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New Leash on Life USA

EIN 27-2204508 · Penn Valley, PA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak46 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO REDUCE RECIDIVISM & SAVE THE LIVES OF AT-RISK DOGS. WE ACCOMPLISH THIS WITH AN INNOVATIVE REFORM MODEL THAT LEVERAGES THE POWERFUL BOND BETWEEN DOGS AND HUMANS. NEW LEASH FINDS SAFE HOMES FOR 100% OF OUR DOGS & SECURES A "CONTINUUM-OF-CARE" FOR THE PARTICIPANTS INCLUDING SUPPORTS IN PRISON & POST-RELEASE ASSISTANCE.

Income
$1.5 million
Spending
$1.9 million
Spent on programs
76%
Reserves
1.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 36%
Employees
87
Highest pay
$181,449, founder and

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

Weak: 46 out of 100. Higher than 15% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 25% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 30% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 19% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    76% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 21 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

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 48% of charities in its peer group (human services, $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, 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. $1.4 million spent. THE NEW LEASH ON LIFE USA PROGRAMS ARE DESIGNED TO EMPOWER JUSTICE-INVOLVED PEOPLE TO THRIVE BY HELPING THEM OVERCOME BARRIERS TO OPPORTUNITY THROUGH CASE MANAGEMENT AND TAILORED, WHOLE PERSON SERVICES THAT SUPPORT A POSITIVE OUTCOME FOR THE INDIVIDUAL AND PUT AN END TO THE CYCLE OF INCARCERATION AND GUN VIOLENCE. RECIDIVISM RATE FOR NEW LEASH GRADUATES IS APPROXIMATLEY 6.3%, COMPARED TO THE 33% ONE YEAR RECIDIVISM RATE OF THE GENERAL PRISON POPULATION IN PHILADELPHIA. SINCE THE PROGRAM STARTED IN AUGUST 2011 NEW LEASH ON LIFE USA HAS RESCUED AND ADOPTED OVER 300 DOGS AND OVER 700 PARTICIPANTS HAVE GRADUATED FROM THE PROGRAM.

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 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 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 August 2010.

    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.