Whatcom Museum Foundation

Analysis

Whatcom Museum Foundation is a registered charity in United States, based in Bellingham, WA. It received its IRS tax-exemption ruling in December 1982, 44 years ago. Its declared purposes cover arts, culture and humanities, which this site groups under arts, culture, heritage and science. The IRS classifies it as a publicly supported organisation (donations from the general public) under section 501(c)(3), and contributions to it are listed as tax-deductible.

In the financial year ending December 2023, Whatcom Museum Foundation reported income of $1.6m and spending of $1.7m, spending 108% of what it took in. Across the 5 years on record, from December 2019 to December 2023, income grew from $1.1m to $1.6m (+43%), an average of +9.3% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to December 2023, when income rose by 23%. Over the whole period it spent 99% of the income it received.

Among 45,478 United States charities whose main cause is arts, culture, heritage and science and that reported income, Whatcom Museum Foundation sits at the 90th percentile: it is larger than about 90% of them. Against every charity in United States with reported income it ranks in the 84th percentile, and in the 84th percentile within WA. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Seatle to Seatle Japanese School ($1.6m), Growing Community Media NFP ($1.6m) and Hollywood Art and Culture Center Inc ($1.6m).

On its Form 990 for the period ending December 2023, revenue came from contributions and grants 44% and program service revenue 39% of the total. Other salaries and wages came to $860k. At year end it held assets of $5.6m against liabilities of $460k, net assets of $5.1m. It reported 39 employees.