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Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries

EIN 26-1676217 · Phoenix, AZ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceStrong92 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

GLOBAL FEDERATION OF ANIMAL SANCTUARIES (GFAS) PROMOTES EXCELLENCE IN SANCTUARY MANAGEMENT AND HUMANE RESPONSIBLE CARE OF ANIMALS THROUGH INTERNATIONAL ACCREDITATION AND COLLABORATION WHILE SEEKING TO ELIMINATE THE CAUSES OF DISPLACED ANIMALS.

Income
$669,131
Spending
$566,558
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
1.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 75%
Employees
5
Volunteers
33
Highest pay
$71,875, executive di

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: 75 out of 100. Higher than 41% of charities in its peer group (animals, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 15% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 45% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 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: 92 out of 100. Higher than 94% of charities in its peer group (animals, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 9 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.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

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

  • Independent check of accounts

    12 of 15

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

  • 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. $228,416 spent. ACCREDITATION: SINCE GFAS IS THE MOST WIDELY RECOGNIZED AND RESPECTED CERTIFICATION PROGRAM FOR SANCTUARIES, VARIOUS INDIVIDUALS AND ENTITIES, SUCH AS DONORS, ANIMAL PROTECTION ORGANIZATIONS, GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND THE PUBLIC RELY ON GFAS STANDARDS TO IDENTIFY AND DISTINGUISH TRUE SANCTUARIES. AT THE END OF 2024, THERE WERE 209 ACCREDITED OR VERIFIED SANCTUARIES, RESCUES AND REHABILITATION CENTERS DISTRIBUTED THROUGHOUT 18 COUNTRIES AND 37 STATES IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. AS PART OF THE ACCREDITATION PROCESS, 57 SITE VISITS WERE CONDUCTED AT ANIMAL CARE FACILITIES OVER THE COURSE OF THE YEAR, SUPPORTING THE HIGHEST LEVELS OF ANIMAL CARE AND SUSTAINABILITY, WHILE FURTHERING SANCTUARY CAPACITY BUILDING.
  2. $24,628 spent. OUTREACH: GFAS EDUCATES SANCTUARIES, THE PUBLIC, DONORS, ANIMAL PROTECTION ORGANIZATIONS, AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, AND IN 2024 PROVIDED A VARIETY OF OUTREACH PROGRAMMING TO COMMUNICATE THE BENEFITS OF ACCREDITATION, HEIGHTEN AWARENESS FOR TRUE SANCTUARIES, ASSIST SANCTUARIES IN ENHANCING EFFECTIVENESS, AND INCREASING CAPACITY FOR CARE. THESE EFFORTS INCLUDE PRESENTING AT SEVERAL NATIONAL AND GLOBAL PARTNER ALLIANCE CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS IN PERSON AND VIRTUALLY ON THE BENEFITS OF GFAS ACCREDITATION AND THE GFAS STANDARDS OF EXCELLENCE. IN ADDITION, GFAS ACTIVELY MAINTAINS MEMBERSHIP AND PARTICIPATES IN COLLABORATIVE INITIATIVES WITH PARTNER ALLIANCES INCLUDING THE ASIA FOR ANIMALS COALITION, THE WORLD FEDERATION FOR ANIMALS, THE BIG CAT SANCTUARY ALLIANCE, THE HOMES FOR HORSES COALITION, THE RIGHT HORSE INITIATIVE, AND THE UNITED HORSE COALITION, AMONG OTHERS, TO ADVANCE SHARED GOALS IN ANIMAL WELFARE, SANCTUARY STANDARDS, AND ADVOCACY EFFORTS ALIGNED WITH THE GFAS MISSION. OUTREACH: GFAS EDUCATES SANCTUARIES, THE PUBLIC, DONORS, ANIMAL PROTECTION ORGANIZATIONS, AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, AND IN 2024 PROVIDED A VARIETY OF OUTREACH PROGRAMMING TO COMMUNICATE THE BENEFITS OF ACCREDITATION, HEIGHTEN AWARENESS FOR TRUE SANCTUARIES, ASSIST SANCTUARIES IN ENHANCING EFFECTIVENESS, AND INCREASING CAPACITY FOR CARE. THESE EFFORTS INCLUDE PRESENTING AT SEVERAL NATIONAL AND GLOBAL PARTNER ALLIANCE CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS IN PERSON AND VIRTUALLY ON THE BENEFITS OF GFAS ACCREDITATION AND THE GFAS STANDARDS OF EXCELLENCE. IN ADDITION, GFAS ACTIVELY MAINTAINS MEMBERSHIP AND PARTICIPATES IN COLLABORATIVE INITIATIVES WITH PARTNER ALLIANCES INCLUDING THE ASIA FOR ANIMALS COALITION, THE WORLD FEDERATION FOR ANIMALS, THE BIG CAT SANCTUARY ALLIANCE, THE HOMES FOR HORSES COALITION, THE RIGHT HORSE INITIATIVE, AND THE UNITED HORSE COALITION, AMONG OTHERS, TO ADVANCE SHARED GOALS IN ANIMAL WELFARE, SANCTUARY STANDARDS, AND ADVOCACY EFFORTS ALIGNED WITH THE GFAS MISSION.
  3. $209,246 spent. SANCTUARY SUPPORT AND RECOGNITION: GFAS LED GIVING DAY FOR APES, RAISING AWARENESS AND 743,051 IN FUNDS, AND BUILDING OUTREACH AND FUNDRAISING CAPACITY FOR PRIMATE SANCTUARIES. GFAS PRESENTED THE CAROLE NOON AWARD FOR SANCTUARY LEADERSHIP AND OUTSTANDING SANCTUARY AWARDS IN EQUINE, WILDLIFE, FARMED ANIMAL, AND INTERNATIONAL CATEGORIES. GFAS ALSO MAINTAINED THE ADAM ROBERTS SANCTUARY SUPPORT FUND TO PROVIDE TARGETED ASSISTANCE GRANTS FOR SANCTUARIES.

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 July 2008.

    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.

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