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Sophies Circle Inc

EIN 27-2178682 · New Smyrna, FL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceWeak35 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SOPHIES CIRCLE PROVIDES PET FOOD TO FINANCIALLY CHALLENGED FAMILIES IN AN ONGOING EFFORT TO KEEP PETS IN THEIR HOMES. WE ALSO RESCUE, REHABILITIATE AND REHOME DOGS AND CATS IN PRIVATE FOSTER HOMES UNTIL WE FIND THEM THEIR FOREVER HOME.

Income
$1.8 million
Spending
$374,257
Spent on programs
100%
Reserves
49.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 98%
Employees
0

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 49.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 79% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 626% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    100% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Weak: 35 out of 100. Higher than 4% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    4 of 4 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 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, 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 (4)
  1. ANIMAL RESCUE - ANIMALS ARE TAKEN IN FROM HIGH KILL SHELTERS, OWNER SURRENDERS OR ARE BROUGHT IN AS STRAYS. ANIMALS ARE IMMEDIATELY SENT TO A VET AND EVALUATED. MEDICAL NEEDS ARE ADDRESSED AND PROTOCOL IS THAT EVERY ANIMAL THAT COMES INTO OUR RESCUE IS SPAYED OR NEUTERED. THEY ARE ALL BROUGHT UP TO DATE ON SHOTS AND IF THEY ARE HEARTWORM POSITIVE, THEY ARE TREATED. ANY OTHER MEDICAL ISSUES ARE ADDRESSED AND TREATED. ONCE THE ANIMAL IS VETTED, THEY GO TO AN APPROVED FOSTER HOME WHERE THEY STAY UNTIL WE FIND THEM AN APPROVED NEW HOME. ALL APPLICATIONS ARE REVIEWED BY OUR VOLUNTEERS, REFERENCES ARE CHECKED AND HOMES ARE INSPECTED. THE NEW ADOPTER SIGNS A CONTRACT WITH US AND A STIPULATION OF THE CONTRACT IS THAT THE ANIMAL MUST BE RETURNED TO OUR RESCUE IF FOR ANY REASON IT DOESN'T WORK OUT. THERE IS NO TIME LIMIT ON THAT STIPULATION. WE STAY IN CONTACT WITH OUR ADOPTIVE FAMILIES TO MAKE SURE THE RELATIONSHIP IS SUCCESSFUL. ANIMAL RESCUE - ANIMALS ARE TAKEN IN FROM HIGH KILL SHELTERS, OWNER SURRENDERS OR ARE BROUGHT IN AS STRAYS. ANIMALS ARE IMMEDIATELY SENT TO A VET AND EVALUATED. MEDICAL NEEDS ARE ADDRESSED AND PROTOCOL IS THAT EVERY ANIMAL THAT COMES INTO OUR RESCUE IS SPAYED OR NEUTERED. THEY ARE ALL BROUGHT UP TO DATE ON SHOTS AND IF THEY ARE HEARTWORM POSITIVE, THEY ARE TREATED. ANY OTHER MEDICAL ISSUES ARE ADDRESSED AND TREATED. ONCE THE ANIMAL IS VETTED, THEY GO TO AN APPROVED FOSTER HOME WHERE THEY STAY UNTIL WE FIND THEM AN APPROVED NEW HOME. ALL APPLICATIONS ARE REVIEWED BY OUR VOLUNTEERS, REFERENCES ARE CHECKED AND HOMES ARE INSPECTED. THE NEW ADOPTER SIGNS A CONTRACT WITH US AND A STIPULATION OF THE CONTRACT IS THAT THE ANIMAL MUST BE RETURNED TO OUR RESCUE IF FOR ANY REASON IT DOESN'T WORK OUT. THERE IS NO TIME LIMIT ON THAT STIPULATION. WE STAY IN CONTACT WITH OUR ADOPTIVE FAMILIES TO MAKE SURE THE RELATIONSHIP IS SUCCESSFUL.
  2. FOOD PANTRY - AS THE ONLY PET FOOD PANTRY IN VOLUSIA, WE PROVIDE PET FOOD TO FINANCIALLY CHALLENGED FAMILIES AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS ON A WEEKLY BASIS. FINANCIAL HARDSHIP MUST BE PROVEN WHEN A NEW FAMILY SIGNS UP FOR THE PROGRAM AND PROOF OF SPAY/NEUTER FOR EACH ANIMAL RECEIVING FOOD MUST BE PROVIDED. ONCE THE FAMILY HAS QUALIFIED, THEY RECEIVE A CARD AND EACH TIME THEY RECEIVE FOOD THE CARD IS MARKED WITH THE DATE. CARDS ARE NOT TRANSFERRABLE AND NO ONE IS ALLOWED TO PICK UP FOR ANYONE ELSE.
  3. ADOPTION - APPLICANTS FILL OUT AN ADOPTION APPLICATION WHICH IS REVIEWED BY OUR VOLUNTEERS. ALL REFERENCES ARE CHECKED AND HOMES ARE VISITED AND INSPECTED. WE CHECK THE 'DO NOT ADOPT' LISTS AND WE MAKE SURE IT WILL BE A GOOD MATCH BASED ON WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT THE DOG BEING CHOSEN. A CONTRACT IS SIGNED ONCE THE ANIMAL GOES TO THEIR NEW HOME AND ONE OF THE STIPULATIONS IS THE ANIMAL MUST BE RETURNED TO OUR RESCUE IF IT DOESN'T WORK OUT FOR ANY REASON. OUR ADOPTION FEES ARE 50 TO 200 BASED ON AGE AND SPECIAL NEEDS.
  4. $374,257 spent. SEE SCHEDULE O

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since September 2010.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.