Passes our checks

Cause for Canines

EIN 81-4228171 · Galloway, OH

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

What it says it does

Cause for Canines is a 501c3, all-breed dog rescue in Columbus, Ohio ran solely by volunteers. In 2025, we rescued and adopted out 66 dogs.

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

Good: 83 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (animals, under $250k).

Reserves
28 of 35
Spendable reserves would cover 8.8 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 11% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15
Income fell 16% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 15
93% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

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

Weak: 41 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (animals, under $250k).

Independent board
18 of 25
3 of 3 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15
Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8
Reports no 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
0 of 10
Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
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

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (1)

$82,295 spent. We are one of the largest rescues in Central Ohio and we have rescued and we usually adopt out an estimated 300 dogs annually. We primarily rescue dogs at risk for euthanasia from rural shelters in Ohio that have minimal resources and funding. We also take in many dogs from owners who can no longer care for their pet due to unforeseen circumstances. Our adoption fees rarely cover the full medical costs of our dogs in foster care, let alone the supplies needed for the dog while in foster care such as food, bedding, leashes, collars, toys, treats, etc. Any donations will be used to pay down our veterinary bills or provide medical treatment for dogs in foster care.

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

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 2025.
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 April 2017.
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.