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Chinook Horses

EIN 81-2295286 · Billings, MT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair50 out of 100GovernanceFair67 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 42% of its spending went to programs.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

We provide inclusive access for individuals and families to engage and learn outside traditional therapeutic and classroom environments, instill resiliency, and heal from trauma by practicing equine-facilitated activities and psychotherapy, regardless of their ability to pay.

Income
$243,182
Spending
$231,268
Spent on programs
42%
Reserves
1.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 90%
Employees
11
Volunteers
6
Highest pay
$74,492, executive dir.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 50 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (mental health, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.2 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 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 16% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    42% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 29 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 67 out of 100. Higher than 54% of charities in its peer group (mental health, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    4 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

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    0 of 5

    Reports that it does not keep 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

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • 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, 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. $96,026 spent. DESPITE A 28% DECREASE IN MEDICAID, PRIVATE INSURANCE, AND SELF-PAY REIMBURSEMENT, CHINOOK HORSES CONTINUED TO GROW; EXPANDING ACCESS, DEEPENING IMPACT, AND SHOWING UP FOR THOSE WHO NEED IT MOST. CHINOOK HORSES END THE YEAR WITH PROVIDING 816 SESSION HOURS, WITH A TOTAL OF 91 PARTICIPANTS, AND 68% OF OUR BUDGET WENT DIRECTLY TO PROVIDING SERVICES. 74% OF THE PARTICIPANTS WE SERVE ARE CATEGORIZED AS LOW INCOME, 25% OF THE PARTICIPANTS WE SERVE ARE NATIVE AMERICAN, AND 78% OF THE CLIENTS WE SERVE ARE YOUTH. OUR PARTNERSHIPS STRENGTHENED OUR REACH BY PROVIDING SERVICES TO THE STUDENTS OF JOURNEY ACADEMY AND PARTICIPANTS FROM FRIENDS OF EASTERN MONTANA, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN TRIBAL LEADERSHIP COUNCIL. WE ALSO COLLABORATED WITH THE BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF YELLOWSTONE COUNTY, BILLINGS PUBLIC SCHOOLS, AND THE BILLINGS CLINIC. EVERY EQUINE FACILITATED THERAPY SESSION HAS A LICENSED MENTAL HEALTH PRACTITIONER PRESENT. ALL FACILITATORS ARE TRAINED IN EAGALA AND/OR NATURAL LIFEMANSHIP AND/OR TRANSPERSONAL AND BODY-ORIENTED PSYCHOTHERAPY.

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