Mission: The Connecticut Humane Society (CHS) is the leading resource in the state for companion animal welfare; enriching the lives of families and communities through adoption services, medical care, education, and prevention of cruelty. Four core values bring this mission to life: stewardship, quality care, community, and respect.
In recent years, CHS has responded to the growing trend of pets living in poverty, providing vital resources to pet owners: donor subsidized veterinary care, a pet food pantry, and training on pet enrichment and behavior.
With 40% of Americans unable to cover an unexpected bill of $1,000.00, strategies to keep pets in homes are now an active part of the CHS mission.
Connecticut Humane Society is a 501(c)(3) organization, with an IRS ruling year of 1933, and donations are tax-deductible.
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Important note on the timeliness of ratings
The IRS is significantly delayed in processing nonprofits' annual tax filings (Forms 990). As a result, the Financial and Accountability & Transparency score for Connecticut Humane Society is outdated and the overall rating may not be representative of its current operations. Please check with the charity directly for any questions you may have.
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Star Rating System by Charity Navigator
Charity Navigator evaluates a nonprofit organization’s financial health including measures of stability, efficiency and sustainability. We also track accountability and transparency policies to ensure the good governance and integrity of the organization.
Good
This charity's score is 83.51, earning it a 3-Star rating. Donors can "Give with Confidence" to this charity.
This score is calculated from two sub-scores:
Finance: 76.69 View details
Accountability & Transparency: 100.00 View details
This score represents Form 990 data from 2019, the latest year published by the IRS.
View this organization’s historical ratings.
Star Rated Report
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Program Expense Ratio
72.1%
The Program Expense Ratio is determined by Program Expenses divided by Total Expense (average of most recent three 990s).
This measure reflects the percent of its total expenses a charity spends on the programs and services it exists to deliver. Dividing a charity's average program expenses by its average total functional expenses yields this percentage. We calculate the charity's average expenses over its three most recent fiscal years.
Source: IRS Form 990
Administrative Expenses
10.3%
As reported by charities on their IRS Form 990, this measure reflects what percent of its total budget a charity spends on overhead, administrative staff and associated costs, and organizational meetings. Dividing a charity's average administrative expenses by its average total functional expenses yields this percentage. We calculate the charity's average expenses over its three most recent fiscal years.
Source: IRS Form 990
Fundraising Expenses
17.5%
This measure reflects what a charity spends to raise money. Fundraising expenses can include campaign printing, publicity, mailing, and staffing and costs incurred in soliciting donations, memberships, and grants. Dividing a charity's average fundraising expenses by its average total functional expenses yields this percentage. We calculate the charity's average expenses over its three most recent fiscal years.
Source: IRS Form 990
Liabilities to Assets Ratio
0.8%
The Liabilities to Assets Ratio is determined by Total Liabilities divided by Total Assets (most recent 990).
Part of our goal in rating the financial performance of charities is to help donors assess the financial capacity and sustainability of a charity. As do organizations in other sectors, charities must be mindful of their management of total liabilites in relation to their total assets. This ratio is an indicator of an organization’s solvency and or long term sustainability. Dividing a charity's total liabilities by its total assets yields this percentage.
Source: IRS Form 990
Fundraising Efficiency
$0.30
The amount spent to raise $1 in charitable contributions. To calculate a charity's fundraising efficiency, we divide its average fundraising expenses by the average total contributions it receives. We calculate the charity's average expenses and average contributions over its three most recent fiscal years.
Source: IRS Form 990
Working Capital Ratio
10.41 years
Determines how long a charity could sustain its level of spending using its net available assets, or working capital, as reported on its most recently filed Form 990. We include in a charity's working capital unrestricted and temporarily restricted net assets, and exclude permanently restricted net assets. Dividing these net available assets in the most recent year by a charity's average total expenses, yields the working capital ratio. We calculate the charity's average total expenses over its three most recent fiscal years.
Source: IRS Form 990
Program Expense Growth
0.38%
We compute the average annual growth of program expenses using the following formula: [(Yn/Y0)(1/n)]-1, where Y0 is a charity's program expenses in the first year of the interval analyzed, Yn is the charity's program expenses in the most recent year, and n is the interval of years passed between Y0 and Yn.
Source: IRS Form 990
Governance
Charity Navigator looks to confirm on the Form 990 that the organization has these governance practices in place.
Sources Include: IRS Form 990
| Governance: | |
|---|---|
| Independent Voting Board Members ... (More) | |
| No Material Diversion of Assets ... (More) A diversion of assets – any unauthorized conversion or use of the organization's assets other than for the organization's authorized purposes, including but not limited to embezzlement or theft – can seriously call into question a charity's financial integrity. We check the charity's last two Forms 990 to see if the charity has reported any diversion of assets. If the charity does report a diversion, then we check to see if it complied with the Form 990 instructions by describing what happened and its corrective action. This metric will be assigned to one of the following categories:
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| Audited Financials Prepared by Independent Accountant ... (More) Audited financial statements provide important information about financial accountability and accuracy. They should be prepared by an independent accountant with oversight from an audit committee. (It is not necessary that the audit committee be a separate committee. Often at smaller charities, it falls within the responsibilities of the finance committee or the executive committee.) The committee provides an important oversight layer between the management of the organization, which is responsible for the financial information reported, and the independent accountant, who reviews the financials and issues an opinion based on its findings. We check the charity's Form 990 reporting to see if it meets this criteria.
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| Does Not Provide Loan(s) to or Receive Loan(s) From Related Parties ... (More) | |
| Documents Board Meeting Minutes ... (More) | |
| Distributes 990 to Board Before Filing ... (More) | |
| Compensates Board ... (More) |
Policies
Charity Navigator looks to confirm on the Form 990, or for some metrics on the charity's website, that the organization has these policies in place.
Sources Include: IRS Form 990 and organization's website
| Policies: | |
|---|---|
| Conflict of Interest ... (More) | |
| Whistleblower ... (More) | |
| Records Retention and Destruction ... (More) | |
| CEO Compensation Process ... (More) | |
| Donor Privacy ... (More) Donors can be reluctant to contribute to a charity when their name, address, or other basic information may become part of donor lists that are exchanged or sold, resulting in an influx of charitable solicitations from other organizations. Our analysts check the charity's website to see if the organization has a donor privacy policy in place and what it does and does not cover. Privacy policies are assigned to one of the following categories:
The privacy policy must be specific to donor information. A general website policy which references "visitor" or "user" personal information will not suffice. A policy that refers to donor information collected on the website is also not sufficient as the policy must be comprehensive and applicable to both online and offline donors. The existence of a privacy policy of any type does not prohibit the charity itself from contacting the donor for informational, educational, or solicitation purposes. (Less) |
Transparency
Charity Navigator looks to confirm on the Form 990, or for some metrics on the charity's website, that the organization makes this information easily accessible.
Sources Include: IRS Form 990 and organization's website
| Transparency: | |
|---|---|
| CEO Salary Listed on 990 ... (More) | |
| Board of Directors Listed on Website ... (More) | |
| Key Staff Listed on Website ... (More) | |
| Audited Financial Statements on Website ... (More) | |
| Form 990 Available on Website ... (More) |
Additional Information
Unscored
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Total Revenue and Expenses
This chart displays the trend of revenue and expenses over the past several years for this organization, as reported on their IRS Form 990.
Salary of Key Persons
Presented here are this organizations key compensated staff members as identified by our analysts. This compensation data includes salary, cash bonuses and expense accounts and is displayed exactly how it is reported to the IRS. The amounts do not include nontaxable benefits, deferred compensation, or other amounts not reported on Form W-2. In some cases, these amounts may include compensation from related organizations. Read the IRS policies for compensation reporting
Gordon G. Willard, Executive Director
$177,429 (1.87% of Total Expenses)
Current CEO and Board Chair can be found in the Leadership & Adaptability report below.
Source: IRS Form 990 (page 7), filing year 2019
Business Master File Data
Below are some key data points from the Exempt Organization IRS Business Master File (BMF) for this organization. Learn more about the BMF on the IRS website
Activities:
Activity data not reported from the IRS
Foundation Status:
Organization which receives a substantial part of its support from a governmental unit or the general public 170(b)(1)(A)(vi) (BMF foundation code: 15)
Affiliation:
Independent - the organization is an independent organization or an independent auxiliary (i.e., not affiliated with a National, Regional, or Geographic grouping of organizations). (BMF affiliation code: 3)
Data Sources: IRS Forms 990
The Form 990 is a document that nonprofit organizations file with the IRS annually. We leverage finance and accountability data from it to form Encompass ratings. Click here to view this organization's Forms 990 on the IRS website (if any are available).
Pandemic Response
Due to the unprecedented nature of the pandemic, we give charities such as this one the opportunity to share the story of COVID's impact on them. Charities may submit their own pandemic responses through their nonprofit portal.
Connecticut Humane Society reported being impacted by COVID-19 in the following ways:
Program Delivery
Fundraising Capacity
Revenue
Staffing
Administrative Capacity
How COVID-19 impacted the organization's operations financially:
CHS relies on program revenue through adoption, program participation and public clinic veterinary fees, donations and a board-designated reserve to carry out its mission of saving pets lives each year. With 1/3 of annual revenue that is derived from operations programs greatly impacted due to pandemic disruptions, every dollar raised mattered even more. To weather the crisis and continue providing the best possible care for the pets, CHS took out two PPP loans and tapped into its board-designated managed account at a rate larger than its typical annual spending policy. Impacts will be felt financially for years to come. Yet all the while, the community has been incredibly generous, even as many are experiencing unprecedented disruptions in their own lives. It is an outcome the pets and people of CHS do not take for granted.
How COVID-19 impacted the organization's delivery of programs:
Even with COVID-19 impacts, the Connecticut Humane Society has found a new, safe normal for changing the lives of pets and the people who love them. Along the way, CHS has seized the opportunity to innovate: Innovation on how adoptions are delivered; how animals are housed; how pet food gets into the hands of families in need. These innovations are not for a moment in time, or a reactive "band-aid" to the pandemic. They are here to stay.
How this organization adapted to changing conditions caused by COVID-19:
CHS quickly revolutionized many of its programmatic offerings in response to COVID-19; many of these innovations may continue to be utilized even after the pandemic ends: -Converting many admin and non-animal care roles to work remotely in order to manage optimal social distancing while providing optimal care for pets. -Transitioning all forms (adoption, intake, behavior) to be paperless and contactless. -Driving all adoption-related questionnaires online and initial consultations by phone. -Reinventing the flow of CHS' reduced-fee clinic to limit human-to-human exposure, principally by phone check-in, curbside service and utilizing outdoor space. -In response to low intakes, reimagining the use of facilities designed specifically for sheltering, including using them to arrange pop-up public veterinary clinics. -Low shelter volume has also provided an expanded capacity to partner with animal control and other rescues on providing support for several local hoarding cases.
Innovations the organization intends to continue permanently after the pandemic:
All in all, it's fair to say that while the pandemic caused significant obstacles, it created opportunities for reflection, evolution and growth of CHS programs. COVID-19 challenged, and continues to challenge, CHS to rethink virtually every area of its operations from mission programs to administration. -We will continue to rely on fostering for healthy pets not quite ready for adoption. -We will continue with paperless transactions and phone screenings. -We will continue with curbside check in at the veterinary clinic and phone check-ins after procedures. -We will continue virtual fundraisers and will contain our cultivation events to 25-30 people at a time. -We will continue to hold donor, volunteer and friend events outdoors as much as possible. -Our Community Outreach team, while now engaging in-person, will continue to offer virtual training and webinars. -Staff members who can work remotely will continue to do so in some capacity.
Historical Ratings
| Date Published | Form 990 FYE | Overall Score | Overall Rating |
| Rating Version: 2.1 | |||
| 3/1/2021 | 2019 | 83.51 | |
| 12/1/2019 | 2018 | 81.94 | |
| 12/21/2018 | 2017 | 89.17 | |
| 3/1/2018 | 2016 | 94.93 |  |
| 4/1/2017 | 2015 | 96.88 | |
| 6/1/2016 | 2014 | 92.26 | |
| Rating Version: 2.0 | |||
| 12/1/2015 | 2014 | 91.43 | |
| 2/1/2015 | 2013 | 94.72 | |
| 12/1/2013 | 2012 | 95.34 | |
| 11/6/2012 | 2011 | 93.02 | |
| 9/20/2011 | 2010 | 82.57 | |
| Rating Version: 1.0 | |||
| 5/1/2010 | 2008 | 81.05 | |
| 7/1/2009 | 2007 | 90.90 | |
Previous: Finance & Accountability / Next: Leadership & Adaptability
Impact & Results
This score estimates the actual impact a nonprofit has on the lives of those it serves, and determines whether it is making good use of donor resources to achieve that impact.
Impact & Results Score
Not Currently Scored
Connecticut Humane Society cannot currently be evaluated by our Encompass Rating Impact & Results methodology because either (A) it is eligible, but we have not yet received data; (B) we have not yet developed an algorithm to estimate its programmatic impact; (C) its programs are not direct services; or (D) it is not heavily reliant on contributions from individual donors.
Note: The absence of a score does not indicate a positive or negative assessment, it only indicates that we have not yet evaluated the organization.
Do you work at Connecticut Humane Society? Join the waitlist for an updated Impact & Results score.
Additional Information
Unscored
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Largest Programs
Connecticut Humane Society reported its three largest programs on its FY 2019 Form 990 as:
$5,079,394
Spent in most recent FY
74%
Percent of program expenses
Animal Shelter and Adoption
$1,112,981
Spent in most recent FY
16%
Percent of program expenses
Veterinary Clinic Services
$605,576
Spent in most recent FY
8%
Percent of program expenses
Community & Educational Services
Previous: Impact & Results / Next: Culture & Community
Leadership & Adaptability
This score provides an assessment of the organization's leadership capacity, strategic thinking and planning, and ability to innovate or respond to changes in constituent demand/need or other relevant social and economic conditions to achieve the organization's mission.
Leadership & Adaptability Score
100
out of 100
The score earned by Connecticut Humane Society is a passing score. This score has no effect on the organization's Star Rating.
Encompass Rating V4 provides an evaluation of the organization's Leadership & Adaptability through the nonprofit organization submitting a survey response directly to Charity Navigator.
Leadership & Adaptability Report
100
of 100 points
Mission
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking through articulating the organization’s mission
The Connecticut Humane Society (CHS) is the leading resource in the state for companion animal welfare; enriching the lives of families and communities through adoption services, medical care, education, and prevention of cruelty. Four core values bring this mission to life: stewardship, quality care, community, and respect. In recent years, CHS has responded to the growing trend of pets living in poverty, providing vital resources to pet owners: donor subsidized veterinary care, a pet food pantry, and training on pet enrichment and behavior. With 40% of Americans unable to cover an unexpected bill of $1,000.00, strategies to keep pets in homes are now an active part of the CHS mission.
Source: Nonprofit submitted responses
Vision
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking through articulating the organization’s vision.
We envision a Connecticut where each companion animal finds a permanent, compassionate home, where communities are enriched by the special bond between people and animals, and where animal cruelty no longer exists.
Source: Nonprofit submitted responses
Strategic Goals
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking and goal setting through sharing their most important strategic goals.
Goal One: Expand expert, compassionate veterinary services statewide. CHS provides care to owned and homeless pets through its three locations and reduced-fee public veterinary programs.
Goal Type: Grow, expand, scale or increase access to the existing programs and services.
Goal Two: Keep more pets in homes and out of shelters, through access to veterinary care, a pet food pantry, programs to preserve the human-animal bond, and a crisis fostering program.
Goal Type: This goal reflects our commitment to further our advocacy work for our organization and or cause area.
Goal Three: Strengthen collaborative partnerships with municipal and private animal welfare professionals statewide through pro bono veterinary care, adoption services and professional development.
Goal Type: Grow, expand, scale or increase access to the existing programs and services.
Source: Nonprofit submitted responses
Leadership Development
The nonprofit provides evidence of investment in leadership development
Describe an investment in leadership
CHS has a commitment to grow and support its staff with professional development. Participation at the following conferences, meetings and webinars are regular and ongoing: The Association for Animal Welfare, the New England Federation of Humane Societies, PetSmart Charities webinars, as well as the Association of Fundraising Professionals, the Charitable Gift planners of CT, and local foundation offerings. In addition, the leadership team and members of the Board of Directors have participated in various Diversity and Equity workshops, as the organization seeks greater understanding and practice in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. CHS invests in its animal care team with animal handling and animal behavior training on an ongoing basis.
Source: Nonprofit submitted responses
Mobilizing for Mission
The nonprofit provides evidence of leadership through focusing externally and mobilizing resources for the mission.
This organization mobilizes for mission in the following ways:
Strategic Partnerships
Networks of Collective Impact Efforts
Thought Leadership
Raising Awareness
Community Building
Policy Advocacy
What are this organization’s external mobilizaton efforts?
CHS seeks to maximize services, awareness and advocacy via external mobilization through: -Free pop up veterinary clinics and mobile pet food pantries. And offering special programs for government employees during times of crisis (like budget shut downs) -Humane education in classrooms, scouting programs, libraries and the like, while also offering a robust menu of online programs and webinars for public access -Active participation in leadership roles in civic groups and clubs, industry associations and legislative task forces -Speaking at workshops and webinars related to animal welfare -Grass roots fundraising opportunities and supply drives to school age children as well as businesses -Organizes civic opportunities for corporate volunteers -Electronic and print newsletter as well as online video content for humane education and advocacy. -Active social media accounts -And training for animal care partners and municipal animal control officers statewide
Source: Nonprofit submitted responses
Story of Adaptability
The nonprofit has an opportunity to tell the story of how the organization adapted to tremendous external changes in the last year.
When the pandemic shut down the world, and CHS, foster volunteers jumped into action, heroically receiving 77 pets into their homes indefinitely. CHS pivoted all services, continuously refining the pandemic model throughout the past 24 months. Tossing out the “browse and adopt” model, CHS implemented a concierge service, matchmaking incoming animals with people who were looking for a 4-legged friend, even delivering pets to homes when the owner was too uncomfortable or too frail to make the journey out. The veterinary clinic, typically filled with meowing cats and barking dogs, found order, structure and quiet by moving to curbside pickup for pets receiving medical care. The model is less stressful for the pets, as they can wait with their owner in the car, and less stressful for the staff as the lobby environment is peaceful. The community outreach team quickly learned how to coordinate webinars and operate a video camera, while they modified program content to engage people electronically. Participation in programs flourished as folks from around the state (and the country) enjoyed the ease of Zoom. Fundraising enjoyed a new spark as staff stretched to engage donors and prospects. This year’s Gala was virtual. Attendees viewed 3 short videos about 3 different programs at CHS, and then voted for their favorite. Event proceeds were distributed to each program based on the percentage of votes received. A virtual silent auction roared for 3 days, complimenting donations and ticket sales, making for a new record in gross profit. As animal care staff returned to onsite work full time, and admin staff tested various models of remote work, HR was eager to get everyone vaccinated, Rather than issue a mandate, staff members were offered $20 gift cards for prove of vaccination. All but one person (with a medical exemption) complied, minimizing the risk factor of face to face interactions. Necessity truly IS the mother of all invention.
Source: Nonprofit submitted responses
Additional Information
Unscored
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Organization Leadership
James Bias
Executive Director
Ellen Sharon
President
Previous: Leadership & Adaptability
Culture & Community
This score provides an assessment of the organization's culture and connectedness to the community it serves. Learn more about how and why we rate Culture & Community.
Culture & Community Score
Not Currently Scored
Connecticut Humane Society is currently not eligible for a Culture & Community score because we have not received its Constituent Feedback or Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion data. Nonprofit organizations are encouraged to fill out the How We Listen and Equity Practices sections of their Candid profile.
Note: The absence of a score does not indicate a positive or negative assessment, it only indicates that we have not yet evaluated the organization.
Culture & Community Report
Unscored
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Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
This organization has not provided information regarding the diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) practices it is presently implementing. As such, the organization has not earned a score on this metric. Charity Navigator believes nonprofit organizations implementing effective DEI policies and practices can enhance a nonprofit's decision-making, staff motivation, innovation, and effectiveness.
Methodology
We are utilizing data collected by Candid to document and assess the DEI practices implemented by the organization. Nonprofit organizations are encouraged to fill out the Equity Strategies section of their Candid profiles to receive a rating.
Learn more about the methodology.
Constituent Feedback
Constituent Feedback and Listening Practice data are not available for this organization. Charity Navigator believes nonprofit organizations that engage in inclusive practices, such as collecting feedback from the people and communities they serve, may be more effective.
Methodology
We've partnered with Candid to survey organizations about their feedback practices. Nonprofit organizations can fill out the How We Listen section of their Candid profile to receive a rating.
Learn more about the methodology.
Analysis and Research
Like the overall Encompass Rating System, the Culture & Community Beacon is designed to evolve as metrics are developed and ready for integration. Below you can find more information about the metrics we currently evaluate in this beacon and their relevance to nonprofit performance.
Constituent Feedback
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
