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Sunrise Horse Rescue

EIN 42-1746834 · Saint Helena, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceFair59 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO RESCUE AND PROVIDE SANCTUARY FOR ABUSED AND NEGLECTED HORSES IN NAPA AND SURROUNDING COUNTIES, EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT CURRENT ISSUES AFFECTING HORSE WELFARE, AND PROVIDE COMMUNITY MEMBERS WITH THE UNIQUE BENEFIT OF EQUINE ASSISTED LEARNING AND THERAPY.

Income
$947,359
Spending
$572,237
Spent on programs
69%
Reserves
9.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
10
Volunteers
45

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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 71% of charities in its peer group (animals, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 9.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 40% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 113% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    69% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 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

Fair: 59 out of 100. Higher than 42% of charities in its peer group (animals, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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.

  • 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, 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 (4)
  1. $347,328 spent. SUNRISE HERD CARE
  2. $36,898 spent. HORSE-IN-NEED (HIN)PROGRAM: WHEN DISASTER STRIKESWHETHER FINANCIAL HARDSHIP, HEALTH CRISES, OR WILDFIRESHORSES SUFFER TOO.IN 2024,SUNRISE RECEIVED169CALLS FROM OWNERS AND NEIGHBORS SEEKING EMERGENCY HELP FOR AT-RISK HORSES.OUR HORSE IN NEED (HIN) PROGRAMHASBEENA LIFELINE FOR THESE HORSES. FOR EVERY CALL WE PROVIDE EDUCATION AND SUPPORT ON SAFE REHOMING. IN ADDITION, IF INDICATED WE PROVIDE FEED, VETERINARY SERVICES, TRANSPORTATION, MEDICATION,AND SOMETIMES SANCTUARY. IF NOT FOR THIS INTERVENTION THESE HORSES WOULD LANGUISH OR GO TO SLAUGHTER.
  3. $7,680 spent. EQUINE ASSISTED LEARNING (EAL):IS AN EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING APPROACH THAT UTILIZES INTERACTIONS WITH HORSES TO PROMOTE PERSONAL GROWTH, DEVELOP LIFE SKILLS, AND ENHANCE EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING.IN 2024, SUNRISE HORSE RESCUE FACILITATED 17 EAL PROGRAM EVENTS WITH VARIOUS COMMUNITIES: CONNECTED HORSE (EQUINE-ASSISTED WORKSHOPS AND TRAINING THAT INSPIRE CONNECTION AND ENGAGEMENT AND IMPROVE THE LIVES OF THOSE IMPACTED BY DEMENTIA TOGETHER WITH THEIR CARE PARTNERS),THEBOYS & GIRLS CLUB,CRESTWOOD BEHAVIORALHEALTHCENTER,UPVALLEYFAMILYCENTER,AND LOCALSENIORGROUPS. THESE EVENTSPROVIDEDCOMMUNITY MEMBERS WITH THE UNIQUE BENEFIT OF EQUINE ASSISTED LEARNING AND THERAPY.
  4. $1,856 spent. VOLUNTEER PROGRAM:CHILDREN AND ADULTS IN THE COMMUNITY GAIN LIFE-ENHANCING SKILLS BY ASSISTING IN THE REHABILITATION OFTHEHORSESAT SUNRISE HORSE RESCUEANDPROVIDING THEM WITH THE LOVING ATTENTION THEY SO DESERVE. VOLUNTEERS CONTRIBUTE GREATLY TO THE CARE AND WELL-BEING OFOURHORSES AND ALSO PROVIDE VALUABLE HELP WITH PROJECTS LIKE EVENT PLANNING, FUNDRAISING, AND PUBLICITY.IN 2024, SUNRISE MAINTAINED AN AVERAGE OF 40 VOLUNTEERS.

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 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.