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CHARITY REVIEW
Issued: March 2025 Expires: March 2027

Morris Animal Foundation

Standards Not Met
Standards Not Met
3 7 16
720 South Colorado Boulevard, Suite 174A
Denver, CO, 80246

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

Morris Animal Foundation does not meet the following 3 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.

MAF does not meet this Standard because:

  • The board of directors held two meetings in the year ended June 30, 2024.

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.

MAF does not meet this Standard because:

  • The organization did not produce a written report outlining the results of its September 2024 effectiveness assessment.

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.

MAF does not meet this Standard because the 2023 annual report did not include:

  • Total expenses for each program in the same categories that appear in the organization’s financial statements (Scientific programs, Canine Lifetime Health Project, Program awareness, and Citizen Pet).
  • Total end of year net assets.

Morris Animal Foundation meets the remaining 17 Standards for Charity Accountability.

Stated Purpose:
"to bridge science and resources to advance the health of animals."

Year, State Incorporated:
1948, CO

Morris Animal Foundation (MAF) reports that it is a science-driven organization that conducts animal health studies and provides funding for scientists conducting research worldwide. The organization partners with leaders in the animal health industry to develop diagnostic tools, vaccines, new drug therapies, and surgical techniques to manage and eradicate diseases affecting animals.

For the year ended June 30, 2023, Morris Animal Foundation's program expenses were:

Scientific programs: $6,048,689

Canine Lifetime Health project: $2,740,454

Program awareness: $2,404,430

Citizen Pet: $523,125

Total Program Expenses: $11,716,698

Chief Executive
Ryan Welch, Interim President and Chief Executive Officer

Compensation*
$255,122

Chair of the Board
Vern Norviel

Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Attorney

Board Size
18

Paid Staff Size
40

*2024 compensation, as reported by the organization, includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.

Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Grant proposals, Internet, Radio, Foundation grants

Fundraising costs were 24% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $12,005,109, 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 Morris Animal Foundation's audited financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2023.

Source of Funds
Contributions $11,350,193
In-kind contributions $654,916
Investment return, net $6,383,216
Other income $5,765
Total Income $18,394,090

Programs: 68% Fundraising: 17% Administrative: 15%

Total Income $18,394,090
Total expenses: $17,288,045
  Program expenses $11,716,698
  Fundraising expenses $2,902,552
  Administrative expenses $2,668,795
  Other expenses $0
Income in Excess of Expenses $1,106,045
Beginning Net Assets $100,747,080
Other Changes In Net Assets $20,502
Ending Net Assets $101,873,627
Total Liabilities $7,821,880
Total Assets $109,695,507

Note 1: As noted in the financial section above, “other changes in net assets” refers to a change in value of gift annuities.

Note 2: According to the organization’s audited financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2023, MAF received in-kind gifts totaling $654,916 in the form of volunteer scientist services.

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 Wise Giving Alliance