Animal Legal Defense Fund
Meets Standards
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
Animal Legal Defense Fund meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.
Stated Purpose:
"to protect the lives and advance the interests of animals through the legal system."
Year, State Incorporated:
1979, CA
Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) operates litigation, criminal justice, legislative affairs, pro bono, and animal law programs. Through its litigation program, the organization files lawsuits to stop the abuse of companion animals, and animals abused in industries including factory farming and the entertainment business. ALDF also works with law enforcement and prosecutors to seek maximum penalties for animal abusers in its criminal justice program. The legislative affairs program strengthens laws that protect animals and strikes down laws that hurt animals, and the Pro Bono program expands the practice and understanding of animal law in the legal community. In addition, through its animal law program, the organization reports it fosters the field of animal law among legal professionals and in law schools across the nation.
For the year ended June 30, 2022, Animal Legal Defense Fund's program expenses were:
| Legal program | $10,895,243 |
| Public education | $3,050,707 |
| Total Program Expenses | $13,945,950 |
Chief Executive
Kera Melrose, Interim CEO and Executive Director
Compensation*
$245,141
Chair of the Board
Katherine Stirling
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Journalist and editor
Board Size
7
Paid Staff Size
71
*Stephen Wells was the Executive Director during 2021 and the organziaiton's reports that Mr. Wells received $245,141 in compensation, which includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expenses accounts and other allowances. BBB WGA does not have salary information for Ms. Melrose at this time.
Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Grant proposals, Internet, Direct mail appeals, Radio, Special events, Telemarketing
ALDF incurred joint costs of $842,071 for informational materials and activities that included fundraising materials. Of those costs $685,306.00 was allocated to fundraising expenses, and $156,765 was allocated to program expenses,
Fundraising costs were 16% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $16,604,245, 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 Animal Legal Defense Fund's audited financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2022.
Source of Funds
| Investment income, net | $-1,785,595 |
| Program service revenue | $9,055 |
| Other income | $111,019 |
| In-kind contributions | $2,137,143 |
| Bequests and estates | $3,208,357 |
| Grants and contributions | $11,258,745 |
| Total Income | $14,938,724 |
Programs: 78% Fundraising: 15% Administrative: 7%
| Total Income | $14,938,724 |
| Total expenses: | $17,807,680 |
| Program expenses | $13,945,950 |
| Fundraising expenses | $2,629,901 |
| Administrative expenses | $1,231,829 |
| Other expenses | $0 |
| Income in Excess of Expenses | $-2,868,956 |
| Beginning Net Assets | $19,719,696 |
| Other Changes In Net Assets | $0 |
| Ending Net Assets | $16,850,740 |
| Total Liabilities | $1,494,427 |
| Total Assets | $18,345,167 |
Note: According to the organization's audited financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2022, ALDF received in-kind legal services valued at $2,137,143.
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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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