Whatcom Land Trust
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The mission of the Whatcom Land Trust is to preserve and protect wildlife habitat, scenic, agricultural and open space lands in Whatcom County for future generations by securing interests in land and promoting land stewardship.
- Income
- $2.2 million
- Spending
- $1.7 million
- Spent on programs
- 73%
- Reserves
- -136.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 79%
- Employees
- 21
- Volunteers
- 507
- Highest pay
- $102,907, interim executive director (co-ed sep-dec)
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
Fair: 60 out of 100. Higher than 23% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 3% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 25% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 6% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1573% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2513 of 13 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (3)
- $256,319 spent. Legal securement of land - Permanent land protections are secured through outright purchases, gifts and transfers, including those that have created 15 parks and preserves, the establishment of conservation easements for farmland, wildlife habitat, and other purposes. In fiscal year 2024-25, Whatcom Land Trust secured 166.5 new acres for a total of 16,713 of acres protected.
- $756,818 spent. Land stewardship and restoration that increase landscape connectivity, improve ecosystem biodiversity and restore natural systems to support the recovery of key fish and wildlife species. In fiscal year 2024-25, the Trust monitored, managed, and reported on 6,642 acres of Whatcom Land Trust owned property across Whatcom County; worked with over 100 Conservation Easement landowners across 10,071 acres to uphold easements, monitor, and report for annual records; hosted 32 stewardship volunteer events on WLT properties to restore habitat through invasive plant removal, native plant installation, and other management needs.
- $209,471 spent. Community engagement in conservation action - We involve community members in Whatcom Land Trust's mission and work through events, volunteer programs, storytelling, digital engagement, and other outreach activities. We highlight the positive ecological impacts of conservation and stewardship projects with a focus on climate resilience and inspiring meaningful connections between people and land. Engagement tools establish clear pathways for community members to grow involvement with the organization through digital following, program (events) attendance, volunteering, and donating. In fiscal year 2024-25, Whatcom Land Trust organized the following community engagement activities: (1) Ambassador Program: Tabled at 35 community events; (2) Programming: Hosted 17 programs related to stewardship and environment education. Digital and Print Engagement: (1) Monthly E-Newsletters to 4,000 subscribers including updates on conservation milestones and ongoing restoration work; (2) Management of social media channels (2,800 Instagram followers, 2,900 Facebook followers); (3) Production of consistent printed communication with donors and volunteers supporting giving campaigns; (4) Targeted outreach and advertising campaigns supporting Stewardship and Conservation events. In-Person Events: Weekly stewardship work parties for volunteers in the Fall and Spring.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 October 13, 2026.
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.