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Dove Creek Equine Rescue & Sanctuary

EIN 45-4668951 · Canyon, TX

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood78 out of 100GovernanceFair65 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 2% of its spending went to programs.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

OUR MISSION IS TO RESTORE THE DIGNITY, PURPOSE, AND WHOLENESS OF UNWANTED HORSES WHO NEED A SECOND CHANCE IN LIFE AND HUMANS WHO NEED HEALING AND DIRECTION BY PROVIDING COMPASSIONATE CARE, CONNECTION AND EDUCATION.

Income
$1.2 million
Spending
$509,521
Spent on programs
2%
Reserves
10.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 83%
Employees
7
Volunteers
158

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

Good: 78 out of 100. Higher than 42% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 10.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 56% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 126% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    2% 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

Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 24% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 9 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 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 (3)
  1. THE RESCUE AND CARE OF HORSES IN NEED: OVER 245 HORSES HAVE BEEN RESCUED SINCE 2012. WE HAVE REHABILITATED AND RE-HOMED APPROXIMATELY 80% OF THE HORSES THAT WE HAVE RESCUED. AN AVERAGE OF 30 HORSES ARE AT THE ORGANIZATION DAILY. THEY ENJOY 500 ACRES OF PASTURE WHERE THEY ROAM IN A HERD, SETTING THE STAGE FOR THE CONTINUED HEALING OF THEIR MINDS AND BODIES.THE RESCUE ACHIEVED GLOBAL FEDERATION OF ANIMAL SANCTUARIES ACCREDITATION (GFAS) IN 2023 AND IS ONE OF ONLY 4 IN THE ENTIRE STATE OF TEXAS, ONE OF APPROX 50 IN THE TOTAL US, AND ONE OF ONLY 200 WORLDWIDE.
  2. LED BY HORSES EQUINE-ASSISTED LEARNING (EAL) AND COACHING: THIS PROGRAM WAS INCORPORATED INTO THE RESCUE IN 2017 TO INCLUDE HUMANS IN THE HEALING WORK OF THE NONPROFIT. THE PROGRAM INCORPORATES SANCTUARY HORSES INTO INDIVIDUAL COACHING SESSIONS AND GROUP WORKSHOPS. NATIONALLY-CERTIFIED EAL FACILITATORS HELP CLIENTS ADDRESS DEPRESSION, ANXIETY, LIFE TRANSITIONS, GRIEF, LOSS, AND TRAUMA RECOVERY. SESSIONS ON TEAM BUILDING, LEADERSHIP, AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION ARE ALSO OFFERED. THIS SERVICE HAS GROWN SIGNIFICANTLY OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS WITH THE ACCREDITATION OF AN ADDITIONAL 9 EAL COACHES.
  3. $12,289 spent. OTHER

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 September 2012.

    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.