BBB Wise Giving Report for
Humane Society of the United States

BBB Wise Giving Report issued February 2009
BBB Wise Giving Report expires February 2011


This BBB Accredited charity meets all 20 Standards for Charity Accountability. Find out more...


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Charity Contact Information

Name: Humane Society of the United States
Address: 2100 L Street, NW
  Washington, DC 20037
Phone: 202-452-1100
Web Address: www.hsus.org
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BBB Wise Giving Alliance Comments

Year, State Incorporated: 1954, Delaware
Affiliates: Humane Society International - Canada, Friends of Humane Society International - Canada, Humane Society International, Humane Society International - United Kingdom, Asociacion Humanitaria de Costa Rica, Global Alliance for Humane Sustainable Development, National Association for Humane and Environmental Education, Wildlife Land Trust, The Fund for Animals, Doris Day Animal League
Stated Purpose: "to create a humane and sustainable world for all animals, including people, through education, advocacy, and the promotion of respect and compassion."

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Evaluation Conclusions

               

Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) meets the 20Standards for Charity Accountability.

In determining that HSUS meets Standard 13, which addresses the accuracy of reporting fundraising expenses, the Alliance considered information provided by the organization on changes it plans to make to its joint cost allocation of direct mail expenses to more accurately reflect the content of its appeals.
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Programs

               

The HSUS seeks to strengthen the human-animal bond and to stop animal cruelty, with programs focusing on companion animals, wild animals and habitat, captive animal issues, farm animal welfare, marine mammals, animals in research, equine protection, emergency preparedness and crisis response, humane education, and public policy. The HSUS protects animals through advocacy, direct care, education, investigation, litigation, field work, emergency response services, and legislation.

For the year ended December 31, 2007, HSUS's program expenses were:

  
Program services 81,273,954
Total Program Expenses: $81,273,954
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Governance

               

Chief Executive : Wayne Pacelle, President
Compensation*:
 $233,965

Chair of the Board: Anita W. Coupe, Esq.
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation: Attorney, labor and employment specialist, former partner Morgan, Lewis & Bockius, LLP

Board Size: 25

Paid Staff Size: 450

*2006 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances. Several paid HSUS staff members also serve as board members and/or staff members of HSUS's controlled affiliates.
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Fund Raising

               

Method(s) Used:

Direct mail, telemarketing, special events, grant proposals, Internet appeals, planned giving, cause-related marketing, and membership appeals
Fund raising costs were 13% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $90,579,116, are donations received as a result of fund raising activities.)
In 2006, according to HSUS's 2006 IRS Form 990, the organization incurred joint costs of $31,313,061 for informational materials and activities that included fund raising materials. Of those costs $24,226,899 was allocated to program expenses, $6,072,528 was allocated to fund raising expenses, and $1,013,634 was allocated to administrative expenses. Because HSUS's audited financial statements are consolidated with its affiliates, they do not provide the joint cost breakdown for HSUS alone.
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Tax Status

               

This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.
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Financial

               

The following information is based on HSUS's audited financial statements (consolidated with affiliates) for the year ended December 31, 2007.

Source of Funds  
Contributions 72,886,600
Bequests 12,258,297
Investment income 12,180,352
Grants and trust contributions 4,302,639
Other income 3,494,547
Annuities and unitrusts 1,131,580
Sales of literature and publications 862,853
Rental income 180,667
Transfer income 174,314
Total Income $107,471,849


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Uses of Funds as a % of Total Expenses

Programs: 84%  Fund Raising: 12%  Administrative: 4% 

Total income   $107,471,849
  Program expenses $81,273,954
  Fund raising expenses 11,656,562
  Administrative expenses 4,116,138
 
Total expenses   $97,046,654
Income in Excess of Expenses   10,425,195
Beginning net assets   225,735,717
Other Changes in Net Assets (31,292,148)
Ending net assets   204,868,764
Total liabilities   26,337,317
Total assets   $231,206,081

Note: In the above financial review Other Changes in Net Assets of ($31,292,148) represents ($5,454,258 in a postretirement benefit adjustment and ($25,837,890) in adjustments to reflect changes in the reporting entity and transfers of four former affiliates that ceased operations in 2007.

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An organization may change its practices at any time without notice. A copy of this report has been shared with the organization prior to publication. It is not intended to recommend or deprecate, and is furnished solely to assist you in exercising your own judgment. If the report is about a charity and states the charity meets or does not meet the BBB Standards for Charity Accountability, it reflects the results of an evaluation of information and materials provided voluntarily by the charity. The name Better Business Bureau is a registered service mark of the Council of Better Business Bureaus, Inc.

This report is not to be used for fund raising or promotional purposes.

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