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Guide Dogs of America

CharityWatch rating issued
June 2025

F
CharityWatch Rating
This rating has been downgraded from A due to the charity having 9.4 years worth of available assets in reserve.
 
82%
Program Percentage
Amount spent on programs
relative to overhead.
 
$6
Cost to Raise $100
Amount spent to raise
$100 of contributions.

Large Asset Reserves

CharityWatch reduces the grade of any charity that has available assets equal to three to five years of operating expenses. Charities with "years of available assets" of more than five years receive an "F" grade regardless of other measurements. In CharityWatch's view, a reserve of less than three years is reasonable and does not affect a charity's grade. These reductions in grades are based solely on the charities' asset reserves as compared to budget. The CharityWatch definition of "years of available assets" includes funds currently available for the charity's use, including investments that the charity has set aside as a reserve but could choose to spend if it wanted to do so. Guide Dogs of America's letter grade rating has been downgraded because it has 3 or more years of available assets.

See Our Process to learn more about how CharityWatch considers a charity’s asset reserves and the High Asset List for a list of charities whose ratings have been reduced due to high assets.

Contact Information

Guide Dogs of America
13445 Glenoaks Blvd.
Sylmar, CA 91342

Other Names

International Guiding Eyes

Tax Status

501(c)3

Stated Mission

To transform lives through partnerships with service dogs.

View similar charities
Data based on Fiscal Year Ended 06/30/2024

Program Percentage: 82%

The percentage of Guide Dogs of America's cash budget it spends on programs relative to overhead (fundraising, management, and general expenses).

$7,000,000

Calculated Total Expenses

(rounded)

 

Cost to Raise $100: $6

How many dollars Guide Dogs of America spends on fundraising to raise each $100 of contributions.

$13,000,000

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 Dogs of America Audited Financial Statements 95-1586088
Guide Dogs of America IRS Form 990 95-1586088
Entity: Guide Dogs of America
Document Type: Audited Financial Statements
Tax ID: 95-1586088
Entity: Guide Dogs of America
Document Type: IRS Form 990
Tax ID: 95-1586088

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.
Guide Dogs of America
meets governance benchmarks.
 
Guide Dogs of America
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 No Sharing  

  Name Title Compensation
1 Jamie Hunt Director of Programs $136,863
2 Scott West Director of IT $135,788
3 Zack Gittlen Director of Marketing $119,820
1
Name: Jamie Hunt
Title: Director of Programs
Compensation: $136,863
2
Name: Scott West
Title: Director of IT
Compensation: $135,788
3
Name: Zack Gittlen
Title: Director of Marketing
Compensation: $119,820

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.

According to the Guide Dogs of America (GDA) audit of June 30, 2024 (Note 1 re: Contributed Services), GDA received in-kind contributed services in fiscal 2024 on which it placed a total value of $405,669.

[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 Dogs of America audit of June 30, 2024 (Note 11, Concentrations):

"Workforce: The majority of the Organization's workforce are covered under a collective bargaining agreement with the Office & Professional Employees International Union - Local 30. This agreement, among other things, governs compensation, benefits, and worker's rights. 

Major Contributors: During the year ended June 30, 2024, total contributions included contributions from donor 1 for $4,000,0000 which accounts for 31% of the Organization's total public support..."


According to the Guide Dogs of America audit of June 30, 2024 (Note 12, Subsequent Events):

"In September 2023, the Organization entered into a construction agreement to purchase and install a solar power system on the Sylmar, CA campus. The Organization entered into a loan agreement to finance the solar project in the amount of approximately $700,000. The loan is for a 72-month period and carries an interest rate of 4.99%. Construction on this project began in October 2024 and loan payments will begin once the system is activated.

In July and August 2024, the Organization completed a $211,300 roof repair project for the event shed, kennel, administration, and maintenance building..."

According to the Guide Dogs of America (GDA) tax filing for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024, GDA reports re: the existence of a family relationship among officers, directors, trustees, or key employees:  "The President is related to one employee of the Organization, the Outreach and Development Associate in the Puppy Department." (IRS Form 990, Schedule O re: Form 990, Part VI, Line 2).