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Safe Harbor Farm Inc

EIN 02-0624596 · Maysville, NC

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthNot ratedToo small or too little detailGovernanceFair50 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SHF's SMILE! Project provides practical information (both written & via videos) about canine behavior for shelter & rescue personnel, veterinarians, boarding staff, trainers and dog-owners, so they can better help at-risk dogs. SHF volunteers maintain the Dragonfly Dog Park & Nature Trails and care for sanctuary goats, birds, turtles, cats & dogs. They also maintain a teaching apiary, and they rescue at-risk honeybee colonies.

Income
$24,949
Spending
$28,081
Spent on programs
31%
Reserves
73.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 46%
Employees
0
Volunteers
9

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 50 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (animals, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    0 of 25

    2 of 2 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (2)
  1. $581 spent. Canine behavior outreach and education via SHF's SMILE! Project. Our canine behavior book continues to be recommended by veterinarians, shelters, boarding facilities and trainers, and its sale raises funds to care for SHF sanctuary animals. Our free YouTube videos include both taped conference seminars and short presentations on common canine issues.
  2. $8,243 spent. Animal care, sanctuary maintenance and nature center development at Safe Harbor Farm. SHF is home, at any time, to 8-10 dogs, cats, goats and birds, plus dozens of aquatic and semi-aquatic turtles. Its 61 acres includes a 1-acre dog park, a 10-25 hive teaching apiary and 2 miles of nature trails being groomed for community use & educational purposes. We also lecture at beekeeping conferences, teach beginning & intermediate beekeeping classes in our classroom and host a monthly meeting for new & more experienced beekeepers.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since March 2003.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.