Cause for Paws - Lincoln
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- Raising each dollar of donations cost 585 cents.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
THE MAIN FOCUS OF THE ORGANIZATION IS TO PROVIDE FUNDS TO INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS WHO SUPPORT DOG RESCUE AND CANINE SURVIVAL PROGRAMS, AS WELL AS PROVIDE FUNDS FOR THE NEEDS AND ASSISTANCE OF OTHER ANIMALS. DONATIONS ARE CONTRIBUTED TO LOCAL AND STATE-SIDE NONPROFIT ANIMAL RESCUE AND WELFARE GROUPS.
- Income
- $571,170
- Spending
- $567,217
- Spent on programs
- 63%
- Reserves
- 0.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 99%
- Employees
- 0
- Highest pay
- $58,800, secretary
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
Fair: 51 out of 100. Higher than 12% of charities in its peer group (animals, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
4 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 0.9 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 9% of what it owns.
Living within its means
12 of 15Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 21% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1563% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 585 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
Fair: 69 out of 100. Higher than 61% of charities in its peer group (animals, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
18 of 254 of 3 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (2)
- $357,263 spent. 1.1 501(C)(3) ASSISTANCE PROGRAMOur organization donated $27,223.19 to Local Animal Rescue and Charity Groups, and $72,950.89 to individual veterinary care and pet food under our Fashion for Compassion Pet Care program for a grand total of $100,174.08 donated to our causes. Pet owners in need of veterinary care for their pets voluntarily sign an application form stating their inability to pay while providing up to date documents with their bank statements and or tax returns to qualify for their Pets veterinary care. These applicants are screened and if eligible we will pay up to 100% of the cost of necessary services payable only to the Veterinarian(s) of our choice directly. The pet owner must complete & sign the application form before calling at our direction with the veterinarian to provide care appointments. We will try to accommodate their Pets needs as soon as possible with immediate care.Our Organization, its members, staff are in no way responsible civilly or criminally in any case beyond our stated voucher monetary amount approved on a case-by-case basis. We ask that the pet owner try to pay at least 25% of the cost direct to the veterinarian if initially possible. There are other ways to raise money for the owner such as GoFundMe and Sadies Dog Fund to pay any costs not covered us. Others can come to help at the store by volunteering.
- Heartfelt Care Fund distributed $72,950.89 to Veterinary clinics for veterinary care. Pet owners in need of veterinary care for their pets sign an application form stating their inability to pay along with their bank statements and or tax returns to qualify for their pets veterinary care. These applicants are screened and if eligible we will pay 100% of the cost of necessary services payable to the Veterinarian directly. Our veterinarian will provide immediate care. We ask that the pet owner try to pay perhaps 25% of the cost if possible. There are other ways to repay the 25% such as volunteering at the store.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since October 2011.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.