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Chuckanut Health Foundation

EIN 91-1192943 · Bellingham, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong94 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO FURTHER CHARITABLE, SCIENTIFIC AND EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES THAT STRENGTHEN AND ADVANCE INDIVIDUAL AND COMMUNITY HEALTH IN WHATCOM COUNTY.

Income
$2.7 million
Spending
$2.3 million
Spent on programs
72%
Reserves
81.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 56%
Employees
12
Volunteers
27
Highest pay
$177,381, 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

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 81.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 14% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 96% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    72% 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: 94 out of 100.

  • 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

    9 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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 (1)
  1. $1.7 million spent. CHUCKANUT HEALTH FOUNDATION (CHF) ADVANCES HEALTH AND WELL-BEING IN WHATCOM COUNTY BY SUPPORTING COMMUNITY-LED SOLUTIONS, STRENGTHENING NONPROFIT PARTNERS, AND COORDINATING COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS THAT ADDRESS ROOT CAUSES OF HEALTH DISPARITIES. CHF'S PROGRAMMATIC WORK ALIGNS WITH FIVE MAJOR PRIORITY AREAS: OPIOID AND SUBSTANCE USE RESPONSE, HEALTHY CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, SENIOR WELL-BEING, YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH, AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT.COMMUNITY-LED GRANTMAKING AND TARGETED PROGRAM SUPPORTCHF PROVIDES GRANTS, COACHING, AND FISCAL SPONSORSHIP TO ORGANIZATIONS WORKING ACROSS THE LIFESPAN. FUNDS SUPPORT EARLY CHILDHOOD AND FAMILY STABILITY SERVICES, CULTURALLY SPECIFIC OUTREACH FOR IMMIGRANT FAMILIES, YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMS, AGING AND DEMENTIA-SUPPORT INITIATIVES, HARM REDUCTION AND TREATMENT-ACCESS EFFORTS, AND COMMUNITY HEALTH EDUCATION. CHF ALSO MANAGES DONOR-RESTRICTED AND DEFINED-PURPOSE FUNDS THAT DELIVER DIRECT SUPPORT SUCH AS CANCER CARE ASSISTANCE, EMERGENCY BASIC NEEDS, AND INNOVATIVE COMMUNITY HEALTH PROJECTS. THESE INVESTMENTS STRENGTHEN LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS AND IMPROVE ACCESS TO CARE FOR CHILDREN, FAMILIES, SENIORS, AND INDIVIDUALS IMPACTED BY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CHALLENGES. CHUCKANUT HEALTH FOUNDATION HAS GRANTED OVER $17 MILLION TO WHATCOM COUNTY HEALTH RELATED NONPROFIT PROJECTS SINCE 1982 TO SUPPORT ADVANCING INDIVIDUAL AND COMMUNITY HEALTH THROUGH INVESTMENTS IN EQUIPMENT FOR EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES, SUPPORT FOR IMPROVING HEALTH CARE ACCESS, ELDER SERVICES SUPPORT AND HEALTH, PROFESSIONAL TRAINING, AND SUPPORT FOR HEALTHY CHILDREN AND FAMILIES.BACKBONE SUPPORT FOR COUNTYWIDE HEALTH INITIATIVESCHF PLAYS A COORDINATING AND FACILITATIVE ROLE IN SEVERAL CROSS-SECTOR INITIATIVES. THIS INCLUDES STAFFING AND MANAGING ALL HANDS WHATCOM, A COUNTYWIDE CONVENING FOCUSED ON OPIOID AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SYSTEM IMPROVEMENT; SUPPORTING AGING WELL WHATCOM, WHICH BRINGS TOGETHER PROVIDERS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO DEVELOP STRATEGIES THAT HELP OLDER ADULTS AGE SAFELY AND WITH DIGNITY; AND CONTRIBUTING LEADERSHIP AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT TO EARLY CHILDHOOD, YOUTH WELLNESS, AND FAMILY RESILIENCE PARTNERSHIPS. CHF STAFF PROVIDE PROJECT MANAGEMENT, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, AND COLLABORATIVE PLANNING TO HELP PARTNERS IMPLEMENT ALIGNED STRATEGIES AND IMPROVE HEALTH OUTCOMES.YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH AND FAMILY WELL-BEINGCHF INVESTS IN PROGRAMS THAT EXPAND ACCESS TO YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, STRENGTHEN SCHOOL-BASED SUPPORTS, AND ENGAGE FAMILIES EXPERIENCING INSTABILITY OR TRAUMA. THIS INCLUDES SUPPORTING ORGANIZATIONS THAT PROVIDE COUNSELING, PEER SUPPORT, PARENT EDUCATION, AND CRISIS-RESPONSE ACTIVITIES. CHF ALSO PARTICIPATES IN COUNTY-LEVEL PLANNING BODIES WORKING TO IMPROVE THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CONTINUUM FOR CHILDREN AND TEENS.OPIOID AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH RESPONSETHROUGH GRANTMAKING AND CONVENING EFFORTS, CHF SUPPORTS HARM REDUCTION, TREATMENT ACCESS, RECOVERY SERVICES, AND SYSTEM NAVIGATION FOR INDIVIDUALS AFFECTED BY SUBSTANCE USE. CHF'S ROLE INCLUDES CROSS-AGENCY COORDINATION, COMMUNITY EDUCATION, AND ELEVATING LIVED-EXPERIENCE PERSPECTIVES WITHIN PLANNING PROCESSES. THESE EFFORTS CONTRIBUTE TO A MORE RESPONSIVE AND INTEGRATED LOCAL BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SYSTEM.SENIOR SERVICES AND HEALTHY AGINGCHF SUPPORTS COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS AND NETWORKS THAT SERVE OLDER ADULTS, ESPECIALLY THOSE FACING ISOLATION, MOBILITY CHALLENGES, OR LIMITED RESOURCES. ACTIVITIES INCLUDE SUPPORTING DEMENTIA-FRIENDLY INITIATIVES, CAREGIVER SUPPORT PROGRAMS, AND COORDINATED AGING-WELL PLANNING ACROSS PROVIDERS AND COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS.CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AND COMMUNITY PARTICIPATIONCHF FOSTERS COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT BY HOSTING EDUCATIONAL EVENTS, FACILITATING RESIDENT INPUT INTO LOCAL SYSTEMS, AND ELEVATING COMMUNITY VOICES IN PLANNING PROCESSES. THE FOUNDATION COLLABORATES WITH COUNTY GOVERNMENT COMMITTEES, HEALTH AND JUSTICE SYSTEM COALITIONS, AND LOCAL NONPROFITS TO ENSURE COMMUNITY EXPERIENCE INFORMS POLICIES AND INVESTMENTS. THESE ACTIVITIES STRENGTHEN CIVIC PARTICIPATION AND HELP RESIDENTS NAVIGATE COMPLEX HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICE SYSTEMS.

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 February 1983.

    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.

  7. Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.

    A much larger organization has a similar name: Foundation Health LLC (Fairbanks, AK), EIN 81-3021580. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.

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