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Hope Meadows Foundation

EIN 35-2327253 · Independence, OH

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak39 out of 100GovernanceGood83 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Hope Meadows is dedicated to transforming lives through equine assisted mental health services and life skills programs; body, mind and spirit.

Income
$720,243
Spending
$779,378
Spent on programs
70%
Reserves
-5.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 73%
Employees
13
Volunteers
75
Highest pay
$53,300, 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

Weak: 39 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 44% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    70% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 30 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

Good: 83 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 11 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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, 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 (2)
  1. $300,834 spent. YOUTH PROGRAMS Hope Meadows is committed to fostering emotional growth, resilience, and healing in youth through equine-assisted psychotherapy, wellness programming, and nature-based experiences. Our youth programming integrates licensed mental health support with the therapeutic connection between horses and humans. We serve children and adolescents navigating trauma, grief, anxiety, depression, behavioral challenges, family instability, and life transitions. Key program offerings include: 1. Mind Times with Horses Social-emotional learning groups utilizing structured equine-assisted activities to build confidence, communication skills, emotional regulation, mindfulness, and healthy peer relationships. 2. Individual Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy Licensed clinicians provide trauma-informed one-on-one counseling supported by equine-assisted interventions for youth experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, behavioral concerns, grief, and other mental health challenges. 3. Grief & Loss Groups Equine-assisted counseling groups provide youth with a safe environment to process bereavement, family loss, and traumatic experiences while learning healthy coping skills. 4. Addiction Prevention and Recovery Support Counseling and wellness services for youth impacted by substance use, family addiction, or early recovery, emphasizing resilience, emotional regulation, and support systems. 5. Human Trafficking & Exploitation Recovery Support Trauma-informed equine-assisted services designed to help youth rebuild trust, increase emotional safety, and support healing from exploitation and abuse. 6. Juvenile & Specialized Court Partnerships Collaborative programming with juvenile justice and diversion systems providing therapeutic alternatives and behavioral health support through equine-assisted counseling. 7. Summer Wellness & Therapeutic Camps Seasonal wellness programs focused on emotional wellness, confidence building, mindfulness, teamwork, and healthy social interaction through equine and nature-based experiences. 8. School & Community Partnerships Collaborative mental health and wellness programming with schools, community organizations, shelters, and youth-serving agencies to increase access to therapeutic support.
  2. $247,370 spent. ADULT PROGRAMS Hope Meadows provides trauma-informed equine-assisted psychotherapy, wellness programming, and nature-based mental health services for adults navigating complex emotional, relational, and life challenges. Services are designed to support holistic healing, emotional regulation, resilience, and personal growth. Programming includes: 1. Individual Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy Licensed clinicians provide individualized counseling supported by equine-assisted interventions for adults experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, PTSD, grief, addiction recovery, and life stressors. 2. Grief & Loss Support Groups Group counseling experiences utilizing equine-assisted activities to support individuals processing bereavement, traumatic loss, and major life transitions. 3. Addiction Recovery & Wellness Groups Equine-assisted therapy and wellness groups supporting adults in all stages of substance use recovery with a focus on identity rebuilding, emotional regulation, coping skills, and connection. 4. Human Trafficking Survivor Support Specialized trauma-informed counseling and wellness programming designed to support survivors in rebuilding safety, empowerment, emotional wellness, and community connection. 5. Court Diversion & Reentry Partnerships Therapeutic services supporting adults involved in specialized dockets, diversion programs, and reentry initiatives through mental health and behavioral wellness interventions. 6. Wellness, Mindfulness & Self-Care Programs Group-based equine and nature-assisted wellness experiences promoting stress reduction, nervous system regulation, mindfulness, emotional awareness, and self-care practices. 7. Veterans & First Responders Programming Specialized wellness and trauma recovery services for veterans, law enforcement, firefighters, EMS personnel, healthcare workers, and first responders experiencing PTSD, burnout, compassion fatigue, or operational stress. 8. Community Mental Health & Wellness Outreach Educational workshops, wellness retreats, and collaborative community programming designed to increase access to mental health support and reduce barriers to care. 9. Corporate Team Building & Wellness Programs Customized equine-assisted wellness and team-building experiences for businesses and organizations focused on communication, leadership development, stress management, emotional intelligence, and workplace wellness. Programs promote collaboration, resilience, mindfulness, and healthy team dynamics through experiential learning with horses and nature-based activities.

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

  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 2025.

    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 February 2009.

    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.