Skip to the page content
Passes our checks

Farm Animal Refuge

EIN 81-3965083 · Campo, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceGood83 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

FARM ANIMAL REFUGE IS HOME TO OVER 90 RESCUED ANIMALS. WE ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC BOTH VIRTUALLY AND IN PERSON AND ALLOW THE ANIMALS TO ACT AS AMBASSODOR ANIMALS TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE PRACTICES OF MEAT AND DAIRY PRODUCTION. OUR EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS STRIVE TO PROMOTE A PLANT BASED LIFESTYLE.

Income
$421,099
Spending
$369,281
Spent on programs
92%
Reserves
9.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 85%
Employees
4
Volunteers
50

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: 93 out of 100. Higher than 71% of charities in its peer group (animals, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 9.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 12% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    92% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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

Good: 83 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (animals, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 8 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

    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

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • 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. $339,293 spent. ANIMAL CARE. INCLUDES VETERINARY CARE & EQUIPMENT, MEDICINE, GROOMING, FEED, BEDDING, HOUSING, AND ENRICHMENT FOR THE ANIMALS. THIS FUND ENSURES HIGH LEVEL CARE FOR OVER 90 RESCUED ANIMAL RESIDENTS. THE ANIMALS ACT AS AMBASSADORS FOR OTHERS OF THEIR SPECIES AND PARTICIPATE IN EDUCATIONAL TOURS OF THE SANCTUARY. FARM ANIMAL REFUGE WELCOMED OVER 1,800 GUESTS IN 2025.EDUCATION. INCLUDES VIRTUAL FIELD TRIPS FOR MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AND EDUCATIONAL LEAFLETS. LEAP: IS A COMPASSIONATE ALTERNATIVE TO FFA HELD AT THE SANCTUARY. THIS CIRICULUM IS OFFERED FREE OF CHARGE TO HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS. EDUCATIONAL VIDEOS INCLUDE BOTH K-4 AND HIGHSCHOOL VIRTUAL FIELD TRIPS. THESE VIDEOS HAVE REACHED OVER 2,00 STUDENTS AND ARE OFFERED FREE OF CHARGE. WE DEVELOPED A LEAFLET AND HAVE DISTRIBUTED IT VIA VOLUNTEERS NATIONWIDE.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since October 2016.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.