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Passes our checks

Open Trail Inc

EIN 38-3875160 · Boerne, TX

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair65 out of 100GovernanceGood70 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROVIDE EQUINE ASSISTED ACTIVITIES AND THERAPIES TO CHILDREN AND ADULTS WITH PHYSICAL, COGNITIVE, AND EMOTIONAL CHALLENGES IN SAN ANTONIO, BOERNE, AND THE SURROUNDING AREAS. PROGRAMS INCLUDE THERAPEUTIC RIDING, HIPPOTHERAPY, EQUINE FACILITATED LEARNING, AND VAULTING.

Income
$633,370
Spending
$439,485
Spent on programs
74%
Reserves
0.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 80%
Employees
5
Volunteers
416
Highest pay
$33,107, executive director / presi

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: 65 out of 100. Higher than 36% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 15% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 31% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 28% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    74% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 47% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 9 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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 (1)
  1. $326,370 spent. OPEN TRAIL RANCH IS A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION PROVIDING ADAPTIVE RIDING PROGRAMS THAT HELP THOSE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS TO REACH THEIR HIGHEST POTENTIAL, GAIN SELF-CONFIDENCE, INDEPENDENCE AND SELF-ESTEEM THROUGH EQUINE ORIENTED ACTIVITIES IN A SAFE AND POSITIVE ENVIRONMENT. NOT ONLY DOES OTR CARRY A PRESENCE IN THE COMMUNITY FOR MANY EVENTS SUCH AS BUT NOT LIMITED TO: GRIEF CAMPS, RETIREMENT OR ASSISTED LIVING COMMUNITIES AND SCHOOLING EVENTS, THERE ARE APPROXIMATELY 65-70 PARTICIPANTS EACH WEEK, RESULTING IN UP TO 2,940 SESSIONS A YEAR, WITH EACH PARTICIPANT ENROLLED IN ONE OF THE FOLLOWING PROGRAMS:-ADAPTIVE RIDING: A PROGRAM FOCUSED ON TEACHING RIDING SKILLS TO PARTICIPANTS WITH VARIOUS PHYSICAL, COGNITIVE, AND/OR EMOTIONAL DISABILITIES.-EQUINE ASSISTED LEARNING: A RELATIONSHIP BUILDING PROGRAM THAT FOCUSES ON TEACHING RESPONSIBILITY, IMPROVING SELF-WORTH, DECISION MAKING, INDEPENDENCE AND HOW TO COMMUNICATE NEEDS AND WANTS.

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 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 November 6, 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 2024.

    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 June 2014.

    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 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.