Whatcom Community Foundation
Whatcom Community Foundation is a public charity based in Bellingham, Washington. It is a philanthropic hub for Whatcom County, managing funds and supporting grantmaking, scholarships, community resilience, and other efforts intended to help everyone who lives in the county thrive.
Whatcom Community Foundation at a glance
In short: Whatcom Community Foundation gave $5.9M across 106 grants in 2025 (avg $56K), mostly in Washington. 29% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $5,917,846
- +20.3% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 106
- -12.4% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $55,829
- +37.3% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $15,020
- Total assets
- $89,617,037
- +17.8% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 29% first-time grantees (31 of 106, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Washington (98% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Whatcom Community Foundation
- How to Apply
-
Review the guidelines and select a grant offering that fits the project. The foundation recommends reviewing its guidelines before beginning an application. Community groups may identify a nonprofit organization, public institution, or tribe to serve as fiscal sponsor and are advised to call the foundation for information about that arrangement.
- Review Cycle
- The 2026 Health & Wellness Grants application closed May 11, 2026, with awards announced in June 2026. The 2026 Project Neighborly application closed February 23, 2026, with awards announced in April 2026. Both are past cycles as of October 2, 2026.
- Deadline
- The 2026 Health & Wellness Grants application closed May 11, 2026, with awards announced in June 2026.
- Contact
Mailing address: 1500 Cornwall Avenue 202, Bellingham, WA 98225
Phone: (360) 671-6463
Website: https://whatcomcf.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
7 open opportunities from Whatcom Community Foundation
Funds for Whatcom County: Health & Wellness Grants
Whatcom Community Foundation
Amount
US $1,000 - US $10,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
General Funds for Whatcom County - Environment or Arts & Culture
Whatcom Community Foundation
Amount
$1,000 - $20,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Lynn Heimsoth Memorial Scholarship
Whatcom Community Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Whatcom Community Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Meridian School District #505 ($1.0M). Together the top 10 received $4.0M.
Grant Size Distribution
533 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 434 grants of 533 (81%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation describes its work as serving Whatcom County, Washington. In 2025, 98% of its reported grant dollars went to recipients in Washington; the remaining reported shares went to New York and California at 1% each, with Massachusetts and Virginia listed at 0% each.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 106 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Whatcom Community Foundation open to new grantees?
29%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 31 of 106 grantees (29%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $49K; repeat grants $58K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $18K repeat.
- 60% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−14%). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2021–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $4.9M (2024) to $7.1M (2023). In 2025 it made 106 grants totaling $5.9M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Meridian School District #505 Bellingham, WA | Childcare | $1,010,000 |
| Bellingham Technical College Bellingham, WA | Education | $600,000 |
| Alternatives to Hunger DBA Bellingham Food Bank Bellingham, WA | Food, Agriculture & Nutrition | $543,899 |
| Sustainable Connections Bellingham, WA | Food, Agriculture & Nutrition | $510,150 |
| Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association Bellingham, WA | Natural Resources Conservation Protection | $337,693 |
| Re Sources Bellingham, WA | Natural Resources Conservation Protection | $303,392 |
| Whatcom Council on Aging Bellingham, WA | Human Services | $216,793 |
| Chuckanut Health Foundation Bellingham, WA | Building Community | $162,931 |
| Planned Parenthood Greater Washington and North Idaho Yakima, WA | Healthcare | $145,309 |
| Bellingham Technical College Foundation Bellingham, WA | Education | $121,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Whatcom Community Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $89,617,037 | $18,380,942 | $11,316,128 | $5,917,846 | 106 | $2,038,239 |
| 2024 | $76,099,525 | $10,672,052 | $8,604,427 | $4,918,567 | 121 | $1,718,990 |
| 2023 | $67,954,808 | $12,129,184 | $10,265,779 | $7,105,880 | 98 | $1,874,202 |
| 2022 | $61,418,992 | $32,311,600 | $9,452,062 | $6,893,184 | 124 | $792,297 |
| 2021 | $45,921,986 | $7,634,002 | $7,605,297 | $5,087,900 | 84 | $574,154 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated mission is to cultivate neighborliness, lift community voices, and invest in equity and hope. Its strategic framework includes strengthening community infrastructure and skills, deploying resources through grants and scholarships, and shaping policies and practices that support inclusive prosperity.
Its guidelines prioritize proposals that advance equity and inclusion, leverage resources, cultivate neighborliness, address community needs and issues, lift community voices, and encourage cooperation among organizations. The foundation’s 2025 grants included work in childcare, education, food and nutrition, natural-resource conservation, human services, health, and community building.
Examples of supported organizations illustrate the range of work funded. Alternatives to Hunger Bellingham Food Bank describes its mission as reducing hunger through access to food and essentials, a responsive regional hunger-relief network, and efforts to disrupt racism. Sustainable Connections says it creates thriving communities through innovative ideas, collaboration, and action. Nooksack Salmon Enhancement describes community-based salmon recovery through restoration, education, and stewardship; RE Sources says it mobilizes people in Northwest Washington to build just and thriving communities and protect land, water, and climate. Whatcom Council on Aging provides programs promoting wellness as community members age, while Chuckanut Health Foundation supports activities that advance individual and community health in Whatcom County.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 106 grants totaling $5,917,846. Grant amounts ranged from $5,050 to $1,010,000, with a median of $15,020.
Among the largest reported awards were $1,010,000 to Meridian School District #505 for childcare; $600,000 to Bellingham Technical College for education; $543,899 to Alternatives to Hunger DBA Bellingham Food Bank and $510,150 to Sustainable Connections, both for food, agriculture, and nutrition; and $337,693 to Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association and $303,392 to RE Sources for natural-resources conservation and protection. Other listed grants included $216,793 to Whatcom Council on Aging for human services, $162,931 to Chuckanut Health Foundation for community building, and $145,309 to Planned Parenthood Greater Washington and North Idaho for healthcare.
The foundation’s guidelines identify eligible applicants, unless a grant round states otherwise, as IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofits, Native American Tribes, religious and educational institutions, and projects with an approved fiscal sponsor. Community groups may seek a fiscal sponsor. Ineligible requests include religious activities, political campaigns, sponsorships and tickets for benefits, recurring events or annual fundraising campaigns, endowment funds, debt retirement, and funding for individuals or for-profit organizations. Faith-based organizations may apply for non-religious programs serving the broader community.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Officers and directors listed on the 2025 filing are Flo Simon, chair; Karen Occhiogrosso, vice-chair; Tasha Dewey, treasurer/secretary; and directors Francisco Rios, Lucas Gutierrez Senger, Kerry Hastings, Liz Baxter, Darrell Hillaire, and Silvia Mendoza. Carol Dellecker is listed as a director through December 2024.
Whatcom Community Foundation is led by Mauri Ingram, President & CEO on every filing since 2021; 6 of 18 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Mauri Ingram
President & CEO
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$137K (2021) → $212K (2025)
Flo Simon
Chair
Director & Vice Chair → Vice Chair, 2023
Vice Chair → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2021
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Alexandrea Spaulding
Director of Special Projects
On filings since 2024
30 hrs/week
$113K (2024) → $119K (2025)
Carol Dellecker
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Chuck Robinson
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Francisco Rios
Director
Vice Chair → Chair, 2023
Chair → Director, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lucas Gutierrez Senger
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Darrell Hillaire
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Davi Weasley
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kerry Hastings
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Liz Baxter
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Silvia Mendoza
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Pamela Jons
Executive Vice President
On filings since 2021
32 hrs/week
$101K (2021) → $134K (2025)
Marcus Warolin
Controller
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$130K (2023) → $142K (2025)
Sara Nichols Chiabai
Chief of Staff
Vice President → Chief of Staff, 2024
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$104K (2023) → $123K (2025)
Brad Tuininga
Vice President of Philanthropy
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$130K (2025)
Karen Kramer Occhiogrosso
Vice Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2021
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tasha Dewey
Treasurer & Secretary
On filings since 2021
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (5)
- Former: Aaron Brown (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: Steve Swann (2021–2023) — Director · Filing note: Through nov 2022
- Former: Anthony Hillaire (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Mike Bates (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Kira Bravo (2021) — Director
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 $212K, to Mauri Ingram (President & CEO). 6 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Whatcom Community Foundation
How much does Whatcom Community Foundation give each year?
Whatcom Community Foundation gave $5.9M across 106 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $4.9M across 121 grants.
What is Whatcom Community Foundation's typical grant size?
Whatcom Community Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $15,020, and its average grant was $55,829, across 106 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Whatcom Community Foundation that year got $49K on average.
Where does Whatcom Community Foundation give grants?
Whatcom Community Foundation gives mostly in Washington: 98% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Bellingham, WA (68 grants), Seattle, WA (9 grants), Ferndale, WA (5 grants) and New York, NY (4 grants).
Does Whatcom Community Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 106 grants with a stated purpose on Whatcom Community Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Health & Wellness" (20 grants), "Education" (10 grants) and "Belonging and Wellbeing" (8 grants).
Who are Whatcom Community Foundation's largest grantees?
Whatcom Community Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Meridian School District #505 ($1,010,000), Bellingham Technical College ($600,000) and Alternatives to Hunger DBA Bellingham Food Bank ($543,899), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 36% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Whatcom Community Foundation?
Whatcom Community Foundation reported $89.6M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $18.4M.
What does Whatcom Community Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is to cultivate neighborliness, lift community voices, and invest in equity and hope. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Whatcom Community Foundation?
Review the guidelines and select a grant offering that fits the project. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Whatcom Community Foundation's EIN?
Whatcom Community Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 91-1726410. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
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 November 8, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS December 1, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS December 5, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 22, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS December 8, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Whatcom Community Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Whatcom Community Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/whatcom-community-foundation-morg_858be903926f431daac87f29bcc214d8
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_911726410_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Whatcom Community Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/whatcom-community-foundation-morg_858be903926f431daac87f29bcc214d8},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-16. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Whatcom Community 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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