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The Big Fix

EIN 30-0019352 · Hyattsville, MD

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong92 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Improve animal health and welfare through veterinary service; promote the human-animal bond (through The Comfort Dog Project), reduce the suffering of animals through cruelty and neglect by providing animal welfare education

Income
$401,038
Spending
$342,454
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
11.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 96%
Employees
1
Volunteers
16
Highest pay
$30,399, director of development

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: 93 out of 100. Higher than 71% of charities in its peer group (animals, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 11.4 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 15% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 83% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% 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

Strong: 92 out of 100. Higher than 95% of charities in its peer group (animals, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 6 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, 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 (3)
  1. $243,211 spent. Operation of The BIG FIX Uganda veterinary hospital (the only animal hospital in Northern Uganda) which was open 365 days during 2025, admission of 774 patients to our veterinary hospital for care, provided free rabies vaccinations and deworming to 12,784 dogs and cats, operated Northern Uganda's only veterinary laboratory which performed 1,172 diagnostic tests during 2025, provided free veterinary services in 65 villages; spayed/neutered 686 dogs and cats, exchanged 5,351 unsafe neck restraints on dogs for rope, assisted 2,052 dog guardians to wash and groom their dogs, provided emergency rabies responses to 13 rabies outbreaks; hosted 4 veterinary students for their internships.
  2. $36,482 spent. The Comfort Dog Project provided ongoing supportive services to over 120 dogs and guardians in the program; paired 12 new rescue dogs with war trauma survivors and supported through training 3 returning guardians and graduated 100% from the 20-week long dog training and bonding program; held "The Great Dog Guardian Games" which showcased dog training and positive human-animal interactions; held 45 meetings for program guardians which included group counseling and vet checks for project dogs; provided 37 individual counseling sessions and 45 group counseling sessions for program guardians and their families, provided free veterinary services for all project dogs, including hospitalization of 39 dogs; made 460 phone calls and 53 home checks to follow up on project participants; held 41 group counseling sessions for war trauma survivors in the villages, each of which was attended by an average of 16 people. The Comfort Dog Project graduates also entirely staffed The BIG FIX Uganda's Animal Welfare Team, which: rescued 90 dogs in need in the community, placed 53 dogs and cats into new adoptive homes after conducting home checks; cared for a total of 930 dogs during the year; maintained permanent foster homes for 2 paralyzed dogs; provided 7,743 dog walks, and bathed 273 dogs at the hospital.
  3. $24,321 spent. Our school education team included our education manager, the Principle Education Officer for Gulu City, the Lead Canine Officer with Gulu Police Department and three dogs and guardians from The Comfort Dog Project. The education team visited 24 schools, reaching 16,201 students and their teachers and provided information about The Five Animal Freedoms, animal health, rabies prevention, Uganda's anti-cruelty laws, how to communicate with and train dogs, and the health benefits of having dogs as friends. 9,600 copies of "The Great Dog Guardian Book" were distributed. produced 24 radio talk shows about animal health and welfare, laws protecting animals, rabies, the healing power of human-animal bonds, and other timely veterinary issues.

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 May 2002.

    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.