Canines for Services does not meet the following 5 Standards for Charity Accountability:
Standard 7 (Board Approval of Written Report on Effectiveness)
Submit to the organization's governing body, for its approval, a written report that outlines the results of the aforementioned performance and effectiveness assessment and recommendations for future actions.
CFS does not meet this Standard because:
- The organization has not completed an effectiveness assessment in the last two years.
Standard 14 (Budget)
Have a board-approved annual budget for its current fiscal year, outlining projected expenses for major program activities, fund raising, and administration.
CFS does not meet this Standard because, when the organization provided 2020 budget information, it indicated that the budget:
- Did not identify total projected program service expenses.
Standard 16 (Annual Report)
Have an annual report available to all, on request, that includes: (a) the organization's mission statement, (b) a summary of the past year's program service accomplishments, (c) a roster of the officers and members of the board of directors, (d) financial information that includes (i) total income in the past fiscal year, (ii) expenses in the same program, fund raising and administrative categories as in the financial statements, and (iii) ending net assets.
CFS does not meet this Standard because:
- The organization states it does not have an annual report covering activities conducted in 2018.
Standard 17 (Web Site Disclosures)
Include on any charity websites that solicit contributions, the same information that is recommended for annual reports, as well as the mailing address of the charity and electronic access to its most recent IRS Form 990.
CFS does not meet this Standard because the organization’s website, https://www.caninesforservice.org/, does not include all of the recommended information for those charity websites that solicit for donations. Specifically, it does not include:
- A summary of the organization's 2018 program service accomplishments.
Standard 18 (Privacy for Written Appeals & Internet Privacy)
Address privacy concerns of donors by (a) providing in written appeals, at least annually, a means (e.g., such as a check off box) for both new and continuing donors to inform the charity if they do not want their name and address shared outside the organization, (b) providing a clear, prominent and easily accessible privacy policy on any of its websites that tells visitors (i) what information, if any, is being collected about them by the charity and how this information will be used, (ii) how to contact the charity to review personal information collected and request corrections, (iii) how to inform the charity (e.g., a check off box) that the visitor does not wish his/her personal information to be shared outside the organization, and (iv) what security measures the charity has in place to protect personal information.
CFS does not meet this Standard because the privacy policy on the organization's website, https://www.caninesforservice.org/, does not indicate:
- What security measures are in place to protect personal information that is collected.
The BBB Wise Giving Alliance requested but did not receive complete information from the organization and is unable to verify the organization's compliance with the following Standard(s) for Charity Accountability:
1
13
Canines for Services meets the remaining 13 Standards for Charity Accountability.
Canines for Service (CFS) reports that it rescues and trains service dogs and partners them with disabled veterans. The organization rescues shelter dogs and has veterans and student trainers train the dogs for 9 to 12 months to learn more than 90 skills to assist disabled veterans. CFS operates a canine service training program, which is an 18-month long program that includes 1,700 hours of classroom and hands-on instruction to become a certified service dog trainer. The organization states that it also offers canine therapy training, which allows dog owners the opportunity to train and register their dogs as therapy dogs to assist in hospitals, nursing homes, schools, and treatment facilities.
For the year ended December 31, 2019, Canines for Services's program expenses were:
| Program services |
$609,021 |
| Total Program Expenses: |
$609,021 |
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Chief Executive
Susan Heaton, Chief Executive Officer
-
Compensation*
$17,022
-
Chair of the Board
Ed Sullivan
-
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Real Estate Agent, Intracoastal Realty
-
Board Size
8
-
Paid Staff Size
7
*2019 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
Note: Rick L. Hairston served as the President and Chief Executive Officer in 2019, receiving $52,979 in compensation.
Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Grant proposals, Internet, Invitations to fund raising events, Planned giving arrangements, Print advertisements (newspapers, magazines, etc.), Radio, Television
Fundraising costs were 1% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $638,661 are donations received as a result of fundraising activities.)
This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.
The following information is based on Canines for Services's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2019.
| Source of Funds |
| Grants, contributions and bequests |
$585,886 |
| Investment return, net |
$32,978 |
| Special events, net |
$30,092 |
| Program fees |
$14,335 |
| In-kind contributions |
$13,333 |
| Interest and dividends |
$10,984 |
| Memorials and honorariums |
$9,350 |
| Miscellaneous income |
$4,946 |
| Total Income |
$701,904 |
- Programs: 93%
- Administrative: 6%
- Fundraising: Less than 1%
| Total Income |
$701,904 |
| Program expenses |
$609,021 |
| Fundraising expenses |
$9,373 |
| Administrative expenses |
$37,718 |
| Other expenses |
$0 |
| Total expenses: |
$656,112 |
| Income in Excess of Expenses |
$45,792 |
| Beginning Net Assets |
$622,273 |
| Other Changes In Net Assets |
$0 |
| Ending Net Assets |
$668,065 |
| Total Liabilities |
$374,542 |
| Total Assets |
$1,042,607 |
Note: According to CFS' 2019 audited financial statements, the organization received $13,333 in contributed goods and services.