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Grey Muzzle Organization

EIN 26-1965495 · Raleigh, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair53 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE GREY MUZZLE ORGANIZATION IMPROVES THE LIVES OF AT-RISK SENIOR DOGS BY PROVIDING FUNDING AND RESOURCES TO ANIMAL SHELTERS, RESCUE ORGANIZATIONS, SANCTUARIES, AND OTHER NON-PROFIT GROUPS NATIONWIDE.

Income
$1.8 million
Spending
$2.2 million
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
4
Volunteers
50
Highest pay
$29,700, executive director (from november)

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 53 out of 100. Higher than 13% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 56% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 23% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 13% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 73% 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

    10 of 10

    Gave 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 June 30, 2025, 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. $1.9 million spent. IF YOU'RE FORTUNATE, YOU HAVE LIVED, OR CURRENTLY LIVE, WITH AN OLD DOG. AS CHERISHED COMPANIONS, THE OLD DOGS IN OUR LIVES ENRICH OUR DAYS FOR AS LONG AS WE ARE PRIVILEGED TO HAVE THEM.YOU MAY FIND IT INCONCEIVABLE THEN THAT A TREASURED MEMBER OF THE FAMILY WOULD BE TOSSED AWAY WHEN SIGNS OF OLD AGE APPEAR, WHEN EXTRA CARE IS REQUIRED, OR AFTER THE KIDS LEAVE HOME. BUT THIS IS ALL TOO COMMON. OLD DOGS ARE LEFT AT SHELTERS, OR SIMPLY TURNED LOOSE OR LEFT BEHIND, CONFUSED AND FRIGHTENED. ABANDONMENT CAN ALSO HAPPEN RIGHT AT HOME - OLD DOGS WHO ARE NO LONGER WANTED ARE SOMETIMES BANISHED TO THE GARAGE OR EXILED TO THE BACK YARD WITH LITTLE HUMAN COMPANIONSHIP. AND SADLY, SOMETIMES PEOPLE OR FAMILIES WHO LOVE THEIR OLD DOG ARE FORCED TO GIVE THE DOG UP DUE TO DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES.CURRENTLY THERE ARE VERY FEW RESCUE GROUPS IN THE UNITED STATES THAT SPECIALIZE IN HELPING HOMELESS SENIOR DOGS, THOUGH OLDER DOGS ARE FOUND IN EVERY MUNICIPAL ANIMAL SHELTER AND HUMANE SOCIETY AND WITH RESCUE LEAGUES OF ALL SHAPES AND SIZES. THERE IS A GREAT NEED FOR SPECIAL PROGRAMS THAT ARE UNIQUE TO OLD DOGS, SUCH AS HOSPICE CARE AND HEALTH CARE PROGRAMS FOR DOGS IN LOVING HOMES WHOSE PEOPLE MAY NEED A LITTLE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AS THEIR DOG AGES. WE BELIEVE MUCH MORE CAN BE DONE.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, 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 June 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 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.

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.