Wild Horse Fire Brigade
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The goal of Wild Horse Fire Brigade is to naturally and sustainably save Americas remaining native species wild horses and their genetic diversity by establishing several large-scale wilderness wildfire-grazing pilot programs using wild horses that are sourced from excess Native American horses, and government agencies (BLM, USFS) using existing law (Humane Transfer of Excess Animals)..
- Income
- $141,889
- Spending
- $130,856
- Reserves
- -5.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 29 out of 100. Higher than 7% of charities in its peer group (animals, under $250k).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
5 of 20It owes 60% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 8% of income.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ 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 (3)
- $80,484 spent. RESCUED 15 WILD HORSES IMPACTED BY THE DAM REMOVAL PROCESS AND FROM ENVIRONMENTAL OR HUMAN IMPACTS. RELOCATED 8 AMERICAN WILD HORSES ORIGINATING FROM GOVERNMENT FACILITIES AND LANDS. THESE HORSES WERE REWILDED WITH AN EXISTING WILD HORSE POPULATION AT THE HORNBROOK RANCH ON 80+ ACRES ADJACENT TO COUNTY OPEN RANGE AND US WILDERNESS LANDS TO MITIGATE WILD FIRE DANGERS THROUGH FUEL LOAD REDUCTION. INCREASED AGREAGE AVAILABLE FOR REWILDING THROUGH THE PURCHASE OF LAND ADJACENT TO THE EXISTING RESCUE RANCH ACREAGE.
- $29,470 spent. CONTINUED TO DEVELOP A PILOT EDUCATION PROJECT PARTNERING WITH THE ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES DEPARTMENT, CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY-SACRAMENTO IN ORDER TO ESTABLISH AN ONGOING INTERNSHIP PROGRAM FOR THE UNIVERSITY'S UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM AND HIGHER DEGREE LEVEL FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM. HOSTED ONE GRADUATE LEVEL INTERN AND SEVEN BACHELORS LEVEL STUDENT INTERNS.
- $8,595 spent. PARTNER WITH VERMONT LAW AND GRADUATE SCHOOLS ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCACY CLINIC TO BRING NECESSARY PERSUASION AND IF LEGAL ACTION WHEN REQUIRED TO FORCE GOVERNMENT AGENCY INCLUDING THE BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT TO ENFORCE EXISTING FEDERAL LAWS THAT PROTECT WILD HORSES.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 October 13, 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 2024.
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 November 2009.
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 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.