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371 E JERICHO TURNPIKE
Smithtown NY 11787-2906
Smithtown NY | IRS ruling year: 2007 | EIN: 20-8814368
TO ASSIST DISABLED VETERANS, ACTIVE MILITARY PERSONNEL, FIRST RESPONDERS WITH DISABILITIES, AND THOSE WHO HAVE SERVED OUR COUNTRY HONORABLY TO LIVE WITH DIGNITY AND ... (More)
TO ASSIST DISABLED VETERANS, ACTIVE MILITARY PERSONNEL, FIRST RESPONDERS WITH DISABILITIES, AND THOSE WHO HAVE SERVED OUR COUNTRY HONORABLY TO LIVE WITH DIGNITY AND INDEPENDENCE. VETDOGS TRAINS AND PLACES GUIDE DOGS FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE BLIND OR HAVE LOW VISION; PTSD SERVICE DOGS TO HELP MITIGATE THE EFFECTS OF POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER; HEARING DOGS FOR THOSE WHO HAVE PROFOUND HEARING LOSS; SERVICE DOGS FOR THOSE WITH OTHER PHYSICAL DISABILITIES AND FACILITY DOGS AS PART OF THE REHABILITATION PROCESS IN MILITARY AND VA HOSPITALS. (Less)
Great
This charity's score is 100%, earning it a Four-Star rating. If this organization aligns with your passions and values, you can give with confidence.
This overall score is calculated from multiple beacon scores: 80% Accountability & Finance, 10% Leadership & Adaptability, 10% Culture & Community. Learn more about our criteria and methodology.
We recognize that not all metrics and beacons equally predict a charity’s success. The percentage each beacon contributes to the organization’s overall rating depends on the number of beacons an organization has earned.
Use the tool below to select different beacons to see how the weighting shifts when only one, two, or three beacons are earned.
Rating histories are available for a growing number of rated organizations. Check back later to see if this organization has a rating history!
The IRS is significantly delayed in processing nonprofits' annual tax filings (Forms 990). As a result, the Accountability & Finance score for Americas Vetdogs the Veterans K9 Corps Inc. is outdated and the overall rating may not be representative of its current operations.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.
Americas Vetdogs the Veterans K9 Corps Inc. has earned a 100% for the Accountability & Finance beacon. See the metrics below for more information.
This beacon provides an assessment of a charity's financial health (financial efficiency, sustainability, and trustworthiness) and its commitment to governance practices and policies.
This Accountability & Finance score represents IRS Form 990 data up until FY 2020, which is the most recent Form 990 currently available to us.
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Full Credit
Partial Credit
No Credit
Not ApplicableBoard Composition - 28/28 - 25/25 ptsBoard Composition - 28/28 - 25/25 pts
Charity Navigator looks for at least 3 board members, with more than 50% of those members identified as independent (not salaried).
The presence of an independent governing body is strongly recommended by many industry professionals to allow for full deliberation and diversity of thinking on governance and other organizational matters.
Source: IRS Form 990
Independent Audit or Financial Review - Audited - 20/20 ptsIndependent Audit or Financial Review - Audited - 20/20 pts
An Audit, Review, or Compilation provides important information about financial accountability and accuracy. Organizations are scored based on their Total Revenue Amount:
| Total Revenue Amount | Expectation to Receive Credit |
|---|---|
| $1 million or higher | Expected to complete an audit |
| $500,000 - $1 million | Expected to complete an audit, review, or compilation |
| Less than $500,000 | No expectation (removed from scoring methodology) |
Source: IRS Form 990
Conflict of Interest Policy - Listed - 3/3 ptsConflict of Interest Policy - Listed - 3/3 pts
Charity Navigator looks for the existence of a conflict of interest policy on the Form 990 as an accountability and transparency measure.
This policy protects the organization and by extension those it serves, when it is considering entering into a transaction that may benefit the private interest of an officer, director and/or key employee of the organization.
Source: IRS Form 990
Board Meeting Minutes - Documented - 3/3 ptsBoard Meeting Minutes - Documented - 3/3 pts
Charity Navigator looks to confirm on the Form 990 that the organization has this process in place as an accountability and transparency measure.
An official record of the events that take place during a board meeting ensures that a contemporaneous document exists for future reference.
Source: IRS Form 990
Document Retention and Destruction - Listed - 3/3 ptsDocument Retention and Destruction - Listed - 3/3 pts
Charity Navigator looks for the existence of a document retention and destruction policy per the Form 990 as an accountability and transparency measure.
This policy establishes guidelines for the handling, backing up, archiving and destruction of documents. These guidelines foster good record keeping procedures that promote data integrity.
Source: IRS Form 990
Whistleblower Policy - Listed - 3/3 ptsWhistleblower Policy - Listed - 3/3 pts
Charity Navigator looks for the existence of a whistleblower policy per the Form 990 as an accountability and transparency measure.
This policy outlines procedures for handling employee complaints, as well as a confidential way for employees to report financial or other types of mismanagement.
Source: IRS Form 990
Website - Listed - 3/3 ptsWebsite - Listed - 3/3 pts
Charity Navigator looks for a website on the Form 990 as an accountability and transparency metric.
Nonprofits act in the public trust and reporting publicly on activities is an important component.
Source: IRS Form 990
Full CreditPartial CreditNo CreditNot ApplicableLiabilities to Assets Ratio - 37.43% - 15/15 ptsLiabilities to Assets Ratio - 37.43% - 15/15 pts
The Liabilities to Assets Ratio is determined by Total Liabilities divided by Total Assets (most recent 990). This ratio is an indicator of an organization’s solvency and/or long-term sustainability.
| Liabilities to Assets Ratio | Amount of Credit Received |
|---|---|
| Less than 50% | Full Credit |
| 50% - 59.9% | Partial Credit |
| 60% or more | No Credit |
Source: IRS Form 990
Program Expense Ratio - 78.10% - 25/25 ptsProgram Expense Ratio - 78.10% - 25/25 pts
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.
| Program Expense Percentage | Amount of Credit Received |
|---|---|
| 70% or higher | Full Credit |
| 60% - 69.9% | Partial Credit |
| 50% - 59.9% | Zero Points for Program Expense Score |
| Below 50% | Zero Points for Both Program Expense AND Liabilities to Assets Scores |
Source: IRS Form 990
This chart displays the trend of revenue and expenses over the past several years for this organization, as reported on their IRS Form 990.
Presented here are up to five of this organization's highest compensated employees. 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
Source: IRS Form 990 (page 7), filing year 2020
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)
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 search for this organization's Forms 990 on the IRS website (if any are available). Simply enter the organization's name (Americas Vetdogs the Veterans K9 Corps Inc.) or EIN (208814368) in the 'Search Term' field.
Not Currently Scored
Americas Vetdogs the Veterans K9 Corps Inc. cannot currently be evaluated by our 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.
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Americas Vetdogs the Veterans K9 Corps Inc. reported its three largest programs on its FY 2020 Form 990 as:
Spent in most recent FY
Percent of program expenses
TRAINING PROGRAM -OUR INSTRUCTORS COMPLETE A THREE YEAR APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM BEFORE THEY BECOME CERTIFIED INSTRUCTORS. DURING FY 2020, 165 DOGS BEGAN FORMAL TRAINING FOR PLACEMENT WITH A CONSUMER OF ... (More)
TRAINING PROGRAM -OUR INSTRUCTORS COMPLETE A THREE YEAR APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM BEFORE THEY BECOME CERTIFIED INSTRUCTORS. DURING FY 2020, 165 DOGS BEGAN FORMAL TRAINING FOR PLACEMENT WITH A CONSUMER OF EITHER AMERICA'S VETDOGS -THE VETERAN'S K-9 CORPS, INC. OR ITS RELATED ORGANIZATION THE GUIDE DOG FOUNDATION FOR THE BLIND, INC. AMERICA'S VETDOGS IS MANAGED BY THE GUIDE DOG FOUNDATION AND REIMBURSES FOR THE SERVICES IT RECEIVES FROM THE GUIDE DOG FOUNDATION. FORMAL TRAINING OF AN ASSISTANCE DOG TAKES APPROXIMATELY THREE TO FOUR MONTHS DURING WHICH TIME THE FOUNDATION CARES FOR ALL DOGS. DOGS ARE HOUSED ON CAMPUS IN STATE OF THE ART KENNELS IN THE DESIGNATED TRAINING CENTER. NOT EVERY DOG THAT ENTERS FORMAL TRAINING BECOMES A GUIDE OR SERVICE DOG. THE FOUNDATION CURRENTLY ESTIMATES A SUCCESS RATE OF 60%. AFTER COMPLETION OF FORMAL TRAINING, THE DOG IS READY TO BE TEAMED WITH A CONSUMER. THE TRAINING OF THE DOG AND THE STUDENT ARE CUSTOMIZED TO THE INDIVIDUAL AND THEIR DISABILITIES. HARNESSES, BACK PACKS AND OTHER REQUIRED ACCESSORIES ARE ALSO CUSTOMIZED TO THE NEEDS OF THE PARTICULAR CONSUMER. THE CONSUMER OR STUDENT AND THEIR DOG ARE TRAINED TO WORK TOGETHER AS A TEAM EITHER ON OUR CAMPUS, IN THE CONSUMER'S HOME COMMUNITY OR A COMBINATION OF THE TWO. THE PROCESS AND THE ORGANIZATION'S COMMITMENT CONTINUES AFTER PLACEMENT WITH AFTERCARE, FOLLOW-UP, SUPPORT AND OUTREACH THROUGHOUT THE LIFE OF THE DOG. THE CYCLE IS PERPETUAL, WITH EACH STAGE FINANCED 100% BY THE ORGANIZATIONS. (Less)
Spent in most recent FY
Percent of program expenses
DURING FY 2020 THE FOUNDATION SUPPORTED 125 DOGS IN THE BREEDING COLONY. THE BREEDING COLONY IS CAREFULLY SELECTED AFTER EXTENSIVE SCREENING AND TESTING. DURING FY 2020, 447 PUPPIES WERE ADDED TO THE ... (More)
DURING FY 2020 THE FOUNDATION SUPPORTED 125 DOGS IN THE BREEDING COLONY. THE BREEDING COLONY IS CAREFULLY SELECTED AFTER EXTENSIVE SCREENING AND TESTING. DURING FY 2020, 447 PUPPIES WERE ADDED TO THE PROGRAMS OF AMERICA'S VETDOGS AND THE GUIDE DOG FOUNDATI (Less)
Spent in most recent FY
Percent of program expenses
STUDENT AND GRADUATE SERVICES -DURING FY 2020, AMERICA'S VETDOGS - GRADUATED 9 GUIDE DOG TEAMS, 13 PTSD/SERVICE DOG TEAMS, 23 SERVICE DOG TEAMS, 1 SEIZURE/SERVICE DOG TEAM, 4 HEARING/SERVICE DOG TEAMS ... (More)
STUDENT AND GRADUATE SERVICES -DURING FY 2020, AMERICA'S VETDOGS - GRADUATED 9 GUIDE DOG TEAMS, 13 PTSD/SERVICE DOG TEAMS, 23 SERVICE DOG TEAMS, 1 SEIZURE/SERVICE DOG TEAM, 4 HEARING/SERVICE DOG TEAMS AND PLACED 1 FACILITY DOG AT PORTSMOUTH NAVAL MEDICAL H (Less)
Americas Vetdogs the Veterans K9 Corps Inc. has earned a 99% for the Culture & Community beacon. See the metrics below for more information.
This beacon provides an assessment of the organization's culture and connectedness to the community it serves.
Learn more
Full CreditPartial CreditNo CreditNot ApplicableConstituent Feedback - Data Available - 100/100 ptsConstituent Feedback - Data Available - 100/100 pts
30% of beacon score
This organization reported that it is collecting feedback from the constituents and/or communities it serves. 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.
Who are the people you serve with your mission? Describe briefly.
America’s VetDogs serves veterans and first responders that have served our country honorably. We serve veterans and first responders that are visually impaired, hearing impaired or physically disabled. Also eligible are professionals working with Military organizations that provide physical or mental health care to clients who will benefit from interaction with an Assistance Dog. On a case-by-case basis, we offer cross-trained guide dogs to perform service dog tasks through the help of our related service dog organization the Guide Dog Foundation. These service dog tasks can be added to a training program for qualified students. Tasks can include providing balance, retrieval and hearing assistance.
How is your organization collecting feedback from the people you serve?
Electronic surveys (by email, tablet, etc.), Focus groups or interviews (by phone or in person), Paper surveys, Constituent (client or resident, etc.) advisory committees, Suggestion box/email
How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve
With whom does your organization share the feedback you got from the people you serve?
Our staff, Our board
How has asking for feedback from the people you serve changed your relationship with them or shifted power - over decisions, resources, rules or in other ways - to them?
It has helped the organization improve the quality of our services.
What challenges does your organization face in collecting feedback from the people you serve?
We don't have any major challenges to collecting feedback
Briefly describe a recent change that your organization made in response to feedback from the people you serve.
Increased and improved the accessibility of program training materials.
Equity Practices - Data Available - 98/100 ptsEquity Practices - Data Available - 98/100 pts
70% of beacon score
This organization's score of 98 is a passing score. The organization reported that it is implementing 10 Equity Practices. Charity Navigator believes nonprofit organizations implementing effective equity policies and practices can enhance a nonprofit's decision-making, staff motivation, innovation, and effectiveness.
Equity Practices (5/7) | |
|---|---|
We review compensation data across the organization (and by staff levels) to identify disparities by race. | |
We ask team members to identify racial disparities in their programs and/or portfolios. | |
We analyze disaggregated data and root causes of race disparities that impact the organization/'s programs, portfolios, and the populations served. | |
We disaggregate data to adjust programming goals to keep pace with changing needs of the communities we support. | |
We employ non-traditional ways of gathering feedback on programs and trainings, which may include interviews, roundtables, and external reviews with/by community stakeholders. | |
We disaggregate data by demographics, including race, in every policy and program measured | |
We have long-term strategic plans and measurable goals for creating a culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization. | |
Equity Policies and Procedures (5/7) | |
|---|---|
We use a vetting process to identify vendors and partners that share our commitment to race equity. | |
We have a promotion process that anticipates and mitigates implicit and explicit biases about people of color serving in leadership positions. | |
We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization. | |
We have community representation at the board level, either on the board itself or through a community advisory board. | |
We help senior leadership understand how to be inclusive leaders with learning approaches that emphasize reflection, iteration, and adaptability. | |
We measure and then disaggregate job satisfaction and retention data by race, function, level, and/or team. | |
We engage everyone, from the board to staff levels of the organization, in race equity work and ensure that individuals understand their roles in creating culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization. | |
Americas Vetdogs the Veterans K9 Corps Inc. has earned a 100% for the Leadership & Adaptability beacon. See the metrics below for more information.
This beacon 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.
Learn more
Full CreditPartial CreditNo CreditNot ApplicableMission - 10/10 ptsMission - 10/10 pts
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking through articulating the organization's mission
TO ASSIST DISABLED VETERANS, ACTIVE MILITARY PERSONNEL, FIRST RESPONDERS WITH DISABILITIES, AND THOSE WHO HAVE SERVED OUR COUNTRY HONORABLY TO LIVE WITH DIGNITY AND INDEPENDENCE. VETDOGS TRAINS AND PLACES GUIDE DOGS FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE BLIND OR HAVE LOW VISION; PTSD SERVICE DOGS TO HELP MITIGATE THE EFFECTS OF POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER; HEARING DOGS FOR THOSE WHO HAVE PROFOUND HEARING LOSS; SERVICE DOGS FOR THOSE WITH OTHER PHYSICAL DISABILITIES AND FACILITY DOGS AS PART OF THE REHABILITATION PROCESS IN MILITARY AND VA HOSPITALS.
Vision - 10/10 ptsVision - 10/10 pts
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking through articulating the organization’s vision.
A world where people with disabilities live without boundaries.
Source: Nonprofit submitted responses
Goals - 20/20 ptsGoals - 20/20 pts
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking and goal setting through sharing their most important strategic goals.
Goal One: Continue to train and place high quality and safe guide and service dog teams while maximizing the impact America's VetDogs has across all constituencies.
Goal Type: Grow, expand, scale or increase access to the existing programs and services.
Goal Two: Continue to expand our national and regional awareness and create new partnership and relationship opportunities to support and further enhance awareness.
Goal Type: This goal reflects our commitment to further our advocacy work for our organization and or cause area.
Goal Three: Continue to educate all of our constituencies as we further develop comprehensive diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.
Goal Type: New program(s) based on observed changes in needs among our constituencies/communities served.
Leadership Development - 15/15 ptsLeadership Development - 15/15 pts
The nonprofit provides evidence of investment in leadership development
America's VetDogs has invested in and continues to invest in the development of its leadership team and staff with group and individual executive and leadership coaching and management workshops for all management levels within the organization. America's VetDogs has invested in educating program delivery staff in specialized dog training techniques as well as certifying staff in hearing dog training.
Mobilizing for Mission - 15/15 ptsMobilizing for Mission - 15/15 pts
The nonprofit provides evidence of leadership through focusing externally and mobilizing resources for the mission.
Strategic Partnerships
Networks of Collective Impact Efforts
Thought Leadership
Raising Awareness
Community Building
Policy Advocacy
Public education and outreach is key to supporting the mission of America’s VetDogs. Our efforts include the creation and execution of multichannel marketing outreach. Our goal is to reach our constituencies on the platforms in which they gather information. This approach helps us cast a wider net. It gives new and existing supporters a chance to learn more about our mission, learn about new programs and events, and helps to develop greater brand recognition. We create more touchpoints to reach our audience, gather more information about them which then allows us to adjust our strategies while measuring success. These include both printed and electronic newsletters, direct mail outreach, the hosting of special events, continuous engagement via social media, SEO, advertising campaigns, media stories, along with high-profile partnership opportunities.
Adaptability Story - 30/30 ptsAdaptability Story - 30/30 pts
The nonprofit has an opportunity to tell the story of how the organization adapted to tremendous external changes in the last year.
At America’s VetDogs, we have been actively monitoring COVID-19 and providing educational guidance and precautionary steps to take as an organization. Our work is focused in three main areas: • Protect yourself and others – we followed CDC guidance and their recommendations to reduce or prevent the spread of COVID-19. • Preparation for impact – o Leadership ensured that we had an adequate supply of essentials such as cleaning supplies, paper goods, dog food, and medications in the event of a short-term supply chain disruption. o We made modifications to our operations including the closing of our campus, moving to remote work, relocating the dogs in our kennels, and only hosted key staff for those dogs or areas that could not work remotely. o We kept up consistent communication with our communities along with our colleagues in the International Guide Dog Federation and Assistance Dogs International to share resources, information, and responses that will best serve our consumers and other stakeholders. • Emergency response – We followed guidance from the CDC, WHO, and the NYS Department of Health on current standards and workplace guidance for COVID-19. We were also actively communicating with the NYS Department of Health to understand our obligations and required actions in the event that a guest staying at our student residence is diagnosed with COVID-19.
Impact & Results
Accountability & Finance
Culture & Community
Leadership & Adaptability
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