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Bristol Humane Society

EIN 54-0927975 · Bristol, VA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceGood80 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

AS A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION, THE MISSION OF BRISTOL HUMANE SOCIETY IS TO PROVIDE ACCESSIBLE RESOURCES TO ENSURE THAT ANIMALS ARE HEALTHY AND HAPPY, AND THE BOND BETWEEN PETS AND THEIR FAMILIES IS STRENGTHENED, ALLOWING EVERY ANIMAL TO EXPERIENCE THE LOVE AND CARE THEY DESERVE. OUR COMMITMENT TO OUR REGION IS TO PROVIDE ACCESSIBLE, AFFORDABLE, AND COMPASSIONATE VETERINARY CARE, AS WELL AS HEALTH AND WELL-BEING SUPPORT, TO DOGS AND CATS. THROUGH OUR LOW-COST SPAY/NEUTER AND WELLNESS CLINICS, WE STRIVE TO SUPPORT RESPONSIBLE PET OWNERSHIP, REDUCE PET OVERPOPULATION, AND IMPROVE THE WELFARE OF ALL ANIMALS IN OUR COMMUNITY. OUR COMMUNITY OUTREACH, PET FOOD AND SUPPLIES PANTRY, ALONG WITH OUR EDUCATION CENTER, ALLOWS US TO OFFER A RANGE OF OPPORTUNITIES TO FURTHER SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITY.

Income
$3.6 million
Spending
$2.0 million
Spent on programs
94%
Reserves
7.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 55%
Employees
30
Volunteers
42
Highest pay
$99,329, vice preside

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: 93 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 43% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 91% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    94% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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: 80 out of 100. Higher than 41% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    3 of 5 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

    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 (1)
  1. $1.9 million spent. TO PROVIDE SPAY AND NEUTER SERVICES TO THE COUNTIES OF BUCHANAN, DICKENSON, LEE, RUSSELL, SCOTT, SMYTH, TAZEWELL, WASHINGTON, AND WISE; THE CITIES OF BRISOL AND NORTON, VIRGINIA; AND THE CITY OF BRISOL AND COUNTY OF SULLIVAN IN TENNESSEE. HOWEVER, ANIMALS ARE ACCEPTED FROM OTHER COUNTIES AS AVAILABILITY PERMITS.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since November 1973.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.