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Roar Foundation

EIN 95-3868718 · Acton, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood78 out of 100GovernanceStrong93 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

A SANCTUARY FOR RESCUED / ABUSED EXOTIC CATS

Income
$1.0 million
Spending
$832,686
Spent on programs
65%
Reserves
4.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 91%
Employees
6
Volunteers
12
Highest pay
$111,452, vice 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

Good: 78 out of 100. Higher than 42% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 20% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 89% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    65% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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: 93 out of 100. Higher than 64% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    4 of 4 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 (1)
  1. $538,491 spent. THE ROAR FOUNDATION WAS FOUNDED IN 1983. ROAR IS LOCATED ON A UNIQUE, FORTY-FIVE ACRE WILDLIFE HABITAT FORTY MILES NORTHEAST OF LOS ANGELES ON THE EDGE OF THE MOJAVE DESERT. IT'S PRIMARY PURPOSE IS THE OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE SHAMBALA PRESERVE, AN ESTABLISHED WILDLIFE SANCTUARY TO OVER TEN (11) ENDANGERED "BIG CATS".ALL OF THESE ANIMALS WERE BORN IN CAPTIVITY IN THE UNITED STATES WITH MANY OF THEM BEING ORPHANS OR CASTOFFS FROM PRIVATE OWNERS WHO CAN NO LONGER CARE FOR THEM. NONE OF THESE ANIMALS AT THE SHAMBALA PRESERVE HAVE EVER BEEN IN THE WILD, NOR CAN THEY EVER BE RELEASED IN THE WILD. ALL DEPEND UPON HUMAN CARE. MANY OF THE ANIMALS THAT ARRIVE HAVE SUFFERED FROM GROSS MISTREATMENT AND NEGLECT. THE NEEDS OF EACH ANIMAL ARE CONSIDERED, NOT ONLY IN HEALTH AND DIET, BUT ALSO IN SIZE, LANDSCAPING AND TERRAIN OF THE VARIOUS COMPOUNDS THEY INHABIT. THE SHAMBALA PRESERVE PROVIDES A DIGNIFIED LIFE FOR THESE PRECIOUS WILD ANIMALS.IN ADDITION TO THE OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE SHAMBALA PRESERVE, ROAR SEEKS TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC TO THE PLIGHT OF WILDLIFE AND DISCOURAGE THE OWNERSHIP OF EXOTIC ANIMALS AS "PETS". ROAR ALSO GATHERS AND SHARES INFORMATION ON THE HEALTH, CARE AND BEHAVIOR OF NON-PERFORMING BIG CATS IN CAPTIVITY, AND HAS EARNED AN OUTSTANDING REPUTATION IN THE FIELD OF WILDLIFE CONSERVATION.

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 November 6, 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 May 1997.

    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 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.