Leader Dogs for the Blind
Leader Dogs for the Blind reported $20.9 million in revenue and $21.0 million in expenses for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. Of every $100 it spent, $75.77 went to program services, $7.50 to management and general costs and $16.73 to fundraising. Its largest source of revenue was contributions and grants: 97.9% of the total. The highest compensation it reported for one person was $312,102 (PRESIDENT AND CEO). 10 people received more than $100,000 in reportable compensation. Revenue rose 9% between FY2020 and FY2025. Source: Form 990, FY2025.
Where $100 of spending went
The fiscal year ending June 30, 2025 · Form 990, Part IX, line 25 · total expenses $21MFor context, the median across 3,614 covered human services charities: $88.27 programs, $11.52 management, $0.21 fundraising (medians computed separately, so they may not sum to $100).
Where $100 of revenue came from
The fiscal year ending June 30, 2025 · Form 990, Part VIII · total revenue $21MThe 990 scorecard · same measures for every charity, no grades
| Measure | FY2025 | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Program services Part IX 25(B) ÷ 25(A) | 75.8% | 87.2% |
| Management & general Part IX 25(C) ÷ 25(A) | 7.5% | 11.4% |
| Fundraising Part IX 25(D) ÷ 25(A) | 16.7% | 0.2% |
| Fundraising cost per $1 of contributions Part IX 25(D) ÷ Part VIII 1h | $0.17 | $0.02 |
| Contributions & grants share of revenue Part VIII 1h ÷ 12 | 97.9% | 20.6% |
| Government grants share of revenue Part VIII 1e ÷ 12 | 0.0% | 2.4% |
| Program service revenue share Part VIII 2g ÷ 12 | 0.0% | 70.8% |
| Highest reported compensation Part VII-A, columns D–F | $312,102 | $274,992 |
| Highest compensation as share of expenses Part VII-A ÷ Part IX 25(A) | 1.49% | 1.18% |
| People paid over $100,000 Part VII, line 2 | 10 | 6 |
| Net assets, in months of expenses Part X 33(B) ÷ monthly expenses | 12.8 | 6.9 |
| Independent voting board members Part VI 1a–1b | 19 of 19 | 100.0% |
A median is context, not a target: hospitals, universities, food banks and grantmakers spend in very different ways. What these measures can and can't tell you.
What the money paid for, in its own words
FY2025 · Form 990, Part III · the three largest programs by expenseGuide dog: since 1939, leader dog has been highly respected for our innovative guide dog program. Our free 21-day residential program serves clients who are legally blind, 16 years old and up, and able to care for a dog. Training is personalized and each client is matched with a dog that fits their lifestyle, pace, physical size and more. Clients train with their guide dog in a variety of environments to fit both current and future needs, including urban, suburban and rural locations; college campuses; stores and other settings. Through the adaptive services department, guide dogs are…
Volunteer/community outreach: volunteers are integral to the daily operations of leader dog and allow US to serve more clients each year. Volunteers contribute their time and skills in many areas including on-campus, and through puppy raising and hosting breeding stock dogs. Community outreach is conducted nationally with volunteers attending conferences and/or giving presentations before various groups in school, corporate or community settings. They share information about guide dogs, orientation & mobility, and leader dog operations
Orientation & mobility (o&m): this free five-day residential program provides people with the skills needed to travel safely using a white cane in a much shorter timeframe than traditional o&m training. Having good o&m skills, including knowing how to maintain orientation while traveling, is the necessary first step to becoming a safe and independent traveler. Training is provided on a 1:1 client-to-instructor ratio and is personalized to each client's needs and capabilities. Training is open to people who are legally blind and at least 16 years of age, regardless of whether they plan to…
Highest reported compensation
FY2025 · Form 990, Part VII, Section A · roles as filed; names are in the filing, not here| Role | From this org | From related orgs | Other | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PRESIDENT AND CEO Officer, 40.00 hrs/week | $290,000 | $0 | $22,102 | $312,102 |
| FORMER PRESIDENT & CEO Former, 0.00 hrs/week | $288,203 | $0 | $5,078 | $293,281 |
| VICE PRESIDENT AND CIO Officer, 40.00 hrs/week | $204,000 | $0 | $27,853 | $231,853 |
| VICE PRESIDENT AND CFO Officer, 40.00 hrs/week | $198,900 | $0 | $23,902 | $222,802 |
| DIRECTOR OF CANINE HEALTH Highest compensated employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $198,011 | $0 | $11,898 | $209,909 |
| ASST DIRECTOR OF CANINE HEALTH Highest compensated employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $156,620 | $0 | $24,741 | $181,361 |
| DIRECTOR OF CANINE OPERATIONS Highest compensated employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $156,702 | $0 | $21,492 | $178,194 |
| CHIEF PHILANTHROPY/MKTG OFFICER 7-29-24 Officer, 40.00 hrs/week | $148,872 | $0 | $17,302 | $166,174 |
10 people received more than $100,000 in reportable compensation from Leader Dogs for the Blind (Part VII, line 2). Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees totaled $979K (Part IX, line 5).
6 years of filings
Form 990, Parts I, VII, IX and X · each row is that year's own filing, linkedGovernance answers, as filed
FY2025 · the organization's own yes/no answers; explanations, if any, are in Schedule O of the filing · what each means- Voting board members, and how many are independent Part VI, lines 1a–1b19 · 19 independent
- Audited financial statements Part XII 2bYes
- Conflict-of-interest policy Part VI 12aYes
- Whistleblower policy Part VI 13Yes
- Document retention policy Part VI 14Yes
- Independent process for top executive pay Part VI 15aYes
- Board given the 990 before filing Part VI 11aYes
- Family or business ties among insiders Part VI 2No
- Aware of a significant diversion of assets Part VI 5No
- Excess benefit transaction with an insider Part IV 25aNo
- Loans to or from insiders outstanding Part IV 26No
- Lobbying, or a 501(h) election in effect Part IV 4No
- Over $15,000 of professional fundraising services Part IV 18Yes
- Over $10,000 of activity outside the U.S. Part IV 14bNo
- Employees Part I, line 5221
- Volunteers Part I, line 6993
Largest outside contractors
FY2025 · Form 990, Part VII, Section B · businesses only| MOORE A SERIES LLC Direct mail fulfillment house | $927,545 |
| VIMARC Website hosting, design, and updating | $222,241 |
Individuals listed as contractors are left out. 2 contractors were paid more than $100,000 in all.
Private foundation grants it received
99 private foundations reported grants to Leader Dogs for the Blind totaling $944K on their tax year 2023 Form 990-PF returns. See which foundations, on WHOFUNDS.
Source: WHOFUNDS open grant graph, matched from Form 990-PF Part XV.
Correct a figure or respond
Every number above is copied from Leader Dogs for the Blind's own Form 990. If one doesn't match the filing, that's our error and we'll fix it. If you work for Leader Dogs for the Blind, you can publish a response that is linked from this page.
Share or embed this breakdown
Of every $100 Leader Dogs for the Blind spent in FY2025, $75.77 went to programs. The full breakdown, from its IRS Form 990:
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Similar-sized charities in this cause
- The North Ward CenterNewark, NJ · revenue $21M · programs 92.6% · 2024
- Community Counseling and MediationBrooklyn, NY · revenue $21M · programs 84.3% · FY2025
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- Wabash CenterLafayette, IN · revenue $21M · programs 90.9% · FY2025
- Methodist Children's Home SocietyRedford, MI · revenue $21M · programs 71.0% · 2024
All human services charities · Largest charities in Michigan
Questions people ask
How much of Leader Dogs for the Blind's spending goes to programs?
In the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, Leader Dogs for the Blind reported that 75.8% of its $21.0 million in expenses went to program services, 7.5% to management and general and 16.7% to fundraising (Form 990, Part IX).
How much does Leader Dogs for the Blind pay its top executive?
The largest total compensation Leader Dogs for the Blind reported for one person in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025 was $312,102, for the role of PRESIDENT AND CEO (Form 990, Part VII, including compensation from related organizations and other compensation).
Where does Leader Dogs for the Blind get its money?
Of $20.9 million in revenue in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, 97.9% came from contributions and grants and 0.0% from program service revenue (Form 990, Part VIII).
Is Leader Dogs for the Blind a registered charity?
The IRS lists EIN 38-1366931 as a 501(c)(3) organization (publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(a)(vi))), and its records show contributions as tax-deductible. Form 990 filings on record here cover tax years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024. A filing shows what the organization reported; it doesn't by itself show whether a program works.
Sources
- FY2025: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, object 202523469349300847 · read the filing · XML
- FY2024: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, object 202423399349301217 · read the filing
- FY2023: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023, object 202313399349300901 · read the filing
- FY2022: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022, object 202320339349301407 · read the filing
- FY2021: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021, object 202113349349300976 · read the filing
- FY2020: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2020, object 202003579349301000 · read the filing
All filings for EIN 38-1366931: ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer · IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search. Figures are as the organization reported them; we have not audited them.