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Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind

CharityWatch report issued
October 2020

Top-Rated Charity
A
CharityWatch Grade
Our independent grade based
on a number of factors.
 
80%
Program Percentage
Amount spent on programs
relative to overhead.
 
$9
Cost to Raise $100
Amount spent to raise
$100 of contributions.

Contact Information

Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind
371 East Jericho Turnpike
Smithtown, NY 11787-2976

Other Names

America's VetDogs
Veteran's K-9 Corps, (The)

Tax Status

501(c)3

Stated Mission

Trains and places guide dogs to improve the quality of life for people who are blind, have low vision, or other special needs, and to help those who served our country honorably live with dignity and independence.

View similar charities
Data based on Fiscal Year Ended 06/30/2019

Program Percentage: 80%

The percentage of Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind's cash budget it spends on programs relative to overhead (fundraising, management, and general expenses).

$14,000,000

Calculated Total Expenses

(rounded)

 

Cost to Raise $100: $9

How many dollars Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind spends on fundraising to raise each $100 of contributions.

$17,000,000

Calculated Total Contributions

(rounded)

Government Funding

0% to 24%

Percentage of cash revenue
coming from government sources

 

Financial Documents

Entity Document Type Tax ID
Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind & America's VetDogs Audited Consolidated Financial Statements Multiple
Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind IRS Form 990 11-1687477
America's VetDogs - The Veteran's K-9 Corps IRS Form 990 20-8814368
Entity: Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind & America's VetDogs
Document Type: Audited Consolidated Financial Statements
Tax ID: Multiple
Entity: Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind
Document Type: IRS Form 990
Tax ID: 11-1687477
Entity: America's VetDogs - The Veteran's K-9 Corps
Document Type: IRS Form 990
Tax ID: 20-8814368

Governance & Transparency

CharityWatch evaluates certain criteria related to a charity's Governance and Transparency. Donors may want to consider a charity's willingness to be open and transparent with CharityWatch to be a good litmus test for determining its commitment to public accountability.
This charity is Top-Rated
What does it mean to be Top-Rated?
 
Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind
meets governance benchmarks.
 
Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind
meets transparency benchmarks.
Transparency
Provides Financial Information
Audit Accessibility
Governance: Policies
Reports regularly & consistently monitoring & enforcing compliance with a written Conflict of Interest Policy
Reports required, annual disclosure by officers, directors, and key staff of interests that could give rise to conflicts
Reports having a written Whistleblower Policy
Reports having a written Document Retention and Destruction Policy
Governance: Financials
Reports providing copy of tax form to all board members prior to filing it with IRS
Reports that financial statements were audited by an independent accountant
Governance: Board of Directors
Reports at least 5 voting board members
51% or more of voting board members reported as independent
Reports documenting minutes of board and board committee meetings
Privacy Policy
Privacy Policy Opt-Out Policy  

  Name Title Compensation
1 John Miller President/CEO $244,461
2 Wells B. Jones Past CEO $241,873
  Note: Includes $97,050 bonus & incentive compensation.
3 Bradley Hibbard Chief Program Officer $194,626
1
Name: John Miller
Title: President/CEO
Compensation: $244,461
2
Name: Wells B. Jones
Title: Past CEO
Compensation: $241,873
Note: Includes $97,050 bonus & incentive compensation.
3
Name: Bradley Hibbard
Title: Chief Program Officer
Compensation: $194,626

CharityWatch Analysts perform an in-depth analysis of charities' audited financial statements and IRS tax filings, and often review other documents such as state filings, annual reports, and fundraising contracts during their evaluations. Below are select notes that CharityWatch believes may be of interest to donors.

CharityWatch's rating of Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind also includes the financial activities of its related organization, America's VetDogs - The Veteran's K-9 Corps, which are consolidated in the Organization's audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2019. Each entity is a 501(c)(3) public charity. All material intercompany transactions have been eliminated in the audit consolidation.

According to the Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind & America's VetDogs consolidated audit of June 30, 2019 (Note 1 re: In-Kind Services), the Organization received donated veterinary services in fiscal 2019 on which it placed a total value of $241,285.

[Note: CharityWatch generally excludes the value of in-kind (non-cash) donations of goods and services from its calculations of Program % and Cost to Raise $100. More information on how grades are calculated and the treatment of in-kind donations can be found on the Our Process page.]

According to the Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind tax filing for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2019, the Foundation reports re: Business Transactions Involving Interested Persons, a transaction in the amount of $17,148 involving audit chair, Lee Hornstein, who is the President and founder of C Systems. The reported description of the transaction is: "C Systems provides software and technical support for the Foundation's donor database" (IRS Form 990, Schedule L, Parts IV & V).

According to the Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind & America's VetDogs consolidated audit of June 30, 2019 (Note 10, Union Employees):

"The Organization recognizes the International Union, UAW and Its Local 2179 (the 'Union'), as the sole collective bargaining agent for its full and part-time training, canine-care and puppy staff employed at the Organization's training center in Smithtown, NY, and excludes all other employees of the Organization. The current contract term commenced December 1, 2015 and will expire on November 30, 2019."


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