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Bellwether Harbor Animal Shelter

EIN 93-3302271 · Fremont, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood76 out of 100GovernanceFair65 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

BELLWETHER HARBOR ANIMAL SHELTER'S GENERAL PURPOSE IS TO RECEIVE AND ADMINISTER FUNDS EXLUSIVELY FOR CHARITABLE AND EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES AS PERMITTED FOR ORGANIZATIONS DEFINED IN SECTION 501(C)(3) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE. SUBJECT TO AND IN FURTHERANCE OF THESE PURPOSES, THE CORPORATION EXISTS TO SHELTER ABANDONED, ABUSED, AND NEGLECTED DOGS AND CATS, REHABILITATING THEM MEDICALLY AND BEHAVIORALLY, AND PREPARING THEM FOR ADOPTION; TO EDUCATE POTENTIAL ADOPTERS TO PREPARE THEM FOR RESPONSIBLE PET OWNERSHIP; TO PROVIDE DOG TRAINING CLASSES TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC; TO PROVIDE A LOCATION FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT TO TEMPORARILY HOUSE STRAY DOGS WHEN COUNTY ANIMAL CONTROL IS UNABLE TO RESPOND; TO PROVIDE A LOCATION FOR REGIONAL ANIMAL CONTROL CENTERS TO HOUSE SHELTER DOGS FOR THE ALLEVIATION OF OVERCROWDING; TO EDUCATE CHILDREN HOW TO BEHAVE SAFELY AROUND DOGS THEY ARE UNFAMILIAR WITH; TO PROVIDE OTHER RELATED SERVICES TO REDUCE THE BURDEN OF STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS WITH RESPECT TO SHE

Income
$507,939
Spending
$434,251
Spent on programs
69%
Reserves
4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 90%
Employees
21
Volunteers
84

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

Good: 76 out of 100. Higher than 46% of charities in its peer group (animals, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 16% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 15% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    69% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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

Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 55% of charities in its peer group (animals, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 5 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

    10 of 10

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

  • Independent check of accounts

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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. $300,501 spent. OUR TOTAL INTAKE FOR 2025 WAS 82 DOGS AND 83 CATS. OUR SHELTER ADOPTIONS AND OTHER LIVE RELEASES FOR 2025 WERE 83 DOGS AND 80 CATS.

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 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 December 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 October 2023.

    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.