YOUTH AGES 13 TO 24. THIS LOW-BARRIER SPACE ACTS AS AN ENTRY POINT FOR THE REST OF NORTHWEST YOUTH SERVICES' PROGRAMS AND PARTNER AGENCIES, AND PROVIDES AN INDOOR COMMUNITY AREA, LAUNDRY UNITS, FOOD AND KITCHEN SPACE, PRIVATE BATHROOMS AND SHOWERS, QUIET ROOMS, AND A 'FREE STORE' CONTAINING CLOTHING AND OTHER SURVIVAL SUPPLIES.THE QUEER YOUTH PROJECT SUPPORTS VULNERABLE LGBTQ YOUTH BY PROVIDING SENSITIVITY TRAININGS TO COMMUNITY SERVICE PROVIDERS; REFERRING YOUTH ONLY TO LGTBQ-FRIENDLY OR "SAFE" PROVIDERS; BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS WITH LGTBQ YOUTH LIVING ON THE STREET; WORKING TOGETHER WITH FAMILIES THROUGH COUNSELING TO RETURN LGBTQ YOUTH TO SAFE HOMES; AND PROVIDING A SAFE SPACE FOR QUEER YOUTH TO JUST BE THEMSELVES. THESE SERVICES FOSTER HEALTHY FAMILY AND COMMUNITY RELATIONSHIPS, AS WELL AS HAPPY AND SAFE FUTURES FOR YOUTH.

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 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 December 2024.

    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 November 1976.

    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.