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CHARITY REVIEW
Issued: March 2026 Expires: March 2028

Puppy Jake Foundation

Standards Not Met
Standards Not Met
1 14 16
(515) 777-2837
3101 104th Street, Suite 2
Urbandale, IA, 50322
http://puppyjakefoundation.org/
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Standards For Charity Accountability

Governance

  1. Board Oversight
  2. Board Size
  3. Board Meetings
  4. Board Compensation
  5. Conflict of Interest

Measuring Effectiveness

  1. Effectiveness Policy
  2. Effectiveness Report

Finances

  1. Program Expenses
  2. Fundraising Expenses
  3. Accumulating Funds
  4. Audit Report
  5. Detailed Expense Breakdown
  6. Accurate Expense Reporting
  7. Budget Plan

Fundraising & Info

  1. Truthful Materials
  2. Annual Report
  3. Website Disclosures
  4. Donor Privacy
  5. Cause Marketing Disclosures
  6. Complaints

Puppy Jake Foundation does not meet the following 3 Standards for Charity Accountability:

Standard 1 (Oversight of Operations and Staff)
Organizations shall have a board of directors that provides adequate oversight of the charity's operations and its staff. Indication of adequate oversight includes, but is not limited to, regularly scheduled appraisals of the CEO's performance, evidence of disbursement controls such as board approval of the budget, fund raising practices, establishment of a conflict of interest policy, and establishment of accounting procedures sufficient to safeguard charity finances.

Puppy Jake Foundation does not meet this Standard because the organization's board of directors does not:

  • Have a voting member of the board who is assigned the responsibility of serving as the treasurer.

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.

Puppy Jake Foundation does not meet this Standard because, when the organization provided 2026 budget information, it indicated that the budget:

  • Did not identify total projected administrative 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.

Puppy Jake Foundation does not meet this Standard, because the organization's 2024 annual report did not include:

  • The organization's mission statement.
  • A roster of the officers and members of the board of directors.
  • A summary of the organization's 2024 financial information from its audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2024.

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: 4, 6

Puppy Jake Foundation meets the remaining 15 Standards for Charity Accountability.

Stated Purpose:
"to help military veterans through the assistance of well bred, socialized, and professionally trained service dogs."

Year, State Incorporated:
2012, IA

Puppy Jake Foundation states it conducts intensive training and socialization programming for dogs to place with and assist combat-wounded veterans. The organization’s program supports veterans with physical mobility impairments and those suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Puppy Jake Foundation also uploads regular e-newsletters on their website, which include stories of the organization's veteran-service dog teams, updates on their training programs, as well as volunteer opportunities with the foundation.

For the year ended December 31, 2024, Puppy Jake Foundation's program expenses were:

Program services $1,057,736
Total Program Expenses $1,057,736

Chief Executive
Lisa Russell, Chief Executive Officer and Board Secretary

Compensation*
$101,880

Chair of the Board
Matthew Mitchell

Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Chief Executive Officer, Baton Global; Associate Professor, Drake University

Board Size
6

Paid Staff Size
10

*2024 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.

Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Invitations to fund raising events, Print advertisements (newspapers, magazines, etc.), Grant proposals, Internet, Planned giving arrangements, Workplace Giving

Fundraising costs were 8% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $674,837, 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 Puppy Jake Foundation's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2024.

Source of Funds
Contributions $604,724
Investment income, net $71,346
In-kind contributions $47,525
Special events, net $22,588
Other income $15,093
Total Income $761,276

Programs: 86% Fundraising: 5% Administrative: 9%

Total Income $761,276
Total expenses: $1,223,395
  Program expenses $1,057,736
  Fundraising expenses $56,079
  Administrative expenses $109,580
  Other expenses $0
Income in Excess of Expenses $-462,119
Beginning Net Assets $2,182,099
Other Changes In Net Assets $0
Ending Net Assets $1,719,980
Total Liabilities $45,619
Total Assets $1,765,599

Note: According to Puppy Jake Foundation's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2024, the organization received in-kind contributions totaling $47,525 in the form of service dog training and dog toys.

An organization may change its practices at any time without notice. A copy of this report has been shared with the organization prior to publication. It is not intended to recommend or deprecate, and is furnished solely to assist you in exercising your own judgment. If the report is about a charity and states the charity meets or does not meet the Standards for Charity Accountability, it reflects the results of an evaluation of information and materials provided voluntarily by the charity. The name Better Business Bureau is a registered service mark of the International Association of Better Business Bureaus.

This report is not to be used for fundraising or promotional purposes.

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Report completed by:
BBB Serving Greater Iowa, Quad Cities, and Siouxland Region