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Animal Lifeline of Iowa Inc

EIN 42-1341320 · Des Moines, IA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceGood84 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

ANIMAL LIFELINE IS A SPECIAL NEEDS NO KILL ANIMAL SHELTER THAT HELPS DOGS & CATS THAT ARE ABUSED, SERIOUSLY ILL, HANDICAPPED, PREGNANT & NURSING MOMS, ORPHAN BABIES THAT NEED TO BE BOTTLE FED & ABANDONED. WE PROVIDE VET CARE, SURGERY, REHAB, FOOD & SHELTER AND ONCE HEALTHY PLACE THEM UP FOR ADOPTION. PROMOTE POSITIVE RESPONSIBLE PET OWNERSHIP, SEEK TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF SPECIAL NEEDS ANIMALS THAT ARE EUTHANIZED AT OTHER SHELTERS. COLLABORATE ON A PET FOOD PANTRY AND PROVIDE

Income
$725,966
Spending
$583,168
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
21.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 57%
Employees
33
Volunteers
95

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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 82% of charities in its peer group (animals, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 21.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 7% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 20% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 7% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    80% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 16 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

Good: 84 out of 100. Higher than 81% of charities in its peer group (animals, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 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.

  • 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 (3)
  1. ADOPTION: ADVERTISE SPECIAL NEEDS DOGS/PUPPIES & CATS/KITTENS THAT ARE AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION. SCREEN APPLICANTS, PROVIDE INFORMATION ON RESPONSIBLE PET OWNERSHIP, COMPLETE BACKGROUND REFERENCE CHECKS ON POTENTIAL ADOPTERS, APPROVE ADOPTION APPLICATIONS. ONCE APPLICATION IS APPROVED, PROVIDE ADOPTERS WITH INFORMATION ON THE REQUIRED CARE OF THEIR NEW PET AND PROVIDE FOLLOW-UP INFORMATION, INSTRUCTION AND SUPPORT TO NEW ADOPTERS.
  2. $468,176 spent. ANIMAL CARE: RECEIVE INJURED, ORPHANED, HANDICAPPED, ABUSED, PREGNANT, SERIOUSLY ILL DOGS & CATS AND PROVIDE FOOD, SHELTER, MEDICATION, VETERINARY CARE, INCLUDING STERILIZATIOIN, TESTING, PREVENTATIVES, VACCINES, SURGERIES TO REPAIR INJURIES, TREATMENTS THAT MAINTAIN OR IMPROVE HEALTH. THE OVERALL GOAL IS TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH AND WELL BEING OF THE ANIMALS THAT ARRIVE AT THE SHELTER.
  3. PUBLIC EDUCATION: PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS, REFERRAL & INFORMATION TO INDIVIDUALS SEEKING TO ADOPT A COMPANION ANIMAL AND TO THOSE SEEKING TO FIND A PLACEMENT (RE-HOME) FOR THEIR COMPANION ANIMAL. WORK WITH LOCAL YOUTH GROUPS, COMMUNITY GROUPS AND AT RISK YOUTH BY PROVIDING VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES AND EDUCATE THEM ON THE RESPONSIBILITY AND COMMITTMENT OF ADOPTING AND CAREING FOR A COMPANION ANIMAL.

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 November 6, 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 May 1993.

    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 November 4, 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.