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Friends of the Fairfax County Animal Shelter

EIN 20-5009244 · Centreville, VA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceGood81 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

EACH YEAR, NEARLY 5,000 PETS COME TO THE FAIRFAX COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER. FRIENDS OF THE FAIRFAX COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER (FRIENDS) FUNDS MEDICAL/DENTAL TREATMENT, PARASITE PREVENTION, SPAY/NEUTER PROCEDURES AND BEHAVIORAL TRAINING BEYOND WHAT THE SHELTER'S BUDGET CAN PROVIDE. THESE VITAL SERVICES INCREASE THE ADOPTABILITY OF SHELTER PETS AND IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ANIMALS IN OUR COMMUNITY.

Income
$660,670
Spending
$478,544
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
39.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 90%
Employees
6
Volunteers
15
Highest pay
$62,920, president/acting treasurer

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

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 39.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 28% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 11% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 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: 81 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 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

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • 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, 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 (2)
  1. $286,840 spent. SHELTER SUPPORT: MEDICAL TREATMENTS AND EMERGENCY VETERINARY CARE FOR SHELTER PETS. PROFESSIONAL VETERINARY CARE IS PROVIDED TO SHELTER ANIMALS SUFFERING FROM INJURY, ILLNESS OR ABUSE. THIS CARE INCLUDS MANY LIFE-SAVING SURGERIES, ORTHOPEDIC PROCEDURES, AND OTHER TREATMENTS TO IMPROVE BOTH THE WELL BEING OF THE PET AND ITS ADOPTABILITY. COMMON PROCEDURES INCLUDED REMOVAL OF GROWTHS, CORRECTION OF EYE PROBLEMS, CARDIAC EVALUATION AND TREATMENT, ORTHOPEDIC SURGERIES, TREATMENT OF CHRONIC URINARY ISSUES,DENTAL CARE AND SPAY/NEUTER PROCEDURES. PETS IN NEED OF EMERGENCY SERVICES, INTENSIVE CARE OR MORE EXTENSIVE DIAGNOSTICS ARE ALSO TREATED. EVERY DOG, CAT AND RABBIT THAT ENTERS THE SHELTER IS GIVEN DEWORMER, FLEA AND TICK TREATMENT OR TREATMENT FOR MITES. DOGS ARE TESTED FOR HEARTWORM AND GIVEN HEARTWORM TREATMENTS. SHELTER SUPPORT ALSO INCLUDES A COLLAR/TAG/LEASH PROGRAM, HOSPICE/SENIOR PET PROGRAM AND ADOPTION EVENT SUPPORT.
  2. $90,516 spent. COMMUNITY OUTREACH/EDUCATION: ROBUST PROGRAM TO PROMOTE SHELTER ADOPTIONS AND FOSTERING: INCLUDES NEWSLETTERS, WEBSITE, SOCIAL MEDIA AND COMMUNITY EVENTS.

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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since January 2007.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 21, 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.