Northwest Dog Project
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
NORTHWEST DOG PROJECT RESCUES, RE-HOMES, AND ENHANCES THE LIVES OF NEGLECTED, ABUSED, AND HOMELESS DOGS WHILE ADVOCATING FOR RESPONSIBLE PET OWNERSHIP. NORTHWEST DOG PROJECT WELCOMES MEDICALLY CHALLENGED DOGS AND PROVIDES A NURTURING FOREVER SANCTUARY TO SENIORS WHO HAVE BEEN ABANDONED IN THEIR GOLDEN YEARS.
- Income
- $630,906
- Spending
- $607,620
- Spent on programs
- 89%
- Reserves
- 4.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 92%
- Employees
- 4
- Volunteers
- 28
- Highest pay
- $68,250, executive director
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
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 56% of charities in its peer group (animals, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 4.8 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 4% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 4% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 10% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1589% 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
Fair: 61 out of 100. Higher than 49% of charities in its peer group (animals, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 255 of 6 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (1)
- $538,272 spent. IN 2024, NORTHWEST DOG PROJECT RESCUED 138 DOGS AND PLACED 136 INTO ADOPTIVE HOMES- AN ESPECIALLY MEANINGFUL ACHIEVEMENT GIVEN THE NATIONWIDE SLOWDOWN IN ADOPTION. WE CONTINUED OUR SENIOR SANCTUARY PROGRAM, PROVIDING CARE AND MEDICAL SUPPORT FOR SENIOR DOGS, AND MAINTAINED OUR COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE THROUGH SPAY/NEUTER AND VACCINATION CLINICS. WE ALSO OFFERED TRAINING AND MEDICAL SUPPORT TO FAMILIES IN NEED, HELPING TO KEEP DOGS IN THEIR HOMES. DESPITE THE RISING COST OF VETERINARY CARE, FOOD, AND SUPPLIES, WE REMAINED STEADFAST IN OUR MISSION. THROUGH OUTREACH, EDUCATION, AND ADOPTIONS, WE STRENGTHENED CONNECTIONS WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY AND UPHELD OUR MISSION OF SUPPORTING DOGS AND THE PEOPLE WHO LOVE THEM.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since May 2015.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.
Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.
A much larger organization has a similar name: Northwest Justice Project (Seattle, WA), EIN 91-1687791. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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.