Passes our checks

Humane Society of Polk County Inc

EIN 59-1644124 · Winter Haven, FL

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

What it says it does

TO HELP IN THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS, THE RELIEF OF SUFFERING AMOUNG ANIMALS, AND TO PROVIDE EDUCATION FOR ANIMAL ISSUES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 64% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).

Reserves
28 of 35
Spendable reserves would cover 9.8 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 18% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15
Income rose 45% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 15
92% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 11 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Fair: 58 out of 100. Higher than 18% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).

Independent board
25 of 25
15 of 15 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
0 of 10
Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Independent check of accounts
0 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 May 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (2)

$1.3 million spent. THE ADOPTION PROGRAM PROVIDES HOUSING AND CARE FOR SURRENDERED ANIMALS AND PREPARES THEM FOR ADOPTION. ADOPTIONS ARE OFFERED AT THE SELTER FACILITY AS WELL AS AT VARIOUS OFF-SITE LOCATIONS AND COMMUNITY EVENTS. DURING THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR WE ADOPTED OUT OVER 1,500 ANIMALS. ADDITIONALLY WE PROVIDED EMERGENCY SERVICES FOR OVER 200 PET OWNERS. THE HUMANE SOCIETY IS POLK COUNTY'S FIRST AND ONLY NO KILL ANIMAL SHELTER.
THE SPAY/NEUTER PROGRAM (SNIP) ASSISTS LOW INCOME FAMILIES TO SPAY/NEUTER THEIR PETS ALONG WITH PROVIDING THE FIRST SET OF SHOTS- INCLUDING THE RABIES VACCINE WHEN AGE APPROPRIATE AS WELL A MICRO-CHIP IMPLANT WITH ITS REGISTRATION TO HOME AGAIN. THIS PROGRAM IS AVAILABLE FOR A COST OF 420 FOR THOSE FAMILIES WHO QUALIFY TO HELP CONTROL THE ANIMAL POPULATION AND REDUCE THE NUMBER OF UNWANTED PETS. THERE IS ALSO A LOW COST SPAY/NEUTER VOUCHER PROGRAM WHICH IS A AFFORDABLE PROGRAM TO SPAY/NEUTER PETS. FOR THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR WE SPAYED OF NEUTERED OVER 1,800 ANIMALS PREVENTING THE BIRTHS OF THOUSANDS OF UNWANTED ANIMALS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

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.
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.
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.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending May 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since January 1980.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.

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