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Foundation for the Horse

EIN 61-1259683 · Lexington, KY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceFair64 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

FOUNDED IN 1994, THE FOUNDATION FOR THE HORSE IS GOVERNED AND STEWARDED BY EQUINE VETERINARIANS. OUR MISSION TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH AND WELFARE OF HORSES IS SUPPORTED BY THE EXPERTISE OF MANY WORLD-RENOWNED CAREGIVERS AND RESEARCHERS, UNEQUALED IN THEIR ABILITY TO IDENTIFY THE NEEDS OF THE EQUINE AND THE MOST CRITICAL HEALTH CONCERNS FACING THE EQUINE POPULATION. THE FOUNDATION WAS CREATED AROUND THE IDEA OF UNITING EVERYONE WHO IS DEDICATED TO IMPROVING HORSE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING. TODAY, WE ARE A DYNAMIC ORGANIZATION FOCUSED ON DELIVERING RELEVANT RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND OUTREACH TO THE EQUINE INDUSTRY.

Income
$3.2 million
Spending
$2.7 million
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
26.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 83%
Employees
0
Volunteers
95
Highest pay
$386,164, 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 90% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 26.1 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 14% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 9% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    80% 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

Fair: 64 out of 100. Higher than 16% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 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

    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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    9 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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 (3)
  1. $1.7 million spent. CONTRIBUTIONS IN THE FURTHERANCE OF THE TREATMENT AND WELFARE OF THE HORSE - THE FOUNDATION WORKS HAND-IN-HAND WITH THE PRACTITIONERS TO CONFRONT THE NEEDS OF THE HORSE AND THE PROFESSION. THE FOUNDATION SERVES AS AN ADVOCATE FOR THE ASPIRING EQUINE VETERINARIAN, THE HORSE IN NEED AND THE RESEARCHER DETERMINED TO ADVANCE EQUINE MEDICINE.
  2. $339,250 spent. SCHOLARSHIPS. THE FOUNDATION FOR THE HORSE IS DEDICATED TO PRESERVING AND IMPROVING THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF EQUINES BY HONORING EXCEPTIONAL VETERINARY STUDENTS DEDICATED TO EQUINE PRACTICE. SCHOLARSHIPS ARE AWARDED BASED ON ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE, LEADERSHIP AND A COMMITMENT TO EQUINE VETERINARY MEDICINE.
  3. $212,568 spent. STUDENT PROGRAMS. THE FOUNDATION SUPPORTS STUDENT EDUCATION FOR FUTURE EQUINE VETERINARIANS THROUGH HIGH-QUALITY LABS, LECTURES, AND WORKSHOPS THAT ARE NOT CURRENTLY PROVIDED BY THE SCHOOLS.

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 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 June 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 1994.

    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.

  7. Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.

    A much larger organization has a similar name: The Foundation (Houston, TX), EIN 92-0742101. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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.