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Cascade Connections

EIN 91-1017868 · Ferndale, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood74 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

CASCADE CONNECTIONS' MISSION IS: EMPOWERING INDIVIDUALS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES TO ENHANCE THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE. THE MISSION IS ACHIEVED THROUGH ITS STATEMENT OF VALUES WHICH INCLUDES SERVICE EXCELLENCE, INTEGRITY, EMPOWERMENT, COMPETENCE, CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP, SERVANT LEADERSHIP, EQUAL OPPORTUNITY, INDIVIDUALIZED SERVICES, AND COMMUNITY.

Income
$18.6 million
Spending
$18.7 million
Spent on programs
92%
Reserves
3.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 97%
Employees
453
Volunteers
41
Highest pay
$139,945, 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

Good: 74 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 22% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 13% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    92% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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 35% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 5 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. $13.6 million spent. RESIDENTIAL AND HOME CARE SERVICES - CASCADE CONNECTIONS RESIDENTIAL SERVICES PROVIDE A WIDE RANGE OF SERVICES FROM A FEW HOURS PER WEEK TO 24-HOUR CARE. SUPPORTS INCLUDE DAILY LIVING SKILLS, PERSONAL CARE, SHOPPING MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS, RESPITE SERVICES, AND MORE AS THE INDIVIDUAL REQUIRES. CUSTOMERS ARE REFERRED TO CASCADE CONNECTIONS THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES ADMINISTRATION AS WELL AS THE AGING AND ADULT SERVICES BOTH ARE SUB-DEPARTMENTS OF THE WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES. CASCADE CONNECTIONS ALSO ACCEPTS INDIVIDUALS ON A PRIVATE PAY BASIS. CUSTOMERS RANGE GREATLY IN AGE AS WELL AS REQUIREMENTS FOR SERVICE.
  2. $3.4 million spent. VOCATIONAL SERVICES - CASCADE CONNECTIONS VOCATIONAL DEPARTMENT SERVES A RANGE OF INDIVIDUALS FROM TRANSITIONING STUDENTS COMING OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL AGED 21 YEARS TO THOSE APPROACHING RETIREMENT SOME OF WHOM ARE OVER 70 YEARS OF AGE. THE CUSTOMERS OF CASCADE CONNECTIONS ARE REFERRED TO US THROUGH THE DIVISION OF VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT OF SERVICES FOR THE BLIND ALL OF WHICH FALL UNDER THE WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES. ADDITIONALLY, MANY ARE REFERRED TO US FROM FOUNDATIONAL COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICE GROUPS. CASCADE CONNECTIONS SERVES A WIDE VARIETY OF INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE A VARIETY OF SKILLS AND ABILITIES AS WELL AS SUPPORT NEEDS. CASCADE CONNECTIONS WORKS WITH HUNDREDS OF LOCAL BUSINESSES THROUGHOUT WHATCOM COUNTY ASSISTING THEM TO INCREASE THE DIVERSITY IN THEIR WORKFORCE. CASCADE CONNECTIONS OFFERS INFORMATION TO EMPLOYERS, SETS UP INFORMATIONAL AND WORKING INTERVIEWS, NEGOTIATES REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS WHEN NEEDED, AND PROVIDE ON-SITE TRAINING.
  3. $171,830 spent. TRAINING SERVICES - CASCADE CONNECTIONS TRAINING DEPARTMENT, CREATED IN 2012, OFFERS MANY CLASSES TO CASCADE CONNECTIONS STAFF, OTHER ORGANIZATIONS, COMMUNITY MEMBERS, AND FAMILIES. CLASSES INCLUDE ORIENTATION AND SAFETY, CPR, FIRST AID, RIGHT RESPONSE, DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, CORE POPULATION-SPECIFIC TRAININGS, AND CONTINUING EDUCATION COURSES FOR PROFESSIONALS. ADDITIONALLY, THE CASCADE CONNECTIONS TRAINING SITE SERVES PROMETRIC'S HOME CARE AIDE TESTING ON SITE AT OUR TRAINING CENTER ON DESIGNATED TESTING DATES. CASCADE CONNECTIONS HAVE BEEN ABLE TO CREATE CUSTOMIZED TRAINING, INCLUDING ONLINE TRAINING TO MEET THE NEEDS OF OUR CUSTOMERS AND OUR COMMUNITY.

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 October 13, 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 March 1978.

    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 October 21, 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.