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Misty Meadows Equine Learning Center

EIN 81-0774854 · Vineyard Hvn, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood80 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROVIDE A NURTURING ENVIRONMENT WHERE HORSES AND HUMANS WORK TOGETHER TO TRANSFORM LIVES.

Income
$882,820
Spending
$825,168
Spent on programs
70%
Reserves
3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 76%
Employees
21
Volunteers
150
Highest pay
$101,018, executive director

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

Good: 80 out of 100. Higher than 53% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 9% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    70% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 15 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

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 91% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 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. $578,618 spent. MISTY MEADOWS EQUINE LEARNING CENTER ASPIRES TO BE A LEADING RESOURCE IN THE ISLAND COMMUNITY AND BEYOND, THAT CONNECTS INDIVIDUALS OF ALL AGES AND ABILITIES TO HORSES AND THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT THROUGH UNIQUE, INNOVATIVE AND INCLUSIVE PROGRAMMING THAT IS AFFORDABLE FOR ALL. WE ARE DEDICATED TO PROVIDING PROGRAMS THAT STIMULATE AN INTEREST IN HORSES AND EMPOWER INDIVIDUALS THROUGH CONNECTION WITH THEM, HELPING STUDENTS BETTER UNDERSTAND THEIR OWN EMOTIONAL AND PHYSICAL NEEDS AND HOW HORSES CAN ENHANCE AND IMPROVE THEIR HEALTH AND WELLNESS. PROGRAMS ARE AVAILABLE YEAR-ROUND AND OPEN TO BOTH YOUTH AND ADULTS.SEE SCHEDULE O FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION2024 ACCOMPLISHMENTS:CONNECTED WITH 5,877 PEOPLE THROUGH BOTH OUR OUTREACH EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES AND OUR DIRECT SERVICE PROGRAMS WITH THE SUPPORT OF 165 ACTIVE VOLUNTEERS GIVING AN ESTIMATED 5,850 HOURS.COLLABORATED WITH 45 OTHER ISLAND ORGANIZATIONS - 8 MORE THAN LAST YEAR!A NEW STRATEGIC PLAN (LINK - ON WEBSITE) WAS LAUNCHED TO GUIDE OUR PROGRESS THROUGH 2027.OUR STAFF INCREASED THEIR EDUCATION AND TRAINING THROUGH AN ACTIVE JUNIOR STAFF PROGRAM AND NEW CERTIFICATIONS. CONGRATULATIONS TO SOFIA PAVLOVIC FOR EARNING PATH INTERNATIONAL CERTIFIED THERAPEUTIC RIDING INSTRUCTOR CERTIFICATION, ALLY REED FOR EARNING HERD INSTITUTE CERTIFICATION AND CYNTHIA BERMAN FOR BECOMING AN EAGALA CERTIFIED MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL.ACHIEVED GUARDIAN STATUS FROM THE EQUUS FOUNDATION, WHICH IS AWARDED TO ORGANIZATIONS THAT "DEMONSTRATE A COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC TRANSPARENCY BY THEIR WILLINGNESS TO MAKE COMPREHENSIVE DATA ABOUT THEIR PROGRAMS, HORSE CARE PRACTICES, AND GOVERNANCE AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC SCRUTINY." FOR THE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW. MISTY MEADOWS IS NOW ONE OF JUST 17 ORGANIZATIONS IN NEW ENGLAND TO EARN THIS DISTINCTION.2024 BY THE NUMBERS:3,000 INDIVIDUAL LESSONS137 ONE-TIME EXPERIENCES930 GROUP CLASSES550 ENROLLED STUDENTS1,238 SERVED VIA DIRECT SERVICE PROGRAMS4,639 SERVED VIA COMMUNITY EDUCATION AND OUTREACH ACTIVITIES165 ACTIVE VOLUNTEERS GIVING AN ESTIMATED TOTAL OF 5,850 HOURS75 HOURS OF INSTRUCTOR MENTORSHIP TOWARDS MA INSTRUCTOR LICENSE AND PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION OF THERAPEUTIC HORSEMANSHIP INTERNATIONAL INSTRUCTOR CERTIFICATION.AGES OF THOSE IMPACTED:1 - 12 = 52%13 - 21 = 15%22 - 99 = 33%

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 August 2016.

    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.