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Saint Francis Wolf Sanctuary Inc

EIN 54-2077914 · Navasota, TX

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak35 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 44% of its spending went to programs.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

TO RESCUE AND PROVIDE A LOVING, EXCEPTIONAL HOME TO NON-RELEASABLE WOLVES AND WOLFDOGS, AND TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT THESE ANIMALS.

Income
$376,271
Spending
$411,981
Spent on programs
44%
Reserves
-1.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 50%
Employees
6
Volunteers
45

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

Weak: 35 out of 100. Higher than 6% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 15% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    44% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 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

Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 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

    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

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • 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, 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. $1,062 spent. RESCUE - SAINT FRANCIS WOLF SANCTUARY RESCUES CAPTIVE WOLVES AND WOLFDOGS FROM THE EXOTIC PET TRADE -- FROM BREEDERS OR OWNERS NO LONGER ABLE TO KEEP THEM, FROM ABUSE SITUATIONS, OR FROM ANIMAL CONTROL AGENCIES OR SHELTERS WHICH HAVE CONFISCATED THEM. SINCE 2002 SFWS HAS RESCUED 34 ANIMALS, MAINLY FROM EXTREMELY URGENT SITUATIONS AND CONDITIONS OF EXTREME ABUSE AND NEGLECT.
  2. $42,358 spent. SANCTUARY - SFWS PROVIDES CARE AND SANCTUARY FOR ITS RESIDENT ANIMALS. ALONG WITH BASIC AMENITIES LIKE WATER AND SHELTER, ANIMALS ARE PROVIDED WITH FREQUENT ENRICHMENT; HEALTHY, BALANCED, SPECIES- APPROPRIATE MEALS; EXCEPTIONAL VETERINARY CARE; AND COMPANIONSHIP. THE ANIMALS PHYSICAL CONDITION, BEHAVIOR, DIETARY PATTERNS, ETC. ARE MONITORED DAILY AND ANY ABNORMALITIES ARE REFERRED TO THE VETERINARIAN. ANNUAL BLOOD PANEL VALUES ARE ANALYZED TO ENSURE THE ANIMALS REMAIN IN EXCELLENT HEALTH.
  3. $137,594 spent. EDUCATION - SFWS PROVIDES GUIDED TOURS AS WELL AS OFF-SITE PRESENTATIONS IN ORDER TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT WOLVES, WOLDFDOGS, AND CONSERVATION ISSUES, AND THE DOWSIDES OF EXOTIC PETS. NEARLY 7,000 PEOPLE VISITED THE SANCTUARY IN 2015, INCLUDING MANY SCHOOL GROUPS, AND YOUNG CHILDERN.

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 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 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 January 2004.

    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.