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Spirit Open Equestrian Program

EIN 20-8492941 · Herndon, VA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong95 out of 100GovernanceFair66 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SPIRIT'S MISSION IS TO FOSTER HEALING AND TEACH LIFE SKILLS THROUGH INTERACTIONS WITH HORSES. SPIRIT IS COMMITTED TO IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR PARTICIPANTS OF ALL ABILITIES.

Income
$372,316
Spending
$350,003
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
18.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 66%
Employees
1
Highest pay
$74,472, executive director

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

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 86% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 18.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 9% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 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

Fair: 66 out of 100. Higher than 42% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    0 of 25

    0 of 0 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

    7 of 7

    Has a 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.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.

  • 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 (15)
  1. $74,896 spent. EQUINE-ASSISTED LEARNING (EAL)- EAL programs use the interactions between humans and horses to encourage personal growth and development and to improve basic life skills. EAL programs offer individual and group sessions for youth,workshops for corporate groups,teams,families and all other groups.In 2024, 74 individuals participated in the EAL program and received 674 service hours
  2. $236,730 spent. THERAPEUTIC RIDING -Therapeutic riding is an equine assisted activity that contributes positively to the physical, cognitive, emotional and social well-being of individuals with special needs.Spirit Open served participants in 2024 and provided 2665 service program hours.
  3. $14,783 spent. THERAPEUTIC HORSEMANSHIP is an unmounted program,facilitated by a certified instructor. Spirit provided 141 service hours to participants in 2024.
  4. $12,540 spent. Occupational Therapy/ Hippotherapy - Hippotherapy is a treatment strategy utilized by occupational therapists (OT), physical therapists (PT), and
  5. $9,191 spent. Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP):Designed for individuals and groups, EAP is an approach that incorporates interactions with horses into mental
  6. $2,827 spent. Veterans Program: Equine Assisted Learning lessons catered to adults with military or first responder experience. Our Veterans program includes both
  7. Expenses: $12540.00 including grants of: $0.00 Revenue: $13788.00
  8. Occupational Therapy/ Hippotherapy - Hippotherapy is a treatment strategy
  9. utilized by occupational therapists (OT), physical therapists (PT), and
  10. Expenses: $9191.00 including grants of: $0.00 Revenue: $10701.00
  11. Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP):Designed for individuals and groups,
  12. EAP is an approach that incorporates interactions with horses into mental
  13. Expenses: $2827.00 including grants of: $0.00 Revenue: $0.00
  14. Veterans Program: Equine Assisted Learning lessons catered to adults with
  15. military or first responder experience. Our Veterans program includes both

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 May 2007.

    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.