Forward Stride
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
FORWARD STRIDE IS DEDICATED TO IMPROVING LIVES THROUGH INDIVIDUALIZED PROGRAMS ROOTED IN EQUINE ASSISTED ACTIVITIES AND THERAPIES (EAAT).
- Income
- $1.5 million
- Spending
- $1.4 million
- Spent on programs
- 78%
- Reserves
- -13.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 53%
- Employees
- 39
- Volunteers
- 237
- Highest pay
- $84,094, executive di
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, 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 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
5 of 20It owes 63% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 6% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 17% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1578% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 16 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, 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 259 of 9 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.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 (5)
- INCLUSIVE EQUESTRIAN SPORTS (RIDING, HORSEMANSHIP, AND VAULTING) IN OUR RIDING AND HORSEMANSHIP PROGRAM, CHILDREN AND ADULTS OF ALL ABILITIES HAVE OPPORTUNITIES TO DEVELOP HORSEMANSHIP SKILLS, FITNESS, AND SELF-CONFIDENCE THROUGH HORSEBACK RIDING LESSONS. OUR MODEL CONNECTS HORSEMANSHIP WITH LIFE SKILLS IN A SAFETY-FIRST ENVIRONMENT. THIS ADAPTIVE PROGRAM INCLUDES LESSONS IN BASIC GROUND WORK, HORSE HANDLING, RIDING,DRESSAGE, WESTERN AND JUMPING. WE SERVED 211 CLIENTS TOTALING 6,598 SERVICE HOURS, 50% OF WHOM WERE CHILDREN IN OUR EQUESTRIAN VAULTING PROGRAM, CLIENTS OF ALL ABILITIES LEARN HOW TO COMBINE GYMNASTICS AND DANCE IN PARTNERSHIP WHILE ATOP A MOVING HORSE. WE ACCENTUATE PARTNERSHIP WITH THE HORSE, TEAMMATES, LONGUEUR, AND COACH. WE SERVED 63 CLIENTS TOTALING 2,452 SERVICE HOURS, 85% OF WHOM WERE CHILDREN. WEEKLY SESSIONS ARE HELD YEAR ROUND, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF 1 OR 2 WEEKS OF BREAK AT THE END OF EACH QUARTERLY SESSION. INCLUSIVE EQUESTRIAN SPORTS (RIDING, HORSEMANSHIP, AND VAULTING) IN OUR RIDING AND HORSEMANSHIP PROGRAM, CHILDREN AND ADULTS OF ALL ABILITIES HAVE OPPORTUNITIES TO DEVELOP HORSEMANSHIP SKILLS, FITNESS, AND SELF-CONFIDENCE THROUGH HORSEBACK RIDING LESSONS. OUR MODEL CONNECTS HORSEMANSHIP WITH LIFE SKILLS IN A SAFETY-FIRST ENVIRONMENT. THIS ADAPTIVE PROGRAM INCLUDES LESSONS IN BASIC GROUND WORK, HORSE HANDLING, RIDING,DRESSAGE, WESTERN AND JUMPING. WE SERVED 211 CLIENTS TOTALING 6,598 SERVICE HOURS, 50% OF WHOM WERE CHILDREN IN OUR EQUESTRIAN VAULTING PROGRAM, CLIENTS OF ALL ABILITIES LEARN HOW TO COMBINE GYMNASTICS AND DANCE IN PARTNERSHIP WHILE ATOP A MOVING HORSE. WE ACCENTUATE PARTNERSHIP WITH THE HORSE, TEAMMATES, LONGUEUR, AND COACH. WE SERVED 63 CLIENTS TOTALING 2,452 SERVICE HOURS, 85% OF WHOM WERE CHILDREN. WEEKLY SESSIONS ARE HELD YEAR ROUND, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF 1 OR 2 WEEKS OF BREAK AT THE END OF EACH QUARTERLY SESSION.
- CLINICAL SERVICES (REHABILITATIVE SERVICES AND EQUINE FACILITATED PSYCHOTHERAPY) OUR REHABILITATIVE SERVICES (HIPPOTHERAPY) PROGRAM IS THERAPY FOR PEOPLE WITH PHYSICAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL CHALLENGES. OUR LICENSED AND HIGHLY TRAINED THERAPISTS PROVIDE PHYSICAL THERAPY, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY, AND SPEECH AND LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY. EACH CLINICIAN USES THE UNIQUELY THERAPEUTIC AND CHALLENGING MOVEMENT OF THE HORSE TO ADD TO THE OTHER BENEFITS AND MODALITIES OF THEIR FIELD OF EXPERTISE. WE SERVED 15-20 CLIENTS EACH WEEK, FOR A TOTAL OF 26 LIVES TOUCHED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR TOTALING 456 SERVICE HOURS. WE ALSO PARTNERED WITH PROVIDENCE TO PROVIDE OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY TO 11 INDIVIDUALS. OUR EQUINE ASSISTED PSYCHOTHERAPY (EAP) IS THERAPY FOR PERSONAL GROWTH AND TREATMENT FOR THOSE WITH MENTAL HEALTH DIAGNOSES. SESSIONS ARE AVAILABLE FOR ADULTS, ADOLESCENTS, AND CHILDREN, WHICH CAN TAKE PLACE IN AN INDIVIDUAL, FAMILY, OR GROUP THERAPY SETTING. WE SERVED 5-10 CLIENTS EACH WEEK, FOR A TOTAL OF 23 LIVES TOUCHED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR TOTALING 378 SERVICE HOURS. A SUB PROGRAM OF OUR EAP PROGRAM IS OUR MENTORING PROGRAM. YOUTH BETWEEN THE AGES OF 6 AND 18 WHO ARE IN THE FOSTER SYSTEM ARE PAIRED WITH TRAINED MENTORS AND HORSES THAT THEY MEET WITH WEEKLY. STARTING IN THE 2023 SCHOOL YEAR, WE ARE PROVIDING SERVICES TO 4 MENTEES PER WEEK. WE ALSO PARTNERED WITH LEGACY HEALTH CANCER INSTITUTE TO PROVIDE AN 8 WEEK MENTAL HEALTH GROUP TO CANCER SURVIVORS. WE SERVED 5 PARTICIPANTS THROUGH THIS PARTNERSHIP. WEEKLY SESSIONS ARE HELD YEAR ROUND, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF 1 OR 2 WEEKS OF BREAK AT THE END OF EACH QUARTERLY SESSION. CLINICAL SERVICES (REHABILITATIVE SERVICES AND EQUINE FACILITATED PSYCHOTHERAPY) OUR REHABILITATIVE SERVICES (HIPPOTHERAPY) PROGRAM IS THERAPY FOR PEOPLE WITH PHYSICAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL CHALLENGES. OUR LICENSED AND HIGHLY TRAINED THERAPISTS PROVIDE PHYSICAL THERAPY, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY, AND SPEECH AND LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY. EACH CLINICIAN USES THE UNIQUELY THERAPEUTIC AND CHALLENGING MOVEMENT OF THE HORSE TO ADD TO THE OTHER BENEFITS AND MODALITIES OF THEIR FIELD OF EXPERTISE. WE SERVED 15-20 CLIENTS EACH WEEK, FOR A TOTAL OF 26 LIVES TOUCHED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR TOTALING 456 SERVICE HOURS. WE ALSO PARTNERED WITH PROVIDENCE TO PROVIDE OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY TO 11 INDIVIDUALS. OUR EQUINE ASSISTED PSYCHOTHERAPY (EAP) IS THERAPY FOR PERSONAL GROWTH AND TREATMENT FOR THOSE WITH MENTAL HEALTH DIAGNOSES. SESSIONS ARE AVAILABLE FOR ADULTS, ADOLESCENTS, AND CHILDREN, WHICH CAN TAKE PLACE IN AN INDIVIDUAL, FAMILY, OR GROUP THERAPY SETTING. WE SERVED 5-10 CLIENTS EACH WEEK, FOR A TOTAL OF 23 LIVES TOUCHED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR TOTALING 378 SERVICE HOURS. A SUB PROGRAM OF OUR EAP PROGRAM IS OUR MENTORING PROGRAM. YOUTH BETWEEN THE AGES OF 6 AND 18 WHO ARE IN THE FOSTER SYSTEM ARE PAIRED WITH TRAINED MENTORS AND HORSES THAT THEY MEET WITH WEEKLY. STARTING IN THE 2023 SCHOOL YEAR, WE ARE PROVIDING SERVICES TO 4 MENTEES PER WEEK. WE ALSO PARTNERED WITH LEGACY HEALTH CANCER INSTITUTE TO PROVIDE AN 8 WEEK MENTAL HEALTH GROUP TO CANCER SURVIVORS. WE SERVED 5 PARTICIPANTS THROUGH THIS PARTNERSHIP. WEEKLY SESSIONS ARE HELD YEAR ROUND, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF 1 OR 2 WEEKS OF BREAK AT THE END OF EACH QUARTERLY SESSION.
- PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT (VOLUNTEER, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, EQUINE ASSISTED LEARNING) OUR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR EVERYONE OVER THE AGE OF 12 TO GIVE BACK TO OUR ORGANIZATION AND LEARN NEW SKILLS. WE HAD 135 VOLUNTEERS PER WEEK AND ABOUT 237 TOTAL INDIVIDUALS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. THESE VOLUNTEERS HELP WITH OUR CLINICAL SERVICES, INCLUSIVE EQUESTRIAN SPORTS AND ASSIST WITH CARING FOR OUR HERD OF THERAPY HORSES AND PONIES TOTALING 15,613 SERVICE HOURS. OUR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM CONTINUED TO PROVIDE MENTORING TO 2 PATH INTL. CERTIFIED THERAPEUTIC RIDING INSTRUCTORS. EQUINE ASSISTED LEARNING (EAL) IS AN EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING APPROACH THAT PROMOTES THE DEVELOPMENT OF LIFE SKILLS FOR EDUCATIONAL, PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL GOALS THROUGH EQUINE-ASSISTED ACTIVITIES. SOME OF THE LEARNING INCLUDED COMMUNICATION, BODY LANGUAGE, GROUP DYNAMICS AND PROBLEM SOLVING. WE PARTNERED WITH VICTORY ACADEMY AND SERVED 9 YOUTH THROUGH THIS PARTNERSHIP. WE ALSO PARTNERED WITH NARA (NATIVE AMERICAN REHABILITATION ASSOCIATION). YOUTH FROM THEIR RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT PROGRAM CAME ONCE A WEEK THROUGH THE YEAR AND WE SERVED 86 YOUTH TOTAL. ONE FINAL PARTNERSHIP WE HAD WAS WITH THE JANUS YOUTH PROGRAM AND MACLAREN YOUTH CORRECTIONAL FACILITY. WE SPENT 7 WEEKS TAKING TWO HORSES TO MACLAREN YOUTH CORRECTIONAL FACILITY PROVIDING GROUNDWORK AND HORSEMANSHIP SKILLS TO 8 YOUTH. IN THE FALL OF 2023 WE LAUNCHED A NEW SUBSET OF THE EAL PROGRAM, OUR EQUINE ASSISTED COACHING PROGRAM. THIS PROGRAM IS FACILITATED BY A CERTIFIED LIFE COACH AND A PATH INTL. EQUINE SPECIALIST IN MENTAL HEALTH AND LEARNING. WE OFFERED 8 WORKSHOPS WITH THEMES AROUND SETTING INTENTIONS, MINDFULNESS, CONFIDENCE BUILDING AND LEADERSHIP AND SERVED OVER 30 INDIVIDUALS. THIS PROGRAM'S REVENUE AND EXPENSES ARE COLLECTED UNDER THE UMBRELLA OF EAL. TO SUPORT THE CONTINUED HEALTH AND LONGEVITY OF OUR HERD AND FACILITY, WE MADE UPDATES AND IMPROVEMENTS TO SEVERAL HORSE PASTURES AND ARENA SPACES: (1) EACH TURNOUT PASTURE HAS TWO SHELTERS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE INTO TUNNELS, WITH THE SUPPORT POSTS CEMENTED INTO THE GROUND. THIS PROVIDED MORE STRUCTURAL STABILITY FOR THE SHELTERS AND GAVE EACH HORSE IN THESES PASTURES A SEPARTATE AREA TO STAY DRY IN WET WEATHER. (2) EXPANDED BARN GS PASTURE SPACE BY CONNETING IT TO G1 AND ADDING THE G2 PASS-THROUGH, WHICH ALSO HAS ITS OWN SHELTER. THIS ALLOWED FOR MORE SPACE FOR THE HERD IN THIS PASTURE TO ROAM AND TO SPREAD OUT FOR MEAL TIMES, AND THE ADDITION OF SAND AND PEA GRAVEL AREAS REDUCED THE AMOUNT OF MUD FORMED IN THIS PASTURE. (3) REMOVED OLD HOGS FUEL FROM PADDOCKS AT BARNS I, H, AND G TO DECREASE THE OVERALL AMOUNT OF MUD IN THESE PADDOCKS. (4) JULY 2024 SAW THE CREATION OF THE NOBLE SHELTER AT THE ARENA SPACE NEAR PASTURE D. THIS PROVICED A DRY, COVERED, CONFIDENTIAL SPACE FOR MENTAL HEALTH SESSIONS. WE ARE PLEASED TO ANNOUCE THE NAMING OF THIS ARENA SPACE: THE PDXLAN ARENA (5) REMOVED THE A & B GARRISON ARENA FROM THE HAY BARN, MAKING ROOM FOR MORE HAY AND ALLOWING US TO UTLITZE THE PULL-THROUGH SPACE IN THE STORAGE BARN MORE EFFICIENTLY. THE PANELS FROM THE GARRISON ARENA WERE MOVED TO SECTION OFF AREAS OF THE FACILITY MARKED FOR AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY, MAKING THE AREA SAFER FOR HUMANS AND HORSES.THESE FACILITY IMPROVEMENTS ARE KEEPING OUR HORSES AND HUMANS HAPPY AND SAFE, WHICH ENSURES WE CAN OFFER OUR SERVICES AT THE HIGHEST QUALITY POSSIBLE. PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT (VOLUNTEER, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, EQUINE ASSISTED LEARNING) OUR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR EVERYONE OVER THE AGE OF 12 TO GIVE BACK TO OUR ORGANIZATION AND LEARN NEW SKILLS. WE HAD 135 VOLUNTEERS PER WEEK AND ABOUT 237 TOTAL INDIVIDUALS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. THESE VOLUNTEERS HELP WITH OUR CLINICAL SERVICES, INCLUSIVE EQUESTRIAN SPORTS AND ASSIST WITH CARING FOR OUR HERD OF THERAPY HORSES AND PONIES TOTALING 15,613 SERVICE HOURS. OUR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM CONTINUED TO PROVIDE MENTORING TO 2 PATH INTL. CERTIFIED THERAPEUTIC RIDING INSTRUCTORS. EQUINE ASSISTED LEARNING (EAL) IS AN EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING APPROACH THAT PROMOTES THE DEVELOPMENT OF LIFE SKILLS FOR EDUCATIONAL, PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL GOALS THROUGH EQUINE-ASSISTED ACTIVITIES. SOME OF THE LEARNING INCLUDED COMMUNICATION, BODY LANGUAGE, GROUP DYNAMICS AND PROBLEM SOLVING. WE PARTNERED WITH VICTORY ACADEMY AND SERVED 9 YOUTH THROUGH THIS PARTNERSHIP. WE ALSO PARTNERED WITH NARA (NATIVE AMERICAN REHABILITATION ASSOCIATION). YOUTH FROM THEIR RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT PROGRAM CAME ONCE A WEEK THROUGH THE YEAR AND WE SERVED 86 YOUTH TOTAL. ONE FINAL PARTNERSHIP WE HAD WAS WITH THE JANUS YOUTH PROGRAM AND MACLAREN YOUTH CORRECTIONAL FACILITY. WE SPENT 7 WEEKS TAKING TWO HORSES TO MACLAREN YOUTH CORRECTIONAL FACILITY PROVIDING GROUNDWORK AND HORSEMANSHIP SKILLS TO 8 YOUTH. IN THE FALL OF 2023 WE LAUNCHED A NEW SUBSET OF THE EAL PROGRAM, OUR EQUINE ASSISTED COACHING PROGRAM. THIS PROGRAM IS FACILITATED BY A CERTIFIED LIFE COACH AND A PATH INTL. EQUINE SPECIALIST IN MENTAL HEALTH AND LEARNING. WE OFFERED 8 WORKSHOPS WITH THEMES AROUND SETTING INTENTIONS, MINDFULNESS, CONFIDENCE BUILDING AND LEADERSHIP AND SERVED OVER 30 INDIVIDUALS. THIS PROGRAM'S REVENUE AND EXPENSES ARE COLLECTED UNDER THE UMBRELLA OF EAL. TO SUPORT THE CONTINUED HEALTH AND LONGEVITY OF OUR HERD AND FACILITY, WE MADE UPDATES AND IMPROVEMENTS TO SEVERAL HORSE PASTURES AND ARENA SPACES: (1) EACH TURNOUT PASTURE HAS TWO SHELTERS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE INTO TUNNELS, WITH THE SUPPORT POSTS CEMENTED INTO THE GROUND. THIS PROVIDED MORE STRUCTURAL STABILITY FOR THE SHELTERS AND GAVE EACH HORSE IN THESES PASTURES A SEPARTATE AREA TO STAY DRY IN WET WEATHER. (2) EXPANDED BARN GS PASTURE SPACE BY CONNETING IT TO G1 AND ADDING THE G2 PASS-THROUGH, WHICH ALSO HAS ITS OWN SHELTER. THIS ALLOWED FOR MORE SPACE FOR THE HERD IN THIS PASTURE TO ROAM AND TO SPREAD OUT FOR MEAL TIMES, AND THE ADDITION OF SAND AND PEA GRAVEL AREAS REDUCED THE AMOUNT OF MUD FORMED IN THIS PASTURE. (3) REMOVED OLD HOGS FUE
- $1.1 million spent. NEW BUILD/FACILITY WE ERECTED A NEW SHELTER TO PROTECT OUR CLIENTS WORKING IN OUR SMALLER OUTDOOR ARENA. THIS SPACE NOW OFFERS AN AREA PROTECTED FROM THE WEATHER AND AFFORDS EXCELLENT PRIVACY. WE IMPROVED EXISTING PADDOCK SPACES TO INCLUDE SHELTERS THAT ARE USABLE THE WHOLE YEAR. THIS MEANS THAT OUR HORSES NO LONGER NEED TO COME INTO OUR INTERIOR STALLS UNLESS THEY ARE RECOVERING FROM INJURY OR ILLNESS. MAKING THESE IMPROVEMENTS SAVES US COSTS ON BEDDING AND ENSURES HORSES ARE ABLE TO LIVE IN MORE ENRICHING SPACES WITH SOCIAL INTERACTIONS WHEN NOT WORKING. WE ALSO REPLACED THE LARGE STALL GATES IN ALL OF THE BARNS BECAUSE THE PREVIOUS GATES WERE NO LONGER SAFE AFTER WELDS BROKE.
- NEW BUILD/FACILITY WE ERECTED A NEW SHELTER TO PROTECT OUR CLIENTS WORKING IN OUR SMALLER OUTDOOR ARENA. THIS SPACE NOW OFFERS AN AREA PROTECTED FROM THE WEATHER AND AFFORDS EXCELLENT PRIVACY. WE IMPROVED EXISTING PADDOCK SPACES TO INCLUDE SHELTERS THAT ARE USABLE THE WHOLE YEAR. THIS MEANS THAT OUR HORSES NO LONGER NEED TO COME INTO OUR INTERIOR STALLS UNLESS THEY ARE RECOVERING FROM INJURY OR ILLNESS. MAKING THESE IMPROVEMENTS SAVES US COSTS ON BEDDING AND ENSURES HORSES ARE ABLE TO LIVE IN MORE ENRICHING SPACES WITH SOCIAL INTERACTIONS WHEN NOT WORKING. WE ALSO REPLACED THE LARGE STALL GATES IN ALL OF THE BARNS BECAUSE THE PREVIOUS GATES WERE NO LONGER SAFE AFTER WELDS BROKE.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since February 2004.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 2026.
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