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Passes our checks

Safe Harbor Lab Rescue

EIN 74-3046240 · Golden, CO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong90 out of 100GovernanceStrong97 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO RESCUE, PROVIDE A HIGH LEVEL OF COMPASSIONATE CARE AND SUCCESSFULLY REHOME STRAY, ABANDONED OR SURRENDERED LABRADOR RETRIEVERS GIVING PRIORITY TO THOSE IN COLORADO.

Income
$534,839
Spending
$333,050
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
57.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 79%
Employees
0
Volunteers
100

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

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 68% of charities in its peer group (animals, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 57.2 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 38% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 16% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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: 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 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. $289,183 spent. THE MISSION OF SAFE HARBOR LAB RESCUE IS TO RESCUE, PROVIDE A HIGH LEVEL OF COMPASSIONATE CARE AND SUCCESSFULLY REHOME STRAY, ABANDONED OR SURRENDERED LABRADOR RETRIEVERS GIVING PRIORITY TO THOSE IN COLORADO. THEY ALSO CAME FROM OTHER STATES. WE ARE AN ALL VOLUNTEER, FOSTER-BASED ORGANIZATION. SAFE HARBOR'S VOLUNTEERS RESCUED AND CARED FOR APPROXIMATELY 182 LABS IN 2025 AND OVER 4,700 LABS SINCE ITS FOUNDING. MANY CAME FROM COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO NEEDED TO SURRENDER THEIR LAB DUE TO A CHALLENGING CHANGE IN CIRCUMSTANCES. OTHERS CAME FROM CROWDED UNDER-RESOURCED SHELTERS OR RESCUE PARTNERS. SAFE HARBOR, A RESCUE LICENSED BY THE STATE OF COLORADO, DISTINGUISHES ITSELF BY PROVIDING SUPERIOR MEDICAL CARE, COMPASSIONATE FOSTERING, CAREFUL PLACEMENT, AND SUPPORT OF ADOPTERS.

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 March 2003.

    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.