Best Friends Network

Q: What is No More Homeless Pets?
A: Achieving a time of No More Homeless Pets is Best Friends’ mission. Best Friends is working with you and with humane groups all across the country to bring about a time when homeless, unwanted animals are no longer being destroyed in shelters and communities. We want to help increase the number of animals who are getting out of shelters and into homes, and decrease the number of animals going into shelters. The Network Charities program is designed to help achieve those goals.

Q: What is the Best Friends Network Charities program?
A: Best Friends wants to support the local grassroots groups that are working to save lives every day in their communities. The Best Friends Network Charities is a free program for 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations that are working towards a time of No More Homeless Pets. Program members are offered special opportunities including fundraising and adoption events, grants, workshops, webinars, resources, and volunteer recruitment through our database of animal lovers.

FAQs for Organizations

Q. What are the benefits of joining Network Charities?

A: By joining the Network Charities program, your organization has the opportunity to:

Participate in fund-raising efforts organized and promoted by Best Friends.
Apply for special Best Friends grants to support your programs and activities.
Get free publicity through Best Friend's communication channels.
Have access to resources such as webinars with Best Friend's staff and discounts to Best Friends workshops.
Be eligible for scholarships to Best Friend's conference and workshops.
Recruit volunteers through our online Volunteer Center, where thousands of animal lovers from all over the country have already indicated they want to help the animals.
Be listed on our website, with a link to your website, as a program participant and/or set up a group site on the Best Friends Network.

Q: Does it cost money to participate?
A: Best Friends is committed to helping local groups with tools and resources in order to create a world where there are No More Homeless Pets. The Network Charities program is free!

Q: What requirements does my organization need to meet to participate in the Network Charities program?
A: To be eligible for participation, your organization must be:

An approved 501(c)(3) non-profit, per the IRS code, and in good standing with GuideStar Charity Check. Best Friends will research your group through Charity Check to verify that your organization is 100-percent compliant with IRS and state guidelines for charitable status. Your organization’s good standing will need to be maintained to participate in the program. Best Friends will review your organization’s status on an annual basis.
Actively working toward No More Homeless Pets. You will need to show this through your organizational mission statement, strategic goals, and programming.
In good standing with Best Friends.

Q: What is a 501(c)(3) non-profit?
A: Under the Internal Revenue Service code, a 501(c)(3) is a non-profit organization that is exempt from some federal income taxes. The designation includes various charitable, non-profit, religious, and educational organizations. For more information, please visit the IRS website.

Q: What if my organization is not currently a 501(c)(3) but is involved in the application process to become one?
A: To meet IRS regulations for charitable giving, funds made available through the Network Charities program can only be distributed to approved 501(c)(3) organizations. As soon as your organization receives 501(c)(3) status, you can apply to become part of Network Charities. For more information on how to become a 501(c)(3), please visit the IRS website.

Q: Can municipal shelters participate in the Network Charities program?
A: Yes, a municipal shelter may be accepted to participate in the Network Charities program either through a separate 501(c)(3) Friends of the Shelter organization or by setting up a restricted fund that is used exclusively for public purposes. Please check with your local government for information on how to set up a restricted fund for your shelter.

Q: How can my organization participate in the Network Charities program?
A: Organizations interested in participating in the Network Charities program will need to complete an application. As soon as you complete your application, you will receive an automated e-mail response from Best Friends that will include your application number. Please save that e-mail and number for future reference, as you will need to provide your application number should you have questions or concerns about the processing of your application.

Q: How long will it take to process my application and how will I know if my organization is approved?
A: Becoming a Network Charities group takes 2-3 weeks. First, you must complete the Best Friends on-line application. Best Friends will complete a preliminary review and notify you within 2-3 weeks. If approved, we’ll ask you to sign an agreement that specifies the terms of the program. Applicants will be notified of their participation status via an e-mail from Best Friends. Please check your spam or junk email folders in case you haven't received your notification within three weeks of your application submission. You can also email networkcharities@bestfriends.org to find out the status of your application.

Q: How can I learn more about the Network Charities program?
A: E-mail us at networkcharities@bestfriends.org with your detailed questions. If you would like to speak with a Network Charities representative, please provide daytime and evening phone numbers.

FAQs for Supporters & Donors

Q: How are the participating Network Charities chosen?
A: Organizations in the Network Charities program are required to submit an application and must show they are a 501(c)(3) animal-related organization that is in good standing with GuideStar’s Charity Check. Also, we ask participating organizations to demonstrate a commitment to No More Homeless Pets. However, participation in the Best Friends Network Charities program does not imply an endorsement from Best Friends on the organization’s vision, mission, values or financial stability.

Q: I’d like to donate to a local group, but how can I be assured that it’s a good organization? Does Best Friends have a list of approved groups?
A: Inclusion in the Network Charities program does not indicate an endorsement by Best Friends or that it is a no-kill organization. Best Friends does check organizations that apply for the Network Charities program to see that they have non-profit status and that they have a mission and programs that help save animals. We want all organizations that are helping to save animals to have a chance to promote their work and do more for the animals. We strongly recommend that you research an organization before donating. When researching an organization, you’ll want to inquire about an organization’s mission and policies. An organization’s policies and circumstances can change at any time, so it’s important for you to become familiar with the organization you want to help. You can look up an organization’s annual reports, latest financial statements, board of directors, and federal 990 form by visiting GuideStar’s website.

Q: Are donations given to Network Charities tax-deductible?
A: To participate in the Network Charities program, organizations are required to be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in good standing. Therefore, all donations made to participating Network Charities organizations should be 100-percent tax-deductible. The organization receiving your donation is responsible for sending you a receipt for tax purposes. If you do not receive it, please contact your chosen organization directly.

Q: I don’t see my favorite charity, so how do I get them added to Network Charities?
A: The best and easiest way to get your favorite charity listed in the Network Charities program is to encourage them to read more about the program and encourage them to apply. Please direct your favorite charity to http://networkcharities.bestfriends.org.

Q: How do I report questionable activities of an organization participating in the Network Charities program?
A: If you suspect that a participating charity is operating without proper licenses, is misusing donor funds, or is not in keeping with Best Friends’ mission and values, we encourage you to first contact the organization directly. Please e-mail Best Friends directly at networkcharities@bestfriends.org with knowledge about tax status and serious legal issues that might impact eligibility.

Also, we encourage you to file a complaint with the IRS Exempt Organizations Examination Division: www.irs.gov/irs/article/0,,id=178241,00.html

By mail: IRS EO Classification, Mail Code 4910DAL, 1100 Commerce St., Dallas, TX 75242-1198
By fax: (214) 413-5415
By e-mail: eoclass@irs.gov

You can also file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau:
Online: www.give.org/inquire/complaint.asp
By mail: Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance, 4200 Wilson Blvd., Suite 800, Arlington, VA 22203

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