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Foothills Humane Society Inc

EIN 58-1413121 · Columbus, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceStrong97 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE SOCIETY'S MISSION IS TO SHELTER, PREVENT CRUELTY AND ADOPT ANIMALS AND TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT RESPONSIBLE ANIMAL OWNERSHIP.

Income
$952,029
Spending
$868,872
Spent on programs
73%
Reserves
2.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 52%
Employees
31
Volunteers
270

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 41% of charities in its peer group (animals, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 18% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    73% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 97 out of 100. Higher than 96% of charities in its peer group (animals, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 (1)
  1. $637,059 spent. Foothills Humane Society, a private 401c 3 non-profit no-kill animal welfare organization has been a cornerstone of our community since 1957. What sets us apart is our commitment to accepting all stray dogs and cats picked up by Animal Control Officers in Polk County and surrounding areas despite being a private organization. In a rural community where unneutered animals roam freely, our shelter experiences a constant influx of animals requiring medical care, vaccinations, spaying/neutering, and basic training to find loving homes. Annually our intake is around 1200 1600 dogs and cats including those seized due to neglect and abuse. Ninety-four percent of those intakes are adopted into homes. Additionally, Foothills Human Society offers the important community service of returning lost animals to their owners. These owners are often residents but can include tourists and equestrians who visit our area with their pets and are misplaced through no fault of their own. We also address the responsibilities and benefits of spaying or neutering pets through education and awareness and by providing low-cost options. Through a generous donation, we now have on-site equipment for our own spay/neuter clinic. We intend to have the support of local veterinarians to provide this surgery pro bono to the shelter. This is an exciting prospect for the many dogs and cats who have adopters but cannot leave the facility until they are neutered. Foothills Human Society is run by a volunteer Board of Directors, a paid Executive Director, and her small staff who takes its mission seriously. All other positions are filled by volunteers requiring up to 4500 volunteer hours per month. With only 17.6 of the annual expenditures covered by Polk County, Foothills Humane Society depends upon grants, donations, and in-kind contributions to fund its mission. The Foothills Humane Society remains committed to serving the dogs and cats of Tryon, Columbus, Mill Spring, Saluda, and parts of Rutherfordton, NC that are withinPolk County - and as space allows, Landrum, Campobello, and Gowensville, SC, for this and many years to come.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 June 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 February 1957.

    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.