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Heroes on Horseback

EIN 57-1099345 · Bluffton, SC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair60 out of 100GovernanceWeak47 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROVIDE SAFE, PROFESSIONAL AND THERAPEUTIC EQUINE-ASSISTED ACTIVITIES FOR INDIVIDUALS (WITHOUT REGARD TO RACE, CREED OR FINANCIAL NEED) IN THE SOUTH CAROLINA LOWCOUNTRY WITH PHYSICAL, MENTAL OR EMOTIONAL DISABILITIES. THE ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS HELP CHILDREN AND ADULTS OVERCOME BARRIERS THAT CHALLENGE THEIR EVERYDAY LIVES THROUGH DISABILITIES SUCH AS AUTISM, ADHD, DOWN'S SYNDROME, CEREBRAL PALSY, SPINA BIFIDA, MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY, MS AND OTHERS. PARTICIPANTS BENEFIT FROM THE PROGRAMS THROUGH INCREASED CONFIDENCE, IMPROVED CONCENTRATION, BETTER SELF-AWARENESS, SELF-DISCIPLINE, IMPROVED POSTURE, BALANCE, STRENGTH, FLEXIBLITY AND EYE/HAND COORDINATION.

Income
$243,952
Spending
$301,490
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
3.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 60%
Employees
5
Volunteers
250
Highest pay
$64,076, executive director

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

Financial health

Fair: 60 out of 100. Higher than 24% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes -2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 24% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 25% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    81% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 cents.

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

Governance

Weak: 47 out of 100. Higher than 29% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 6 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 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 (1)
  1. $245,632 spent. HEROES ON HORSEBACK PROVIDES EQUINE-ASSISTED FACILITATED LEARNING AND ACTIVITIES FOR SPECIAL NEEDS INDIVIDUALS RESIDING IN THE SOUTH CAROLINA LOWCOUNTRY. WE SERVE OVER 230 SPECIAL NEEDS INDIVIDUALS. ALL ELIGIBLE PARTICIPANTS ARE SERVED REGARDLESS OF FINANCIAL ABILITIES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 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 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 June 2025.

    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 January 2005.

    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.