Down the Stretch
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The core of Down The Stretch Ranch is to acquire retired thoroughbred race horses, giving them daily care and rehabilitation which unwinds them from their racing background. Then, in turn, utilize them to serve the community by providing similar therapeutic rehabilitation to veterans of war.
- Income
- $294,913
- Spending
- $286,648
- Spent on programs
- 89%
- Reserves
- 2.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 3
- Volunteers
- 6
- Highest pay
- $77,500, executive dir.
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
Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 41% of charities in its peer group (animals, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 2.9 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 3% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 43% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1589% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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
Weak: 46 out of 100. Higher than 21% of charities in its peer group (animals, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 256 of 7 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 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 (3)
- $127,916 spent. Down the Stretch Ranch celebrated an extraordinary year in 2025, continuing its mission to care for retired thoroughbred racehorses and enrich the lives of its community. The ranch successfully adopted out 4 horses while maintaining an average herd count of 29. The herd roamed and grazed freely across 140 acres of land owned by the McCanna family, supplemented by purchased feed during the colder months. These accomplishments reflect the ranch's unwavering dedication to equine welfare and community impact.
- $102,332 spent. The Ranch now has four full-time residents, three of which are disabled Veterans, and one a Veteran's 12 year-old daughter, who in enrolled and attends the local school. Two of the Veterans/residents completed an equine services certification from Arenas for Change "ARCH," furthering their ability to assist in hosting other Veterans and continue the mission of the Foundation.
- $25,583 spent. The ranch hosted approximately 55 Veteran visits during 2025, with roughly half staying overnight and/or weekends. These visits focused on equine therapy and engagement, as well as visits to nearby Lake Roosevelt, giving Veterans and their families time to enjoy the facilities and each other.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since January 2017.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.