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Acvs Foundation Inc

EIN 52-1946008 · Germantown, MD

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong95 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF THE ACVS FOUNDATION IS TO SUPPORT THE ADVANCEMENT OF SURGICAL CARE OF ALL ANIMALS. AS AN INDEPENDENTLY-CHARTERED NONPROFIT PHILANTHROPIC ORGANIZATION, THE ACVS FOUNDATION IS DEVOTED TO THE ADVANCEMENT OF SURGICAL CARE OF ALL ANIMALS THROUGH FUNDING OF EDUCATIONAL AND RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES FOR VETERINARY SURGICAL RESIDENTS AND BOARD CERTIFIED VETERINARY SURGEONS.

Income
$612,850
Spending
$286,625
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 70%
Employees
0
Volunteers
10
Highest pay
$300,437, chief executive officer

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: 95 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (animals, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 53% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% 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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 83% of charities in its peer group (animals, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 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

    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

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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. $196,561 spent. RESEARCH GRANT PROGRAM - THE ACVS FOUNDATION RESEARCH GRANT PROGRAMS PROVIDE FUNDING FOR SURGICALLY RELATED CLINICAL AND BASIC RESEACH.
  2. $21,474 spent. NEW DIPLOMATE OUTREACH PROGRAM - ACVS FOUNDATION PROVIDES CERTIFICATIONS FOR ACVS DIPLOMATES ON PASSING THE PHASE I SURGICAL KNOWLEDGE EXAMINATION AND PHASE II SURGICAL COMPETENCY EXAMINATION. THE TOTAL NUMBER OF ACVS DIPLOMATES IS NOW ABOUT 2,013 WITH APPROXIMATELY 70% SMALL ANIMAL SURGEONS AND 30% LARGE ANIMAL SURGEONS.
  3. $15,746 spent. CONTINUING EDUCATION SUPPORT PROGRAM - ACVS FOUNDATION PROVIDES SPONSORSHIPS TO SUPPORT AND CONGRATULATE FUTURE LEADERS IN VETERINARY SURGERY, SUCH AS OUTSTANDING SURGICAL RESIDENTS' AWARDS WHICH ENCOURAGES THE DEVELOPMENT OF CLINICALLY IMPORTANT RESEARCH AND THE DISSEMINATION OF THE RESULTS OF THESE INVESTIGATIONS, PARTICULARLY THOSE CONDUCTED BY SURGICAL RESIDENTS.

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 February 1996.

    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.

  7. Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.

    A much larger organization has a similar name: Ab Foundation (Washington, DC), EIN 27-5278038. 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.