The Bellingham Public School Foundation
The Bellingham Public School Foundation raises funds and stewards community resources so that every child feels healthy, engaged, supported and challenged.
The Bellingham Public School Foundation at a glance
In short: The Bellingham Public School Foundation gave $114K across 5 grants in 2025 (avg $23K), mostly in Washington. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $113,736
- +13.8% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 5
- +400.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $22,747
- -77.2% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $9,821
- Total assets
- $1,051,654
- +22.8% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Washington (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who The Bellingham Public School Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 4 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Bellingham School District 501 ($81K). Together the top 4 received $108K.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($6,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
10 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 5 grants of 10 (50%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 5 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The Bellingham Public School Foundation gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−17%). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $100K (2024) to $137K (2021). In 2025 it made 5 grants totaling $114K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Bellingham School District 501 Bellingham, WA | Grant in support of student outcomes in bellingham school district | $80,816 |
| Immigrant Resources and Immediate Support Bellingham, WA | Grant to Support Struggling Families Within Whatcom | $10,000 |
| Whatcom Middle School PTSA Bellingham, WA | Parent Group Equity Distribution | $9,821 |
| Kulshan Middle School PTSA Bellingham, WA | Parent Group Equity Distribution | $7,099 |
| 1 grant to individuals Recipients not named | — | $6,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,051,654 | $679,198 | $557,689 | $113,736 | 5 | $12,695 |
| 2024 | $856,541 | $439,101 | $544,227 | $99,920 | 1 | $2,470 |
| 2023 | $910,768 | $551,616 | $589,197 | $107,336 | 1 | $1,808 |
| 2022 | $905,588 | $531,138 | $559,339 | $136,774 | 1 | $683 |
| 2021 | $992,150 | $637,899 | $413,365 | $137,397 | 2 | $492 |
About The Bellingham Public School Foundation
Based on IRS filings
The Bellingham Public School Foundation is a public charity, based in Bellingham, WA. IRS filing data is available from 2021 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $1.1M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 5 grants totaling $114K. Net investment income was $13K.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Bellingham Public School Foundation is led by Samuel Gearhart, Executive Director since 2023 (on filings since 2021); 1 of 14 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Samuel Gearhart
Executive Director
President → Executive Director, 2023
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$53K (2023) → $104K (2025)
Chris Schepper
President
Board Member → President, 2025
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Corey Chaplin
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Flo Simon
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael Sieczka
Board Member
Board Member → President & Treasurer, 2024
President & Treasurer → Board Member, 2025
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Courtney Muraski
Secretary
Board Member → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kate Di Nitto
Board Member
Vice President & Secretary → Vice President, 2024
Vice President → Board Member, 2025
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Leeza Lorrence
At Large Executive Committee
Board Member → At Large Executive Committee, 2025
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Auden Schilder
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Leslie Hazlewood-Spurr
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Chad Nickisch
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Eve Larner
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kate Kershner
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Stephanie Morrell
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (14)
- Former: Adam Lorio (2021–2024) — President & Treasurer
- Former: Carol Comeau (2021–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Jeff Giesen (2021–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Tony Freeland (2021–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Heather Simpson (2024) — Board Member
- Former: James Hayes (2021–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Jon Oesting (2021–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Julie Batten (2021–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Kimberley Lund (2021–2022) — Executive Director Ending March
- Former: Aasta Thielke (2022) — Board Member
- Former: Sam Gearhart (2022) — Executive Director
- Former: Christin Lunny (2021) — Secretary
- Former: Jolene McEachran (2021) — Board Member
- Former: Meredith Hayes (2021) — Vice President
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $104K, to Samuel Gearhart (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about The Bellingham Public School Foundation
How much does The Bellingham Public School Foundation give each year?
The Bellingham Public School Foundation gave $114K across 5 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $100K across 1 grant.
What is The Bellingham Public School Foundation's typical grant size?
The Bellingham Public School Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $9,821, and its average grant was $22,747, across 5 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does The Bellingham Public School Foundation give grants?
The Bellingham Public School Foundation gives mostly in Washington: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Bellingham, WA (4 grants).
Does The Bellingham Public School Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 5 grants with a stated purpose on The Bellingham Public School Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support.
Who are The Bellingham Public School Foundation's largest grantees?
The Bellingham Public School Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Bellingham School District 501 ($80,816), Immigrant Resources and Immediate Support ($10,000) and Whatcom Middle School PTSA ($9,821), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($6,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 88% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Bellingham Public School Foundation?
The Bellingham Public School Foundation reported $1.1M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $679K.
What is The Bellingham Public School Foundation's EIN?
The Bellingham Public School Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 91-1551087. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 13, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 11, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS April 28, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 14, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2024
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Figures come from The Bellingham Public School Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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