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Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association

EIN 94-3140165 · Bellingham, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

COMMUNITY BASED NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION STRIVES TO RECOVER SALMON BY ENGAGING OUR COMMUNITY IN RESTORATION, EDUCATION, AND STEWARDSHIP.

Income
$3.6 million
Spending
$2.5 million
Spent on programs
74%
Reserves
4.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 65%
Employees
53
Volunteers
1,841
Highest pay
$139,429, executive di

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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 30% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 12% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    74% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 73% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 14 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

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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. $895,198 spent. HABITAT RESTORATION: NSEA'S SALMON RECOVERY FOCUSED HABITAT RESTORATION PROJECTS HAVE A STRONG FOUNDATION IN SCIENTIFIC METHODOLOGY AND ARE PLANNED AND IMPLEMENTED WITH MANY PUBLIC, PRIVATE, TRIBAL, AND BUSINESS PARTNERS. FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2024, NSEA COMPLETED SEVERAL NEW PROJECTS INCLUDING FOURTEEN LARGE WOODY DEBRIS PROJECTS AND THE REMOVAL OF THREE FISH PASSAGE BARRIERS WHICH IMPROVED ACCESS TO 3.5 MILES OF UPSTREAM HABITAT. NSEA ALSO IMPROVED STREAMBANK RIPARIAN THROUGH THE REMOVAL OF INVASIVE VEGETATION AND THE PLANTING OF OVER 19,742 NATIVE TREES AND SHRUBS. IN ADDITION TO NEW RESTORATION PROJECTS, 56 PAST SITES WERE MONITORED AND MAINTAINED.
  2. $627,830 spent. EDUCATION: NSEA PROVIDES SCIENCE EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS OF ALL AGES, INCLUDING EDUCATION, OUTREACH, AND STEWARDSHIP PROGRAMMING. DURING 2024, NSEA STAFF WORKED TO EDUCATE AND ENGAGE MORE THAN 1,975 FOURTH GRADE STUDENTS THROUGHOUT WHATCOM COUNTY IN THE STUDENTS FOR SALMON PROGRAM. THIS FLAGSHIP PROGRAM, STARTED IN 2000, PROVIDES EACH CLASS WITH A CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND, IN 2024, FACILITATED 83 FIELD TRIPS TO STUDY STREAM ECOLOGY. ADDITIONALLY, NSEA INSTRUCTORS LEAD CLASSES THROUGH STEWARDSHIP ACTIVITIES WHICH OFTEN INCLUDE RESTORATION PROJECTS. NSEA PARTNERED WITH SEVERAL OTHER LOCAL NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS TO LEAD 61 EDUCATORS IN TEACHER TRAINING THROUGH THE TEN-HOUR CLIME TIME PROGRAM. CAMP KEYSTONE CELEBRATED ITS FOURTH YEAR IN 2024 WITH 178 CAMP PARTICIPANTS OVER NINE WEEKS OF SUMMER CAMP. EDUCATION: NSEA PROVIDES SCIENCE EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS OF ALL AGES, INCLUDING EDUCATION, OUTREACH, AND STEWARDSHIP PROGRAMMING. DURING 2024, NSEA STAFF WORKED TO EDUCATE AND ENGAGE MORE THAN 1,975 FOURTH GRADE STUDENTS THROUGHOUT WHATCOM COUNTY IN THE STUDENTS FOR SALMON PROGRAM. THIS FLAGSHIP PROGRAM, STARTED IN 2000, PROVIDES EACH CLASS WITH A CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND, IN 2024, FACILITATED 83 FIELD TRIPS TO STUDY STREAM ECOLOGY. ADDITIONALLY, NSEA INSTRUCTORS LEAD CLASSES THROUGH STEWARDSHIP ACTIVITIES WHICH OFTEN INCLUDE RESTORATION PROJECTS. NSEA PARTNERED WITH SEVERAL OTHER LOCAL NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS TO LEAD 61 EDUCATORS IN TEACHER TRAINING THROUGH THE TEN-HOUR CLIME TIME PROGRAM. CAMP KEYSTONE CELEBRATED ITS FOURTH YEAR IN 2024 WITH 178 CAMP PARTICIPANTS OVER NINE WEEKS OF SUMMER CAMP.
  3. $332,097 spent. STEWARDSHIP: NSEA IS A COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATION AND STRIVES TO ENGAGE COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN SALMON RECOVERY. VOLUNTEERS SUPPORT MANY DIFFERENT PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR AND HELP A SMALL CORE STAFF ACCOMPLISH FAR MORE THAN WOULD OTHERWISE BE POSSIBLE. COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS ARE CENTRAL TO THE MISSION OF INVOLVING THE COMMUNITY IN SALMON RECOVERY. IN 2024, 4,422 HOURS WERE DONATED BY 1,474 COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS TO RESTORE ABOUT 21.75 ACRES OF RIPARIAN HABITAT. INTERNS AND STUDENTS FROM WESTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY, BELLINGHAM TECHNICAL COLLEGE, WHATCOM COMMUNITY COLLEGE, AND NORTHWEST INDIAN COLLEGE PROVIDE CRITICAL SUPPORT TO NSEAS PROGRAMS INCLUDING EDUCATION, MONITORING, AND STEWARDSHIP. SUMMER AND FALL OF 2024 BROUGHT INCREASED OPPORTUNITIES FOR NSEA STAFF AND INTERNS TO DO OUTREACH: NSEAS SUMMER RIVER STEWARDS PROGRAM LED GUIDED RIVER WALKS ALONG THE NOOKSACK RIVER AND HOSTED OUTREACH EVENTS. DURING THE FALL, WE HOSTED 14 SALMON SIGHTING EVENTS ALONG SEVERAL CREEKS, ENGAGING OVER 930 PEOPLE. THESE EVENTS PROVIDED AN OPPORTUNITY FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO LEARN ABOUT SALMON, SALMON HABITAT, AND HOW WE, AS INDIVIDUALS AND AS A COMMUNITY, CAN SUPPORT SALMON RECOVERY. STEWARDSHIP: NSEA IS A COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATION AND STRIVES TO ENGAGE COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN SALMON RECOVERY. VOLUNTEERS SUPPORT MANY DIFFERENT PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR AND HELP A SMALL CORE STAFF ACCOMPLISH FAR MORE THAN WOULD OTHERWISE BE POSSIBLE. COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS ARE CENTRAL TO THE MISSION OF INVOLVING THE COMMUNITY IN SALMON RECOVERY. IN 2024, 4,422 HOURS WERE DONATED BY 1,474 COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS TO RESTORE ABOUT 21.75 ACRES OF RIPARIAN HABITAT. INTERNS AND STUDENTS FROM WESTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY, BELLINGHAM TECHNICAL COLLEGE, WHATCOM COMMUNITY COLLEGE, AND NORTHWEST INDIAN COLLEGE PROVIDE CRITICAL SUPPORT TO NSEAS PROGRAMS INCLUDING EDUCATION, MONITORING, AND STEWARDSHIP. SUMMER AND FALL OF 2024 BROUGHT INCREASED OPPORTUNITIES FOR NSEA STAFF AND INTERNS TO DO OUTREACH: NSEAS SUMMER RIVER STEWARDS PROGRAM LED GUIDED RIVER WALKS ALONG THE NOOKSACK RIVER AND HOSTED OUTREACH EVENTS. DURING THE FALL, WE HOSTED 14 SALMON SIGHTING EVENTS ALONG SEVERAL CREEKS, ENGAGING OVER 930 PEOPLE. THESE EVENTS PROVIDED AN OPPORTUNITY FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO LEARN ABOUT SALMON, SALMON HABITAT, AND HOW WE, AS INDIVIDUALS AND AS A COMMUNITY, CAN SUPPORT SALMON RECOVERY.

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 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 2024.

    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 June 1994.

    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.