National Cutting Horse Association
Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.
What it says it does
THE NCHA PROMOTES AND CELEBRATES THE CUTTING HORSE, WHOSE ORIGIN ON WESTERN RANCHES ALLOWS US TO SUPPORT RANCHING AND ITS WESTERN HERITAGE. BY ESTABLISHING RULES FOR THE CONDUCT OF CUTTING HORSE SHOWS, NCHA STRIVES TO GIVE CUTTERS A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD AND A PROGRESSIVE CLASS STRUCTURE, WHICH ACCOMODATES EVERYONE FROM THE BEGINNER TO THE ADVANCED COMPETITOR. NCHA DRAWS ON THE DIVERSE TALENTS AND BACKGROUND OF ITS MEMBERS, AND ENCOURAGES THEIR PARTICIPATION IN HELPING IT ACHIEVE THESE GOALS.
- Income
- $35.0 million
- Spending
- $30.9 million
- Employees
- 29
- Volunteers
- 200
- Highest pay
- $496,721, executive dir.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Governance
This return does not answer enough of the governance questions to score.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. 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)
- Shows-Through exhibitions, NCHA Members can present their cutting horses for evaluation against horses of a similar skillset. NCHA Produces eight events and Approves more than one thousand events held by independent parties, each year. Approved events remit show results to the Association, where earnings data for horse and rider are retained for accolades. Judges-Exhibitors at events present their cutting horses for evaluation by NCHA certified Judges. Judges are granted certification through a testing and approval program. NCHA Produced and Approved events require certified judges for production and approval. Marketing-The promotion of exhibitors and the sport is managed by the Associations Marketing department. Athletes and the sport are promoted via social media and through the Associations monthly, printed magazine, The Cutting Horse Chatter. Operational Systems-Collection and calculation of Produced and Approved events data is managed through the Associations operational systems. The systems store earnings, awards and member data for each of the Associations major departments, including: Shows, Membership, Judges, Stallion Foal, and Youth. Stallion Foal-For the on-going concern and longevity of the sport, stallions and their offspring are promoted through the Stallion and Foal Program. Stallions are subscribed to the program for a corresponding breeding year, and the resulting offspring are nominated to the program. Funds resulting from the program are then utilized to incentivize members to breed, raise, and exhibit the offspring at NCHA Produced and Approved events.Youth-To promote future generations of cutters, the Association seeks to promote and develop youth members to compete, participate in leadership programs, and be eligible for a variety of financial and educational opportunities at NCHA Produced and Approved events.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. 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)(5) labor or agricultural 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 October 13, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Caution.
The IRS master file records contributions to this 501(c)(5) labor or agricultural organization as not deductible.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, 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 September 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 July 1951.
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 October 21, 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.