Project K9 Hero
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
PROJECT K-9 HERO (THE ORGANIZATION) IS A NON-PROFIT CORPORATION LOCATED IN WHITWELL, TN. THE ORGANIZATIONS PURPOSE IS TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ON THE COSTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF ADOPTING A RETIRED POLICE K-9S AND MILITARY WORKING DOGS. THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WITH COVERING/OFFSETTING MEDICAL AND PRESCRIPTION FOOD COSTS, AS WELL AS THE REHABILITATION AND REHOMING FOR RETIRED K-9 HEROES. THE ORGANIZATION IS PRIMARILY SUPPORTED BY DONATIONS, CORPORATE SPONSORS, IN-KIND CONTRIBUTIONS, PLUS THE SALE OF BRANDED APPAREL AND OTHER ITEMS.
- Income
- $5.9 million
- Spending
- $4.9 million
- Spent on programs
- 89%
- Reserves
- 4.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 99%
- Employees
- 8
- Volunteers
- 25
- Highest pay
- $163,383, president, d
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
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 4.9 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 4% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 16% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 45% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1589% 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 256 of 7 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
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
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 (1)
- $4.4 million spent. TO ENSURE EACH K-9 HERO IS REWARDED WITH HEALTH AND THE WAY OF LIFE THAT THEY DESERVE FOR THEIR FAITHFUL AND LOYAL SERVICE. TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ON THE COSTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF ADOPTING A RETIRED K-9 HERO. TO HELP COVER OR OFFSET ALL MEDICAL, PRESCRIPTION FOOD, AND END OF DUTY COSTS FOR RETIRED K-9 HEROES. WITH DOZENS OF RETIRED K-9 HEROES NEEDING SUPPORT, THE TIME HAS COME FOR PROJECT K-9 HERO TO MOVE FORWARD WITH BUILDING A REHABILITATION AND REHOMING FACILITY, ALONG WITH OUR CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS. THIS FACILITY WILL SUPPORT AND FURTHER OUR MISSION, ALLOWING US TO PROVIDE AN ENRICHING, SAFE, AND HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT FOR RETIRED HEROES IN NEED OF AN IMMEDIATE HOME. WE ARE CURRENTLY IN THE INITIAL STAGES OF DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION. TO ENSURE EACH K-9 HERO IS REWARDED WITH HEALTH AND THE WAY OF LIFE THAT THEY DESERVE FOR THEIR FAITHFUL AND LOYAL SERVICE. TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ON THE COSTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF ADOPTING A RETIRED K-9 HERO. TO HELP COVER OR OFFSET ALL MEDICAL, PRESCRIPTION FOOD, AND END OF DUTY COSTS FOR RETIRED K-9 HEROES. WITH DOZENS OF RETIRED K-9 HEROES NEEDING SUPPORT, THE TIME HAS COME FOR PROJECT K-9 HERO TO MOVE FORWARD WITH BUILDING A REHABILITATION AND REHOMING FACILITY, ALONG WITH OUR CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS. THIS FACILITY WILL SUPPORT AND FURTHER OUR MISSION, ALLOWING US TO PROVIDE AN ENRICHING, SAFE, AND HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT FOR RETIRED HEROES IN NEED OF AN IMMEDIATE HOME. WE ARE CURRENTLY IN THE INITIAL STAGES OF DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION.
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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since July 2016.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.