Denver Dumb Friends League is a 501(c)(3) organization based in Denver, Colorado, registered in 1942, with $92,897,062 in FY2024 revenue. CharityIndex grades it A, and it directs about 81% of spending to programs.
Revenue (FY2024)
$92.9M
▲ 268.0% vs prior year
Animals median: $151K
Expenses (FY2024)
$34.4M
Net assets
$174.6M
Employees
426
Measures how much of every dollar spent actually reaches programs, plus what it costs to raise $100 of donations. The worse of the two measures sets the letter (85%+ to programs is an A; under $15 to raise $100 is an A), averaged over the three most recent filings. For Denver Dumb Friends League: 81% to programs · $5 to raise $100 earns a A on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
Measures whether the organization is built to last: how many months its reserves would cover expenses (3+ months earns an A-range score, but hoarding 5+ years of budget is capped) and whether it runs a surplus or a deficit. For Denver Dumb Friends League: 61 mo reserves · +63% margin earns a B+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
Checks how the organization is run, from its own Form 990: an independent board majority, a board of five or more, conflict-of-interest, whistleblower and document-retention policies, and independently audited financials. The share of disclosed checks that pass sets the letter. For Denver Dumb Friends League: 6 of 6 checks met earns a A+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
Counts five disclosure signals: a recent filing, a mission statement, program descriptions, a listed website, and the full expense breakdown. More disclosure, better letter. For Denver Dumb Friends League: 5 of 5 disclosure signals earns a A+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
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Working with our compassionate community, we will end pet homelessness and animal suffering.
Community veterinary services:humane colorado believes that veterinary care is essential to keeping pets healthy and with the people who love them most. the organization's veterinary hospital at csu spur, located in denver's globeville-elyria-swansea neighborhood, provides urgent care services for ill and injured pets whose families would not otherwise have access to veterinary care because of financial and other barriers. the fees at csu spur are highly subsidized, with flexible payment options available if needed. if a family can afford to provide care for their pet, they are directed to other excellent veterinarians in the community.(continued on schedule o)as part of the organization's commitment to reducing the number of free-roaming cats and homeless pets, the humane colorado spay/neuter clinic, located on the csu spur campus, offers subsidized spay/neuter surgeries and core vaccinations for colorado cats (including owned cats and community cats brought to the hospital via humane trap-neuter-return services) and owned dogs. moreover, humane colorado hosts regular pop-up vaccine clinics for owned cats and dogs and their families in underserved communities across the denver metro area.in fiscal year 2025, humane colorado provided accessible, donor-subsidized veterinary care to nearly 29,000 owned pets and their families, of which, nearly 9,000 were urgently ill or injured. additionally:- performed 12,986 spay/neuter surgeries; 567 dentals; and 772 other surgeries, including orthopedic, soft tissue, and wound-repair procedures- administered 30,417 vaccinations to protect animals in the community from infection and disease
Outreach and educational services:community engagement and education play an essential role in fulfilling humane colorado's mission to end pet homelessness and animal suffering. by sharing messages of compassion, kindness, and respect for animals and people, the organization is planting seeds for a world where all living beings are cared for and valued. humane colorado offers a range of humane education programs in and for under-resourced communities, support for adopters of dogs with behavior challenges, and an online library of free animal care resources. the organization is also home to a dedicated call center team, which provides vital information and bilingual support to people and pets throughout the community.(continued on schedule o)during fiscal year 2025, humane colorado:- received the generous support of 18,165 donors.- benefitted from 1,476 volunteers who donated 179,647 hours of service the equivalent of 86 full-time employees.
Equine rehabilitation services at harmony equine center:the humane colorado harmony equine center ("harmony") in franktown is a rehabilitation and adoption facility for abused and neglected horses, ponies, donkeys, and mules who have been removed from their owners by law enforcement authorities. as capacity allows, harmony also accepts owned colorado equines in need of rehoming from people who can no longer care for them.when abused and neglected horses and other equines arrive at harmony, they are examined and given immediate medical care to support their comfort, health, and safety. once they have been permanently surrendered to harmony, they are evaluated, trained and socialized, rehabilitated, and adopted, as appropriate.during fiscal year 2025, the harmony team:- protected 91 equines from harm, including through impounds co-facilitated by law enforcement, transfers from partners, and owner surrenders- successfully placed or comfortably housed all healthy and safe equines
Revenue grew from $16.9M (FY2013) to $92.9M (FY2024) across 12 reported years.
Financial snapshot
Operating margin
63.0%
Revenue exceeded expenses in the latest fiscal year.
Total assets
$180.3M
Total liabilities
$5.8M
Net assets
$174.6M
Salaries & benefits
$23.1M
67% of expenses
Board members
15
15 independent
| Fiscal year | Revenue | Expenses | Net assets | Total assets | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $92,897,062▲268% | $34,374,956▼4.8% | $174,585,743▲54.7% | $180,342,659▲50.0% | 990 |
| 2023 | $25,243,766▲0.8% | $36,099,224▲9.8% | $112,833,187▼6.6% | $120,248,901▼6.1% | 990 |
| 2022 | $25,054,000▼11.2% | $32,885,468▲7.7% | $120,848,636▼1.5% | $128,064,580▼0.6% | 990 |
| 2021 | $28,226,636▲27.8% | $30,529,670▲22.8% | $122,693,071▼10.9% | $128,872,842▼10.9% | 990 |
| 2020 | $22,089,951▲1.9% | $24,856,353▲2.2% | $137,768,004▲10.7% | $144,570,085▲8.8% | 990 |
| 2019 | $21,672,754▼17.8% | $24,322,884▲13.7% | $124,428,823▼2.2% | $132,819,859▲1.9% | 990 |
| 2018 | $26,352,188▼48.7% | $21,384,236▲18.7% | $127,291,303▲8.6% | $130,353,584▲9.0% | 990 |
| 2017 | $51,350,269▲95.9% | $18,015,992▼1.4% | $117,236,274▲41.7% | $119,637,555▲40.9% | 990 |
| 2016 | $26,214,158▲55.5% | $18,266,791▼0.8% | $82,730,983▲18.0% | $84,915,690▲17.8% | 990 |
| 2015 | $16,857,906▼19.7% | $18,409,505▲6.7% | $70,125,179▼7.1% | $72,075,063▼6.4% | 990 |
| 2014 | $21,001,127▲24.1% | $17,261,216▲5.7% | $75,467,149▲4.9% | $77,011,323▲4.7% | 990 |
| 2013 | $16,926,863 | $16,329,169▲3.3% | $71,945,977▲8.6% | $73,525,703▲8.5% | 990 |
| 2012 | — | $15,813,265▲5.6% | $66,263,260▲7.7% | $67,790,436▲7.4% | 990 |
| 2011 | — | $14,977,858▲14.2% | $61,505,096▲4.0% | $63,113,876▲4.7% | 990 |
| 2010 | — | $13,118,504▲12.7% | $59,136,896▲13.2% | $60,279,792▲13.1% | 990 |
| 2009 | — | $11,643,716 | $52,234,064 | $53,320,698 | 990 |
Original Form 990 PDFs (the Form column) are served by ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, as filed with the IRS. Create a free account to download the CSV report.
Highest-paid: Apryl Steele — $333,242 (0.97% of total expenses)
| Name | Title | Hours/week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apryl Steele | President & Ceo | 40 | $333,242 |
| Katie Parker | Chief Operating Officer | 40 | $219,987 |
| Rebecca Holmes | Vp People | 40 | $211,152 |
| Rimme Singh | Medical Director | 40 | $185,337 |
| John Butler | Vp Finance & Administration | 40 | $178,067 |
| Arik Smith | Lead Veterinarian | 40 | $153,246 |
| Sonja Dais | Veterinarian | 40 | $144,066 |
| Amanda Phillips-desaverio | Immediate Past Chair/director | 1 | — |
| Ann Hinkins | Director (jul-oct) | 1 | — |
| Beth Spencer Md | Director | 1 | — |
| Carla Beal | Treasurer | 1 | — |
| Chris Hinds | Director (jul-aug) | 1 | — |
| Cindy Brabander | Director | 1 | — |
| Dave Powell | Director | 1 | — |
| Heidi Elliott | Director | 1 | — |
| Janice Kercheville | Board Chair | 1 | — |
| Jen Clanahan | Director | 1 | — |
| Kate Paul | Director | 1 | — |
| Katie Philpott Schoelzel | Director | 1 | — |
| Kristi Arellano | Vice Chair | 1 | — |
| Contractor | Services | Paid |
|---|---|---|
| Ruffalo Noel Levitz LLC | Direct Marketing | $484,905 |
| Supreme Roofing Done Right LLC | Construction | $440,820 |
| Greystone Technology | Professional Services | $319,443 |
| Lasting Paws Pet Memorial | Professional Services | $279,888 |
| Innovative Insights LLC | Professional Services | $203,926 |
207 grants to Denver Dumb Friends League totaling $14.7M, reported by foundations on their Schedule I filings — showing the 15 most recent.
| Grantmaker | Purpose | Year | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado Gives Foundation | General purpose, general operating support | 2024 | $538,607 |
| American Online Giving Foundation Inc | General support | 2024 | $192,453 |
| American Endowment Foundation | Animal-related | 2024 | $175,867 |
| Charities Aid Foundation America | Charitable donation | 2024 | $114,633 |
| Gs Donor Advised Philanthropy Fund For Wealth Management Inc | Environment & animal protection | 2024 | $101,000 |
| Denver Foundation | Animal protection & welfare | 2024 | $98,284 |
| Greater Horizons | Environment & animals | 2024 | $58,200 |
| Mile High United Way Inc | Other | 2024 | $48,735 |
| Mile High United Way Inc | Other | 2024 | $48,735 |
| Ayco Charitable Foundation | Environment & animal protection | 2024 | $26,500 |
| Raymond James Charitable Endowment Fund | General support | 2024 | $26,350 |
| Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc | Unrestricted general support | 2024 | $20,000 |
| Paypal Charitable Giving Fund | General support | 2024 | $17,341 |
| Ihc Health Services Inc | Support community health | 2024 | $13,197 |
| American Society For the Prevention of Cruelty To Animals | See part iv | 2024 | $13,000 |
1 grant totaling $20K in FY2024. All grants made by Denver Dumb Friends League →
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Federation of Animal Welfare Agencies | Program sponsorship | $20,000 |
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Data for Denver Dumb Friends League (EIN 84-0405254) comes from the IRS Business Master File and e-filed Form 990 returns, via CharityIndex. Figures reflect what the organization reported to the IRS for each fiscal year.