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Friends of Front Street Shelter

EIN 68-0477042 · Sacramento, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair63 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

We're committed to improving the lives of all stray, abandoned, and abused animals who come to the Front Street Animal Shelter. We support programs needed to find loving homes and care for animals in need. We endeavor to support all pets in the region and the people who love them.

Income
$907,550
Spending
$1.2 million
Spent on programs
97%
Reserves
10.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 71%
Employees
2
Volunteers
10
Highest pay
$88,120, executive dir.

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

Financial health

Fair: 63 out of 100. Higher than 23% of charities in its peer group (animals, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 10.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 34% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 57% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    97% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 87% of charities in its peer group (animals, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 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.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • 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, 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. $1.2 million spent. Friends of Front Street Shelter is incredibly grateful for the continued support of our donors in advancing our mission to support the Front Street Shelter and pets and their people in our Sacramento community. Whether it is through everyday giving campaigns, estate gifts, organized campaigns like Big Day of Giving and Giving Tuesday, or attendance and support through our in-person fundraising efforts, the outpouring of support from the community reminds us that the community is behind us in the work we do. Friends of Front Street Shelter concluded another year of successfully assisting and supporting the well-being of animals in the Sacramento Area, primarily those in the Front Street Shelter.Once again, the Friends of Front Street Shelter was selected by the Sacramento Regional Community foundation as one of a handful of nonprofits to participate in person during the Big Day of Giving. The total amount raised during this event alone in 2025 was $120,000. Our Brewfest event raised $60,000; and our Brunch raised $32,000. As a result of these fundraisers, and donors of Friends, Front Street provided funding for the following:Veterinary Support of Owned PetsEvery year, Front Street Shelter receives hundreds of requests for assistance from pet owners in the community who cannot afford emergency care for their beloved pets. Friends of Front Street organizes veterinary care for qualified applicants and supports owners through the process of getting their pet healthy again. 246 pets received help from this program in 2025 for $304,826.Transfer GrantsWhen pets at the Front Street Shelter need medical or behavioral rehabilitation beyond the scope of the shelter, Friends of Front Street provides micro-grants to rescue and transfer partners to help with the cost of treatment. Friends assisted 155 animals in 2025 as part of this program.AdoptUs Hospice CareAmong the many pets who come through the doors at Front Street Shelter every year, there are always some with medical conditions that can only be managed, not cured. In order to help these pets find adoptive homes to enjoy their remaining time, Friends of Front Street provides reimbursement for the care needed to manage their condition, and assists adopters with the costs associated with their transition out of this life when the time comes.Spay Neuter for Community CatsCommunity Spay Neuter Clinic works tirelessly addressing pet overpopulation in Sacramento! We are thrilled to support them and fund spay/neuter services for TNR volunteers focusing on colony stabilization in the community. Friends provided funds to CSNC in 2025 to spay or neuter over 1,700 cats as part of this program.These significant and critically needed items and services will ultimately improve the lives, health, and adoption rates of animals at the shelter and the Sacramento community.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 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 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 October 2001.

    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.

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.