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The Cesar Millan Foundation

EIN 20-8048410 · Beverly Hills, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak40 out of 100GovernanceGood73 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

TO CREATE AND DELIVER COMMUNITY HUMANE EDUCATION PROGRAMS AND PROMOTE ANIMAL WELFARE BY SUPPORTING THE RESCUE, REHABILITATION, AND REHOMING OF ABUSED AND ABANDONED DOGS.

Income
$567,145
Spending
$466,061
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
-17.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 93%
Employees
6
Volunteers
0

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

Weak: 40 out of 100. Higher than 5% of charities in its peer group (animals, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 32% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 18% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 34% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% 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: 73 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (animals, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    3 of 3 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

    0 of 10

    Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, 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 (1)
  1. $370,330 spent. THE ORGANIZATION OFFERS VARIOUS PROGRAMS THAT SUPPORT ITS MISSION.INCLUDING:FOSTERING HOPE - IS THE ORGANIZATION'S HUMAN-CANINE THERAPY PROGRAM TO SAVE DOGS IN SHELTERS FROM EUTHANASIA WHILE ALSO PROVIDING HEALING INTERVENTION FOR ADOLESCENTS IN FOSTER CARE BETWEEN THE AGES OF 12 AND 17. THE ORGANIZATION MATCHES A FOSTER CHILD WITH A SHELTER DOG. THROUGH THIS PROGRAM, THE ORGANIZATION CREATES EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR YOUNG PEOPLE AND REHABILITATION FOR SHELTER DOGS THROUGH APPLICATION OF CESAR MILLAN'S TRAINING PRINCIPLES, WHICH EMPHASIZE TRUST, MUTUAL RESPECT, AND LOYALTY. PROGRAM SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS:EDUCATION RESOURCES ARE PROVIDED FOR SUPPORTERS TO DOWNLOAD AND PRINT AND SHARE WITH THEI FAMILIES, SCHOOLS, COMMUNITIES, ETC. WITH GOAL TO EMPOEWER PEOPLE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR DOGS (AND HUMANS).HUMANITARIAN RELIEF: THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR TEMPORARY ANIMAL SHELTERS IN DISASTER STRICKEN REGIONS.

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 November 6, 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 2024.

    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 June 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 November 4, 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.