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Westie Foundation of America Inc

EIN 06-1473645 · El Lago, TX

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong95 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Lead, innovate and advance medical research to benefit the health and quality of life of West Highland White Terriers. Develop/communicate to Westie Owners, Breeders,Veterinarians who share our health challenges.

Income
$253,501
Spending
$114,213
Spent on programs
95%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 71%
Employees
0
Volunteers
20

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

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (animals, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 55% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    95% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 87% of charities in its peer group (animals, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    18 of 18 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.

  • 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 (21)
  1. $40,000 spent. Additional funding for the grant for the study of the potential application of fecal microbiota transplantation in the treatment of canine atopic dermatitis. This is a continuation of the grant that was funded in 2023 at the University of Zurich.
  2. $37,100 spent. Funded the 2nd year for 2 veterninary scholarships at the University of California Davis. This funding is for the 2026-2027 school year and will be provided based on the Foundations criteria to a 1st and 2nd year vet student. UC Davis retains $1,050/student/year admin fee.
  3. $10,000 spent. Funded American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation for 2 Clinical Fellowships in 2025. One was awarded to a clinician in the US and one was awarded to a clinician in Australia via the US Canine Health Foundation.
  4. $5,000 spent. Canine Health Foundation Grant 3283: Investigating the Immune and Cytoreductive Activities of Gilvetmab in Urothelial Carcinoma.
  5. $6,573 spent. Establish a new biobanking schema,transition from the existing biobank to a new one;Lability insurance for specimen collection and shipping specimens.
  6. $2,800 spent. Print and mail the 2025 edition of the Westie Foundation of America, Inc.s newletter Westie Wellness.
  7. $3,165 spent. Communicate with donors, researchers, veterinarians, and pet owners via Constant Contact, Press Releases and the Website.
  8. $3,346 spent. Print 100 copies of the newly updated Healthbook for sale to interested persons and organizations.
  9. Expenses: $5000.00 including grants of: $5000.00 Revenue: $0.00
  10. Canine Health Foundation Grant 3283: Investigating the Immune and
  11. Cytoreductive Activities of Gilvetmab in Urothelial Carcinoma.
  12. Expenses: $6573.00 including grants of: $0.00 Revenue: $0.00
  13. Establish a new biobanking schema,transition from the existing biobank to a
  14. new one;Lability insurance for specimen collection and shipping specimens.
  15. Expenses: $2800.00 including grants of: $0.00 Revenue: $0.00
  16. Print and mail the 2025 edition of the Westie Foundation of America, Inc.'s
  17. Expenses: $3165.00 including grants of: $0.00 Revenue: $0.00
  18. Communicate with donors, researchers, veterinarians, and pet owners via
  19. Constant Contact, Press Releases and the Website.
  20. Expenses: $3346.00 including grants of: $0.00 Revenue: $0.00
  21. Print 100 copies of the newly updated Healthbook for sale to interested

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 October 1997.

    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.