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Retrieving Independence Inc

EIN 46-0648411 · Brentwood, TN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair60 out of 100GovernanceFair68 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO BREED, TRAIN AND PLACE HIGHLY SKILLED DOGS WITH CHILDREN AND ADULTS LIVING WITH A DISABILITY, ENHANCING THEIR LIVES AND BRINGING INCREASED INDEPENDENCE.

Income
$480,332
Spending
$517,559
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
2.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 41%
Employees
9
Highest pay
$86,000, ceo/ president

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

Fair: 60 out of 100. Higher than 20% of charities in its peer group (animals, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 17% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    80% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Fair: 68 out of 100. Higher than 60% 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

    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

    0 of 10

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

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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, 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. $400,647 spent. IN 2025, RETRIEVING INDEPENDENCE TRAINED AND PLACED 8 DOGS THAT WERE HOUSED, FED, AND TRAINED TO ASSIST PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES.
  2. $7,071 spent. TRAINING CAMPS - TEN DAY TRAINING CAMP CENTERS AROUND NEW OWNERS, FAMILY MEMBERS AND THE SERVICE DOGS. NEW DOG OWNERS AND THEIR FAMILIES LEARN SKILLS SO ALL PARTICIPANTS ARE COMFORTABLE RETURNING TO THEIR HOMES WITH THEIR SERVICE DOGS. ADDITIONALLY, THE CLIENT AND DOG ARE CERTIFIED FOR PUBLIC ACCESS PRIOR TO LEAVING THE PROGRAM.
  3. $5,140 spent. INMATE AND PARTNER RECIPIENT TRAINING - RETRIEVING INDEPENDENCE PARTNERS WITH INMATES AT TN PRISONS TO TRAIN AND SOCIALIZE DOGS FOR PLACEMENT. INMATES RECEIVE 30 HOURS INTENSIVE TRAINING BEFORE WORKING WITH PUPPIES. A TEAM OF TWO INMATES RECEIVES A PUPPY THAT WILL LIVE, WORK AND TRAIN WITH THEM FOR THE NEXT 14 TO 20 MONTHS UNDER THE DIRECT SUPERVISION OF RI TRAINERS AND STAFF.

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 March 2014.

    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.