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Charity Math
The 990 read · EIN 84-0405254 · CO · Fiscal year FY ending Jun 2025

Denver Dumb Friends League

Denver Dumb Friends League: CEO salary, finances and where donations go

In its own words

“Working with our compassionate community, we will end pet homelessness and animal suffering.”

Data only Figures straight from the filing, screened by our rules. Not yet reviewed in depth by a CPA.

Methodology by Amir Arani, CPA, CA · Updated

Top pay
$333K Apryl Steele, 1% of spending
Revenue
$92.9M 87.4% from donations and grants
Spent
$34.4M 81.1% on programs, as reported
Net assets
$174.6M end of FY ending Jun 2025
Savings
60.9 months of spending, net assets ÷ spending
People
426 employees, 1,467 volunteers
Form 990 (FY ending Jun 2025), Parts I, VII, IX, X
01 · Red flags

1 thing to look at.

We screen every filing against twelve rules. A flag is a prompt for a closer look, not a finding of wrongdoing.

high

Professional fundraisers kept most of what they raised

Professional fundraisers raised $758,200 and kept $533,128 (70.3%). The charity received $225,072.

Schedule G Part I, line 2b
02 · Where $1 goes · FY ending Jun 2025

Of each dollar it spent, 81.1¢ went to programs, as reported.

The split the charity filed.
81.1¢
Programs, $27.9M
11.0¢
Fundraising, $3.8M
8.0¢
Admin, $2.7M
Form 990 (FY ending Jun 2025), Part IX, line 25
Cost to raise $1
5¢
as reported

For each dollar donated, Denver Dumb Friends League spent 5¢ on fundraising.

Fundraising ÷ $81.2M contributions · Form 990 Parts VIII, IX
03 · What it does

What it told the IRS it spent on.

The charity's own description of its largest programs, with what each cost.

Program 1 · 18.5% of program spending $5.2M

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…

Program 2 · 8.4% of program spending $2.3M

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…

Program 3 · 5% of program spending $1.4M

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…

Program 4 · 1.2% of program spending $346K

Animal protection: Humane colorado serves as a unique and reliable resource to protect animals from mistreatment, promote animal welfare statewide, and prevent future harm. Commissioned by the colorado department of agriculture under the bureau of animal protection, the team focuses on providing community outreach, education, and advocacy, including supporting law enforcement, the judicial system, and other partners in investigations and the sheltering of affected animals.advocacy: Through advocacy, humane colorado partners with legislators, policymakers, community leaders, and other…

Form 990 (FY ending Jun 2025), Part III
04 · The savings

Net assets: $71.9M to $174.6M in 11 years.

Net assets at each fiscal year end, 2014 to 2025.

Net assets at year end, $ millions
72
76
70
83
117
127
124
138
123
121
113
175
Form 990 history via ProPublicaForm 990 (FY ending Jun 2025)
05 · Who gets paid

The 7 highest-paid people.

Reportable pay in FY ending Jun 2025, from the charity and related organizations.

Apryl Steele
President & CEO
$333,242
Katie Parker
Chief Operating Officer
$219,987
Rebecca Holmes
VP People
$211,152
Rimme Singh
Medical Director
$185,337
John Butler
VP Finance & Administration
$178,067
Arik Smith
Lead Veterinarian
$153,246
Sonja Dais
Veterinarian
$144,066
Form 990 (FY ending Jun 2025), Part VII, Section A
Largest outside contractors
ContractorServicePaid
Ruffalo Noel Levitz LLCDirect marketing$484,905
Supreme Roofing Done Right LLCConstruction$440,820
Greystone TechnologyProfessional services$319,443
Lasting Paws Pet MemorialProfessional services$279,888
Innovative Insights LLCProfessional services$203,926
Form 990 (FY ending Jun 2025), Part VII, Section B
06 · Questions

The questions people ask about the Denver Dumb Friends League.

Short, sourced answers. Each one stands on its own.

How much does the Denver Dumb Friends League CEO make?

Apryl Steele, President & CEO, received $333,242 in reportable compensation in FY ending Jun 2025, 1% of Denver Dumb Friends League's $34.4M in spending.

Form 990 (FY ending Jun 2025), Part VII

What percentage of Denver Dumb Friends League donations go to programs?

Denver Dumb Friends League reported 81.1% of FY ending Jun 2025 spending as programs, 11% as fundraising and 8% as management.

Form 990 (FY ending Jun 2025), Part IX

How much money does Denver Dumb Friends League have?

Net assets were $174.6M at the end of FY ending Jun 2025, about 60.9 months of spending.

Form 990 (FY ending Jun 2025), Part X

Does Denver Dumb Friends League have any red flags in its filing?

Its latest Form 990 triggered 1 of our twelve screening rules: professional fundraisers kept most of what they raised. A flag is a prompt for a closer look, not a finding of wrongdoing.

Form 990 (FY ending Jun 2025)
07 · Sources and citing

Every number, traced.

  1. Denver Dumb Friends League Form 990, FY ending Jun 2025 (IRS e-file)
  2. Denver Dumb Friends League Form 990 history (ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer)
Cite this page

Amir Arani, “Denver Dumb Friends League: CEO salary, finances and where your dollar goes,” Charity Math, updated 2026-11-07. https://charitymath.com/charities/denver-dumb-friends-league/