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Nami of Whatcom County

EIN 91-1245978 · Bellingham, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair69 out of 100GovernanceNot ratedThe short tax form does not cover thisImpact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Support, education and advocacy for those affected by mental health conditions

Income
$119,870
Spending
$156,668
Reserves
8.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 75%

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 69 out of 100. Higher than 53% of charities in its peer group (mental health, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 31% of income.

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.

Source: Form 990EZ 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. $16,003 spent. Support benefited 2,790 people and includes direct client services such as no-barrier mental health support groups and the NAMI-Whatcom Helpline. NAMI-Whatcom direct support starts with a staff-led helpline. This service helps people find mental health resources for themselves or a loved one when they are unsure of where to turn. Our support groups are peer-led, meaning that the people leading the groups share important life experiences with the participants of that program and speak from the perspective of an equal.The groups are accessible to anyone regardless of a formal diagnosis. Group attendees listen and support each other through sharing experiences in a way that fights the stigma and isolation of mental illness, creating a supportive community. We also provide short term 1:1 peer support through the Whatcom Peer Collaborative.
  2. $42,258 spent. Education consists of Ending the Silence, In Our Own Voice, Family to Family, and Peer to Peer. NAMI-Whatcom teaches classes for those affected by mental illness and provide presentations that empower volunteer speakers and inspire the public with stories of mental health recovery. Family education builds community within the classes provided while providing clarity and strategies relevant to helping a loved one living with mental illness. Our presentations to the public feature individuals living in recovery from mental illness. These presenters share their stories of how they have overcome the challenges of a mental health condition and speak of the vibrant lives they have forged for themselves. 1,538 people attended our classes.
  3. $43,665 spent. Outreach includes NAMI Whatcom regularly offers five yearly public education forums open to anyone interested in mental health. We also offer Spanish language specific outreach to the Latine community in Whatcom county offering support and education in the field. We partner with VAMOS, Mercy Housing and the ARC of Whatcom County for the Latine outreach. We provide resources at many public events, the Bellingham Library, and to mental health providers with an overall benefit to 1,191 people.

Source: Form 990EZ 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since September 1984.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.