Lifesavers
Standards For Charity Accountability
Governance
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Board Oversight
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Board Size
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Board Meetings
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Board Compensation
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Conflict of Interest
Measuring Effectiveness
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Effectiveness Policy
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Effectiveness Report
Finances
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Program Expenses
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Fundraising Expenses
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Accumulating Funds
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Audit Report
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Detailed Expense Breakdown
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Accurate Expense Reporting
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Budget Plan
Fundraising & Info
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Truthful Materials
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Annual Report
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Website Disclosures
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Donor Privacy
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Cause Marketing Disclosures
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Complaints
Lifesavers does not meet the following 7 Standards for Charity Accountability:
Standard 3 (Frequency and Attendance of Board Meetings)
An organization shall have a minimum of three evenly spaced meetings per year of the full governing body with a majority in attendance, with face-to-face participation. A conference call of the full board can substitute for one of the three meetings of the governing body. For all meetings, alternative modes of participation are acceptable for those with physical disabilities.
Lifesavers does not meet this Standard because:
- The board of directors held one meeting for the year ended June 30, 2024.
Standard 6 (Board Policy on Effectiveness)
Have a board policy of assessing, no less than every two years, the organization's performance and effectiveness and of determining future actions required to achieve its mission.
Lifesavers does not meet this Standard because:
- The board of directors does not have a written policy stating that, at least every two years, an appraisal be done assessing the organization’s performance and effectiveness and determining future actions required to achieve its mission.
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.
Lifesavers 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.
Lifesavers does not meet this Standard because, when the organization provided 2025 budget information, it indicated that the budget:
- The organization did not produce a budget.
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.
Lifesavers does not meet this Standard because:
- The organization states it does not have an annual report covering activities conducted for the year ended June 30, 2024.
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.
Lifesavers does not meet this Standard because the organization’s website, https://wildhorserescue.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 2023-2024 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.
Lifesavers does not meet this Standard because the privacy policy on its website, https://wildhorserescue.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: 15
Lifesavers meets the remaining 12 Standards for Charity Accountability.
Stated Purpose:
"to prevent American mustangs and domestic horses from being abused, abandoned, neglected and ultimately sent to slaughter through rescue, adoption, sanctuary, education and horse inspired growth and healing programs."
Year, State Incorporated:
1997, CA
Also Known As:
Lifesavers Wild Horse Rescue
Lifesavers reports that it provides refuge, rehabilitation, and sanctuary to wild and domestic horses, burros, and other equines. The organization works to preserve the spirit of wild horses by offering natural habitat sanctuary in Caliente, California, where they can roam free. Lifesavers’ programs also include gentling, training, adoption, and education outreach to encourage responsible equine care and advocacy.
For the year ended June 30, 2024, Lifesavers's program expenses were:
| Program services | $1,503,474 |
| Total Program Expenses | $1,503,474 |
Chief Executive
Jill Starr, Founder and Executive Director
Compensation*
$60,000
Chair of the Board
Shannon L. Strong, JD
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Law Office of Shannon Strong
Board Size
6
Paid Staff Size
12
*2023 compensation, as reported by the organization, includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
Note: The highest paid employee for the year ended June 30, 2024, was Director fo Charitable Giving Karen Fromel with total compensation of $73,000.
Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Grant proposals, Internet, Radio, Print advertisements
Fundraising costs were 9% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $1,760,026, 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 Lifesavers's audited financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2024.
Source of Funds
| Contributions and bequests | $1,429,157 |
| Direct mail campaign revenue, net | $274,385 |
| Grants | $49,000 |
| Realized and unrealized gain on investments, net | $33,122 |
| Merchandise sales, net | $14,287 |
| In-kind contributions | $7,484 |
| Other income, net | $4,011 |
| Loss on sale of assets | $-10 |
| Total Income | $1,811,436 |
Programs: 83% Fundraising: 9% Administrative: 8%
| Total Income | $1,811,436 |
| Total expenses: | $1,803,238 |
| Program expenses | $1,503,474 |
| Fundraising expenses | $161,318 |
| Administrative expenses | $138,446 |
| Other expenses | $0 |
| Income in Excess of Expenses | $8,198 |
| Beginning Net Assets | $6,271,254 |
| Other Changes In Net Assets | $0 |
| Ending Net Assets | $6,359,452 |
| Total Liabilities | $271,916 |
| Total Assets | $6,631,368 |
Note: According to the organization's audited financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2024, Lifesavers received in-kind contributions totaling $7,484 in the form of donated items for the organization's thrift shop.
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.
RELATED CONTENT
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Meets Standards
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Standards Not Met
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Did Not Disclose
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Review in Progress
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Unable to Verify
Report completed by:
BBB Wise Giving Alliance