North Sound Accountable Community of Health (North Sound ACH) is a regional nonprofit based in Bellingham, Washington. Founded in 2015, it works across Snohomish, Skagit, Island, San Juan, and Whatcom counties, connecting community organizations and other partners to improve health, well-being, and belonging.
Key facts about North Sound Accountable Community of Health
In short: North Sound Accountable Community of Health gave $4.3M across 36 grants in 2024 (avg $120K), mostly in Washington. 56% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 81-4680689
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $4,303,353
- Grants made (2024)
- 36
- Average grant
- $119,538
- Median grant
- $100,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 56% first-time grantees (20 of 36, 2024)
- Total assets
- $64,854,039
- Primary geography
- Washington (99% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$64.9M
+36.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$4.3M
-33.4% YoY
Grant Count
36
-18.2% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$120K
-18.6% YoY
Is North Sound Accountable Community of Health open to new grantees?
56%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 20 of 36 grantees (56%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $129K; repeat grants $108K. How we count
Medians: $91K first-time, $100K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
North Sound ACH’s stated mission is to create a just and inclusive culture and the necessary conditions for all community members to thrive. Its approach emphasizes vital conditions for well-being, coordinated regional investment, and addressing barriers faced by historically marginalized groups. The organization also describes honoring Tribal sovereignty and working in partnership with the region’s eight Tribal Nations.
The 2025 Collaborative Action Network proposal process prioritized projects addressing older adults, Veterans, food justice, behavioral health, reliable transportation, and a thriving natural world. It gave highest priority to projects spanning two or more of these areas, reaching communities where English is not the primary language, or partnering with regional tribes.
Examples of the kinds of organizations it supported in 2024 include youth-serving organizations, behavioral health providers, and disability-support organizations. The grantees describe their work in their own terms: OUR JOURNEY helps gang-affected youth through self-empowerment and healing; Center for Human Services provides mental health and substance use disorder counseling and family support; and Center for Independence advances independent living through self-empowerment, self-advocacy, and peer mentoring.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, North Sound ACH reported 36 grants totaling $4,303,353. Awards ranged from $6,000 to $350,000, with a median of $100,000. The largest listed grants included $350,000 to OUR JOURNEY, $309,053 to Snohomish County 911, and $250,000 each to Scholar Fund (Participatory Justice), TRANS-WA, Triumph Teen Life Center, and Vamos Outdoor Project. The stated purpose for these listed awards was to improve health and the healthcare system across the North Sound region.
The 2025 Collaborative Action Network proposal process required the lead applicant to be a current Network member, with onboarding completed by December 31, 2024. Each lead applicant could submit one application. Organizations funded by North Sound ACH in both 2023 and 2024 were ineligible for that 2025 opportunity; those funded in only one of those years could apply. Listed project partners had to contribute meaningfully to the work, and partners not already in the Network had to be willing to join if the project was selected. Requested funds had to support goods and services within the five-county area and be used within one year of the award announcement. Applicants were required to describe how funds would be used.
Ready to take the next step with North Sound Accountable Community of Health?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
North Sound ACH serves Snohomish, Skagit, Island, San Juan, and Whatcom counties in Washington. In filing year 2024, 99% of grant dollars went to recipients in Washington and 1% to recipients in Maryland.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 36 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $4.3M (2024) to $17.2M (2020). In 2024 it made 36 grants totaling $4.3M.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Our Journey ($350K). Together the top 10 received $2.4M.
Grant Size Distribution
513 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 266 grants of 513 (52%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Our Journey Sedro-Woolley, WA | Improve health and healthcare system across north sound region | $350,000 |
| Snohomish County 911 Everett, WA | Improve health and healthcare system across north sound region | $309,053 |
| Scholar Fund (Participatory Justice) Arlington, WA | Improve health and healthcare system across north sound region | $250,000 |
| Trans-Wa Bellingham, WA | Improve health and healthcare system across north sound region | $250,000 |
| Triumph Teen Life Center Mount Vernon, WA | Improve health and healthcare system across north sound region | $250,000 |
| Vamos Outdoor Project Bellingham, WA | Improve health and healthcare system across north sound region | $250,000 |
| NWWIHB (Northwest Washington Indian Health Board) Bellingham, WA | Improve health and healthcare system across north sound region | $244,464 |
| Recovery Cafe Skagit Mount Vernon, WA | Improve health and healthcare system across north sound region | $196,000 |
| Center for Human Services Shoreline, WA | Improve health and healthcare system across north sound region | $181,317 |
| Center for Independence Marysville, WA | Improve health and healthcare system across north sound region | $151,200 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grant sum | Grant count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $64,854,039 | $25,847,401 | $12,521,045 | $4,303,353 | 36 |
| 2023 | $47,630,081 | $13,553,381 | $12,947,346 | $6,192,463 | 35 |
| 2022 | $45,800,872 | $18,184,741 | $10,010,335 | $4,049,577 | 72 |
Filing type: Form 990 (a public charity).
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $64,854,039 | $47,630,081 | $45,800,872 |
| Revenue | $25,847,401 | $13,553,381 | $18,184,741 |
| Expenses | $12,521,045 | $12,947,346 | $10,010,335 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,458,222 | $1,473,318 | $228,471 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 10, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS October 7, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS September 6, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 28, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS August 28, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Cheryl Raser as board chair, Mark Tompkins as board vice chair, Jacquelyn Julien as board secretary, and Petra Karpsteinova as board treasurer. Board members listed were Lona Johnson, Marilyn Scott, Daniel Vanarsdale, Nickolaus Lewis, Shawn Morris, and Alessandra Durham.
The organization announced that Arlesia Bailey would succeed Liz Baxter as chief executive officer starting July 1, 2026.
North Sound Accountable Community of Health is led by Liz Baxter, CEO on filings since 2022; 6 of 24 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Liz Baxter
CEO
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$179K (2022) → $255K (2024)
Cheryl Raser
Board Chair
Board Member → Member, 2023
Member → Board Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rajdeep Atwal
Director of Care Coordination
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$118K (2024)
Nicole Willis
COO
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$111K (2020) → $164K (2024)
Arlesia Bailey
Cheif Transformation Officer
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$123K (2024)
Hallie Pritchett
Chief Equity Officer
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$127K (2024)
Megan Stephenson
Communications Manager
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$111K (2024)
Eric Posey
Board Member
Board Member → Member, 2023
Member → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lona Johnson
Board Member
Board Member → Member, 2023
Member → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Marilyn Scott
Board Member
Member → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nickolaus Lewis
Board Member
Member → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Shanon Hardie
Board Member
Board Chair → Chair, 2023
Chair → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Alessandra Durham
Board Member
Board Member → Member, 2023
Member → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Charles Prosper
Board Member
Member → Board Member, 2022
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jacquelyn Julien
Board Secretary
Board Secretary → Secretary, 2023
Secretary → Board Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Laurel Lee
Board Member
Member → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Petra Karpsteinova
Board Treasurer
Board Tresurer → Treasurer & Vice Chair, 2023
Treasurer & Vice Chair → Board Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Daniel Vanarsdale
Board Member
Board Member → Member, 2023
Member → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lily Baldwin-Garduno
Board Member
Board Member → Member, 2023
Member → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mark Tompkins
Board Vice Chair
Member → Board Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Shawn Morris
Board Member
Member → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Fern Sisana
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jason McGill
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kevin Riley
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (25)
- Former: Debbie Jones (2020–2023) — Member
- Former: Elizabeth Baxter (2020–2023) — CEO
- Former: Ario Salazar (2021–2023) — Vice Chair
- Former: Tempest Dawson (2021–2023) — Member
- Former: Commissioner Janet St Clair (2022–2023) — Member
- Former: Chuck Prosper (2023) — Member
- Former: Laura Johnson (2023) — Member
- Former: Jennifer Johnson (2020–2022) — Board Vice Chair
- Former: Kim Williams (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Council Member Jamie Stephens (2022) — Board Member
- Former: Council Member Marilyn Scott (2022) — Board Member
- Former: Council Member Nickolaus Lewis (2022) — Board Member
- Former: Marci Bloomquist (2022) — Board Member
- Former: Charissa Westergard (2020–2021) — Member
- Former: Daniel Van Arsdale (2020–2021) — Member
- Former: Janet St Clair (2020–2021) — Member
- Former: Marlena White (2020–2021) — Member
- Former: Jamie Stephens (2021) — Member
- Former: Allison Warren-Barbour (2020) — Member
- Former: Bill Watson (2020) — Treasurer
- Former: Conner Darlington (2020) — Member
- Former: Emilio Vela (2020) — Member
- Former: Jim Steinruck (2020) — Member
- Former: Marissa Ingalls (2020) — Member
- Former: Rachele Sullivan (2020) — Member
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $255K, to Liz Baxter (CEO). 6 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 4256, Bellingham, WA 98227
Phone: (360) 543-8858
Website: https://northsoundach.org
Frequently asked questions about North Sound Accountable Community of Health
How much does North Sound Accountable Community of Health give each year?
North Sound Accountable Community of Health gave $4.3M across 36 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $6.5M across 44 grants.
What is North Sound Accountable Community of Health's typical grant size?
North Sound Accountable Community of Health's median grant in 2024 was $100,000, and its average grant was $119,538, across 36 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from North Sound Accountable Community of Health that year got $129K on average.
Where does North Sound Accountable Community of Health give grants?
North Sound Accountable Community of Health gives mostly in Washington: 99% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Bellingham, WA (17 grants), Mount Vernon, WA (4 grants), Everett, WA (3 grants) and Sedro-Woolley, WA (2 grants).
Does North Sound Accountable Community of Health give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 36 grants with a stated purpose on North Sound Accountable Community of Health's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support.
Who are North Sound Accountable Community of Health's largest grantees?
North Sound Accountable Community of Health's largest 2024 grantees include Our Journey ($350,000), Snohomish County 911 ($309,053) and Scholar Fund (Participatory Justice) ($250,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 21% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is North Sound Accountable Community of Health?
North Sound Accountable Community of Health reported $64.9M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $25.8M.
What does North Sound Accountable Community of Health fund?
North Sound ACH’s stated mission is to create a just and inclusive culture and the necessary conditions for all community members to thrive. Its approach emphasizes vital conditions for well-being, coordinated regional investment, and addressing barriers faced by historically marginalized groups. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from North Sound Accountable Community of Health?
North Sound Accountable Community of Health has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check northsoundach.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is North Sound Accountable Community of Health's EIN?
North Sound Accountable Community of Health's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 81-4680689. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Here's the math on researching North Sound Accountable Community of Health by hand.
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