Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Bettertogether Forever

EIN 20-1329182 · Glendale, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceGood70 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

DESCRIBED ON SCHEDULE O

Income
$1.4 million
Spending
$1.1 million
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
4.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 99%
Employees
9
Volunteers
12
Highest pay
$80,000, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 18% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 295% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 30% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 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, 2024, 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 (4)
  1. $695,000 spent. FISCAL SPONSOR - SHELTER ME - ORGANIZATION ACTS AS A FISCAL SPONSOR FOR SHELTER ME WHICH IS PRODUCING A FILM SERIES THAT FEATURES SHELTER PETS AND THE PEOPLE WHO HELP THEM, IN ORDER TO INCREASE THE VISIBILITY OF SHELTER PETS AND PROMOTE THEIR ADOPTION AND TO RECRUIT VOLUNTEERS TO HELP IN SHELTERS. THE PRODUCTION OF THE FILM SERIES INCLUDES MUSIC LICENSING, RESEARCH, POST-PRODUCTION, DISTRIBUTION, TRAVEL COSTS, MARKETING, AND THE MAINTENANCE OF THEIR WEBSITE. SHELTER ME ALSO PARTNERS WITH THE ORGANIZATION ON OTHER PROJECTS.
  2. $209,523 spent. SHELTER INTERVENTION PROGRAM - ONSITE PROGRAM AT THE LOS ANGELES NORTH CENTRAL ANIMAL SHELTER WHERE OPTIONS ARE OFFERED TO PEOPLE SO THEY DON'T HAVE TO SURRENDER THEIR PETS, AND TO HELP PEOPLE GET THEIR PETS OUT OF THE SHELTER. SERVICES OFFERED INCLUDE A PET PANTRY OF FOOD AND SUPPLIES, VETERINARY VOUCHERS FOR ILLNESSES, SKIN ISSUES, EAR INFECTIONS, VACCINATIONS, SPAY/NEUTER, MEDICATION, ETC.,EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL ASSESSMENT/CERTIFICATION, REDEMPTION FEES AND BACK LICENSING, CONNECTING TO OTHER RESOURCES, COMPLETION OF APPLICATIONS, TRANSLATION AND MORE. PRESERVING THE HUMAN ANIMAL BOND WHEN FAMILIES NEED EACH OTHER MOST, REDUCING THE NUMBER OF PETS BORN WITHOUT FAMILIES AND ENTERING THE OVERCROWDED SHELTER SYSTEM AND HELPING PEOPLE BECOME OR REMAIN HOUSED WITH THEIR PET COMPANIONS.
  3. $113,018 spent. ANIMAL WELFARE SERVICES - IN 2024 WE DISTRIBUTED OVER $146,389 OF DOG AND CAT FOOD AND SUPPLIES TO THOSE FAMILIES STRUGGLING FINANCIALLY. WE COVERED VETERINARY SERVICES (INCLUDING SPAY/NEUTER AND WELLNESS) FOR 2,156 PETS AND 831 VACCINATIONS WERE GIVEN. WE HELPED FACILITATE 94 EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL ASSESSMENTS AND CERTIFICATIONS AND 4,884 INQUIRES WERE ANSWERED.
  4. UNSHELTERED PEOPLE WITH PETS PROGRAM - PARTNERSHIP WITH LA FAMILY HOUSING SO PEOPLE WITH PETS CAN BECOME HOUSED OR RECEIVE MORE PERMANENT HOUSING WITH THEIR PETS BY RECEIVING OFTEN REQUIRED VETERINARY ASSISTANCE. THE SERVICES OFFERED INCLUDE INFORMATION ON RESPONSIBLE PET PARENTING, VETERINARY VOUCHERS FOR ILLNESSES, SKIN ISSUES, EAR INFECTIONS, VACCINATIONS, SPAY/NEUTER, MEDICATION, ETC., EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL ASSESSMENT/CERTIFICATION, REDEMPTION FEES AND BACK LICENSING. WE HOST AN ONSITE WELLNESS CLINIC EVERY OTHER MONTH AS WELL AS VISIT ENCAMPMENTS MEETING PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE, PROVIDING SUPPORT SO PEOPLE AND PETS CAN REMAIN TOGETHER AS SO MANY ARE FACING CRISES, THEIR PET IS THEIR FAMILY AND KEEPS THEM MOTIVATED AND GOING.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 2024.

    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 2004.

    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.