UNITED WE WIN.2017-2018 ANNUAL REPORT.

GIVE. ADVOCATE. VOLUNTEER.UnitedWayWhatcom.org | (360)733-86701500 Cornwall Avenue, Suite 203, Bellingham, WA 98225

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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE.

Dear Supporters,

Our accomplishments this past year were large, but our work isn’t done. We hope this report helps you celebrate the impact you’ve had on our community by living United. And, then, we hope it inspires you to keep fighting.

2018 was a historic year for us. We announced a new focus, selected for our community by our community, on individuals and families who struggle financially. Our latest ALICE Report (Asset-Limited, Income-Constrained, Employed) shows us that 17% of households in Whatcom County are at or below the federal poverty line, while an additional 22% of households are above that line, but still don’t earn enough to afford their most basic needs. We’re committing ourselves to working with our funded partners, public agencies, and other local non-profits and businesses to tackle this issue of financial struggle. Together, we believe we can move from poverty to possibility.

As we enter a new year, we will continue to fund a variety of agencies who are working hard on this issue each day. Our portfolio will remain diverse, because we know one agency can’t do it alone. We’ll be partnering with programs who help ensure our neighbors have their basic needs met, such as food and shelter, programs who create opportunities for economic mobility through vocational and financial literacy training, and programs whose services break the cycle of poverty through early learning programs and academic and parenting support. And we hope you’ll join us again.

We have one life. To live better, we must LIVE UNITED.

United we win,

Peter TheisenPresident/CEO

SPONSORS.Cascade $20,000+

Mt. Baker$10,000 - $19,999

Shuksan$5,000 - $9,999

Chuckanut$2,500 - $5,000

Boeing

PowerTek Electric

BOARD OF DIRECTORS.Debbie Hogue, Board Chair, Peoples BankBob Allendorfer, BP Cherry Point RefineryGeoff Beaumont, Whatcom Transit AuthorityBrent Belsher, Anvil CorporationTony Bon, RetiredLindsey Cerise, BP Cherry Point RefineryKara Irvin, U.S. BankDavid Jones, Whatcom Educational Credit UnionCezar Mesquita, Western Washington UniversityPaul Murphy, Samson Rope TechnologiesTroy Nutter, Puget Sound EnergyShari Robinson, Western Washington UniversityJessica Sankey, Bellingham Public Schools

3,206individuals received supports to better access healthcare services

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kids gained crucial early learning skills and became prepared for school1,425

2,481youth increased their academic success, improved their grades, and were put on track to graduate from high school

individuals and families achieved safe, stable, and affordable housing408

8,381people achieved healthier lifestyles through exercise, nutrition, and overall better life choices

Whatcom County residents received services directly from a United Way funded program

>58 THOUSAND892,918DOLLARSinvested into local services through our Community Impact Fund

MAKING AN IMPACT. THE YEAR IN REVIEW.

individuals received food, necessities, or vocational skills to offset their monthly bills or increase their income

34,778

6,897individuals and families

received support to recover from or prevent

violence or abuseparents and children received supports to build strong families

874of donor dollars stayed in Whatcom County

100%

programs were awarded grants through our Community Impact Fund

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FUND DISTRIBUTION COMMITTEE.Pat Atkinson (Chair), community volunteerRebekah Duffy (Chair), WECUPhil Latendresse (Chair), HUB International NWCathy Archambault, Bellingham Public SchoolsSheri Baker, BP Cherry Point RefineryJennifer Barnhart, Skagit BankTammy Bengen, Ferndale School DistrictNatalie Boatman, WECUCrystal Boxx, PeaceHealthBarbara Brausieck, community volunteerLindsey Cerise, BP Cherry Point RefineryCarol Comeau, community volunteerTera Contezac, Work OpportunitiesAdrianne Czebator, Samson RopeHalli Forsman, US BankTricia Gates, WECUDeidre Kane, community volunteerJack MacSlarrow, community volunteerJoseph McClain, community volunteerMonique McCoy, North Coast Credit UnionMichael McGowan, community volunteerElizabeth Monahan, Port of BellinghamJosh Nylander, Whatcom Transit AuthorityEmily O’Connor, Lydia PlaceDaniel Overman, BP Cherry Point RefinerySteve Paus, Homeport Learning CenterPatty Proctor, Whatcom County Health Dept.Jessica Sankey, Bellingham Public SchoolsJustin Schoonover, WECULindsey Schupback, WECULaura Smith, Industrial Credit UnionTeresa Smith, Whatcom Transit AuthorityPaul Stermer, Phillips 66 Ferndale RefineryMariann Strachan, community volunteerRachel Strachan, WECUChandra Troxell, Mills ElectricKathryn Weilage, Bellingham Public Schools

COMMUNITY IMPACT FUND PROGRAM ALLOCATIONS.Arc of Whatcom CountyBellingham Childcare & Learning CenterBellingham Food BankBellingham Public Schools FoundationBoys & Girls Clubs of Whatcom County

Brigid Collins Family Support CenterCompass HealthDomestic Violence & Sexual Assault Services

Home Port Learning CenterLydia Place

Max Higbee CenterNorthwest Youth Services

Opportunity Council

Rebound of Whatcom CountySun Community ServicesSustainable ConnectionsWhatcom Alliance for Health AdvancementWhatcom Center for Early LearningWhatcom Council on AgingWhatcom Early Learning AllianceWhatcom Family YMCA

Whatcom Literacy CouncilWork OpportunitiesWWU Foundation, WWU Woodring College, & Bellingham School DistrictYWCA

Individual and Family Support ServicesAffordable ChildcareFree Grocery ProgramGRADS ProgramAcademic SuccessHealthy LifestylesChild Abuse Prevention ProgramCommunity Outreach & Recovery SupportCore ServicesSafe Housing ProgramHome Port Learning ProgramParent Support ProgramTransitional Housing ProgramRecreational Services ProgramPositive Adolescent Development (PAD)Transitional Living ProgramEmergency & Homeless Childcare Financial Stability ProgramMaple Alley InnRebound RootsTransition to CommunityFood to Bank OnCommunity Health Worker Pilot ProgramBirth to Three ProgramMeals on Wheels and MoreKaleidoscope Play & LearnCommunity Showers ProgramEarly Learning ProgramGirls on the RunLiteracy Tutoring for AdultsIndividualized Employment ProgramClosing the Opportunity Gap Through Free Extended-Day ProgrammingLarrabee Residence

$18,048$33,000$29,319$29,415$29,415$24,794$88,113$25,000$26,202$40,591$23,000$34,315$23,535$10,834$30,000$45,000$20,200$23,278$18,500$25,495$27,065$10,060

$5,000$35,197$26,000$18,048$10,900$14,000$17,000$37,745

$8,129$36,985

$35,000

Total: $892,918

May 2017 Committee determined July 2017 - June 2018 Allocations

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WHY SHEENA GIVES.

My childhood was in Lynden on a farm out in the county. I had four other siblings. We grew up feeding cows and calves and bucking haybales. When I became that teenager trying to fit in, I got involved in relationships that weren’t so awesome. When I was probably about seventeen, I ended up leaving my parents’ house and living somewhere else. My addictions spiraled very quickly. I ended up stealing stuff from stores and committing small petty crime. Then I ended up serving my time. I got incarcerated. Twice. Then I got out of prison and had a relationship with somebody and ended up pregnant, and that’s when my whole life changed. I realized, “I’m gonna be a mother. I have to take care of this child. I don’t have a house. I live with my parents. I am doing NA recovery program. How can I get help, and what am I going to do for my child and me?”

I wouldn’t be here today if I hadn’t had these United Way partner programs to help me. One was great in supporting my health - my mental health and my emotional health. Another program was huge for learning about my child - learning how she grows and what I can do to challenge her and support her and help her grow too.

I went to these playgroups with my daughter, and a lady there said, “Hey, I know a great childcare center. It’s one of the best in the county.” They got my daughter in [at Bellingham Childcare and Learning Center] when she was one year-old . Then, through my schooling, I have to do observation, so I came to BCLC and did my work there, and then I put my application in and got a part-time job as a substitute and quickly moved up to actual part-time and then into a full-time position.

People recommended I check out Brigid Collins Family Support Center [a United Way partner] because they have one-on-one. They have ways to help you improve your life. So, I ended up going there on my own. They inverviewed me and provided the supports I needed when I didn’t know how to live a life without drugs in it.

Sheena at United Way Partner Brigid Collins Family Support Center

“I wouldn’t be here today if I hadn’t had these United Way partner programs to help me. One was great in supporting my health - my

mental health and my emotional health. Another program was huge for learning about my child - learning how she grows and what I can

do to challenge her and support her and help her grow too.”

Our families come from all walks of life and all different income levels. It’s very important that we provide the best education for their child that they want, or that they need for their families.

If I didn’t have these services, I’d probably be in a dark place. Id’ probably be spiraled down again. I’d be that person I didn’t ever want to be. I wouldn’t have my kids. I wouldn’t have my husband. I wouldn’t have a home.

I give to United way just to be able to be that support and be that little extra bump for somebody else’s life that needs it. That little bit of money can go a long way and help somebody’s well-being.

Sheena OldhamUWWC DonorBlaine Resident

Sheena teaching at United Way Partner Bellingham Childcare and Learning Center

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AWARD WINNERS.

This award is given to businesses who are true champions of giving back. Their workplace campaigns show top-notch

creativity, spirit, and engagement levels. They know how to raise the bar.

Spirit of United Way

This award honors workplace employee campaign coordinators who go the extra

mile. Who cuff their sleeves and dive in. Those who model living United and

inspire others to do so, too.

Coordinator of the Year

Tammy Bengen, Ferndale School District

Top 5This honor goes to the five organizations with the highest combined total of corporate and employee gifts.

FINANCIALS.

Financial information is from the June 30, 2018 independent auditor’s report that was conducted by Padgett & Padgett. For a copy of our annual audit, please call (360)733-8670 or view our most recent 990 IRS tax statement at UnitedWayWhatcom.org.

*Donor-designated funds are sent to various charitable organizations as directed by the donor. United Way provides this service as a courtesy to donors, but cannot monitor or assure the use of designated funds.

Sponsorship1.5%Other Revenue:

Gains/Support13.2%

Corporate Contributions

25.6%

IndividualContributions

26.4%

Ind. Leadership ($1,000+)

Contributions33.3%

Income ExpensesTotal: $1,851,086 Total: $1,797,773Individual ContributionsInd. Leadership ($1,000+) Contrib.Corporate ContributionsOther Revenue: Gains/SupportSponsorships

$488,739$616,098$474,268$244,481

$27,500

Allocations/Community InvestmentsDonor Designations*Uncollectible ProvisionsFundraisingPlanning & AllocationsAdministrative

$961,618$132,515$157,910$168,472$204,314$172,944

Allocations / Community Investments

53.5%

Donor Designations*

7.4%

Uncollectible Provisions

8.8%

Fundraising9.4%

Planning & Allocations

11.4%

Administrative9.6%

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LEADERSHIP GIVERS.Tocqueville Society $10,000 +Phil & Yvonne JonesJoseph E. McClainLouie & Tamara Palmer

Platinum Club $7,500-$9,999Allendorfer Family TrustEric HirstSpencer & Mandee Palmer

Gold Club $5,000-$7,499Steven & Janis BanJennifer & Michael KutcherCarole McMains-DonaldsonRay Rodriguez FamilyPeter Stark & Judith CalhounPeter & Holly Telfer Peter Theisen

Silver Club $2,500-$4,999Sherri AllredTony & Tina BonLaura M. BremRoyce & Brandi CivicoMcCrae HarrisonMark K. JohnsonBrian D. JonesJeremy & Erin JordanKirk KamrathStaci & Amy KennedyNils & Michelle LandisTJ & Cecelia LeeSteve & Rhonda LowryKarin LuceBob & Cheryl McCarthyTim & Diane MillerPeggy A. OnustackChase & Katie PalmerDerek PedersenHans RensvoldJohn W. RisserMichael & Betsy SchneiderPhilip StarrSteve & Tara SundinShawna M. UngerJason & Liz WalkerDoug & Laura Williams

Bronze Club $1,500-$2,499Deborah F. AdelsteinKeith & Cathy ArchambaultPatrick Baker & Holly HinmanKaren BeebeBrent & Slavica BelsherDoug & Alyson Batchelder-BestleRia D. BordianPatrick & Dianne BradshawHarte & Jan BresslerGlenn & Janice Butler Fund of the Whatcom Community FoundationJohn M. CanterburyLindsey CeriseIan M. CrawfordVan & Rob FarrowRoger FordAnthony Gargano & Marlene NienaberJ. & Krista GordonKirk GuldenBarry & Brenda HansonMike & Cindy HollinsworthKelli J. HolzMichael Waltari MemorialNancy KeelTerry Hinz & Paula KobosKim KuchenbeckerColleen A. McKeeElizabeth & John MonahanErik MorrisJeanette & Bob MorseLori NightingaleReid Parker & Erin UlothPatrick & Renetta PollockDave & Kristi RobertSharon RutherfordTerri & Stan SalstromJustin SchoonoverKevin ScottJosh SheetsDean ShintafferSteve & Norma Jean SodergrenTamara Tregoning & Caleb SandersEli & Elizabeth VignaliPayden Waldo & Amanda Porter

Leadership Circle $1,000-$1,499David & Jean AbbottCarole AguirreKelly Alvidrez John & Cindy AndersenMary AndersenJudith D. & Philip M. Andress Jr.Pat AtkinsonJill & Alec BabbitBrad BackstromCandace BarransGeoff & Monica BeaumontMs. Tamara L. Bengen & Dr. Paul DouglasRJ BeringClaude & Annie BlackburnKenneth BlockJim & Dianne BochslerDaniel M. BosmanKristopher BouwmanBill & Barb BrausieckMarilyn F. BrinkDr. Laurie & Mr. Alain BrionAllysa D. BronsonMichael BurkeBrent A. CaldwellAlam CamandonaRachel Lucy & Jason CeckaJanice ClaytonStephen ClemensonAnne CodyDonald CollingsCarol & Dennis ComeauHugh J. ConroyBruce CookJoe & Judy Coons Community Fund of the Whatcom Community FoundationPaula CottonElizabeth Clark & Dana CunninghamDan & Helen DahlgrenRobb DaleShelly DavisBob DavisGurpreety DhillonJeff & Shannon DykstraJudith EdwardsJonathan EnschPhil & Crystal EricksonJoyce Eschliman

Jeffrey EvansGeorge M. FerriniLeslie FinchLesley Fox Cliff & Anne FreemanMichael S. FryHeather GarciaNancy GarrettKen & Francie FassScott L. GilmoreDave & Laura GlasgoLee & Ann GorsuchMichael & Mary Jo GranThe Greening Family Connie GuileyJohn M. HamptonBecca HardieMullane HarringtonEvan & Rebecca HaskellCarolyn HauptAlycia HawkinsAbby HeintzBrian & Alison HenshawErin L. HerschlipRyan & Angela HintzKara IrvinJeff IrvingJason & Jodi JansenGuy & Kathy JansenBrian D. JohnsonTim & Tracy JohnsonMatt & Megan KratzenbergThomas KenneyCindy & Jamie KleinLianne M. KoenigAaron & Janell KortleverKurt KuchenbeckerDean & Becky KummerLisa & Robert Langei Phil & Sue LatendressePam Laughlin & Sean JonesCharles & MaryLee LeCocqPaul LeeBruce LiermanKeith LuckeDavid & Tisch LynchChristina & Bradley LyonsCindy Madigan

Shane MahnJoe Lewis & Cherie MartinKen & Liliam Marzocco Dan & Beverly MayhewMaureen McCarthyLinda McClain & Michael BealJulia Moore, MDBrandon MoreauJennifer & Kevin MoyesErik R. MrakTim & Janet MurphyKimberly MurphyPhil NelsonSteven NelsonTroy W. NutterMaureen T. O’BrienJennifer OrtmeyerLeslye & Dennis O’ShaughnessyDan & Janie OvermanRick & Ronna ParksAnndi PenaGrace E. PeschekThe Peterson/Friel HouseholdRyan PetronellaChris PhillipsGordon PolinkusPayden Waldo & Amanda PorterShannon M. PottsVicki PratherCindy PrestonKevin L. ProbascoChris & Alisha RehbergerKevin ReidJames ReimerKatherine RhoadesTeresa RobertsPenny Roberts

Bill & Maria Rodgers Dr. Denise A. Sartz Robert & Moira Schjelderup FamilyCharles & Phyllis SelfStacy SimmonsPat & Shelley SimonsChris SorichRon & Shirly SpanjerGreg Stern & Naomi RudoPamela StiglitzDr. Dana & Barbara StinerBrett Sullivan Mark & L’erin Swiackey Tony & Rayna SwopeJane TalbotStowe & Nina TalbotNancy TiemanJennifer TorresSusan & Loch Trimingham Fund of the Whatcom Community FoundationLee & Mamiko Van HornCarletta & Burton VanderbiltCorey VannoyLucas van’t Hoog & Dianna JacobsKarla Page VeumBob WallaceDr. Steven Wallace & Jennifer RosquistMagan & Chad Waltari in memory of Michael WaltariBrendan J. WaltariBrian & Cindy WaltersDavid R. WebsterKatie Welch & Rob HysellCaroline WinfreyDarrin York

An additional 54 leadership givers wish to remain anonymous.

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My family and I moved to Whatcom County from Indiana four years ago. Despite being greeted with smiles, openness, and genuine warmth, I still wore pessimistic blinders. I’d grown up in a place with high crime rates where the only news was bad news.

Soon after, I was provided the opportunity to serve as a loaned executive to United Way of Whatcom County by my employer, BP Cherry Point Refinery. I learned that local companies donate employees to assist United Way during their workplace campaign season. This keeps overhead down, preserving funds to support local programs. During training week, I was humbled when to hear about the work of United Way’s 30+ partners, including places like Brigid Collins, and Lydia Place. Then, I witnessed it.

A co-worker and I went to lunch. He chose the destination: Five Guys. While we were waiting for our order, I was describing my work for United Way. My friend shared that he never gives to United Way because he doesn’t trust the money will be handled correctly. As he spoke, my eyes were drawn to an employee cleaning tables, being addressed by a woman who was positively reinforcing his work. It was apparent he had a cognitive developmental disability. When he came to the table next to us, I started a conversation with him. His smile was infectious. A table cleared, and he quickly returned to work. I asked the woman watching him if she was with Work Opportunities, a United Way partner agency. Surprised at my awareness, she confirmed her affiliation and we discussed the value the program provides to people with disabilities, providing not only a paycheck, but also social interaction. Groups like Work Opportunities assist people with disabilities with employment while Max Higbee Center, also funded by United Way, provides recreational activities for this same demographic. A

WHY RAY GIVES.

“Just because something seems difficult, doesn’t allow us to not even try.”

healthy balance of work and play has proven to minimize trips to the hospital and empower people to live healthier lives. My co-worker felt like the fix was in. “You set this up!” he exclaimed. I just laughed and reminded him that he chose the place to go for lunch.

If I hadn’t had the experience I did with United Way, I wouldn’t have noticed the supported employee either. It becomes easy to walk through our hectic lives with blinders on. We stay focused on our phones or errands while expecting that someone else is out there taking care of society’s ills. United Way doesn’t look away like I used to.

My experience as a loaned executive left me feeling as if I hadn’t done enough, and never could. I also knew feeling overwhelmed wouldn’t improve anything. Just because something seems difficult, doesn’t allow us to not even try. I’ve seen what that leads to; it decimates communities. Once the blinders are lifted, people realize they let the things they thought were supposed to be handled by others overwhelm the infrastructure. Families start moving farther away from bad areas, allowing those areas to spread and property values to decrease. All four of my grandparents emigrated from Spain. They ended up in Gary, Indiana, where there were jobs at the area steel mills. Population peaked around 190,000 residents back then. That number is now at about 77,000, with a median home value of $68,000, compared to the rest of the state at $131,000. Problems don’t go away when they are ignored; they slowly decay once proud areas, leaving people to wonder how it happened and who to blame.

The responsibility lies with us. People are ready to do their part, if we do ours. I haven’t been able to help as much as I’d like with my time, but I can provide support financially. If you’ve never given, start light. You’ll begin to see the programs in action as well, like I did. You’ll see that United Way doesn’t provide a hand-out; they offer a hand-up. Give, because we can’t afford not to.

Ray RodriguezUWWC DonorLynden Resident

“The responsibility lies with us. People are ready to do their part, if we do ours. I haven’t been able to help as much as I’d like with

my time, but I can provide support financially.”