Community First Whatcom (CFW) is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization dedicated to creating progressive change by placing new legislation directly on the ballot for voters through ballot initiative campaigns. We turn community voting power into strengthened protections for everyday people, ensuring that local decisions prioritize the well-being, security, and dignity of every resident at home and in the workplace.

How We Work

We empower tenants, workers, and everyday people by running grassroots campaigns that put people first.

Since our founding as "People First Bellingham," we have successfully passed initiatives to expand tenant rights, prohibit facial recognition technology, and raise the minimum wage.

Originally a volunteer-run group, we now employ a small staff, and have expanded from Bellingham into other parts of the county, such as Ferndale. We are fighting so that progressive protections reach all of Whatcom.

We envision a county where local democracy actively supports the fundamental rights of working families. Through inclusive dialogue and collective action, we aim to build a community where everyone can thrive free from the fear of displacement or economic insecurity.