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CHARITY REVIEW
Issued: March 2024 Expires: March 2026

Animal Lifeline of Iowa

Standards Not Met
Standards Not Met
14
(515) 285-7387
4521 Southeast 14th Street
Des Moines, IA, 50320
https://animal-lifeline.com/
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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

Animal Lifeline of Iowa does not meet the following 1 Standards for Charity Accountability:

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.

Animal Lifeline does not meet this Standard because, when the organization provided 2024 budget information, it indicated that the budget:

  • Did not identify total projected program service expenses.
  • Did not identify total projected administrative expenses.

Animal Lifeline of Iowa meets the remaining 19 Standards for Charity Accountability.

Stated Purpose:
"to reduce the number of special needs dogs and cats that are euthanized by providing care, temporary shelter, and by promoting positive long-term pet guardianship."

Year, State Incorporated:
1986, IA

Animal Lifeline of Iowa (Animal Lifeline) is a no-kill animal shelter serving special needs dogs and cats in the Des Moines area and all of Iowa. The organization reports rescuing cats and dogs that are injured, handicapped, have a serious medical condition, are abused, are pregnant, are nursing moms, or are orphans that require bottle feeding. Animal Lifeline rehabilitates the animals who run a higher risk of euthanasia in a traditional shelter setting, and then adopts them into loving forever homes.

For the year ended December 31, 2022, Animal Lifeline of Iowa's program expenses were:

Program services $386,133
Total Program Expenses $386,133

Chief Executive
Martha Wittkowski, Executive Director

Compensation*
$70,000

Chair of the Board
Stephanie Reynolds

Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation

Board Size
10

Paid Staff Size
29

*2022 compensation, as reported by the charity, includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.

Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Grant proposals, Internet, Direct mail appeals, Radio, Special events, Telemarketing, Corporate solicitation

Fundraising costs were 22% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $434,779, 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 Lifeline of Iowa's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2022.

Source of Funds
Investment income $-100,543
Adoptions $14,025
Thrift shop, net $89,170
Special events, net $98,557
Donations and bequests $336,222
Total Income $437,431

Programs: 75% Fundraising: 19% Administrative: 6%

Total Income $437,431
Total expenses: $512,997
  Program expenses $386,133
  Fundraising expenses $97,351
  Administrative expenses $29,513
  Other expenses $0
Income in Excess of Expenses $-75,566
Beginning Net Assets $1,053,606
Other Changes In Net Assets $0
Ending Net Assets $978,100
Total Liabilities $49,657
Total Assets $1,027,757

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

Report completed by:
BBB Wise Giving Alliance