Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Hearts Therapeutic Equestrian Center

EIN 77-0460907 · Santa Barbara, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceFair53 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SINCE 1985, HEARTS THERAPEUTIC EQUESTRIAN CENTER HAS WORKED WITH INDIVIDUALS WITH PHYSICAL, INTELLECTUAL, AND EMOTIONAL DISABILITIES IN SANTA BARBARA BY UTILIZING HORSES TO INSPIRE, EMPOWER, AND STRENGTHEN PEOPLE OF ALL AGES.

Income
$1.2 million
Spending
$596,414
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
12.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 83%
Employees
11
Volunteers
93

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 12.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 8% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 49% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 112% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    81% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 53 out of 100. Higher than 9% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • 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

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 December 31, 2024, 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. $484,324 spent. A: THERAPEUTIC RIDING FOR ALL AGES: HEARTS SERVES ALL AGES (FROM 4 TO 90+ YEARS OF AGE) IN SANTA BARBARA WITH RIDING INSTRUCTION TO ALLEVIATE SYMPTOMS OF STRESS AND OTHER FACTORS DUE TO DISABILITIES, DISEASE, OR ILLNESS. DISABILITIES INCLLUDE CERBRAL PALSY, SEIZURES, AUTISM, DOWN SYNDROME, MS, ALZHEIMER'S, CANCER, BLINDNESS, ANXIETY, MOBILITY IMPAIRMENT, AND PHYSICAL ABUSE. EACH PARTICIPANT IS ASSESSED BY A PATH (PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION OF THERAPEUTIC HORSEMANSHIP) CERTIFIED INSTRUCTOR, AND AN UNIQUE CURRICULUM IS DESIGNED IN SUPPORT OF THE PARTICIPANT'S PHYSICAL AND LIFE GOALS. EVERY SEMESTER THE INSTRUCTOR PROVIDES A PROGRESS ASSESSMENT AND REVISTS THE GOALS OF THE PARTICIPANT. B: EQUINE FACILITATED PHSYCHOTHERAPY (EFP): PSYCHOTHERAPISTS AND SOCIAL WORKERS USE THE EQUINE TO WORK ONE-ON-ONE WITH CLIENTS AS AN ACTIVE PART OF THE CLIENTS' THERAPY ACTIVITIES. IN CONJUCTION WITH AN EQUINE SPECIALIST, THE CLIENT LEARNS ABOUT HORSES, THEIR COMMUNICATION, HERD BEHAVIOR, AND HOW BEHAVIOR IMPACTS OTHERS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 December 2024.

    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 1999.

    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.