Best Friends Animal Society

Analysis

Best Friends Animal Society is a registered charity in United States, based in Kanab, UT. It received its IRS tax-exemption ruling in December 1971, 55 years ago. Its declared purposes cover animal-related, which this site groups under animals. The IRS classifies it as a publicly supported organisation (donations from the general public) under section 501(c)(3), and contributions to it are listed as tax-deductible.

In the financial year ending September 2023, Best Friends Animal Society reported income of $173.5m and spending of $148.1m, spending 85% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from September 2019 to September 2023, income grew from $102.9m to $173.5m (+69%), an average of +14% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to September 2023, when income rose by 23%. Over the whole period it spent 88% of the income it received.

Among 14,470 United States charities whose main cause is animals and that reported income, Best Friends Animal Society sits at the 100th percentile: it is one of the largest 1% in its cause. Against every charity in United States with reported income it ranks in the 100th percentile, and in the 100th percentile within UT. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Monterey Bay Aquarium Foundation ($155.9m), Humane World for Animals Inc ($175.0m) and Georgia Aquarium Inc ($154.0m).

On its Form 990 for the period ending September 2023, revenue came from contributions and grants 97% and program service revenue 0.5% of the total. Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees was $4.0m (2.7% of expenses). Other salaries and wages came to $58.9m. It paid $906k in professional fundraising fees. At year end it held assets of $216.3m against liabilities of $64.3m, net assets of $152.0m. It reported 1,034 employees.