RE Sources

What RE Sources does

RE Sources is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1982 and headquartered at 2309 Meridian Street, Bellingham, Washington, that mobilizes residents of Whatcom, Skagit, and San Juan counties to protect the water, land, and climate of Northwest Washington. The organization operates a portfolio of programs spanning five core areas: Protecting the Salish Sea (9 initiatives), Climate Action (4 initiatives), Educating for the Environment (2 initiatives), Forests & Watersheds (5 initiatives), and The RE Store (a material-reuse initiative). It also runs specialized programs including the North Sound Waterkeeper (a 20+-year water-quality advocacy program operating a 24/7 pollution hotline at (360) 220-0556), the Youth for the Environment and People (YEP!) leadership program for high school students, the Build Electric Washington building-electrification coalition, and ad-hoc initiatives such as Post Point wastewater infrastructure advocacy and Georgia-Pacific West cleanup-site tours.

The organization's technology footprint is modest: a community-engagement website (re-sources.org), an active multi-platform social presence (Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok), the Water Reporter mobile app for community-submitted pollution reports, and a pollution-reporting hotline. Its core operating assets are not software but human and coalition capacity — a small staff of 11–50 specialists (including a Waterkeeper, Climate and Energy Policy Manager, Land and Water Policy Manager, Sustainable Schools Program Manager) and formal relationships with tribal nations (Lummi Nation, Nooksack Indian Tribe), regional and national NGOs (Earthjustice, Sierra Club, Friends of the San Juans, Washington Conservation Action), and international affiliations (Waterkeeper Alliance, 1% for the Planet).

RE Sources is funded entirely through charitable contributions: individual donations (one-time, monthly, and legacy/planned gifts), business partnerships/corporate sponsorships, and institutional grants (the most quantified being a $220,000 Puget Sound Energy solar-installation grant in 2026). All programs, educational resources, tours, and advocacy services are delivered free of charge to the community. Revenue is not publicly disclosed and the organization is governed under a co-executive director model adopted in December 2023, with Ander Russell serving as Co-Executive Director. Notable historical outcomes include the 2016 blocking of the Gateway Pacific coal terminal in coalition with Lummi Nation, the 2019 defeat of seven proposed coal export terminals across WA/OR/MT/BC, the 2021 unanimous Whatcom County ordinance prohibiting new fossil-fuel shipment terminals at Cherry Point, and a 2026 Hearing Examiner ruling requiring independent environmental review of the AltaGas LPG terminal expansion.

Name

RE Sources

Legal name

RE Sources for Sustainable Communities

Website

https://re-sources.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1982

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

RE Sources is a Bellingham-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit, founded in 1982, that mobilizes residents of Whatcom, Skagit, and San Juan counties to protect the Salish Sea, climate, forests, and watersheds of Northwest Washington through advocacy, education, coalition campaigns, and youth programming.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Bellingham

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Tax-deductible charitable contributions from individuals supporting environmental protection work in Northwest Washington. The organization accepts one-time and recurring donations, monthly gifts, and legacy/planned gifts.
2. Business Partnerships: Corporate sponsorship and partnership programs where businesses can support environmental work in exchange for association with the organization's mission.
3. Grant Funding: Environmental grants from organizations like Puget Sound Energy ($220,000 awarded to RE Sources and partner organizations for solar installations).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

RE Sources is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that mobilizes Northwest Washington residents to protect water, land, and climate through advocacy, education, science-based monitoring, and coalition action. It delivers programs covering the Salish Sea, climate action, environmental education, forests and watersheds, and waste reduction (The RE Store), supported by a 24/7 pollution hotline and the Water Reporter mobile app for community-submitted pollution reports.

Product overview

RE Sources is a nonprofit environmental organization offering a portfolio of programs and initiatives focused on protecting the water, land, and climate of Northwest Washington. The core programs include Protecting the Salish Sea, Climate Action, Educating for the Environment, Forests & Watersheds, and The RE Store (material reuse). Key initiatives include the Youth for the Environment and People (YEP!) youth leadership program, Build Electric Washington (building electrification advocacy), Fossil Fuels Program (fossil fuel expansion opposition), North Sound Waterkeeper (water quality monitoring), and Post Point Wastewater Infrastructure Advocacy. The organization functions as a community mobilization and advocacy platform rather than a technology product company.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• North Sound Baykeeper: A water pollution monitoring and advocacy program operated by RE Sources, providing a pollution hotline and community water quality monitoring.
• YEP! (Youth for the Environment and People)
• The RE Store
• Build Electric Washington

Products and services

• Protecting the Salish Sea A program advocating for a healthy Salish Sea, abundant salmon populations, and thriving coastal communities in Northwest Washington, comprising 9 active initiatives focused on marine ecosystem protection.
• Climate Action A program that halts expansion of fossil fuel projects, catalyzes renewable energy adoption, plans for climate impacts, and innovates climate solutions, comprising 4 active initiatives.
• Educating for the Environment An environmental education program that turns learning into action through online lessons and DIY activities for students of all ages, comprising 2 active initiatives.
• Forests & Watersheds A program focused on clean and plentiful water for people, fish, and farms, with regional forests managed for clean water and ecosystem health, comprising 5 active initiatives.
• The RE Store A material reuse initiative that teaches students about recycling and water conservation, challenges single-use culture, and promotes material reuse to reduce waste, comprising 4 active initiatives.
• Youth for the Environment and People (YEP!) A youth leadership program providing high school students in Whatcom and Skagit counties with opportunities to collaborate on climate action projects, learn about environmental issues, and implement student-led action projects over a 10-week semester.
• Build Electric Washington An initiative advocating for transitioning buildings from natural gas to all-electric systems using heat pumps, water heaters, and induction cooktops to reduce climate pollution.
• Fossil Fuels Program An initiative protecting communities, the Salish Sea, and climate from fossil fuel expansion risks, including fighting coal exports, standing up to oil terminals, and advocating for protective policies at Cherry Point.
• North Sound Waterkeeper A voice for science ensuring the public's interest has a seat at the table in environmental decisions, operating a pollution hotline at (360) 220-0556 and conducting water quality monitoring.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1 million public comments mobilized from residents on proposed coal and oil terminals in the PNW
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Puget Sound EnergyminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 19 February 2026Utility company awarded approximately $220,000 in grant funding to RE Sources (and other organizations including Nooksack Valley Food Bank and YWCA Bellingham) to install solar panels. PSE distributed over $900,000 in grants across Washington state.
• Lummi NationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoast Salish indigenous nation whose ancestral lands include Cherry Point and the Salish Sea region. Lummi Nation led the legal fight against the Gateway Pacific coal export terminal, upheld treaty fishing rights, and works in coalition with RE Sources on fossil fuel expansion prevention and environmental protection.
• Nooksack Indian TribecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndigenous nation in Northwest Washington whose lands and waters are affected by environmental issues RE Sources addresses. The tribe has been involved in advocacy efforts including watershed protection and climate action.
• Stand Up to Oil CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional coalition addressing threats of new oil terminals while working to improve safety measures for continuing oil shipments. RE Sources is a leading partner in this coalition.
• BuildElectricWA CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrowing coalition of businesses and environmental, green building, energy efficiency, and community organizations working to phase out natural gas in buildings and transition to electric appliances. RE Sources is a member and advocates for the coalition's policies.
• Whatcom Transit Authority (WTA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal transit authority that YEP! students tour during their sustainable transportation theme to learn about sustainable transportation services and infrastructure.
• North Cascades InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvironmental education organization in Sedro Woolley that hosts the Skagit YEP! cohort meetings. Partner in environmental education programming.
• Cascade Compost and SoilminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerIndustrial composting facility that YEP! students toured to learn about composting at scale as part of their food waste education.
• Lautenbach Recycling CominorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLocal recycling company whose transfer station YEP! students toured to understand recycling sorting, logistics, and what can be recycled in Whatcom County.
• Bellingham School DistrictminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPublic school district whose Central Kitchen YEP! students toured to learn about food waste reduction practices in institutional food preparation.
• Waterkeeper AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal environmental organization that connects local Waterkeeper programs. RE Sources' North Sound Baykeeper operates under this affiliation, providing access to resources, training, and international advocacy network.
• 1% for the PlanetminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEnvironmental giving network that connects businesses to environmental nonprofits. RE Sources is an approved environmental partner receiving donations from 1% for the Planet member businesses.
• Legacy Forest Defense CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition working to protect mature and structurally complex forests in Washington state. RE Sources participates in coalition efforts to influence DNR forest management policies.
• EarthjusticecoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEnvironmental law organization that represented the coalition including RE Sources in appealing the AltaGas terminal expansion permits. Provided legal expertise and representation in the Ferndale LPG terminal case.
• Friends of the San JuanscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvironmental organization that partnered with RE Sources and others in coalition to challenge AltaGas terminal expansion permits. Coalition partner in Salish Sea protection efforts.
• Whatcom Environmental CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal environmental council that partnered with RE Sources in challenging fossil fuel terminal expansions at Cherry Point.
• Evergreen IslandscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvironmental organization that partnered with RE Sources in the coalition challenging the AltaGas terminal expansion at Cherry Point.
• Washington Conservation ActioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatewide environmental organization that partnered with RE Sources in coalition efforts to challenge fossil fuel infrastructure permits.
• Sierra ClubcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational environmental organization partnered with RE Sources in the coalition appealing the AltaGas terminal expansion permits at Cherry Point.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Puget Soundkeeper Alliance: A Washington-based Waterkeeper affiliate conducting water quality monitoring, pollution reporting, and advocacy in the Puget Sound region. Directly comparable to RE Sources' North Sound Waterkeeper program in mission, structure, and Waterkeeper Alliance affiliation.
• Friends of the San Juans: San Juan County-based environmental nonprofit focused on protecting the San Juan Islands and Salish Sea. RE Sources' coalition partner in the AltaGas terminal challenge with comparable community-based advocacy and policy litigation.
• Whatcom Environmental Council: Local environmental coalition in Whatcom County that partnered with RE Sources in challenging fossil fuel terminal expansions at Cherry Point. Operates with a similar community-mobilization model in the same geography.
• Evergreen Islands: Pacific Northwest environmental nonprofit that partnered with RE Sources in the coalition challenging the AltaGas terminal expansion at Cherry Point. Comparable in scale and community-based advocacy approach.

Broad incumbents

• Earthjustice: National environmental law organization that represented RE Sources and its coalition in the AltaGas terminal permit appeal. Larger and broader in scope but operates as a peer on specific regional fossil fuel litigation matters.
• Sierra Club (Washington Chapter): Major national environmental organization that co-led the coalition with RE Sources in the AltaGas terminal appeal. Operates at a much larger scale but partners with RE Sources on local fossil fuel and climate campaigns.
• Washington Conservation Action: Statewide environmental advocacy organization that partnered with RE Sources in coalition efforts to challenge fossil fuel infrastructure permits. Operates at a state policy level where RE Sources operates locally.
• Center for Biological Diversity: National nonprofit using legal, scientific, and creative media to secure endangered species and wild places. Comparable advocacy and litigation playbook to RE Sources, particularly around environmental impact review and species protection in the Pacific Northwest.

Emerging players

• Pipeline Safety Trust: National pipeline watchdog organization spun off from RE Sources' SAFE Bellingham program after the 1999 Olympic pipeline tragedy. Originally incubated at RE Sources, now operates independently on adjacent pipeline safety advocacy.

Regional players

• Stand.earth: Pacific Northwest-focused environmental organization that campaigns against fossil fuel expansion, including opposition to coal and oil terminals in the same region RE Sources operates. Shares fossil fuel opposition mission but operates at a broader multi-region scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCJhPW8jojrLWcze8ChAy8wA
• Facebookfacebook.com/RESourcesForSustainableCommunities
• Instagraminstagram.com/resources_protects
• TikToktiktok.com/@resources_protects
• Xx.com/resourcesbham
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/re-sources-protects

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about RE Sources