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White Bird Appaloosa Horse Rescue

EIN 16-1650231 · Burkeville, VA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The White Bird Appaloosa Horse Rescue Rescues, Rehabilitates and Rehomes at risk Appaloosa and other horses. Horses that cannot be adopted are provided permanent sanctuary. The rescue provides community support to those families unable to continue caring for their horses, interacts with local Animal Control officers, and conducts outreach and educational sessions for volunteers and supporters.

Income
$89,087
Spending
$89,011
Spent on programs
95%
Reserves
9.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 95%
Employees
0
Volunteers
30

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 69% of charities in its peer group (animals, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 9.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 1% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    95% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 90% of charities in its peer group (animals, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 6 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (4)
  1. $31,233 spent. Equine Rehabilitation: Feed and Hay, plus supplements for approximately 20 horses. The rescue cared for fewer horses for most of the year than maintained during 2023. Thus the total cost of purchased hay was reduced, but also due to the kindness of a neighbor in donating round bales for the paddocks, and reliance on the rescue's hay field, which, with feed prices staying similar to 2023, shows a sharp decrease in this item over 2023.
  2. $34,228 spent. Equine Rehabilitation: Includes veterinary care, farrier work, medical supplementation and health care items. Rescue horses arrive in a variety of conditions - elderly, starved, unsound, and with a range of medical problems. In 2024 the rescue continued to care for the remaining 3 of the 2014 unhandled horses, and provide long term care for sanctuary horses, as well as taking in new horses from a variety of sources. The expenses show a rise of 20% for this service compared to 2022, and puts it ahead of Hay and Feed as the most expensive item. Medicine and veterinary costs have once again risen, with a greater proportion of emergency call outs experienced. The rescue has worked with its veterinary to use generic drugs wherever possible. The total includes rehabilitative care and end of life euthanasia when necessary.
  3. $11,989 spent. Equine Housing: Horses are large, strong animals that are rough on infrastructure such as shelters and fences. The repair and upkeep of facilities and equipment to keep them usable and safe is an ongoing expense. The substantial increase in the cost of this service over 2023 reflects a more demanding year for maintenance and repair.
  4. $7,140 spent. Maintaining clean living quarters is of particular importance when dealing with elder equines and equines with medical problems. Keeping a good quality bedding for stalls entails a regular supply of clean, dry shavings. These additional services also include utilities. The cost compared to 2023 has increased slightly, with good housekeeping keeping utility bills and bedding costs within budget.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since June 2003.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.