Ways to Give

Whatcom Community Foundation / Ways to Give

WAYS TO GIVE

We invest in partnerships, nonprofits and projects that tackle community challenges, help meet critical needs and improve the quality of life for all of our neighbors. We pool donations from neighbors like YOU - and fund the promising efforts that make Whatcom County work for all.

Gifts come in all shapes and sizes. Our role at the Whatcom Community Foundation is to help make your gift to the community possible.

2025 End-of-Year Giving Support

Qualified Charitable Contributions (QCD)
If you are 70 ½ or older and would like to submit a charitable gift via your retirement account, please consult with your tax advisor. You will need to do two things: 

1. Submit your paperwork through your broker by 12/01/25 to initiate your QCD gift before the end of the year. It may take several weeks to be processed! 

2. Provide us with notice that this gift is expected by filling out our Online QCD Form. 

Gifts of Appreciated Stock
Should be received in our account by 12/31/25. Please provide these Whatcom Community Foundation Stock Gift Transfer Instructions to your broker and notify us of the details of your gift (donor names are often omitted on the receiving end). 

To notify us, please e-mail  Kendra Norton at kendra@whatcomcf.org with stock gift details (number, description of shares, your contact information and any designations for your gift) to ensure that she credits them to the correct fund. 

FedEx, UPS and DHL
Gifts sent via these carriers must be physically received by Whatcom Community Foundation on or before Wednesday, 12/31/25.

Gifts Mailed via USPS
Must be postmarked on or before Wednesday, 12/31/25.

Wire Transfers of Cash
Must be received by Wednesday, 12/31/25, so initiating these as soon as possible is best. Please e-mail Emma Herlinger at emma@whatcomcf.org for wire transfer instructions.

Pass-Through Gifts & Grants
If you would like to make a single gift to the Whatcom Community Foundation, and work with us to divide your support amongst the organizations you seek to support, please fill out this Pass-Through Gift-Grant form by Friday, 12/12/25.

Online Credit Card Gifts
Can be made 24-hours a day – visit our Give Now page to give to your community through the Whatcom Community Foundation and make sure your gift is completed by 12/31/25, if you want it to count toward this year’s taxes.

Donor Advised Fund (DAF) Grant Recommendations
Fund advisors may recommend grants online by logging into the fund holder portal or by completing a grant recommendation form.

Please note, DAF grant recommendations may take more time than usual with year-end activity and holiday closures. If it is important for your grant to be awarded before the year-end, please submit your requests by Friday 12/12/25.

Give Online

Credit Card Gifts can be made 24-hours a day – visit our Give Now Page to give to your community through the Whatcom Community Foundation.

Give by Mail

Please make your check payable to Whatcom Community Foundation with any designation in the memo line. Checks can be mailed to our office at:

Whatcom Community Foundation
1500 Cornwall Ave, Suite 202
Bellingham, WA 98225

Gifts of Stock

A contribution of appreciated securities can produce significant tax savings for you and help you be more philanthropic than you thought possible.

Learn More Here>

Pass Through Gifts & Grants

You can make a single gift to the Whatcom Community Foundation, and work with us to divide your support amongst the organizations you seek to support. For some donors, this service simplifies their tax reporting and/or allows donors to remain anonymous (if desired).

Learn More Here>

Gifts via Qualified Charitable Distribution or Required Minimum Distribution

If you are 70.5 or older and would like to submit a charitable gift via your retirement account, please consult with your tax advisor.

You will need to do two things. First, submit your paperwork through your broker to initiate your QCD gift. Second, please provide us with advance notice of your gift by filling out our Online QCD Form (please note QCD’s cannot be designated to a donor advised fund per IRS regulations).

Gifts of Real Estate

Real estate represents the largest asset class in the United States, comprising 43 percent of America’s total wealth, yet only 3 percent of total charitable giving comes from such gifts.

Please contact Brad Tuininga at brad@whatcomcf.org to learn more about working with WCF to make gifts of real estate.

Estate Giving | Leave a Bequest

You can make a lasting difference in the community you love by working with the team at the Community Foundation to actualize your philanthropic plans in the future.

Learn More Here>

“We’re excited to be a
part of the Foundation
– it’s an adventure in
building and strengthening
our community. What
could be more thrilling?”

– John & Joyce Pedlow

Ways to Give

WAYS TO GIVE

2025 End-of-Year Giving Support

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