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Humane Society of the Lakes

EIN 41-1651603 · Detroit Lakes, MN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong95 out of 100GovernanceGood76 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROVIDE SERVICES FOR ABANDONED, STRAY OR UNWANTED ANIMALS WHILE THEY AWAIT LIFE LONG HOMES. OUR VISION IS THAT ALL ANIMALS ARE CARED FOR WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT.

Income
$595,518
Spending
$426,601
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
20.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 60%
Employees
38
Highest pay
$51,063, director/gam

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: 95 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (animals, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 20.5 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 28% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 10% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Good: 76 out of 100. Higher than 70% of charities in its peer group (animals, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 14 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (2)
  1. $335,778 spent. THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE LAKES IS A NONPROFIT, VOLUNTEER BASED ORGANIZATION THAT FINDS SUITABLE HOMES FOR STRAY, ABANDONED, AND UNWANTED ANIMALS IN BECKER COUNTY AND SURROUNDING AREAS IN MINNESOTA. MEDICAL SERVICES, VACCINATIONS, FOOD AND SHELTER ARE PROVIDED FOR THESE ANIMALS WHILE THEY AWAIT ADOPTION.
  2. GAMBLING: THE FORMS OF GAMBLING CONDUCTED BY THE ORGANIZATION DURING THE YEAR ENDED 12/31/2024, INCLUDED PAPER PULL-TABS, RAFFLES, TIPBOARDS, SPORTS-THEMED TIPBOARDS, ELECTRONIC PULL-TABS, AND LINKED BINGO. REVENUE IN EXCESS OF ALLOWABLE EXPENSES GENERATED BY THE LAWFUL GAMBLING FUND WERE USED FOR LAWFUL PURPOSES AND BOARD APPROVED EXPENDITURES AS DEFINED BY MINNESOTA STATUTE. GROSS RECEIPTS FOR THE YEAR ENEDED 12/31/2024 WERE 8,161,007 TOTAL GAMING EXPENSES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 12/31/2024 WERE 8,190,828.

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 1992.

    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.