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Rowdy Girl Sanctuary Inc

EIN 47-3375043 · Waelder, TX

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak26 out of 100GovernanceGood76 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

RGS provides sanctuary to farm animals at risk of being slaughtered and promotes an ethical vegan lifestyle. RGS educates the public about plant-based food options, FFA/4-H, factory farming practices, and the devastating environmental impact of animal agriculture.

Income
$555,123
Spending
$556,947
Spent on programs
60%
Reserves
-5.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 92%
Employees
19
Volunteers
35
Highest pay
$37,440, treasurer & executive director

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

Weak: 26 out of 100. Higher than 1% of charities in its peer group (animals, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 40% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 30% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    60% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 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

Good: 76 out of 100. Higher than 70% of charities in its peer group (animals, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    4 of 6 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

    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 (4)
  1. $270,512 spent. Farm animal sanctuary that provides a safe haven and lifelong care to approximately 131 farmed animals rescued from neglect and slaughter. In 2025, Rowdy Girl Sanctuary rescued 17 farmed animals. We continue to provide knowledge and resources for other sanctuaries to succeed in their work.
  2. $61,008 spent. Rowdy Girl Sanctuary educates the public by telling our unique story about the transformation of a former cattle ranch. Through tours, our social media network, media placement, and speaking engagements, we educate the public about the benefits of a plant-based diet, the environmental impact of animal agriculture, and how our food system works. We also have special events inviting experts in various fields of study to speak about plant-based diets, the environment, and animal ethics. Rowdy Girl Sanctuary founder Renee King-Sonnen is invited to speak around the country and in many parts of the world. The Rowdy Girl documentary continues to be screened worldwide to broaden its educational reach.
  3. $2,944 spent. The Rancher Advocacy Program (RAP) is a global online resource and social media powerhouse dedicated to educating, motivating, and inspiring ranchers considering a shift away from animal agriculture. RAP advocates for the abolition of animal exploitation and supports the critical transition to a plant-based food system.
  4. $1,644 spent. Families Choosing Compassion (FCC) program brings together families of children who participate in Future Farmers of America and 4-H, where farmed animals are "projects" that are ultimately slaughtered or used as breeders. Families are often devastated at the end of the school year when the beloved animal their child has raised must be given up. We are not an antagonist but rather a substitute and haven for children and families that can't remain desensitized to the "food" animal structure prevalent in our education systems. We aim to instill a deeper awareness and appreciation of farmed animals as unique individuals worthy of our love and respect.

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 July 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.