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Donkeyland

EIN 45-2735098 · Riverside, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceWeak35 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

To save lives of donkeys and wild burros and educate the public about the plight of these animals, both in captivity and in the wild.

Income
$3.1 million
Spending
$563,632
Spent on programs
93%
Reserves
45.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 90%
Employees
0
Volunteers
12

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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 45.4 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 82% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 740% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    93% 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

Weak: 35 out of 100. Higher than 5% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    4 of 4 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 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 (3)
  1. $413,181 spent. Provided Wild Burro emergency medical expenses and after care. Our wild burro emergency rescues involve safely capturing, providing first-aid on-site treatment, transporting to the hospital, rehabilitating, castrating the males rescued, then releasing the burros back to the wild with their family, as we never want to take away their freedom. Ultimately that is our goal, but in some cases the ideal situation does not always happen and the burro becomes a permanent resident of DonkeyLand. We are a forever home for those who can't be released back to the wild because of a traumatic car accident, injury, illness or a special needs situation. They come to us traumatized, desperate and betrayed. With us they find love, safety, compassion, dignity, trust, hope and a new beginning.Orphan emergency rescues. We are dedicated and committed to providing emergency assistance to serve the wild burro orphans in dire situations at a moment's notice. It involves 24 hours a day around-the-clock bottle feeding and care for the most critical first six months of their life. For the animals who are healthy enough, we will find them safe, loving, permanent adoptive homes where they can become a cherished member of a family, but because our goal is a forever home - title does not transfer, meaning with a guarantee that in the event the family can no longer care for the donkey or burro, they can safely be returned back to DonkeyLand.
  2. $104,724 spent. Maintained Animal Rescue Facility. We are the only rescue that has legal written permission by the authorities to intervene when a burro is sick, injured or orphaned. The authorities and the community are thankful for our hard work and endless efforts as volunteers. Together as a team, we share this journey to help protect and preserve the local free-roaming wild burros. Everyone is very appreciative and supportive because this rescue is desperately needed in this area. We are an all-volunteer organization and 100% of every contribution is for the rescue facility the animals call home.
  3. $5,819 spent. Continued "Awareness Campaign". The goal of the Awareness Campaign is to discourage illegal pick-ups of newborn baby burros in the wild that many members of the public mistakenly believe have been abandoned by their wild burro mothers. Provided information on our website and in flyers regarding how to report a distressed or orphaned wild burro.

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 September 2011.

    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.