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Columbus Humane

EIN 31-4379492 · Hilliard, OH

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair65 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO FIGHT ANIMAL CRUELTY, HELP ANIMALS IN NEED AND ADVOCATE FOR THEIR WELL-BEING.

Income
$7.8 million
Spending
$8.9 million
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
3.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 80%
Employees
107
Volunteers
350
Highest pay
$179,050, chief medical officer

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 21% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 13% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 1% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 11 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 73% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    25 of 25 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 June 30, 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. $3.9 million spent. THE ANIMAL CARE, CLIENT CARE AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH OPERATIONS PROVIDE SERVICES FOR PETS AND PEOPLE INCLUDING ANIMAL ADOPTION, ACCESS TO LOW COST SPAY/NEUTER, EMERGENCY SHELTERING FOR PETS OF VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND REHOMING OPTIONS. WE PROVIDE COMPASSIONATE COUNSELING AND RESOURCES FOR THOSE STRUGGLING TO KEEP THEIR PETS. WE ALSO TAKE IN A WIDE VARIETY OF STRAY COMPANION ANIMALS, EXCEPT FOR DOGS, WHICH GO TO THE FRANKLIN COUNTY ANIMAL CONTROL.
  2. $737,237 spent. ANIMAL CRUELTY INVESTIGATIONS: COLUMBUS HUMANE IS THE LEAD AGENCY IN FRANKLIN COUNTY INVESTIGATING CASES OF ANIMAL CRUELTY, NEGLECT AND ABANDOMENT. THE COMMISSIONED HUMANE AGENTS ENFORCE ALL LOCAL AND STATE LAWS PERTAINING TO THE CARE AND TREATMENT OF ANIMALS AS REPORTED BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AND PARTNER AGENCIES INCLUDING OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, HEALTH DEPARTMENTS, CODE ENFORCEMENT AND SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES. THE CRUELTY INVESTIGATION TEAM OF SEVEN AGENTS MADE 4,640 VISITS IN 2024, INTAKING 1,004 ANIMALS WHICH INCLUDED 497 SEIZED ANIMALS AND 428 FIELD SURRENDERS AND PROVIDED SERVICES TO MANY MORE. HUMANE AGENTS ARE ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR RESPONDING TO LARGE SCALE HOARDING CASES OR THOSE INVOLVING ORGANIZED ANIMAL FIGHTING.
  3. $2.7 million spent. THE ESSENTIAL CARE CENTER PROVIDES PET FOOD DISTRIBUTION, THE RACHAEL RAY FOUNDATION PATHWAYS TO CAREERS IN ANIMAL HEALTH TRAINING PROGRAM, AND SUBSIDIZED VETERINARY CLINIC.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 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 June 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 March 1957.

    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.