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Animals : Animal Rights, Welfare, and Services

Freedom Service Dogs of America

"Free a Hero to Save a Hero!"

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Impact Information is available from our partner, GuideStar

four stars

93.15

7193 S Dillon Ct Englewood, CO 80112
tel: (303) 922-6231   Web Site
EIN: 84-1068936

Board Leadership
Tom Scanlan
Chairman

CEO
Michele Ostrander
President and CEO

 
 
  Score
(out of 100) 		Rating
Overall Score & Rating 93.15 four stars
  Financial 91.18 four stars
  Accountability & Transparency 96.00 four stars
This rating was published 10/01/2018 and includes data from FY2017, the most recent 990 received at that time.
Why isn't this based on more recent data?

Freedom Service Dogs is a nonprofit organization that enhances the lives of people with disabilities by rescuing dogs and custom training them for individual client needs. Clients include children, veterans and active duty soldiers, and other adults. Their disabilities include Autism, Traumatic Brain Injury, Cerebral Palsy, Spinal Cord Injuries, Muscular Dystrophy, Multiple Sclerosis, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Unlike most service dog organizations, we rescue our dogs, not breed. Our dogs come from various parts of the country and we custom train them to become amazing service dogs. FSD does not have a puppy-breeding or raising program. Our experience is that there are plenty of unwanted dogs in shelters that are eager to get a second chance and a whole new career. Over the course of our 27+ years, we have found that with dedicated training these dogs become heroes to those with disabilities, transforming their lives forever.

Freedom Service Dogs is a nonprofit organization that enhances the lives of people with disabilities by rescuing dogs and custom training them for individual client needs. Clients include children, veterans and active duty soldiers, and other adults. Their disabilities include Autism, Traumatic Brain Injury, Cerebral Palsy, Spinal Cord Injuries, Muscular Dystrophy, Multiple Sclerosis, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Unlike most service dog organizations, we rescue our dogs, not breed. Our dogs come from various parts of the country and we custom train them to become amazing service dogs. FSD does not have a puppy-breeding or raising program. Our experience is that there are plenty of unwanted dogs in shelters that are eager to get a second chance and a whole new career. Over the course of our 27+ years, we have found that with dedicated training these dogs become heroes to those with disabilities, transforming their lives forever.

Impact Information

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GuideStar is Charity Navigator's trusted partner in sharing information on how this organization seeks impact.  GuideStar has recognized this organization with a Gold Seal of Transparency for voluntarily and publicly describing their goals, strategies, and accomplishments.  Learn More about Impact Information.
Charting Impact

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This impact information is current as of October 2018, when it was provided to us by GuideStar. At this time, Impact information published on this organization's page has no effect on its rating per our methodology.

Learn more about how we calculate the overall score and rating.

Financial

four stars

91.18

Accountability & Transparency

four stars

96.00

This rating was published 10/01/2018 and includes data from FY2017, the most recent 990 received at that time.
Why isn't this based on more recent data?
Overall Rating Chart
  Program Expenses
(Percent of the charity's total expenses spent on the programs
and services it delivers)		 80.4%
  Administrative Expenses 5.7%
  Fundraising Expenses 13.8%
  Fundraising Efficiency $0.08
  Working Capital Ratio (years) 3.73
  Program Expenses Growth 30.3%
  Liabilities to Assets 16.3%
All data for Financial Performance Metrics calculations was provided by Freedom Service Dogs of America on recent 990s filed with the IRS.
All data for Financial Performance Metrics calculations was provided by Freedom Service Dogs of America on recent 990s filed with the IRS.
Information Provided on the Form 990  
  Independent Voting Board Members
  No Material diversion of assets
  Audited financials prepared by independent accountant
  Does Not Provide Loan(s) to or Receive Loan(s) From related parties
  Documents Board Meeting Minutes
  Provided copy of Form 990 to organization's governing body in advance of filing
  Conflict of Interest Policy
  Whistleblower Policy
  Records Retention and Destruction Policy
  CEO listed with salary
  Process for determining CEO compensation
  Board Listed / Board Members Not Compensated
Is the following information easily accessible on the charity's website?  
  Donor Privacy Policy
  Board Members Listed
  Audited Financials
  Form 990
  Key staff listed

Highly Rated

Charity Name & State Overall Score Overall Rating
Freedom Service Dogs of America (CO) 93.15 four stars
Israel Guide Dog Center for the Blind (PA) 100.00 four stars
Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind (NY) 89.63 three stars
The Gentle Barn (CA) 87.89 three stars
Dogs for Better Lives (OR) 95.67 four stars

Compare These Charities (Highly Rated)

REVENUE  
Contributions  
   Contributions, Gifts & Grants $4,263,692
   Federated Campaigns $0
   Membership Dues $0
   Fundraising Events $213,320
   Related Organizations $0
   Government Grants $82,000
Total Contributions $4,559,012
   Program Service Revenue $38,004
Total Primary Revenue $4,597,016
   Other Revenue $365,154
TOTAL REVENUE $4,962,170
   
EXPENSES  
   Program Expenses $2,334,395
   Administrative Expenses $119,291
   Fundraising Expenses $434,034
TOTAL FUNCTIONAL EXPENSES $2,887,720
   
Payments to Affiliates $0
Excess (or Deficit) for the year $2,074,450
   
Net Assets $7,929,510

Program names and associated costs are listed for the top programs as reported on the charity's most recently filed Form 990. The top programs displayed will include the largest three programs, or those programs covering at least 60% of the charity's total expenses, whichever comes first.

Program Name Amount Spent % of Program Expenses
Client-Dog Teams Program $1,429,467 61.2%
Public Education and Outreach $904,928 38.8%

Ratings History
Freedom Service Dogs of America has received 2 consecutive 4-star ratings from Charity Navigator.

Form 990 FYE Date Published Overall Score Overall Rating
CN 2.1
2017-12 10/01/2018 93.15 four stars
2016-12 04/01/2018 90.80 four stars
2016-12 11/01/2017 87.01 three stars
2015-12 11/01/2016 86.27 three stars
2015-12 10/01/2016 85.42 three stars
2014-12 06/01/2016 89.88 three stars
 
CN 2.0
2014-12 03/01/2016 91.94 four stars
2014-12 12/22/2015 90.97 four stars
2013-12 08/01/2015 90.77 four stars

The data displayed on this tab is provided by the IRS in the form of Publication 78 and the Business Master File (BMF).

EIN 84-1068936
Name in IRS Master File FREEDOM SERVICE DOGS INC
NTEE Code P80
NTEE Classification Services to Promote the Independence of Specific Populations
NTEE Type Human Services - Multipurpose and Other
Classification Charitable Organization
Subsection 501(c)(3)  (View the list of codes)
Activities (160) Aid to the handicapped (see also 031)
(994) Described in section 170(b)1)(a)(vi) of the Code
Foundation Status Organization which receives a substantial part of its support from a governmental unit or the general public   170(b)(1)(A)(vi)
Deductibility Contributions are deductible
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).
Group Name [Not Applicable]
Ruling Date May, 1988
Filing Requirement 990 (all other) or 990EZ return
Fiscal Year End December
IRS Forms 990
(provided courtesy of Foundation Center)		 (Log In or Register Now to View Forms 990!)
  • December, 2017
  • December, 2016
  • December, 2015
  • December, 2014
  • December, 2013

The data displayed in this profile is provided by the IRS for free in the form of Publication 78 and the Business Master File (BMF).

Compensation % of Expenses Paid to Title
$150,380 5.20% Michele Ostrander President & CEO

Highly Rated

Charity Name & State Overall Score Overall Rating
Freedom Service Dogs of America (CO) 93.15 four stars
Dogs for Better Lives (OR) 95.67 four stars
Guide Dogs for the Blind (CA) 93.87 four stars
Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation (CT) 96.74 four stars
National Disaster Search Dog Foundation (CA) 94.02 four stars

Compare These Charities (Highly Rated)

This charity has an official representative registered with Charity Navigator.

Charity Contact Info

Freedom Service Dogs of America
7193 S Dillon Ct
Englewood, CO 80112
tel: (303) 922-6231
fax: (303) 922-6234
EIN: 84-1068936

Visit Web Site

Board Leadership

Tom Scanlan
Chairman

CEO

Michele Ostrander
President and CEO

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