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Morris Animal Foundation

EIN 84-6032307 · Denver, CO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

MORRIS ANIMAL FOUNDATION'S (THE FOUNDATION'S) MISSION IS TO BRIDGE SCIENCE AND RESOURCES TO ADVANCE THE HEALTH OF ANIMALS. SINCE THE FOUNDATION'S FOUNDING IN 1948, MORE THAN 20,000 SPECIES HAVE BEEN HELPED THROUGH SCIENTIFIC STUDIES AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW TREATMENTS, DIAGNOSTIC TOOLS, AND VACCINES.

Income
$17.3 million
Spending
$16.6 million
Spent on programs
70%
Reserves
29.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 92%
Employees
62
Volunteers
135
Highest pay
$407,363, interim ceo (thru may '25)

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (animals, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 29.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 8% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 21% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    70% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 18 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 19% of charities in its peer group (animals, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    18 of 18 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

    7 of 7

    Has a 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.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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 June 30, 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 (2)
  1. $8.2 million spent. ANIMAL HEALTH STUDIES: THE FOUNDATION FUNDS RESEARCHERS AROUND THE WORLD WHO ARE SOLVING CRITICAL HEALTH PROBLEMS IN ANIMALS, INCLUDING DOGS, CATS, HORSES, LLAMAS, ALPACAS, AND WILDLIFE. THE FOUNDATION'S WORK IS HELPING RESEARCHERS IN THE FIELD FIND NEW DIAGNOSTICS, TREATMENTS, AND CURES FOR DISEASES AND OTHER HEALTH CONCERNS FOR ANIMALS AROUND THE WORLD, INCLUDING MANY ENDANGERED SPECIES.
  2. $3.4 million spent. PROGRAM AWARENESS: THE FOUNDATIONS MISSION IS TO BRIDGE SCIENCE AND RESOURCES TO ADVANCE THE HEALTH OF ANIMALS. RAISING AWARENESS ABOUT THE FOUNDATIONS PROGRAMS AND IMPACT IS A COMPONENT TO FULFILLING THE MISSION. PROGRAM AWARENESS EFFORTS ALSO SUPPORT THE FOUNDATIONS GOLDEN RETRIEVER LIFETIME STUDY, THE LARGEST AND LONGEST STUDY EVER UNDERTAKEN IN THE UNITED STATES TO UNDERSTAND CANCER IN DOGS. ANNUAL CAMPAIGNS AIM TO GENERATE AWARENESS AND SUPPORT FOR CRITICAL ANIMAL HEALTH ISSUES SUCH AS THE STOP CANCER FUREVER CAMPAIGN AND INSPIRING DONATIONS FOR FUND PREVENTION AND TREATMENT. THE FOUNDATION ALSO DISTRIBUTES ONGOING ANIMAL HEALTH INFORMATION TO SUPPORTERS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC THROUGH DIRECT MAIL, QUARTERLY NEWSLETTERS, SOCIAL MEDIA, PUBLIC RELATIONS AND A RANGE OF DIGITAL CONTACT INCLUDING A WEBSITE THAT HOUSES RESOURCES FOR ALL AFOREMENTIONED EFFORTS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since July 1956.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 21, 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.