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Marin Humane Society

EIN 94-1156562 · Novato, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong90 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

MARIN HUMANE TRANSFORMS LIVES THROUGH EXCEPTIONAL ANIMAL CARE, HUMANE EDUCATION, AND ADVOCACY. EVERY DAY, MARIN HUMANE INSPIRES COMPASSION AND POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN PEOPLE AND ANIMALS.

Income
$14.0 million
Spending
$13.3 million
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
19.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 48%
Employees
149
Volunteers
800
Highest pay
$264,262, ceo & president

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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (animals, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 19.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 17% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 15 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

    15 of 15 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 (4)
  1. $4.0 million spent. CLINIC & ADOPTION - THE CLINIC PROVIDES MEDICAL CARE AND SPAY/NEUTER SURGERIES FOR ALL MARIN HUMANE ANIMALS. MARIN HUMANE FACILITATES ADOPTIONS BY MATCHING PROSPECTIVE PET OWNERS WITH THE RIGHT PET FOR THEIR FAMILY AND PROVIDES POST-ADOPTION SUPPORT. ADOPTIONS TAKE PLACE AT MULTIPLE LOCATIONS IN MARIN COUNTY AS WELL AS THE HOPALONG LOCATION IN OAKLAND.
  2. $3.6 million spent. ANIMAL SERVICES - MARIN HUMANE PROVIDES ALL ANIMAL SERVICES TO MARIN COUNTY (11 CITIES AND UNINCORPORATED MARIN COUNTY) BASED ON A NEGOTIATED JOINT POWERS AGREEMENT (JPA). ANIMAL SERVICES INCLUDES ENFORCING THE ANIMAL RELATED ORDINANCES, RESCUING ANIMALS IN DISTRESS, INVESTIGATING COMPLAINTS INCLUDING CASES OF ANIMAL CRUELTY AND NEGLECT, PICKING UP AND CARING FOR STRAY AND DECEASED ANIMALS, AND PROCESSING THE PET LICENSING PROGRAM. MARIN HUMANE'S ANIMAL SERVICE OFFICERS ARE SCHEDULED FOR 24 HOURS A DAY, 365 DAYS A YEAR COVERAGE.
  3. $2.9 million spent. EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY SERVICES - MARIN HUMANE PROVIDES A VARIETY OF EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AND OUTREACH PROGRAMS AIMED AT INCREASING RESPONSIBLE PET GUARDIANSHIP AND ACHIEVING MARIN HUMANE'S MISSION. INCLUDED AMONG THESE ARE ANIMAL TRAINING CLASSES AND BEHAVIOR CONSULTATIONS IN THE BEHAVIOR & TRAINING DEPARTMENT, SEMINARS AND WORKSHOPS, CLASSROOM VISITS, SHELTER TOURS, STUDENT VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES, SUMMER CAMP, AFTER SCHOOL CLUBS, AND ANIMAL ASSISTED THERAPY VISITATIONS. MARIN HUMANE ALSO PROVIDES FREE PET FOOD AND ASSISTANCE TO THE PETS OF HUNDREDS OF LOW INCOME GUARDIANS THROUGHOUT MARIN COUNTY AS PART OF AN EFFORT TO KEEP PETS IN THEIR HOMES AS LONG AS POSSIBLE.
  4. $46,035 spent. THRIFT SHOP - SINCE 1961, AUXILIARY VOLUNTEERS HAVE OPERATED A THRIFT SHOP IN SAN ANSELMO. REVENUES FROM THE THRIFT SHOP SUPPORT MARIN HUMANE'S VETERINARY SERVICES.

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 December 1950.

    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.

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