Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Wild Horizons Wildlife Orphanage and Sanctuary

EIN 98-6061293 · San Diego, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair69 out of 100GovernanceGood88 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

To actively advance and promote environmental conservation and the sustainable use of indigenous resources in Southern Africa.

Income
$534,814
Spending
$584,584
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
3.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 99%
Employees
1
Volunteers
2

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

Fair: 69 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (animals, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 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

Good: 88 out of 100. Higher than 85% 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

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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.

  • 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 (7)
  1. $34,405 spent. This organization provided funds to Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust based in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe for the purposes of the rescue and rehabilitation of wildlife. In cases where wildlife have been injured or orphaned due to human interference, Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust will help animals recover through veterinary or other care methods. The wildlife rehabilitation center allows care for rescued animals until they can be released back into the wild.
  2. $28,869 spent. This organization provided funds to Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust based in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe for wildlife research. Research plays a key role in finding sustainable solutions for long term conservation as human population growth puts a strain on environmental resources and wildlife habitats. Research projects include monitoring lions and their contact with humans and their domestic animals and finding ways to control conflict, spatial movement of elephants to avoid human conflict, rhinoceros conservation, and vulture conservation.
  3. $23,121 spent. This organization provided funds to Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust based in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe to assist in the operation of the wildlife disease and forensics laboratory. The laboratory tests for zoonotic diseases and their spread. The laboratory also works to disrupt the illegal wildlife trade and tests wildlife samples for case work for wildlife crimes.
  4. Program Service Expenses 110,216, Grants and allocations 110,216, Revenue 24,425 This organization provided funds to Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust based in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe to assist in community outreach. Outreach includes conservation education and veterinary care of domestic animals. Community Outreach has also worked to reduce illegal timber offtake, and to develop rural livelihoods and value chains while alleviating the human wildlife conflict.
  5. Program Service Expenses 263,648, Grants and allocations 263,648, Revenue 0 The organization provided funds to assist in general operating costs including laboratory and medical supplies, administration, repairs, and travel.
  6. Program Service Expenses 1,030, Grants and allocations 1,030, Revenue 0 The organization provided funds to counter wildlife crime, which integrates research, community involvement, and technology to tackle wildlife crime. Crimes include poaching, illegal trafficking, and other offenses that threaten the survival of endangered species and the health of ecosystems and wellbeing of local communities.
  7. Program Service Expenses 25,177, Grants and allocations 25,177, Revenue 18,020 The organization provided funds for the protection of Zambezi National Park which is essential for local biodiversity, and sustaining the integrity of the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area KAZA TFCA.

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 February 2011.

    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.