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The Bellingham Public School Foundation

EIN 91-1551087 · Bellingham, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceGood76 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE BELLINGHAM PUBLIC SCHOOL FOUNDATION RAISES FUNDS AND STEWARDS COMMUNITY RESOURCES SO THAT EVERY CHILD FEELS HEALTHY, ENGAGED, SUPPORTED AND CHALLENGED.

Income
$679,198
Spending
$557,689
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
16.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 77%
Employees
4
Volunteers
20
Highest pay
$105,386, executive director

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

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 16.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 18% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 55% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    80% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 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

Good: 76 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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

    6 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 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 (4)
  1. $72,288 spent. STUDENT & FAMILY SUPPORT: DIRECT ASSISTANCE TO INDIVIDUALS SO THAT STUDENTS IN OUR SCHOOLS HAVE THEIR BASIC NEEDS MET IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO LEARN. SUPPORT INCLUDES FOOD, CLOTHING, BEDS, AND PERSONAL CARE ITEMS.
  2. $106,398 spent. FISCAL SPONSORSHIP: EXTENDING NON-PROFIT SPONSORSHIP FOR SOME OF OUR HIGHEST NEED SCHOOLS WHERE THERE IS NO TRADITIONAL PARENT FUNDRAISING GROUP SO THAT FAMILIES CAN RAISE FUNDS AND PROVIDE FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO THOSE SCHOOLS.
  3. $75,737 spent. PARENT GROUP EQUITY: SUPPORTING OUR FOUR MIDDLE SCHOOLS PARENT GROUPS BY ACTING AS FISCAL SPONSOR FOR AN EQUITY-BASED, JOINT FUNDRAISER THAT RECOGNIZES DIFFERENCES IN SOCIOECONOMICS ACROSS SCHOOL POPULATIONS. FUNDS ARE DISBURSED SO THAT MORE RESOURCES GO TO SCHOOLS WITH THE HIGHEST NEEDS. ALSO FACILITATE AN ELEMENTARY FUNDRAISING SHARING PROGRAM THAT SHIFTS RESOURCES TO SCHOOLS WITH THE HIGHEST NEEDS.
  4. $192,447 spent. EQUITY, DIVERSITY, INCLUSION: SUPPORTS PROGRAMS THAT CELEBRATE DIVERSITY INCLUDING FOLKLORICO MEXICAN DANCE CLUB AND LATINX STUDENT GRADUATION CELEBRATION; BACK TO SCHOOL BLOCK PARTY AND WINTER BLAST EVENTS THAT WELCOMES MULTICULTURAL STUDENTS AND FAMILIES INTO OUR SCHOOL COMMUNITY; NATIVE AMERICAN CHILDREN'S BOOK GRANT; SALARY SUPPORT FOR ADDITIONAL STAFFING AT FAMILY RESOURCE CENTERS WHERE FAMILIES RECEIVE BASIC NEEDS SUPPORT SERVICES. ANNUAL EDUCATOR GRANTS: MULTI-LINGUAL BOOKS; LIBRARIES THAT REFLECT EQUITY, DIVERSITY & INCLUSION; UNIFIED SPORTS ACTIVITIES THAT ENGAGE LIFE SKILLS AND SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS; OUTDOOR EDUCATION FIELD TRIPS; SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING THROUGH ART FOR ELEMENTARY STUDENTS; CELEBRATING NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE THROUGH ART; AFTERSCHOOL TUTORING FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS. SALARY SUPPORT FOR STRATEGIC EMPLOYEES OF BELLINGHAM PUBLIC SCHOOLS: GRANT WRITERS HAVE SECURED MORE THAN $10,000,000 IN ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR OUR DISTRICT.STEM: GRANTS THAT SUPPORT SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATH PROJECTS IN THE CLASSROOM; SALMON IN THE CLASSROOM PROGRAM PROVIDING SALMON EGGS AND AQUARIUMS TO ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS; MIDDLE SCHOOL DRONE PROGRAMING GRANT; HIGH SCHOOL CHEMESTRY FIELD TRIP; PNUEMATICS FOR HIGH SCHOOL ROBOTICS PROGRAM. WELLNESS: SCHOOL BASED MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING SERVICES FOR LOW INCOME STUDENTS; ANIMAL THERAPY PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS; HEALTHY EATING AND PHYSICAL WELLNESS SPEAKER. DISTRICT EVENT SUPPORT: PROMISE AWARDS HIGHLIGHT THE OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION THAT STAFF AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS MAKE TO OUR SCHOOLS; ANNUAL STAFF RETIREMENT RECOGNITION. SUPPORTING STAFF MORAL AND GREAT TEACHING THAT LEADS TO THE BEST OUTCOME FOR OUR STUDENTS. STUDENT CLUB GRANTS: AWARDED TO HIGH SCHOOL AND MIDDLE SCHOOL CLUBS WHO SHOWCASE INGENUITY AND GIVE STUDENTS A VOICE. EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION: PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT FOR PRESCHOOL CLASSES.VISUAL & PERFORMING ARTS: 6TH GRADE BAND STUDENT COACHING BY OUTSIDE MUSIC TUTORS WHO COME INTO OUR SCHOOLS TO SUPPORT STUDENT SUCCESS.

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

  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 June 2025.

    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 September 1993.

    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.