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American Quarter Horse Foundation

EIN 51-0187823 · Amarillo, TX

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE FOUNDATION CONNECTS HORSES AND PEOPLE THROUGH CHARITABLE GIVING TO SUPPORT PROGRAMS THAT PRESERVE OUR HORSES LEGACY AND FURTHER THE WELL-BEING OF THE AMERICAN QUARTER HORSE FAMILY.

Income
$7.7 million
Spending
$2.8 million
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
103.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 58%
Employees
18
Volunteers
213
Highest pay
$687,871, executive vice president

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 103.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 63% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 35% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 73% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a 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

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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 September 30, 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)
  1. $1.1 million spent. HALL OF FAME AND MUSEUM - THE MUSEUM MISSION IS TO STEWARD AND PRESERVE THE HISTORY AND LEGACY OF THE AMERICAN QUARTER HORSE AND EDUCATE OUR DIVERSE AUDIENCE. THE HALL OF FAME HONORS THOSE HUMANS AND HORSES THAT HAVE MADE A TRANSFORMATIONAL IMPACT UPON AQHA AND THE AMERICAN QUARTER HORSE INDUSTRY. BOTH HORSE AND HUMAN INDUCTEES SHOULD HAVE MADE A HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT INFLUENCE UPON THEIR RESPECTIVE FIELDS OR DISCIPLINES, AND THE HORSE SHOULD HAVE SHOWN GREAT ACCOMPLISHMENT IN THOSE AREAS. THE LIVES OF HUMAN INDUCTEES SHOULD REFLECT THEIR ENDURING INFLUENCE UPON THEIR FIELD OR DISCIPLINE, AND SHOULD SHOW THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF CHARACTER AND INTEGRITY.
  2. $680,037 spent. GRANTS AND EDUCATION TO ADVANCE RELEVANT BASIC AND APPLIED RESEARCH THAT ENHANCES THE WELL-BEING OF THE AMERICAN QUARTER HORSE. BY FOSTERING INNOVATIVE EQUINE RESEARCH AND EDUCATION, WE LEVERAGE OUR RESOURCES WITH EXCEPTIONAL SCIENTISTS TO ADDRESS FUNDAMENTAL ISSUES FACING BOTH THE AQHA MEMBERSHIP AND THE BROADER HORSE INDUSTRY.
  3. $441,393 spent. SCHOLARSHIPS TO EMPOWER AQHA MEMBERS WITH ENHANCED EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES THAT STRENGTHEN LEADERSHIP WITHIN THE AMERICAN QUARTER HORSE INDUSTRY. THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENT OF ADVANCED EDUCATION AND TRAINING BOTH NATIONALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY, WE ENSURE THE RESOURCES NEEDED TO STEER THE AMERICAN QUARTER HORSE INDUSTRY TOWARD A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE. 150 SCHOLARSHIPS WERE PAID IN THE YEAR ENDING 9/30/25.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 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 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 September 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 July 1976.

    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.