SECOND CHANCE DOG RESCUE
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    • Meet our Board of Directors
    • WHO WE ARE
    • Current Profit and Loss Statement
    • Owner Surrendered Dogs
    • About Open Housing
    • A Dog by Any Other Name
  • HOME
  • ADOPTION
    • ADOPTABLE DOGS
    • Adoption App
  • FOSTER HOME INFO
    • Ways to Foster
    • Foster Home Application
  • HOW YOU CAN HELP
    • VOLUNTEER
    • DONATE >
      • Amazon Smile
      • DONATING TO RESCUES AND SHELTERS-
      • Wish List
  • EVENTS
  • HOW WE CAN HELP
    • Owner Surrendered Dogs
    • Breeder Released Dogs
    • Training >
      • Crate Training
      • Responding to the Clicker >
        • Leash Training
      • Touch
  • ABOUT US
    • Meet our Board of Directors
    • WHO WE ARE
    • Current Profit and Loss Statement
    • Owner Surrendered Dogs
    • About Open Housing
    • A Dog by Any Other Name
DONATING TO RESCUES AND SHELTERS

In today’s world money is budgeted very carefully for most so it’s important to know that your charitable dollars are spent carefully.  Following are some questions we have received from people about making donations.  If you have further questions, feel free to contact us at [email protected].  

What is a 501(c)3 and how do I know if the rescue/shelter is one?

A 501(c)3 is simply permission from the IRS to be considered a NON PROFIT rescue/shelter.  The rescue/shelter of your choice should be able to provide you with a letter from the IRS stating that they are a nonprofit.  Also, if they have applied to be a nonprofit, they can deduct tax deductible donations while they wait for their answer.

What are my rights as someone donating money?

A Donor’s Bill of Rights

Philanthropy
is
based
on voluntary
action
for
the
common
good.
It
is
a
tradition
of
giving
and sharing
that
is primary
to the
quality of
life.
To
ensure
that
philanthropy
merits the respect
and
trust
of the general
public, and
that
donors
and
prospective
donors can
have full confidence in
the nonprofit
organizations
and
causes
they
are
asked to support, we
declare that
all
donors have
these
rights:

• To
be
informed of
the
organization's
mission,
of the
way the
organization intends
to
use
donated resources,
and
of
its
capacity to use
donations
effectively
for
their
intended purposes.

• To
be
informed of
the identity
of those serving on the
organization's
governing
board,
and
to
expect
the
board to
exercise prudent
judgment
in
its
stewardship
responsibilities.

• To have
access
to
the
organization's
most recent financial statements.


• To be
assured their gifts will
be
used for the purposes for
which
they were
given.


• To
receive appropriate
acknowledgement and recognition.

• To
be
assured
that information about
their
donation
is handled
with
respect
and with
confidentiality
to the extent
provided
by
law.

• To
expect
that
all
relationships
with
individuals
representing
organizations
of
interest
to
the
donor
will be
professional
in
nature.


• To be
informed
whether
those
seeking
donations
are
volunteers,
employees
of
the
organization
or
hired
solicitors.


• To
have the
opportunity
for
their
names to
be
deleted
from
mailing
lists
that
an
organization
may
intend
to
share.


•To
feel
free
to
ask
questions when making a donation and to

receive
prompt, truthful
and
forthright
answers.




Can I ask questions of the place I want to donate to?

You absolutely can ask any questions you might have.  Talk to someone who is in charge of the financials of the rescue/shelter.  If they refuse to talk to you and respond to your questions, be cautious.

Can I ask for financial records?

Yes, you can.  The Income Statement will show you where they stand financially explaining their losses/gains.  The Balance Sheet will show you what the rescue/shelter is worth at the time.  Ask specifically for bank statements which will show you how much is in savings accounts. 

What should the money be spent on?

It is our opinion that donations should go to the animals direct care as much as possible.  That would include veterinary cares, supplies such as bedding, leashes, collars, grooming equipment, treats, toys and such.   Other possible expenses are maintenance of building and equipment, marketing expenses, office supplies, cleaning supplies.

Will I be able to tell from a website whether or not this is a good choice for my donation?

You should definitely do all you can to know the rescue/shelter you choose to give to.  Checking out a website is an avenue to get to know them.  Make sure the information on the website is current so you don’t make your decision based on outdated information.  Statistics shared can be outdated BUT there should also be current information.

What indicators might there be that money is being misused?

Lunches, dinners and such being charged to the rescue/shelter account.

Travel outside of the state that includes hotels, meals and such.

Large savings accounts that are not earmarked for something in particular such as a building, vehicle or something.

Any indicators that someone is using the rescue/shelter funds as a “retirement” fund.

When shelters/rescues have a large bank balance and continue to ask for more donations.

Requesting cash donations or checks made payable to a person rather than the organization.

Using donations for fundraisers.  Fundraisers should pay for themselves.

Using donations to promote an individual rather than the animals they are caring for.

More than 25% of the resources are being spent on administrative expenses.

Are there online sites I can check to see the financials of a rescue or shelter?

National Center for Charitable Statistics at http://nccs.urban.org/

GuideStar at http://www.guidestar.org/

Should I donate to a rescue or shelter that has paid employees?

Check the tax forms for the past year and it will show you how much the employees are paid as a whole.  If that number is excessive for the number of the employees, use caution.  

How can I know if the shelter/rescue is really doing what it says it will do?

Look for accountability and transparency within the organization.  Check the rescue/shelters activity reports.  It should show how many animals come into the rescue/shelter and how many leave whether it is by adoption, transfer, a return to the owner or in death.  The rescue/shelter should be posting its financial information to a public site such as its website or Facebook page.


Second Chance Dog Rescue of Iowa
641-297-2137 call or text
4803 Lisbon St, Prole, Iowa 50229
Email:  [email protected]

OPEN BY APPOINTMENT ONLY
Second Chance Dog Rescue