Measuring performance in nonprofit animal rescue organizations

The problem. This study examined 3 components of performance measures in nonprofit animal rescue organizations. It sought to determine which performance measures were used by nonprofit animal rescue organizations to evaluate their activities, whether there was a relationship between knowledge of certain organization activities and effectiveness in fulfilling the organization mission, and whether there was a correlation between financial success measures and the organization's effectiveness in fulfilling its mission.;Method. This research used a descriptive strategy with data collected from a sample of animal rescue organizations in California. Financial data were obtained from Internal Revenue Service forms filed by the organizations.;Results. Supported hypotheses in this study indicated organizations with knowledge of their customers' needs and satisfaction, internal business processes, learning and growth perspective, and financial performance were more likely to be effective in fulfilling their missions than those with a lesser degree of knowledge in these areas. This research concluded there was a limited relationship between financial success and effectiveness in fulfilling the organization mission for animal rescue organizations. A relationship was found between two financial ratios and effectiveness in fulfilling the organization mission. The two ratios, debt-to-asset ratio and accounts payable aging indicator, both indicated an organization's ability to maintain adequate resources to support its mission. This study did not find a relationship between an organization's efficiency and its effectiveness in fulfilling the organization mission. Results of this study could be used by animal rescue organizations interested in measuring and improving performance. Information about measuring performance using externally reported financial measures should also be useful to those who study nonprofit agencies.