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Bailing Out Benji

EIN 47-1652323 · Ames, IA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood86 out of 100GovernanceFair64 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

We do research, education, and advocacy regarding puppy mills, along with support to pet owners facing financial hardships to enable them to keep their pets in the family, reducing strains on local shelters

Income
$483,484
Spending
$485,657
Spent on programs
57%
Reserves
12.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 96%
Employees
6
Volunteers
233
Highest pay
$69,949, 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

Good: 86 out of 100. Higher than 64% of charities in its peer group (animals, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 12.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 33% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    57% 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

Fair: 64 out of 100. Higher than 53% of charities in its peer group (animals, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    2 of 5 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

    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, 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. $110,553 spent. Bailing Out Benji disseminates information about the dog breeding and selling industry to the general public through multiple media channels, including its website, social media platforms, and podcast, and through in-person, volunteer-led public events. The organization produces and distributes content designed to help individuals make informed decisions when acquiring a pet, developing policies and regulations, or advocating for changes in the industry. Public outreach efforts also include the development and maintenance of a publicly accessible licensed breeder search engine, enabling consumers and advocates to research licensed breeders at the state and federal level. Bailing Out Benji's outreach materials are used by advocates, policymakers, and puppy buyers nationwide.
  2. $104,071 spent. Bailing Out Benji's unique research program collects, catalogs, and conducts forensic analysis on extensive data from government inspection reports, health records, lawsuits, and more, to spark change within the puppy mill, commercial dog breeding, and pet acquisition industries. Our research is used to flag habitual violators, expose sham rescue operations, and produce national datasets on licensed breeder violations, broker supply chains, and retail compliance. Research findings are made available to the public, and are actively used by legislators, regulators, law enforcement, and animal advocates to inform policy development and regulatory reform efforts.
  3. $63,265 spent. At Bailing Out Benji, we believe you can't help animals without first helping the people who love those animals. Our Benji Cares program has been able to make an immeasurable impact on thousands of families who were experiencing financial hardship and needed a partner to help them get through. Our pet food pantry and pet wellness clinics provide essential support to pet owners in times of need, removing barriers that often lead families to surrender their pets to shelters. This allows pets to stay in homes and reduces strain on local shelters. In 2025, we served an average of 88 families each month at our pet food pantry and provided 361 vaccines and microchips to 165 pets free of charge at our annual Pet Wellness Clinic.

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 February 2015.

    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.