Interfaith Coalition of Whatcom County

What it reported doing in 2024

Addressing Local Poverty Issues - We connect volunteers with Whatcom county neighbors experiencing poverty, housing instability, and homelessness. Our volunteers provide food and basic hygiene items, warm hats and socks to people living on the edge. Project Warm-up crafters knit scarves and hats for low-income neighbor needs. These are distributed via CAST and the Fall Coat Drive. Coffee And Sandwiches Together (CAST) In 2024, our CAST program provided 25,855 sandwiches (plus coffee and fruit) for guests through our Coffee And Sandwiches Together (CAST) program. We distributed food four nights a week at our pickup location behind the Bellingham library. Operating the CAST program requires 10 volunteers each day to prepare and distribute the food. Volunteers work 2 hours per night. Fall Coat Drive We gave out 632 coats and jackets in partnership with The Bellingham Food Bank, the United Church of Christ of Ferndale, and the Deming Mission for an estimated value $11,764.Holiday Joy This program provided multiple presents to 121 families, comprising 308 children and youth, an increase of 54% over the previous year. Sponsorship came from 46 groups and individuals, with an estimated donation value of $34,679. Volunteers are the backbone of these programs. During the 2024 fiscal year, 287 volunteers provided 4,212 hours of service, with an estimated value at $40.71 per hour of $171,471. The volunteers came from over 20 Whatcom County faith communities.In partnership with the Whatcom County School District, Catholic Community Services, and the Alms Ministry, over 25 families received financial assistance through our Beacon of Hope program last year. One-time grants helped families to get into permanent housing, avoid eviction brought on by reduced work hours, or make car repairs. Additionally, the Interfaith Coalition provided administrative support for the participating Faith Communities and community partners. Interfaith Coalition staff time, truck rental, snacks, and event supplies are part of the Interfaith Coalition's operating budget.Lastly, in 2024/2025, Interfaith Coalition embarked on a Capacity Building endeavor, working with our faith communities to determine how best to mobilize our congregations to identify additional needs that need to be addressed within Whatcom County.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 82.5%; rating input score 82
• Program expense ratio: 69.9%; rating input score 70
• Fundraising efficiency: $5.63 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 25; 25th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 64th percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: Limited
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: 100%; rating input score 100; 80th 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: 5 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 62
  • 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: Fail
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Missing
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Fail

Sustainability

• Operating margin: -15%; rating input score 18; 18th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 5.23; rating input score 80; 80th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.01; rating input score 47; 47th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 23.5%; rating input score 16; 16th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 2.3% per year; rating input score 100; 41st percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 1.5% per year; rating input score 100; 32nd percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 8.5% per year; rating input score 100; 61st percentile among comparable filings