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Max Higbee Community Recreation Center

EIN 91-1275451 · Bellingham, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Community-based recreation programs for teens and adults with disabilities to promote enjoyment and enrichment, personal growth, greater independence and community involvement, and life-long learning.

Income
$1.0 million
Spending
$957,529
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
6.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 47%
Employees
26
Volunteers
279
Highest pay
$71,683, 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: 93 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 32% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    80% 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

Good: 85 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 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

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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. $598,718 spent. The Weekday Program provides 40 hours per week of group recreation programs for teens and adults with developmental disabilities. Diverse program activities include yoga, library visits, dance classes, rock climbing, art classes, kayaking, gardening and more. This program aims to support and empower participants to build their health and happiness, to increase their community engagement, to pursue life-long learning, and to socialize and create friendships. Individualized, goal-based services are offered to individuals who need higher levels of support or for those participants who have specific personal goals they would like to work towards with support from a staff member. The Weekday Program supports families through respite care, affording family caregivers an opportunity to have a break from caregiving roles and responsibilities while their loved one with a disability is in a safe and enriching environment. Respite care is critical to family stability, resiliency, and well-being by providing support to family caregivers to work, seek employment, take care of family obligations like grocery shopping, and rest and recuperate. In 2024, Weekday Program served 182 individuals with developmental disabilities and provided respite care to 117 families.
  2. $62,620 spent. The Weekend Program is held Friday and Saturday evenings and creates a welcoming environment for people with developmental disabilities to socialize and enjoy typical weekend recreational activities together. This program offers movie nights, dances, bingo, games, and supported outings to explore downtown Bellingham and engage in community activities like the monthly Art Walk. Individualized, goal-based services are offered to individuals who need higher levels of support or for those who have specific and personal goals they would like to work towards with support. The Weekend Program supports families through respite care so that family caregivers may have a break from caregiving roles while their loved one with a disability is in a safe and enriching environment. In 2024, The Weekend Program served 73 individuals with developmental disabilities and provided respite care to 46 families.
  3. $103,751 spent. The seasonal Higbee Hikers Program meets every Saturday and runs 8 months out of the year to support participants in outdoor recreation and to increase access to local trails and paths. This program works to remove barriers and promotes inclusivity in the outdoor community. Staff are trained to plan accessible routes, offer mobility assistance to participants, create route modifications as needed, and provide individual support and encouragement to participants. Like all of MHC's programs, the Higbee Hikers Program incorporates education, life-long learning, and transferable skills. The program teaches participants how to use the bus to access local trails so that they may access those trails independently or with other caregivers outside of the program. Public transportation is a valuable skill that benefits participants in their social, recreational, school, and work lives as well. The program offers educational experiences through topics like plant identification, outdoor skills, and trail etiquette. In 2024, Higbee Hikers served 21 individuals with developmental disabilities.

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 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 2024.

    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 March 1985.

    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.