Passes our checks

Humane Society of West Michigan

EIN 38-1360926 · Walker, MI

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

What it says it does

OUR MISSION IS TO PROMOTE THE HUMANE TREATMENT AND RESPONSIBLE CARE OF ANIMALS IN WEST MICHIGAN THROUGH EDUCATION, EXAMPLE, PLACEMENT AND PROTECTION.

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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 64% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).

Reserves
28 of 35
Spendable reserves would cover 8.1 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20
It owes 3% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15
Income exceeded spending by 11% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15
Income rose 15% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 15
70% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 15 cents.

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

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

Independent board
25 of 25
17 of 15 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.
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

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (1)

$1.8 million spent. PROVIDED SHELTER AND VETERINARY CARE FOR ALL ANIMALS ENTRUSTED TO IT TO PROTECT / RESCUE / HEAL THEM FROM CRUELTY. BROUGHT AWARENESS TO THE COMMUNITY THROUGH EDUCATION PROGRAMS AND MATERIALS RELATIVE TO ANIMALS LIVES. DURING THE YEAR A TOTAL OF 1,894 ANIMALS WERE TAKEN INTO THE PROGRAM AND 1,723 ADOPTIONS.

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

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 June 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 August 1951.
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.