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Arizona Animal Welfare League Inc

EIN 23-7149453 · Phoenix, AZ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong95 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF AAWL/SPCA IS TO PROVIDE EXCELLENT CARE, PROTECTION, AND LOVING COMPASSION FOR THE LIFE OF THE ANIMALS ENTRUSTED TO US AND TO TAKE A LEADERSHIP ROLE IN PROMOTING HUMANE VALUES FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL ANIMALS AND PEOPLE. AAWL OPERATIONALIZES THIS MISSION (SEE SCH. O) THE MISSION OF AAWL/SPCA IS TO PROVIDE EXCELLENT CARE, PROTECTION, AND LOVING COMPASSION FOR THE LIFE OF THE ANIMALS ENTRUSTED TO US AND TO TAKE A LEADERSHIP ROLE IN PROMOTING HUMANE VALUES FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL ANIMALS AND PEOPLE. AAWL OPERATIONALIZES THIS MISSION BY PROVIDING VETERINARY CARE, BEHAVIORAL SUPPORT, FOOD AND SHELTER FOR HOMELESS DOGS AND CATS. WE SPAY, NEUTER, MICRO-CHIP AND VACCINATE ALL PETS AND THEN FIND THEM PERMANENT, LOVING HOMES. WE ALSO OFFER A FULL-RANGE OF SERVICES FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS, INCLUDING DOG TRAINING, AND PRIDE OURSELVES IN LEVERAGING THE TIME AND TALENTS OF OVER 500 VOLUNTEERS AND 150 FOSTERS WHO HELP US CARE FOR OUR ANIMALS AND ASSIST WITH ALL ASPECTS OF SHELTER OPERATIONS.

Income
$8.5 million
Spending
$6.7 million
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
19.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 82%
Employees
119
Volunteers
471
Highest pay
$190,490, president/ceo

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: 95 out of 100. Higher than 75% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 19.4 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 21% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 0% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 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

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 61% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 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

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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 (3)
  1. $5.2 million spent. AT ANY GIVEN TIME,APPROXIMATELY 140 CATS AND 190 DOGSARE RECEIVING CARE AT AAWL SAVING UPWARDS OF 4,000 ANIMALS EVERY YEAR. THE HEART OF OUR ADOPTIONS PROGRAM IS BUILT ON STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS WITH A NETWORK OF RURAL AND URBAN SHELTERS ACROSS ARIZONA. WE'VE BUILT STRONG, LASTING RELATIONSHIPS WITH ALL OUR RESCUE PARTNERS AND RECOGNIZE THE UNIQUE CHALLENGES EACH OF THEM FACE, FROM LIMITED CAPACITY TO A LACK OF RESOURCES FOR COMPLEX MEDICAL OR BEHAVIORAL CARE. OUR IN-HOUSE VETERINARY TEAM ENSURES EACH DOG AND CAT RECEIVES ROUTINE MEDICAL CARE, AND AS NEEDED, SPECIALIZED SURGERIES, TO IMPROVE THEIR HEALTH AND QUALITY OF LIFE. OUR BEHAVIOR TEAM ASSESSES EACH ANIMAL AND DEVELOPS A PERSONALIZED BEHAVIOR CARE PLAN, IF NEEDED. THIS HELPS THE ANIMAL OVERCOME ANY UNDESIRABLE BEHAVIORS BEFORE ADOPTION, INCREASING THE SUCCESS OF FINDING A FOREVER FAMILY.
  2. $386,635 spent. THE AAWL COMMUNITY VETERINARY CLINIC PROVIDES AFFORDABLE VETERINARY CARE TO PET OWNERS WHO MAY NOT BE ABLE TO AFFORD VACCINES AND WELLNESS CARE FOR THEIR PETS. OUR CLINIC OFFERS LOW-COST VACCINES, NAIL TRIMS, FLEA/TICK/HEARTWORM PREVENTATIVES, AND OTHER WELLNESS CARE. BY SUPPORTING FAMILIES WITH ACCESSIBLE AND AFFORDABLE CARE, WE HELP PREVENT PETS FROM ENTERING THE STRESSFUL SHELTER SYSTEM AND ENSURE THEY REMAIN IN LOVING HOMES WHERE THEY BELONG.
  3. $314,834 spent. WHILE THE ARIZONA ANIMAL WELFARE LEAGUE'S ROOTS ARE IN ANIMAL RESCUE AND ADOPTION, WE'VE EVOLVED INTO A COMMUNITY-CENTERED ORGANIZATION THAT FOCUSES ON SUPPORTING BOTH PETS AND THE FAMILIES WHO LOVE THEM. WE BELIEVE THAT NO ONE SHOULD HAVE TO GIVE UP A BELOVED PET SIMPLY BECAUSE OF FINANCIAL HARDSHIP. OVER THE PAST FOUR YEARS, WE'VE WORKED CLOSELY WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO CO-CREATE PROGRAMS THAT PROVIDE AFFORDABLE VET CARE, BEHAVIOR TRAINING AND SUPPORT, AND ADDITIONAL PET RESOURCES AND EDUCATION. WE'VE EXTENDED OUR SERVICES BEYOND OUR SHELTER WALLS, BRINGING VITAL CARE AND RESOURCES DIRECTLY TO NEIGHBORHOODS LIKE MARYVALE, WHERE THESE SERVICES ARE OFTEN DIFFICULT TO ACCESS.

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 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 December 1971.

    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.