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Paper Whale Arts

EIN 93-2794699 · Bellingham, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceGood70 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

CULTIVATE COMMUNITY IN AN EVOLVING PROGRAM OF MULTI-SENSORY EVENTS TO INSPIRE AND CREATIVELY ACTIVATE PLACEMAKING.

Income
$873,043
Spending
$711,284
Spent on programs
70%
Reserves
4.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 95%
Employees
3
Volunteers
300
Highest pay
$40,190, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 63% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 11% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 19% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 225% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    70% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 46% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 5 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    12 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, 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. $213,865 spent. ACTIVATION: CURATING A WIDE VARIETY OF MURALS AND INSTALLATIONS TO SUPPORT THE BEAUTIFICATION OF THE DOWNTOWN CITYSCAPE.
  2. $169,467 spent. FIRE & STORY: A FAMILY-FRIENDLY WINTER FESTIVAL BRIMMING WITH ILLUMINATED ART INSTALLATIONS, ROARING FIRE PITS, AND CAPTIVATING PERFORMANCES WHICH INCLUDE MUSIC, STORYTELLING, FIRE DANCING, LIVE METALSMITHING, SAUNAS AND SO MUCH MORE. THIS OUTDOOR EVENT CELEBRATES THE SPIRIT OF WINTER WHILE EMBRACING THE WEATHER.
  3. $101,218 spent. NOISY WATERS MURAL FEST: WORLD-RENOWNED MURALISTS GATHER IN BELLINGHAM, WA FOR A WEEKEND OF MURAL PAINTING, DEMOS, MUSIC, PARTIES, EDUCATION AND INSPIRATION. THIS FESTIVAL IS A FRIENDLY ART CONTEST, IN WHICH ARTISTS WILL HAVE THREE DAYS TO PAINT 8X8 PORTABLE WALLS ON PUBLIC DISPLAY FOR THE COMMUNITY TO ENJOY. ATTENDEES WILL VOTE FOR THEIR FAVORITES AND THE TOP THREE WINNERS WILL RECEIVE CASH CONTRACTS TO PAINT LARGE MURALS IN BELLINGHAM.
  4. $11,575 spent. PAPER WHALE HOSTS GATHERINGS TO PLATFORM CREATIVITY AND DISCUSSION AROUND COMMUNITY BEAUTIFICATION. THE PORT OF BELLINGHAM CONTINUES TO BE A STAGE AND TESTING GROUND FOR INNOVATIVE APPROACHES TO GATHERING COMMUNITY.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 November 6, 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 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 January 2024.

    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 November 4, 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.