Great Lakes Pigeon Rescue
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Great Lakes Pigeon Rescue's mission is to save the lives of homeless domestic and non-releasable pigeons and doves in the Great Lakes region, who otherwise would face euthanasia or a slow death from lack of care, by providing foster homes, adoption services, medical treatment, and compassionate education about the need for pigeon and dove rescue.
- Income
- $229,144
- Spending
- $161,099
- Spent on programs
- 100%
- Reserves
- 10.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 84%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 50
- Highest pay
- $7,868, vice president
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 82% of charities in its peer group (animals, under $250k).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 10.4 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 30% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 43% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 15100% 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
Governance
Good: 76 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (animals, under $250k).
Independent board
25 of 256 of 6 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no 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
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
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, 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)
- $55,000 spent. 700 rescued birds received care, medical treatment, and housing in 2025. This met our goal for this time period. Long term goal includes continuing to provide lifesaving care for these otherwise neglected, abandoned birds, thus striving to spread compassion and inspire hope throughout our communities.
- $102,099 spent. In 2025 our organization provided emergency rescue and medical care for 761 domestically bred and non-releasable pigeons and doves who were abandoned, sick, injured, and/or starving. Because of the hard work of our committed volunteers and collaborations within our communities, we exceeded our goal for 2025 and our long term goal is to continue and expand this lifesaving work.
- $4,000 spent. In 2025, our organization trained and cultivated new rescue foster volunteers for 37 birds, which entails caring for the physical and emotional wellbeing of pigeons or doves who are waiting for their forever home. The new foster volunteers are trained by our volunteer coaches, and our organization provides cages and basic supplies along with continual support for the new fosters. This met our goal for the year, which we plan long term to expand annually as the more foster homes we have, the more pigeons and doves we are able to rescue and to care for.
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
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 October 2020.
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.