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3670 NEVADA ST
Pleasanton CA 94566-6324
Pleasanton CA | IRS ruling year: 1987 | EIN: 94-3038202
VALLEY HUMANE SOCIETY (VHS) CREATES A BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR CATS AND DOGS BY ENCOURAGING AND STRENGTHENING THE BOND BETWEEN PEOPLE AND PETS. VHS RESCUES AND REHABILITA ... (More)
VALLEY HUMANE SOCIETY (VHS) CREATES A BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR CATS AND DOGS BY ENCOURAGING AND STRENGTHENING THE BOND BETWEEN PEOPLE AND PETS. VHS RESCUES AND REHABILITATES COMPANION ANIMALS, CHAMPIONS RESPONSIBLE CARETAKING, SHARES PETS' SOOTHING AFFECTIONS WITH PEOPLE IN NEED OF COMFORT, AND SUPPORTS AND PRESERVES EXISTING PET-GUARDIAN RELATIONSHIPS. (Less)
Great
This charity's score is 90%, 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: 85% Accountability & Finance, 10% Leadership & Adaptability, 5% 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 As a result, the Accountability & Finance score for Valley Humane Society Inc. is outdated and the overall rating may not be representative of its current operations.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.
Valley Humane Society Inc. has earned a 88% 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 2019, which is the most recent Form 990 currently available to us.
Learn more
Full Credit
Partial Credit
No Credit
Not ApplicableBoard Composition - 11/11 - 25/25 ptsBoard Composition - 11/11 - 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 - Has Audit/Review - 20/20 ptsIndependent Audit or Financial Review - Has Audit/Review - 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 - 1.51% - 15/15 ptsLiabilities to Assets Ratio - 1.51% - 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 - 66.77% - 13/25 ptsProgram Expense Ratio - 66.77% - 13/25 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 2019
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:
Described in section 509(a)(2) of the Code (BMF activity code: 995)
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 (Valley Humane Society Inc.) or EIN (943038202) in the 'Search Term' field.
This organization was impacted by COVID-19 in a way that effected their financial health in 2020. This normally would have reduced their star rating. 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, and doing this pauses our revision of their rating. Charities may submit their own pandemic responses through their nonprofit portal.
Valley Humane Society Inc. reported being impacted by COVID-19 in the following ways:
For the first year of the pandemic (March 2020 - March 2021), we adapted many programs and services to an online experience as much as possible. We actually found efficiencies in doing so.
How COVID-19 impacted the organization's operations financially:
Our organization had to take out a PPP loan. Our organization is a private animal shelter, but animal welfare sheltering services was considered essential in California, so we were allowed to bring animals into our shelter and conduct by-appointment only adoption. This meant our staffing level remained at pre-pandemic levels, but our ability to do frontline fundraising was compromised.
How COVID-19 impacted the organization's delivery of programs:
In-person programs and services had to be suspended for much of the first year of the pandemic. We continued to bring animals into the shelter as well adopt animals. The process now became mostly an online experience, with adoptions taking place by -appointment only. Our humane education went to virtual opportunities, but the attendance level could not be sustained with all the competing zoom/videoconferencing events that children needed to attend. Our food-assistance program, AniMeals, saw a 200% increase in demand, and through several grants and fundraising appeals, that demand was met. In 2020, AniMeals distributed nearly 350,000 meals. Additionally, we had to limit opportunities to volunteer at our organization. However, one segment of volunteering that increased dramatically was foster volunteers. Our organization saw a 29.2% increase in animal intake and adoptions. We expanded our foster program to handle that increased supply of animals.
How this organization adapted to changing conditions caused by COVID-19:
Our organization utilized technology to enter the virtual world for the following areas: adoptions, humane education and pet therapy. Our adoptions adapted by making all the adoption application and related documents available to download. For those, without access to the internet, volunteers would ask questions for the application and complete the application on behalf of the potential adopter. Adoptions applicants would go through a telephone interview and then adoptions were scheduled by-appointment only. In the first six months, many of these adoptions took place outdoors until public health orders allowed for in-building, by-appointment adoption appointments. As happened with many food assistance programs, more fundraising occurred in order to fill the increased demand. AniMeals, our organization's program, was able to raise the funds to purchase food, which helped our food supply meet the constant demand. The organization also shifted to more foster-based animal care.
Innovations the organization intends to continue permanently after the pandemic:
There were two areas of innovation that allowed the organization to say mission driven while adhering to our values: First, relying on foster volunteers to help us increase the number of animals that we can serve. Our organization was able to find new opportunities through this increased use of fostering. Second, while we desire more face-to-face interaction, we relied on technology to help us increase our productivity as it related to all our programs and services. Resources such as Zoom, Microsoft teams, Adobe products allowed us provide faster response and additional resources to many of our clients.
Not Currently Scored
Valley Humane Society 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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Valley Humane Society Inc. reported its largest program on its FY 2019 Form 990 as:
Spent in most recent FY
Percent of program expenses
VHS IS A SHELTER FOR HOMELESS CATS AND DOGS, WORKING TO FIND PERMANENT HOMES FOR THE ANIMALS VIA ADOPTION TO SUITABLE PARTIES. AS A RESULT, IT SPAYS AND NEUTERS INCOMING ANIMALS, TESTS FOR VARIOUS DIS ... (More)
VHS IS A SHELTER FOR HOMELESS CATS AND DOGS, WORKING TO FIND PERMANENT HOMES FOR THE ANIMALS VIA ADOPTION TO SUITABLE PARTIES. AS A RESULT, IT SPAYS AND NEUTERS INCOMING ANIMALS, TESTS FOR VARIOUS DISEASES, PROVIDES APPROPRIATE VACCINATIONS, ENSURES THE PROVISION OF REQUISITE MEDICAL CARE AND CARES FOR, FEEDS, HOUSES, AND NURTURES THE ANIMALS UNTIL SUCH ADOPTION OCCURS.IN ADDITION, VHS PROVIDES PROGRAMS TO ENABLE IMPROVED ANIMAL WELFARE IN THE COMMUNITY; INCLUDING PET THERAPY, COMMUNITY EDUCATION, CHILD EDUCATION, FREE CAT AND DOG FOOD FOR THE LOW-INCOME, A PET LOSS SUPPORT GROUP, AND A SANCTUARY FOR PETS SHOULD THE OWNER PASS ON. (Less)
Valley Humane Society Inc. has earned a 100% 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.
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Full CreditPartial CreditNo CreditNot ApplicableConstituent Feedback - Data Available - 100/100 ptsConstituent Feedback - Data Available - 100/100 pts
100% 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.
How is your organization collecting feedback from the people you serve?
Electronic surveys (by email, tablet, etc.), Paper surveys, 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 identify where we are less inclusive or equitable across demographic groups, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve
With whom does your organization share the feedback you got from the people you serve?
The people we serve, Our staff, Our board
What challenges does your organization face in collecting feedback from the people you serve?
It is difficult to find the ongoing funding to support feedback collection, Staff find it hard to prioritize feedback collection and review due to lack of time
Briefly describe a recent change that your organization made in response to feedback from the people you serve.
When a recent first-time adopter seem puzzled by some open-ended questions regarding their living space, the organization added some context, both in the adoption application, the talking points for our adoption counselors, and in our resource guide as to what to look for if their cat exhibits some particular behavior. We explicitly state that question and its response should not be seen as a barrier, but a point of conversation we can have on how to work with the adopter's living space as they bring a new companion animal into their home.
Equity Practices - Data Available - UnscoredEquity Practices - Data Available - Unscored
The organization reported that it is currently only implementing 2 Equity Practices. At this time, organizations must implement 3 or more of these practices in order to be scored on this metric. 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 (1/7) | |
|---|---|
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 (1/7) | |
|---|---|
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. | |
Valley Humane Society 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.
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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
Valley Humane Society (VHS) creates a brighter future for cats and dogs by encouraging and strengthening the bond between people and pets. VHS rescues and rehabilitates companion animals, champions responsible caretaking, shares pets’ soothing affections with people in need of comfort, and supports and preserves existing pet-guardian relationships.
Vision - 10/10 ptsVision - 10/10 pts
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking through articulating the organization’s vision.
A world in which every animal is loved and every person knows the love of an animal.
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: Open a veterinary surgery center to expand surgical support to shelter/rescue animals. This expansion allows VHS to help animals with medical conditions who are often the last to be rescued.
Goal Type: New program(s) based on observed changes in needs among our constituencies/communities served.
Goal Two: Expand opportunities to keep animals in loving homes and out of shelter system through growth of Valley Humane Society's pet food pantry (AniMeals) and direct home placement program (Home to Home).
Goal Type: Grow, expand, scale or increase access to the existing programs and services.
Goal Three: Valley Humane Society staff will receive training to understand and identify and properly react to those community members that are experiencing a mental health issue.
Goal Type: Grow, expand, scale or increase access to the existing programs and services.
Leadership Development - 15/15 ptsLeadership Development - 15/15 pts
The nonprofit provides evidence of investment in leadership development
Staff has been able to attend virtual leadership program, both for their specific positions as well as leadership skills. Through grant funding, leadership is able to attend a National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) workshop on identifying and directing those clients experience mental health crisis to available resources.
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
Valley Humane Society's leadership participates on several state- and country-wide task forces related to animal welfare legislation and advocacy. These efforts have resulted in the passage of legislation that helps the lives of pets and people.
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.
In California, animal shelters were declared essential services as part of the first wave of public health orders related to Covid-19. This meant that Valley Humane Society could continue rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming homeless animals. However, Valley Humane Society could not operate as usual. Protocols were developed for the safety of staff, volunteers, the community as well as the animals in our care. These protocols meant that a lot of our adoption procedures were transferred to online forms. Potential adopters were then interviewed, by phone, to asses whether their adoption application would move forward. The use of technology aided Valley Humane Society's ability to interact with the public as well as fellow staff members. The expansion of our foster program also allowed us to take in more animals than ever before. Foster families, at home during the pandemic, provided comfort, care and compassion in numbers that nearly surpassed our intake numbers. Animal adoptions were then "by-appointment only". In the very beginning, these adoptions would take place outdoors. Again, the use of technology helped us bridge the gap, as best as could be done, of adopters wanting/needing that tactile experience.
Impact & Results
Accountability & Finance
Culture & Community
Leadership & Adaptability
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