K9 Hero Guardians
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
To serve in assisting and locating additional funding to Michigan Law Enforcement agencies to supplement the training and equipment of their police service dogs purchase new police service dogs educate the public regarding police service dogs establish funding for the best possible care for retired police service dogs and to honor them when they pass away. In 2025 K9 Hero Guardians participated in 13 community and self-organized events. Three of these events included K9 demonstrations that allowed attendees to see the work that police K9s do. All 13 events provided opportunities to educate attendees on the purpose of police K9s and their importance for law enforcement agencies.
- Income
- $76,088
- Spending
- $75,654
- Reserves
- 18.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 96%
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ 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 (3)
- $13,000 spent. Purchased a dual purpose narcotics K9 for the West Branch City Police Department Michigan.
- $3,651 spent. Veterinary care for active and retired police K9s. This care included eye treatments for retired K9 hydrotherapy and laser therapy sessions for active K9s flea tick heartworm preventatives and an obstruction surgery for active K9s neuter surgery for a retired K9 due to prostate issues as well as assisting with vet bills for several other medical emergencies that active and retired K9s experienced. In total 8 K9s were assisted with veterinary care by K9 Hero Guardians in 2025.
- $1,001 spent. The 2025 year provided three opportunities to show communities what police K9s do. The K9 demonstrations were at the Mid Michigan Pet Expo in Flint Frankenmuth Dog Bowl and the Novi Pet Expo. It is estimated that over 20,000 attendees at these events watched the demonstrations and learned more about the vital role police K9s play in law enforcement. Each of these demonstrations were led by a retired Detroit Police K9 handler of 30+ years. There were a total of 12 K9 teams from across Michigan that participated in the demonstrations.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 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 May 2019.
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.