Nonprofit · EIN 23-7147797
BEST FRIENDS ANIMAL SOCIETY
Tax-exempt · KANAB, UT 84741
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 30, 2025 | 990 | $173,780,697 | $175,675,944 | -$1,895,247 | $194,689,106 | $57,259,869 | $137,429,237 |
| September 30, 2024 | 990 | $148,272,851 | $173,381,071 | -$25,108,220 | $200,572,201 | $59,632,529 | $140,939,672 |
| September 30, 2023 | 990 (amended) | $173,491,983 | $148,139,598 | $25,352,385 | $216,306,392 | $64,300,826 | $152,005,566 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $165,992,564
- of which government grants
- $77,030
- Program service revenue
- $954,448
- Investment income
- $7,154,904
- Royalties
- $25,145
- Net rental income
- -$724,780
- Net gain from sales of assets
- $6,860,967
- Net income from sales of inventory
- $103,691
- Other revenue
- -$321,219
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $15,540,871
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $4,765,391
- Other salaries and wages
- $71,799,733
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $96,189,812
- Professional fundraising fees
- $1,640,236
- Legal fees
- $263,951
- Occupancy
- $4,385,403
- Travel
- $4,438,621
- Depreciation
- $3,753,586
- Program services (functional)
- $133,816,174
- Management and general (functional)
- $11,546,125
- Fundraising (functional)
- $30,313,645
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $200,572,201
- Total assets, end of year
- $194,689,106
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $57,259,869
- Net assets, end of year
- $137,429,237
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $93,753,488
- Publicly traded securities
- $70,614,927
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $98,137,519
- Net assets with donor restrictions
- $39,291,718
- Gross unrelated business income
- -$426,193
- Gross receipts
- $196,157,810
- Employees
- 1,119
- Volunteers
- 14,000
- Year formed
- 1984
- State of legal domicile
- UT
From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.
Officers, directors and key employees
As listed on the 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Julianne Castle | Board Member/Chief Executive Officer Trustee or director, Officer | 40 | $536,370 | $17,516 |
| Stephen Howell | Chief Operating and Financial Officer Officer | 40 | $458,692 | $43,244 |
| Susan Citro | Chief Experience Officer Officer | 40 | $295,941 | $28,118 |
| Valerie Dorian | Chief Development Officer Officer | 40 | $283,734 | $39,344 |
| Joseph Angelo | Chief People and Culture Officer Officer | 40 | $299,830 | $16,041 |
| Karen Gallardo | Sr Director, Major & Planned Giving Highest-paid employee | 40 | $284,089 | $19,988 |
| Rebecca Huss | General Counsel Highest-paid employee | 40 | $248,254 | $18,308 |
| Judah Battista | Chief Sanctuary Officer Officer | 40 | $233,787 | $30,752 |
| Marc Peralta | Chief Program Officer Officer | 40 | $225,550 | $30,752 |
| Holly Sizemore | Chief Mission Officer Officer | 40 | $236,256 | $18,308 |
| Erika Westbay Arnold | Director, Process Excellence Highest-paid employee | 40 | $203,090 | $48,210 |
| Greta Palmer | Chief Marketing and Communications Officer Officer | 40 | $232,346 | $18,308 |
| Amy Starnes | Principal, Growth Initiatives Highest-paid employee | 40 | $220,248 | $28,118 |
| Elise Traub | Chief External Affairs Officer & Chief of Staff Officer | 40 | $223,922 | $16,118 |
| Alfred Battista | Board Chair/Co-Founder/Internal Consultant Trustee or director | 40 | $203,868 | $23,845 |
11 more people on this return
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Susan Cosby | Sr Advisor, Strategy & Integration Highest-paid employee | 40 | $194,866 | $16,118 |
| Bernadette Mejia | Board Member/Co-Founder/Director of Principal Gifts Trustee or director | 40 | $186,041 | $23,845 |
| Gregory Castle | Board Member/Co-Founder/Internal Consultant Trustee or director | 40 | $177,765 | $21,265 |
| Cyrus Mejia | Board Member/Co-Founder/Internal Consultant Trustee or director | 40 | $97,665 | $23,845 |
| Abigail Jones | Board Vice-Chair Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Denise Clark | Board Member Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Lona Williams | Board Member Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Lynn Flanders | Board Treasurer Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Micarl Hill | Board Secretary Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Oke Mueller | Board Member Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Phefelia Nez | Board Member Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended September 30, 2024: 27 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JULIANNE CASTLE | CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Trustee or director, Officer | 40 | $526,755 | $7,453 |
| STEPHEN HOWELL | CFO AND COO Officer | 40 | $432,322 | $37,715 |
| SUSAN CITRO | CHIEF EXPERIENCE OFFICER Officer | 40 | $281,634 | $25,725 |
| VALERIE DORIAN | CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER Officer | 40 | $268,195 | $33,028 |
| KAREN GALLARDO | SR. DIRECTOR, MAJOR & PLANNED GIVING Highest-paid employee | 40 | $265,320 | $16,844 |
| JOSEPH ANGELO | CHIEF PEOPLE AND CULTURE OFFICER Officer | 40 | $262,833 | $12,352 |
| JUDAH BATTISTA | CHIEF SANCTUARY OFFICER Officer | 40 | $221,647 | $27,352 |
| MARC PERALTA | CHIEF PROGRAM OFFICER Officer | 40 | $219,193 | $27,477 |
| HOLLY SIZEMORE | CHIEF MISSIONS OFFICER Officer | 40 | $226,183 | $16,844 |
| AMY STARNES | CHIEF INNOVATION OFFICER Officer | 40 | $215,495 | $25,812 |
| REBECCA HUSS | GENERAL COUNSEL Highest-paid employee | 40 | $223,417 | $16,797 |
| GRETA PALMER | CHIEF BRAND & COMMUNICATIONS Officer | 40 | $218,617 | $16,797 |
| ERIKA WESTBAY ARNOLD | DIRECTOR, PROCESS EXCELLENCE Highest-paid employee | 40 | $189,763 | $35,777 |
| ELISE TRAUB | CHIEF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS OFFICER & CHIEF OF STAFF Officer | 40 | $213,572 | $7,000 |
| ALFRED BATTISTA | BOARD CHAIR / INTERNAL CONSULTANT Trustee or director | 40 | $191,978 | $16,673 |
| ERIN KATRIBE | DIRECTOR, NATIONAL VETERINARY PROGRAM Highest-paid employee | 40 | $177,361 | $25,725 |
| SUSAN COSBY | SENIOR ADVISOR, STRATEGY & INTEGRATION Highest-paid employee | 40 | $184,475 | $15,088 |
| GREGORY CASTLE | CO-FOUNDER / INTERNAL CONSULTANT Trustee or director | 40 | $170,107 | $26,918 |
| BERNADETTE MEJIA | BOARD SECRETARY / DIRECTOR OF PRINCIPAL GIFTS Trustee or director | 40 | $175,342 | $16,797 |
| CYRUS MEJIA | CO-FOUNDER / INTERNAL CONSULTANT Trustee or director | 40 | $93,378 | $16,797 |
| ABIGAIL JONES | BOARD VICE-CHAIR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| LYNN FLANDERS | BOARD TREASURER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MICARL HILL | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| OKE MUELLER | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| LONA WILLIAMS | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DENISE CLARK | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| PHEFELIA NEZ | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended September 30, 2023: 26 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JULIANNE CASTLE | CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Officer | 40 | $527,705 | $9,072 |
| STEPHEN HOWELL | CFO AND COO Officer | 40 | $421,962 | $13,248 |
| SUSAN CITRO | CHIEF EXPERIENCE OFFICER Officer | 40 | $281,501 | $18,136 |
| VALERIE DORIAN | CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER Officer | 40 | $258,804 | $12,096 |
| KAREN GALLARDO | SR. DIRECTOR - MAJOR & PLANNED GIVING Highest-paid employee | 40 | $260,012 | $9,144 |
| HOLLY SIZEMORE | CHIEF MISSIONS OFFICER Officer | 40 | $222,946 | $9,144 |
| GREGORY CASTLE | CO-FOUNDER/INTERNAL CONSULTANT Trustee or director | 40 | $220,092 | $9,072 |
| JUDAH BATTISTA | CHIEF SANCTUARY OFFICER Officer | 40 | $218,349 | $10,136 |
| ELISE TRAUB | CHIEF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS OFFICER & CHIEF OF STAFF Officer | 40 | $215,061 | $8,648 |
| MARC PERALTA | CHIEF PROGRAM OFFICER Officer | 40 | $210,699 | $11,136 |
| GRETA PALMER | CHIEF BRAND & COMMUNICATIONS Officer | 40 | $210,913 | $9,072 |
| REBECCA HUSS | GENERAL COUNSEL Highest-paid employee | 40 | $201,538 | $9,051 |
| AMY STARNES | CHIEF INNOVATION OFFICER Officer | 40 | $193,363 | $11,280 |
| ALFRED BATTISTA | BOARD CHAIR INTERNAL CONSULTANT Trustee or director | 40 | $187,987 | $9,072 |
| ERIKA ARNOLD | DIRECTOR - PROCESS EXCELLENCE Highest-paid employee | 40 | $187,585 | $7,200 |
| JOSE OCANO | SR. DIRECTOR - TALENT & CULTURE Highest-paid employee | 40 | $178,995 | $4,266 |
| TARA TIMPSON | STAFF VETERINARIAN Former | 40 | $182,000 | $0 |
| BERNADETTE MEJIA | DIRECTOR OF PRINCIPAL GIFTS Trustee or director | 40 | $172,867 | $9,072 |
| CYRUS MEJIA | INTERNAL CONSULTANT Trustee or director | 40 | $88,888 | $0 |
| ABIGAIL JONES | BOARD VICE-CHAIR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| LYNN FLANDERS | BOARD TREASURER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MICARL HILL | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| OKE MUELLER | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| LONA WILLIAMS | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DENISE CLARK | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JOSEPH ANGELO | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 5001 ANGEL CANYON RD, KANAB, UT 84741-5000
- In care of
- % STEPHEN HOWELL
- Principal officer (990 for 2024)
- JULIANNE CASTLE, 5001 ANGEL CANYON ROAD, KANAB, UT 84741
- Signed the 990
- JULIANNE CASTLE, Principal officer
- Phone
- (435) 644-2001
- Website
- WWW.BESTFRIENDS.ORG
- Return prepared by
- Tanner LLP
Mission
Best Friends Animal Society is a leading animal welfare organization dedicated to saving the lives of dogs and cats in America's shelters and making the entire country no-kill. Founded in 1984, Best Friends operates lifesaving facilities and programs nationwide in partnership with thousands of shelters and rescue groups.
Program accomplishments
- INITIATIVES, PROGRAM CITIES, EMERGENCY RESPONSE, NETWORK PARTNERS AND OTHER NATIONAL OUTREACH - See Schedule OExpenses $94,586,205 · grants $15,338,260 · revenue $826,660
- Animal Care Activities (Sanctuary) - See Schedule OExpenses $39,229,969 · grants $185,110 · revenue $893,325
What it must file and when
IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in September, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.
| Tax year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | September 30, 2026 | February 16, 2027 | Not due yet |
| 2024 | September 30, 2025 | February 17, 2026 | 990 on file |
| 2023 | September 30, 2024 | February 18, 2025 | 990 on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 23-7147797
- Tax-exempt status
- 501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
- Foundation status
- Publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(A)(vi))
- Donations deductible (Pub 78)
- Public charity, 50% deduction limit
- Exempt since
- 1971
- Accounting year ends
- September
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Animal-related (D200)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $194,689,106
- Income (IRS master file)
- $196,157,810
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | September 2025 | $173,780,697 | $175,675,944 | $194,689,106 | XML |
| 990-T | September 2025 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | September 2024 | $148,272,851 | $173,381,071 | $200,572,201 | XML |
| 990-T | September 2024 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | September 2023 | $173,491,983 | $148,139,598 | $216,306,392 | XML |
| 990-T | September 2023 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | September 2022 | $141,488,178 | $123,525,355 | $178,197,428 | IRS |
| 990-T | September 2022 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | September 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990-T | September 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | September 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | September 2019 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | September 2018 | – | – | – | IRS |
990-N: the IRS bulk file holds only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years come from archived copies of that file since 2020 and can have gaps (the IRS e-Postcard search lists every one). 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS (search EIN 23-7147797).
Questions about BEST FRIENDS ANIMAL SOCIETY
- What is the EIN of BEST FRIENDS ANIMAL SOCIETY?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of BEST FRIENDS ANIMAL SOCIETY is 23-7147797.
- Is BEST FRIENDS ANIMAL SOCIETY tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1971.
- Are donations to BEST FRIENDS ANIMAL SOCIETY tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does BEST FRIENDS ANIMAL SOCIETY file?
- Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.
- When is the next return of BEST FRIENDS ANIMAL SOCIETY due?
- The return for tax year 2025 (the year ending September 30, 2026) is due February 16, 2027. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did BEST FRIENDS ANIMAL SOCIETY last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended September 2025.
- Who is the principal officer of BEST FRIENDS ANIMAL SOCIETY?
- The 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025 names JULIANNE CASTLE.
- Who are the officers and directors of BEST FRIENDS ANIMAL SOCIETY?
- The 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025 lists 26 people; 19 received compensation from the organization, the highest $536,370 (Julianne Castle, Board Member/Chief Executive Officer).
- How much revenue does BEST FRIENDS ANIMAL SOCIETY have?
- On its 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025 it reported revenue of $173,780,697, expenses of $175,675,944 and total assets of $194,689,106 at year end.
Other nonprofits in KANAB
- PERSEVERANCE RANCH EQUINE & SANCTUARY EIN 45-4862233 · last filed 990-EZ for 2025
- KANAB ANIMAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM EIN 99-2108711 · last filed 990-EZ for 2025
- GREYHOUND GANG EIN 87-0527948 · last filed 990-EZ for 2025
- HOMWARD BOUND INC EIN 27-0260161 · last filed 990-N for 2025
- RESPECT FOR ANIMALS FOUNDATION INC EIN 71-0970408 · last filed 990-N for 2025
- EARTH ANGELS ANIMAL RESCUE AND SANC TUARY EIN 27-4545522 · last filed 990-N for 2025
- KIMMELA CENTER FOR ANIMAL ADVOCACY INC EIN 45-3504002 · last filed 990-N for 2025
- SANCTUARY AT CDF EIN 82-4191640 · last filed 990-N for 2025