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4 Paws for Ability Inc

EIN 31-1625484 · Xenia, OH

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

4 PAWS' PRIMARY ACTIVITY IS TO TRAIN SERVICE DOGS TO ASSIST INDIVIDUALS WITH PHYSICAL AND HIDDEN DISABILITIES, INCLUDING CHILDREN WITH AUTISM AND SEIZURES, WITH INDEPENDENT LIVING.

Income
$4.9 million
Spending
$4.1 million
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
9.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 54%
Employees
102
Volunteers
2,000
Highest pay
$100,826, executive di

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 9.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 12% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 16% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 9% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 14 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 December 31, 2024, 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. $3.5 million spent. 4 PAWS FOR ABILITY'S MISSION IS TO ENRICH THE LIVES OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES BY PLACING LIFE-CHANGING SERVICE DOGS. WE ENVISION A WORLD WHERE PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES CAN REALIZE THEIR FULL POTENTIAL, ONE SERVICE DOG AT A TIME. WE MAKE A LIFETIME COMMITMENT TO ENSURE THE WELL-BEING OF EVERY 4 PAWS DOG WE BREED, TRAIN, AND PLACE. WE DEVELOP THE SKILLS OF OUR TEAM MEMBERS TO ATTRACT AND MAINTAIN THE BEST AVAILABLE TALENT. WE MAINTAIN A LARGE, DEDICATED, AND WELL-TRAINED VOLUNTEER BASE TO SUPPORT THE SUCCESS OF EVERY 4 PAWS DOG. WE OFFER A LIFETIME OF SUPPORT FOR OUR 4 PAWS FAMILIES, AND WE MAKE OUR SERVICE DOGS AVAILABLE TO THOSE WHO QUALIFY BY PLACING DOGS TAILORED TO THEIR UNIQUE, INDIVIDUAL NEEDS. WE MAINTAIN FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE BY BEING GOOD STEWARDS OF OUR DONOR CONTRIBUTIONS, WHICH ENABLES THE ORGANIZATION TO MAKE DECISIONS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF OUR CLIENTS AND TEAM MEMBERS. WE ALSO EDUCATE OUR CLIENTS AND COMMUNITY ON THE APPROPRIATE USE OF SERVICE DOGS AND THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN SERVICE DOGS, THERAPY DOGS, EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMALS, AND OTHER WORKING DOGS. IN 2024, 4 PAWS PLACED 113 SERVICE DOGS WITH CHILDREN OR VETERANS AND 194 FUTURE SERVICE PUPPIES WERE BORN. CUMULATIVELY OVER THE PAST 25 YEARS, APPROXIMATELY 2,000 SERVICE DOGS HAVE BEEN PLACED. 4 PAWS FOR ABILITY'S MISSION IS TO ENRICH THE LIVES OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES BY PLACING LIFE-CHANGING SERVICE DOGS. WE ENVISION A WORLD WHERE PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES CAN REALIZE THEIR FULL POTENTIAL, ONE SERVICE DOG AT A TIME. WE MAKE A LIFETIME COMMITMENT TO ENSURE THE WELL-BEING OF EVERY 4 PAWS DOG WE BREED, TRAIN, AND PLACE. WE DEVELOP THE SKILLS OF OUR TEAM MEMBERS TO ATTRACT AND MAINTAIN THE BEST AVAILABLE TALENT. WE MAINTAIN A LARGE, DEDICATED, AND WELL-TRAINED VOLUNTEER BASE TO SUPPORT THE SUCCESS OF EVERY 4 PAWS DOG. WE OFFER A LIFETIME OF SUPPORT FOR OUR 4 PAWS FAMILIES, AND WE MAKE OUR SERVICE DOGS AVAILABLE TO THOSE WHO QUALIFY BY PLACING DOGS TAILORED TO THEIR UNIQUE, INDIVIDUAL NEEDS. WE MAINTAIN FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE BY BEING GOOD STEWARDS OF OUR DONOR CONTRIBUTIONS, WHICH ENABLES THE ORGANIZATION TO MAKE DECISIONS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF OUR CLIENTS AND TEAM MEMBERS. WE ALSO EDUCATE OUR CLIENTS AND COMMUNITY ON THE APPROPRIATE USE OF SERVICE DOGS AND THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN SERVICE DOGS, THERAPY DOGS, EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMALS, AND OTHER WORKING DOGS. IN 2024, 4 PAWS PLACED 113 SERVICE DOGS WITH CHILDREN OR VETERANS AND 194 FUTURE SERVICE PUPPIES WERE BORN. CUMULATIVELY OVER THE PAST 25 YEARS, APPROXIMATELY 2,000 SERVICE DOGS HAVE BEEN PLACED.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 December 2024.

    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 April 2000.

    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.