Guide Dogs For the Blind Inc
78% goes to programs $15 to raise $100 Strong reserves
Guide Dogs For the Blind Inc is a 501(c)(3) organization based in San Rafael, California, registered in 1955, with $91,807,777 in FY2024 revenue. CharityIndex grades it A, and it directs about 78% of spending to programs.
350 Los Ranchitos Rd, San Rafael, CA, 94903 EIN 94-1196195 Since 1955
Revenue (FY2024)
$91.8M
▲ 26.1% vs prior year
Human Services median: $293K
Expenses (FY2024)
$66.6M
Net assets
$533.9M
Employees
390
CharityIndex rating
One independent A+ to F grade from four published criteria, each scored separately from IRS filings and combined by weight.
A
B+Program efficiency40% of the rating78% to programs · $15 to raise $100
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 Guide Dogs For the Blind Inc: 78% to programs · $15 to raise $100 earns a B+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
B+Financial health25% of the rating96 mo reserves · +27% margin
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 Guide Dogs For the Blind Inc: 96 mo reserves · +27% margin earns a B+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
A+Governance25% of the rating6 of 6 checks met
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 Guide Dogs For the Blind Inc: 6 of 6 checks met earns a A+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
A+Transparency10% of the rating5 of 5 disclosure signals
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 Guide Dogs For the Blind Inc: 5 of 5 disclosure signals earns a A+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
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Mission
Guide dogs for the blind empowers lives by creating exceptional partnerships between people, dogs, and communities.
What they do
Breeding through puppy raising - gdb puppies are whelped from the school's own breeding stock. the approximately 180 breeding stock dogs live in the homes of volunteer custodians who provide day-to-day care. after careful study, dogs are bred and approximately 900 puppies are whelped each year. when the puppies are approximately 8 weeks old, they are placed in the home of one of gdb's 1,400 puppy-raising volunteers organized in 177 puppy clubs spread throughout ten western states. these volunteers nurture and prepare the puppies for their eventual training as guide dogs. the dogs are returned from the puppy raiser homes to the campus when they are between 14 and 17 months old.
Post-graduation programs - gdb is the only guide dog school in the united states whose commitment to their alumni extends well beyond their graduation date with their client services and veterinary financial assistance program. after graduation, gdb provides formal, structured follow-up services, which include annual visits to ensure the team is working effectively, and offers consultation to assist with advocacy, veterinary care and any other services needed. gdb also provides one-on-one training assistance to alumni who need help transitioning their new guide dog into their home life. most guide dogs work until they are about 8 to 10 years old. when their guide dog is ready for retirement, gdb assists each individual in making a successful transition.
Public information: promotes awareness of the organization and its mission. guide dogs is featured in numerous newspapers, magazines, network radio and television programs and web-based media. guide dogs publishes newsletters and brochures to raise awareness of guide dogs' programs and issues related to visually impaired individuals.
Contact & location
- Address
- 350 Los Ranchitos Rd, San Rafael, CA, 94903
- City
- San Rafael
- State
- California
- Category
- Human Services
- Subcategory
- Services for Specific Populations
- Phone
- …
- Website
- …
Financial trends
Revenue grew from $45.6M (FY2013) to $91.8M (FY2024) across 12 reported years.
Financial snapshot
Financial health & position (FY2024)
Liabilities $38.1MNet assets $533.9M
Operating margin
27.4%
Revenue exceeded expenses in the latest fiscal year.
Total assets
$572.0M
Total liabilities
$38.1M
Net assets
$533.9M
Salaries & benefits
$37.5M
56% of expenses
Board members
13
12 independent
Financials by year
| Fiscal year | Revenue | Expenses | Net assets | Total assets | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $91,807,777▲26.1% | $66,638,009▲3.5% | $533,862,468▲9.6% | $571,972,221▲8.9% | 990 |
| 2023 | $72,815,518▲55.3% | $64,409,984▲11.1% | $486,879,628▲7.6% | $525,192,848▲7.5% | 990 |
| 2022 | $46,887,094▼45.6% | $57,963,550▲10.1% | $452,409,125▲0.9% | $488,771,244▲0.5% | 990 |
| 2021 | $86,158,342▲26.1% | $52,640,914▲6.0% | $448,576,057▼8.4% | $486,534,330▼7.9% | 990 |
| 2020 | $68,313,172▼12.3% | $49,650,512▲1.5% | $489,587,265▲22.5% | $528,074,429▲21.4% | 990 |
| 2019 | $77,919,348▼10.0% | $48,913,115▲5.5% | $399,799,009▼2.5% | $435,001,830▼2.0% | 990 |
| 2018 | $86,541,839▲70.5% | $46,350,164▲7.7% | $410,219,944▲0.4% | $443,865,189▲2.5% | 990 |
| 2017 | $50,747,341▲2.8% | $43,035,215▲6.4% | $408,781,839▲4.6% | $432,921,101▲5.8% | 990 |
| 2016 | $49,388,988▲20.6% | $40,445,275▲8.9% | $390,840,515▲9.0% | $409,293,211▲9.2% | 990 |
| 2015 | $40,937,709▲0.8% | $37,124,415▲7.2% | $358,617,786▼3.7% | $374,908,726▼3.6% | 990 |
| 2014 | $40,628,383▼10.9% | $34,630,978▲2.6% | $372,264,905▲2.7% | $388,735,246▲2.5% | 990 |
| 2013 | $45,576,093 | $33,743,166▲2.2% | $362,547,496▲12.3% | $379,406,831▲11.1% | 990 |
| 2012 | — | $33,003,664▲3.0% | $322,902,605▲9.1% | $341,474,952▲9.0% | 990 |
| 2011 | — | $32,056,802▲2.2% | $295,954,418▼3.7% | $313,374,492▼3.6% | 990 |
| 2010 | — | $31,379,110 | $307,380,013 | $325,032,760 | 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.
Leadership & compensation (FY2024)
Highest-paid: Christine Benninger — $464,366 (0.70% of total expenses)
| Name | Title | Hours/week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christine Benninger | Ceo/president | 40 | $464,366 |
| Sherilyn Dacquisto | Cfo and Treasurer | 40 | $271,742 |
| Larry Meisner | Chief Philanthropic Officer | 40 | $253,101 |
| Kathleen Kuzminski | Medical Director | 40 | $225,320 |
| Kristin Lucas | Canine and Community Operations Offi | 40 | $223,621 |
| Thomas Horton | International Director of Planned Gi | 40 | $213,969 |
| Lynn Dubinsky | Vp Client Engagement & Impact | 40 | $195,943 |
| Amit Ahuja | Secretary | 1 | — |
| Ann Grube | Director | 1 | — |
| Cheri Owen | Director | 1 | — |
| Chris Coleman | Director | 1 | — |
| Claudia Barkmeier | Director | 1 | — |
| Dan Labbe | Vice Chair, Finance | 1 | — |
| Deborah J Neff | Board Chair | 2 | — |
| Joan Boyd | Director | 1 | — |
| Joan Robinson | Director | 1 | — |
| Leanne Bremner | Vice Chair | 1 | — |
| Rhonda Bakusko | Director | 1 | — |
| Steve Hultquist | Director | 1 | — |
Top vendors & contractors (FY2024)
| Contractor | Services | Paid |
|---|---|---|
| Rkd Group LLC | Direct Mail Consulting | $5,232,713 |
| Softchoice | Cloud Migration and Digital Services | $733,956 |
| Pacific Standard Print An Rrd Company | Direct Mail Consulting | $597,238 |
| Salesforceorg | Software Services | $396,656 |
| The Stelter Company | Consulting | $347,265 |
Grants received · $23.7M total
264 grants to Guide Dogs For the Blind Inc totaling $23.7M, reported by foundations on their Schedule I filings — showing the 15 most recent.
| Grantmaker | Purpose | Year | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc | Unrestricted general support | 2024 | $510,000 |
| American Online Giving Foundation Inc | General support | 2024 | $237,994 |
| The Us Charitable Gift Trust | For recipient's exempt purpose | 2024 | $83,507 |
| Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc | Unrestricted general support | 2024 | $75,000 |
| Oregon Community Foundation | Animals | 2024 | $66,079 |
| American Endowment Foundation | Human service | 2024 | $58,000 |
| Greater Horizons | Human services | 2024 | $38,475 |
| Paypal Charitable Giving Fund | General support | 2024 | $32,242 |
| Gs Donor Advised Philanthropy Fund For Wealth Management Inc | Community & human services | 2024 | $29,000 |
| Raymond James Charitable Endowment Fund | General support | 2024 | $28,480 |
| Charities Aid Foundation America | Charitable donation | 2024 | $22,503 |
| T Rowe Price Program For Charitable Giving Inc | Multiple | 2024 | $17,200 |
| Ocf Joseph E Weston Public Foundation | Human services | 2024 | $16,000 |
| The Seattle Foundation | To support the oregon campus. | 2024 | $15,000 |
| Greater Milwaukee Foundation Inc | Sustaining support | 2024 | $10,313 |
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Frequently asked questions
- Is Guide Dogs For the Blind Inc a legitimate nonprofit?
- Yes. Guide Dogs For the Blind Inc is a 501(c)(3) organization registered with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service under EIN 94-1196195, based in San Rafael, California. Donations are tax-deductible.
- What is Guide Dogs For the Blind Inc's EIN?
- Guide Dogs For the Blind Inc's Employer Identification Number (EIN) is 94-1196195.
- How much revenue does Guide Dogs For the Blind Inc report?
- Guide Dogs For the Blind Inc reported $91,807,777 in total revenue on its fiscal year 2024 IRS Form 990 filing.
- How much of Guide Dogs For the Blind Inc's spending goes to programs?
- Guide Dogs For the Blind Inc spends about 78% of its total expenses on programs, based on its latest IRS Form 990.
- What financial grade does Guide Dogs For the Blind Inc have?
- CharityIndex grades Guide Dogs For the Blind Inc A, based on program efficiency and fundraising cost.
- How much does Guide Dogs For the Blind Inc's highest-paid employee make?
- The highest reported compensation on Guide Dogs For the Blind Inc's latest Form 990 is $464,366, paid to Christine Benninger (Ceo/president).
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Data for Guide Dogs For the Blind Inc (EIN 94-1196195) 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.