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Living Free Non-Profit Animal Sanctuary

EIN 95-3628770 · Mountain Center, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceGood73 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

A NO KILL ANIMAL SANCTUARY THAT SAVES AND FINDS HOMES FOR ANIMALS FACING IMMINENT SHELTER EUTHANASIA

Income
$2.0 million
Spending
$1.3 million
Spent on programs
76%
Reserves
13.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 96%
Employees
30
Volunteers
65
Highest pay
$60,000, president

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 13.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 35% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 18% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    76% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 73 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    3 of 3 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 December 31, 2024, 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. $848,075 spent. ANIMAL RESCUE - EVERY ANIMAL WHO ENTERS LIVING FREE IS PROVIDED WITH A SAFE, CAGE-FREE ENVIRONMENT SO THAT THEY MAY BE REHABILITATED, SOCIALIZED, AND PREPARED FOR ADOPTION. EACH ANIMAL RECEIVES A FULL MEDICAL EXAM, ANY NECESSARY MEDICAL CARE, SPAYED OR NEUTERED, BROUGHT UP TO DATE ON ALL NECESSARY IMMUNIZATIONS, MICROCHIPPED AND WILL REMAIN UNTIL ADOPTED. IF ONE OF OUR RESCUED ANIMALS CANNOT FIND A LOVING HOME, THEY ARE FREE TO LIVE OUT THEIR LIVES HERE AT THE SANCTUARY.
  2. $144,439 spent. WAR HORSE CREEK IS AN IMMERSIVE TRANSITION TRAINING PROGRAM FOR VETERANS. IT ALL STARTS WITH THE MUSTANGS. WE RESCUE WILD MUSTANGS FROM THE BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT BLM AND BRING THEM TOGETHER WITH VETERANS IN AN INNOVATIVE APPROACH CALLED COLLABORATIVE HORSEMANSHIP. THIS APPROACH GIVES VETERANS THE OPPORTUNITY TO MASTER SKILLS THAT OFTEN GO DORMANT DURING THEIR MILITARY TENURE EMPATHY, PATIENCE, UNDERSTANDING, KINDNESS, AND COMPASSION. ONCE THE SKILLS ARE MASTERED WITH THE MUSTANGS, THEY WILL BE INGRAINED AS ADAPTIVE HABITS THAT CAN BE TRANSFERRED TO FAMILY, FRIENDS AND SOCIETY.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 2024.

    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 January 2017.

    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.