Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest provides lifetime quality care for chimpanzees and works to educate the public about the plight of primates worldwide.
- Income
- $1.9 million
- Spending
- $1.5 million
- Spent on programs
- 84%
- Reserves
- 9.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 98%
- Employees
- 17
- Volunteers
- 56
- Highest pay
- $77,762, co-exec direct
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 64% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 9.7 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 4% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 21% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 38% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1584% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 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: 95 out of 100. Higher than 69% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 259 of 9 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 million spent. CHIMPANZEE SANCTUARY NORTHWEST PROVIDES EXCEPTIONAL CARE TO THE CHIMPANZEES AT OUR SANCTUARY AND COLLABORATES WITH THE SANCTUARY COMMUNITY. OUR FACILITIES INCLUDE SPACIOUS INDOOR PLAYROOMS, TWO-STORY GREENHOUSE PLAY AREAS, MULTI-ACRE OUTDOOR HABITATS, AND A FULLY-EQUIPPED VETERINARY CLINIC. THE SANCTUARY IS STAFFED BY A TEAM OF HIGHLY TRAINED AND EDUCATED PRIMATOLOGISTS AND IS SUPPORTED BY DOZENS OF VOLUNTEERS WHO PROVIDE DAILY ENRICHMENT TO KEEP THE CHIMPANZEES' INQUISITIVE MINDS OCCUPIED.
- $173,045 spent. In addition to caring for rescued chimpanzees at our sanctuary, Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest (CSNW)operates powerful advocacy and education programs to improve the welfare of chimpanzees everywhere. Through our widely viewed blog and social media platforms, as well as select guided visits to the sanctuary, we educate people about the lives of the chimpanzees in our sanctuary and the plight of chimpanzees in laboratories, entertainment, pet ownership, and in the wild. Our collaborative internship with Central Washington University provides volunteer support to the sanctuary while training the next generations of chimpanzee caregivers, primatologists, and animal welfare leaders.
- Improvements: Plans are currently underway for the construction of additional staff and volunteer facilities to support our growing primate family, the addition of educational facilities, improved site access for emergency vehicles, and new primate facilities to allow for even more primate rescues. All expenses associated with this program service accomplishment will be reflected in capital assets on the balance sheet as they are incurred.
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
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 November 6, 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 December 2024.
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 June 2004.
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 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.