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Shining Hope Farms

EIN 30-0067482 · Mount Holly, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair50 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Shining Hope Farms is a Nonprofit organization whose mission is to enable children and adults to reach their full potential through the use of equine-assisted activities and therapy services.Shining Hope Farms operates three locations in the Western Piedmont region of North Carolina, offering equine-assisted services and enriching clinical therapies to benefit individuals of all ages with disabilities, Veterans, and those in need of mental health counseling. We have three farms (Charlotte, Mt. Holly, and Conover, NC) serving 14 surrounding counties as a strategic reach to impact the Greater Charlotte and Hickory Areas. We would love the opportunity for you to tour one of our farms and learn more about the impact we make. Please contact our Development Director Patrice Gibson at patricegibson@shininghopefarms.org to schedule a tour today.Shining Hope Farms has received national recognition due to the positive measurableoutcomes of its patients as well as its transparency of accounting p

Income
$1.3 million
Spending
$1.4 million
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
-0.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 50%
Employees
39
Volunteers
500
Highest pay
$23,077, executive dir.

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

Fair: 50 out of 100. Higher than 19% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 28% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 14% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    17 of 17 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

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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 (3)
  1. $912,733 spent. Therapy Services Program: Our THERAPY SERVICES PROGRAM offers physical, occupational, speech, and mental health clinical therapy services, in a traditional clinic setting, as well as in an enriching nature-based setting. We also offer equine movement and interaction where appropriate. In 2024, this program served 392 patients from 15 counties over the course of 5,413 visits between our three locations. See Schedule O for more.
  2. $233,130 spent. Adaptive Riding Program: Our ADAPTIVE RIDING PROGRAM provides goal-oriented, recreational group and private lessons that are conducted by Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International Certified Riding instructors. Lessons have a variety of physical, social, and emotional benefits. In 2024, we served 80 riders over the course of 1,192 weekly lessons in this program. See Schedule O for more.
  3. $29,530 spent. Saddles & Salutes Program: Our SADDLES & SALUTES VETERANS PROGRAM supports Veterans and their families wellness as part of their community reintegration. They can participate in any of our services free of charge, with staff specially trained to work with the Veteran population. In 2024, we helped 5 Veterans through group and individual counseling sessions and 11 Veterans through 176 adaptive riding lessons. See schedule O for more.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since August 2002.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.