Hope Springs Equestrian Therapy Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
TO ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF INDIVIDUALS WITH COGNITIVE, PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL OR BEHAVIORAL DISABILITIES BY PROVIDING THEM WITH AFFORDABLE THERAPEUTIC HORSEBACK RIDING AND ASSOCIATED SPECIAL EDUCATION OF THE HIGHEST POSSIBLE QUALITY, IN A WARM, SAFE AND FAMILIAR ENVIRONMENT.
- Income
- $226,754
- Spending
- $237,832
- Spent on programs
- 74%
- Reserves
- -1.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 48%
- Employees
- 9
- Volunteers
- 30
- Highest pay
- $68,841, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 54 out of 100. Higher than 23% of charities in its peer group (health care, under $250k).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 21% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 5% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 8% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1574% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 88% of charities in its peer group (health care, under $250k).
Independent board
25 of 257 of 7 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 (1)
- $176,019 spent. THE ORGANIZATION DELIVERED 568 LESSONS LAST YEAR TO A TOTAL OF 19 INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES. CURRENTLY, 42% OF STUDENTS ARE CHILDREN, MANY OF WHOM COULD NOT AFFORD THIS VALUABLE THERAPY WITHOUT SUPPORT FROM FOUNDATIONS. 100% HAVE COGNITIVE OR BEHAVIORAL DISABILITIES PREDOMINANTLY AUTISM, PERVASIVE DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS, OR INTELLECTUAL DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS. 10% ARE SIBLINGS. THE "HOPE SPRING FOR ALL" PROGRAMS INCLUDE TRADITIONAL EQUESTRIAN THERAPY (THERAPEUTIC HORSEBACK RIDING), THERAPEUTIC DRIVING, CAMP PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES AND YOUTH-AT-RISK, AND A SIBLING RIDE PROGRAM. RECENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS INCLUDE: - 29 YEARS OF SUCCESSFUL OPERATION OFFERING EQUESTRIAN THERAPY LESSONS AND CAMPS WHILE CONTINUALLY IMPROVING, DEVELOPING AND IMPLEMENTING SPECIALIZED PROGRAMS - ESTABLISHING AND MAINTAINING WORKING RELATIONSHIPS WITH LOCAL AREA SCHOOL DISTRICTS, PUBLIC AND PRIVATE AGENCIES, MEDICAL PRACTICES, REHAB FACILITIES AND OTHERS - RECRUITMENT, RETENTION AND ONGOING TRAINING OF QUALIFIED, COMPASSIONATE RIDING INSTRUCTORS AND MAINTAINING HEALTHY, CAREFULLY-SELECTED/TRAINED THERAPY HORSES UPON WHICH THE PROGRAMS RELY.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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.
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 November 6, 2026.
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.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since January 1999.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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 November 4, 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.