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Harbor Humane Society

EIN 38-1623660 · West Olive, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong93 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROVIDE A SAFE HARBOR FOR ANIMALS ENTRUSTED TO OUR CARE AS WE STRIVE TO SECURE THE ANIMALS FUTURE THROUGH OUR ADOPTION, OUTREACH, AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS.

Income
$3.9 million
Spending
$2.6 million
Spent on programs
74%
Reserves
6.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 78%
Employees
75
Volunteers
170
Highest pay
$122,645, highest compensated employee

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 64% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 8% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 34% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 66% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    74% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 14 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: 93 out of 100. Higher than 64% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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, 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 (1)
  1. $1.9 million spent. AS THE ONLY ANIMAL SHELTER IN OTTAWA COUNTY, HARBOR HUMANE SOCIETY PROVIDES CARE FOR NEARLY 4,500 LOST OR UNWANTED ANIMALS EACH YEAR. HARBOR HUMANE SOCIETY HAS BEEN HELPING PEOPLE HELP ANIMALS SINCE 1956. BY INCREASING THE LITERACY OF THE HUMANE TREATMENT OF ANIMALS, PROMOTING RESPONSIBLE PET OWNERSHIP AND SERVING AS A CARE FACILITY FOR LOST AND UNWANTED PETS, HARBOR HUMANE SOCIETY HELPS TO ENSURE THAT PEOPLE AND ANIMALS MAKE A CONNECTION. HARBOR HUMANE SOCIETY EDUCATES THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE EMOTIONAL AND FINANCIAL IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY THAT COMES FROM UNWANTED ANIMALS, WHICH IS CRUCIAL TO SOLVING THE PROBLEM. HARBOR HUMANE SOCIETY IS DEDICATED TO SPAYING AND NEUTERING ALL ADOPTED ANIMALS PRIOR TO JOINING THEIR NEW FAMILIES.

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 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 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 April 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.