Chuckanut Health Foundation

What it reported doing in 2024

Chuckanut health foundation (chf) advances health and well-being in whatcom county by supporting community-led solutions, strengthening nonprofit partners, and coordinating collaborative efforts that address root causes of health disparities. Chf's programmatic work aligns with five major priority areas: opioid and substance use response, healthy children and families, senior well-being, youth mental health, and civic engagement.community-led grantmaking and targeted program supportchf provides grants, coaching, and fiscal sponsorship to organizations working across the lifespan. Funds support early childhood and family stability services, culturally specific outreach for immigrant families, youth mental health programs, aging and dementia-support initiatives, harm reduction and treatment-access efforts, and community health education. Chf also manages donor-restricted and defined-purpose funds that deliver direct support such as cancer care assistance, emergency basic needs, and innovative community health projects. These investments strengthen local organizations and improve access to care for children, families, seniors, and individuals impacted by behavioral health challenges. Chuckanut health foundation has granted over $17 million to whatcom county health related nonprofit projects since 1982 to support advancing individual and community health through investments in equipment for emergency medical services, support for improving health care access, elder services support and health, professional training, and support for healthy children and families.backbone support for countywide health initiativeschf plays a coordinating and facilitative role in several cross-sector initiatives. This includes staffing and managing all hands whatcom, a countywide convening focused on opioid and behavioral health system improvement; supporting aging well whatcom, which brings together providers and community members to develop strategies that help older adults age safely and with dignity; and contributing leadership and technical support to early childhood, youth wellness, and family resilience partnerships. Chf staff provide project management, community engagement, and collaborative planning to help partners implement aligned strategies and improve health outcomes.youth mental health and family well-beingchf invests in programs that expand access to youth mental health services, strengthen school-based supports, and engage families experiencing instability or trauma. This includes supporting organizations that provide counseling, peer support, parent education, and crisis-response activities. Chf also participates in county-level planning bodies working to improve the behavioral health continuum for children and teens.opioid and behavioral health responsethrough grantmaking and convening efforts, chf supports harm reduction, treatment access, recovery services, and system navigation for individuals affected by substance use. Chf's role includes cross-agency coordination, community education, and elevating lived-experience perspectives within planning processes. These efforts contribute to a more responsive and integrated local behavioral health system.senior services and healthy agingchf supports community-based organizations and networks that serve older adults, especially those facing isolation, mobility challenges, or limited resources. Activities include supporting dementia-friendly initiatives, caregiver support programs, and coordinated aging-well planning across providers and community volunteers.civic engagement and community participationchf fosters community engagement by hosting educational events, facilitating resident input into local systems, and elevating community voices in planning processes. The foundation collaborates with county government committees, health and justice system coalitions, and local nonprofits to ensure community experience informs policies and investments. These activities strengthen civic partici

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 77.1%; rating input score 77
• Program expense ratio: 72.3%; rating input score 72
• Fundraising efficiency: $22.21 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 62; 62nd percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 86.7%; rating input score 87; 2nd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 5 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 83
  • Compensation committee: Pass
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Pass
  • Written employment contract: Pass
  • Compensation survey or study: Pass
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: 80.9%; rating input score 81; 22nd percentile among comparable filings
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 7 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 88
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Fail

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 14%; rating input score 69; 69th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 8.6; rating input score 90; 90th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.01; rating input score 86; 86th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 7.7%; rating input score 38; 38th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 5% per year; rating input score 100; 40th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 8.6% per year; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 3.5% per year; rating input score 100; 27th percentile among comparable filings