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Champ Assistance Dogs Inc

EIN 43-1803006 · Saint Louis, MO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

It is the mission of CHAMP Assistance Dogs to improve and enhance life skills and promote companionship through the placement of specially selected service dogs with qualified individuals, and further, to always celebrate the mystery and joy inherent in the canine/human bond. It is our vision that both partners, dog and human, will have a better life because of the other.

Income
$792,023
Spending
$667,226
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
7.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 94%
Employees
8
Volunteers
170
Highest pay
$92,648, executive dir.

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

Financial health

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 79% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 14% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 16% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 31% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 94% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 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.

  • 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 September 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. $405,865 spent. ASSISTANCE DOG PROGRAMCHAMP trains and places assistance dogs to enhance life skills and increase the independence of individuals (children, adults, and veterans) with physical and/or cognitive disabilities. It costs CHAMP up to $40,000 to train and place an assistance dog. However, CHAMPs assistance dogs were placed free of charge. In the fiscal that ended September 30, 2025, CHAMP place one home service dog, and three facility dogs. CHAMP placed the facility dogs at a child advocacy center, a camp for children and adults with disabilities, and the very first National Soccer League Facility Dog was placed at STL City SC.CHAMP facility dogs work with professional caregivers who serve as their handler. Facility Dogs help motivate a client or patient while helping them achieve their goals. In a child advocacy center or a courtroom, a facility dog is available to comfort a child as they face a frightening or stressful procedure in the criminal justice system.During the year, a portion of the training of CHAMPs assistance dogs was done through CHAMPS partnership with the Federal Bureau of Prisons in Greenville, IL. Through this partnership, women offenders in a prison camp help to train CHAMPs assistance dogs. This win-win program helps the women experience positive interactions and increase their self-confidence as they practice teamwork and gain job-related skills. The experience provides a sense of accomplishment as the women give back to the community and experience success.
  2. $84,012 spent. THERAPY DOG PROGRAM CHAMP Therapy Dog Teams visit children and adults in hospitals, assisted living centers, hospice centers, medical facilities, and schools. Interactions with a CHAMP Therapy Dog Team can relieve stress, lower heart rates, provide comfort during a stressful procedure or simply bring a comforting presence to students preparing for final exams. The CHAMP Therapy Dog Program is a free service that serves CHAMPs community. Throughout the year, CHAMP Therapy Dog teams visited approximately 83,000 children and adults. That was a 34% increase in visits over the previous year.
  3. $54,338 spent. EDUCATION PROGRAMCHAMP Education Programs are delivered by engaging speakers accompanied by service dogs-in-training and CHAMP Therapy Dogs. These community programs promote public education, focus on ability awareness, and provide demonstrations of service dog skills while increasing awareness of the health benefits dogs provide to people of all ages. Throughout the year, CHAMP touched the lives of approximately 6,000 children and adults through CHAMPs education presentations.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 September 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 1998.

    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.