Be sure to check into the group completely before expending time, money, space in your barn or other resources!

After following the recommendations and procedures mentioned on our "Finding A Rescue Group" page, hopefully you will have located the people you wish to work with and hopefully they are near your locality. Working with an out of the area rescue makes things difficult for everyone, unless you offer to open a new chapter of that organization in your own area. Additionally, of course, you can start your own rescue group and develop By-Laws, Policies and Procedures to help horses in your area. If this interests you, please take some time to visit our Starting A Rescue Group page!

When you find a rescue organization you want to become involved with, ask for references from as many adopters and donors as you possibly can. New groups are a possibility, also, but they might not have the references an existing or established group does. One benefit to choosing a new group, doing so might offer you an opportunity to become a leader or board member and be an integral part of the group itself rather than just a volunteer, which can be very satisfying, though difficult work.

There are a number of ways in which to check into what a rescue group tells you or what you read on their website. If they claim to be a recognized IRS tax-exempt 501(c)(3) charity, ask for their IRS tax ID number if it is not clearly visible on their website. Such groups must also provide copies of their tax returns and financial information to those who ask for it. Groups with this classification can ask for donations and offer donors a tax deduction. Those not so registered cannot. If a group claims to offer tax deductions but does not have IRS tax-exempt status, or if they refuse to provide you with their paperwork and/or tax returns, they are breaking the law.

In order to gain IRS tax-exempt status, a group must be a certified Corporation with at least three members on their Board of Directors. Ask to see copies of their incorporation papers and the contact information (name, address, telephone number and email address, if applicable) for each Board member.

Additionally, charitable organizations must register in their state as Non-Profit organizations if they are operating as such. Ask for documentation of Non-Profit status.

Not all rescue groups are incorporated IRS tax-exempt 501(c)(3), nor are all groups registered non-profits. This should not necessarily preclude you from getting involved with them, unless they claim to have such status and do not -- if they CLEARLY misrepresent themselves to you, do not become involved. Some groups have not gained their non-profit or tax-exempt status yet, but are applying for such. These groups should have copies available of the application papers and you should ask to see them. If you choose to align yourself with a group which operates for profit or chooses not to gain tax-exempt status, be sure to watch for signs they might be claiming to be something they are not.

To check into the tax-exempt status of a group, visit the IRS Website. To check into the non-profit status of a group, visit the State Website where the group is based. Rather than checking databases or relying on email for your answers, it is usually best to place a telephone call directly to the agency you need to contact. Asking questions about a certain group over the telephone is immediate and reliable -- not all internet databases are updated very often, and some groups who have recently been granted tax-exempt or non-profit status might not be listed yet in the internet database.

For other resources on checking into a rescue group, please visit our Links page and check back here often for newly added information.

 

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