First Nature Foundation Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.
- It owes more than it owns.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
AT FIRST NATURE FOUNDATION, OUR MISSION IS TO HELP PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS GROW THEIR EMOTIONAL RESILIENCE, SELF-CONFIDENCE, AND SELF-AWARENESS, BY PARTNERING WITH NATURE AND OUR WISE HERD OF HORSES, WHO HELP FACILITATE THESE OUTCOMES. AT OUR BEAUTIFUL AND SERENE FACILITY IN SAINT CLOUD, WE OFFER PROGRAMS FOR A VARIETY OF AUDIENCES, INCLUDING VETERANS, CHILDREN, TEENS, AND OTHER AUDIENCES TO EVOKE MORE OF THEIR INNATE POTENTIAL FOR MORE SUCCESS IN SCHOOL, CAREER, RELATIONSHIPS, AND COMMUNITY. WE ALSO WORK WITH LEADERS AND TEAMS IN ORGANIZATIONS TO ENHANCE THEIR CAPACITIES FOR ENGAGEMENT, COLLABORATION, AND GENERATIVE OUTCOMES.
- Income
- $56,067
- Spending
- $145,416
- Spent on programs
- 82%
- Reserves
- -7.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 68%
- Employees
- 9
- Volunteers
- 25
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
Weak: 20 out of 100. Higher than 5% of charities in its peer group (human services, under $250k).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
0 of 20It owes 173% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 159% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 14% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1581% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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
Good: 88 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (human services, under $250k).
Independent board
25 of 255 of 5 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
No reported misuse
0 of 10Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, 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 (5)
- $33,022 spent. HORSE WISDOM FOR HEROES-A DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM FOR VETERANS IN 2022 WE BEGAN OFFERING OUR FIRST IN-PERSON PROGRAM, HORSE WISDOM FOR HEROES, A SIX-SESSION PROGRAM DESIGNED TO HELP VETERANS RECONNECT WITH THEMSELVES, OTHERS, AND THE NATURAL WORLD AS THEY TRANSITION TO CIVILIAN LIFE. MANY VETERANS FACE SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGES, WITH APPROXIMATELY 13-20% DIAGNOSED WITH PTSD AND 9.9% EXPERIENCING UNEMPLOYMENT-HIGHER THAN THE NATIONAL AVERAGE. OUR PROGRAM DIRECTLY ADDRESSES THESE ISSUES THROUGH MEANINGFUL INTERACTIONS WITH HORSES, ALLOWING PARTICIPANTS TO BUILD SELF- AWARENESS, RESILIENCE, AND EMOTIONAL REGULATION WHILE LEARNING ESSENTIAL RELATIONAL AND LEADERSHIP SKILLS. SINCE 2022 OUR LITTLE ORGANIZATION HAS ALREADY SERVED MORE THAN 175 PARTICIPANTS, AND VETERANS EXPERIENCE AN AVERAGE STRESS REDUCTION OF 40% AND A 50% AVERAGE REDUCTION IN PTSD SYMPTOMS THROUGH WORKING WITH HORSES. AS ONE PAST PARTICIPANT SHARED: "IT REALLY BOOSTED MY CONFIDENCE. I DON'T FEEL LIKE QUITTING ANYMORE. I'M MORE COMMITTED TO HOLDING MYSELF ACCOUNTABLE TO FINISH WHAT I START." HORSE WISDOM FOR HEROES-A DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM FOR VETERANS IN 2022 WE BEGAN OFFERING OUR FIRST IN-PERSON PROGRAM, HORSE WISDOM FOR HEROES, A SIX-SESSION PROGRAM DESIGNED TO HELP VETERANS RECONNECT WITH THEMSELVES, OTHERS, AND THE NATURAL WORLD AS THEY TRANSITION TO CIVILIAN LIFE. MANY VETERANS FACE SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGES, WITH APPROXIMATELY 13-20% DIAGNOSED WITH PTSD AND 9.9% EXPERIENCING UNEMPLOYMENT-HIGHER THAN THE NATIONAL AVERAGE. OUR PROGRAM DIRECTLY ADDRESSES THESE ISSUES THROUGH MEANINGFUL INTERACTIONS WITH HORSES, ALLOWING PARTICIPANTS TO BUILD SELF- AWARENESS, RESILIENCE, AND EMOTIONAL REGULATION WHILE LEARNING ESSENTIAL RELATIONAL AND LEADERSHIP SKILLS. SINCE 2022 OUR LITTLE ORGANIZATION HAS ALREADY SERVED MORE THAN 175 PARTICIPANTS, AND VETERANS EXPERIENCE AN AVERAGE STRESS REDUCTION OF 40% AND A 50% AVERAGE REDUCTION IN PTSD SYMPTOMS THROUGH WORKING WITH HORSES. AS ONE PAST PARTICIPANT SHARED: "IT REALLY BOOSTED MY CONFIDENCE. I DON'T FEEL LIKE QUITTING ANYMORE. I'M MORE COMMITTED TO HOLDING MYSELF ACCOUNTABLE TO FINISH WHAT I START."
- $39,890 spent. HORSE SENSE FOR TEENS - LIFE SKILLS PROGRAM IN 2023 WE ADDED OUR HORSE SENSE FOR TEENS PROGRAM, A TRANSFORMATIVE PROGRAM DESIGNED TO EQUIP TEENS WITH ESSENTIAL LIFE SKILLS TO HELP THEM NAVIGATE THE CHALLENGES OF THE FUTURE. THROUGH ENGAGING, HANDS-ON EXPERIENCES IN A FUN AND LEARNING ENVIRONMENT, PARTICIPANTS DEVELOP PRACTICAL SKILLS LIKE SELF-AWARENESS, SOCIAL AWARENESS, CONFIDENCE, COMPASSION, COMMUNICATION, AND ASSERTIVENESS ALL WHILE PARTNERING WITH HORSES AND NATURE. THIS UNIQUE ENVIRONMENT ALLOWS TEENS TO CONNECT WITH THEMSELVES, OTHERS, AND NATURE IN MEANINGFUL WAYS, HELPING THEM GROW INTO THE BEST VERSIONS OF THEMSELVES. TEENS GAIN A UNIQUE LEARNING EXPERIENCE THAT THEY CAN DRAW UPON WHEN FACING EVERYDAY LIFE CHOICES. HORSES SERVE AS POWERFUL EDUCATIONAL PARTNERS IN THIS PROCESS. THROUGH THESE EXPERIENCES, HORSE SENSE FOR TEENS ENSURES NOT ONLY THE DEVELOPMENT OF ESSENTIAL LIFE SKILLS BUT ALSO PERSONAL GROWTH THAT EXTENDS INTO THE TEENS' HOME, SCHOOL, AND SOCIAL ENVIRONMENTS, AND LIFE AS ADULTS. THE PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO BE ADAPTABLE, OFFERING EITHER SINGLE OR MULTI-SESSION FORMATS BASED ON THE NEEDS OF THE COHORT OF TEENS. TO DATE, IN JUST 1.5 YEARS, WE HAVE BROUGHT MORE THAN 100 TEENS THROUGH THIS PROGRAM. HERE ARE A COUPLE OF QUOTES FROM OUR TEEN PARTICIPANTS: "I WAS ABLE TO CREATE A SPECIAL BOND WITH THE HORSES - I FELT CONNECTED TO THEM AND TO NATURE. I'VE LEARNED A LOT ABOUT MYSELF. I'M DISCOVERING MYSELF AT THE RANCH.- AND "IT'S IMPORTANT TO HAVE PATIENCE. I'M A VERY INPATIENT PERSON. I HAVE LEARNED A LOT ABOUT PATIENCE THROUGH THE HORSES." HORSE SENSE FOR TEENS - LIFE SKILLS PROGRAM IN 2023 WE ADDED OUR HORSE SENSE FOR TEENS PROGRAM, A TRANSFORMATIVE PROGRAM DESIGNED TO EQUIP TEENS WITH ESSENTIAL LIFE SKILLS TO HELP THEM NAVIGATE THE CHALLENGES OF THE FUTURE. THROUGH ENGAGING, HANDS-ON EXPERIENCES IN A FUN AND LEARNING ENVIRONMENT, PARTICIPANTS DEVELOP PRACTICAL SKILLS LIKE SELF-AWARENESS, SOCIAL AWARENESS, CONFIDENCE, COMPASSION, COMMUNICATION, AND ASSERTIVENESS ALL WHILE PARTNERING WITH HORSES AND NATURE. THIS UNIQUE ENVIRONMENT ALLOWS TEENS TO CONNECT WITH THEMSELVES, OTHERS, AND NATURE IN MEANINGFUL WAYS, HELPING THEM GROW INTO THE BEST VERSIONS OF THEMSELVES. TEENS GAIN A UNIQUE LEARNING EXPERIENCE THAT THEY CAN DRAW UPON WHEN FACING EVERYDAY LIFE CHOICES. HORSES SERVE AS POWERFUL EDUCATIONAL PARTNERS IN THIS PROCESS. THROUGH THESE EXPERIENCES, HORSE SENSE FOR TEENS ENSURES NOT ONLY THE DEVELOPMENT OF ESSENTIAL LIFE SKILLS BUT ALSO PERSONAL GROWTH THAT EXTENDS INTO THE TEENS' HOME, SCHOOL, AND SOCIAL ENVIRONMENTS, AND LIFE AS ADULTS. THE PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO BE ADAPTABLE, OFFERING EITHER SINGLE OR MULTI-SESSION FORMATS BASED ON THE NEEDS OF THE COHORT OF TEENS. TO DATE, IN JUST 1.5 YEARS, WE HAVE BROUGHT MORE THAN 100 TEENS THROUGH THIS PROGRAM. HERE ARE A COUPLE OF QUOTES FROM OUR TEEN PARTICIPANTS: "I WAS ABLE TO CREATE A SPECIAL BOND WITH THE HORSES - I FELT CONNECTED TO THEM AND TO NATURE. I'VE LEARNED A LOT ABOUT MYSELF. I'M DISCOVERING MYSELF AT THE RANCH.- AND "IT'S IMPORTANT TO HAVE PATIENCE. I'M A VERY INPATIENT PERSON. I HAVE LEARNED A LOT ABOUT PATIENCE THROUGH THE HORSES."
- $23,798 spent. HORSES HEALING HEARTS - DEVELOPMENTAL PROGRAM JUST LAST YEAR, IN 2024, WE BEGAN OFFERING HORSES HEALING HEARTS, A PROGRAM FOR FAMILIES SHELTERED DUE TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. THE PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO INCREASE SELF-AWARENESS AND RESILIENCE, AND TO OFFER NEW THOUGHT AND BEHAVIOR PATTERNS TO REPLACE THOSE THAT ARE NO LONGER USEFUL. THE PARTICIPANTS ENGAGE IN A VARIETY OF EXERCISES AND EXPERIENCES DESIGNED TO ENHANCE CONFIDENCE, HOPE, SELF-LEADERSHIP AND EVOKE A GREATER SENSE OF PEACE AND POTENTIAL. IN JUST 8 MONTHS WE HAVE SERVED CLOSE TO 50 KIDS AND MOMS. HERE ARE A FEW QUOTES FROM PARTICIPANTS: "YOU NEED TO BE FIRST IN SETTING THE BOUNDARIES. THIS IS THE LINE; YOU DON'T CROSS ANYMORE." "THE TONE OF YOUR VOICE MAKES A DIFFERENCE. AND THEY LISTEN, AND THEY ARE VERY WELL BEHAVED." (IN REFERENCE TO SETTING BOUNDARIES WITH THE HORSES) "IF I WANT TO TAKE A STEP FORWARD IN BEING MORE ASSERTIVE, I JUST HAVE TO GIVE MORE TONE ANDJUST BEING MORE ASSERTIVE AND LETTING WHOEVER KNOWTHIS IS WHAT IT IS." "IT'S EXCITING TO SEE THE IMPACT THIS OPPORTUNITY HAS ON THEIR WELLBEINGTHE IMPACT HAS BEEN HUGE." (ACCORDING TO THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HELP NOW, OUR PROGRAM PARTNER). HORSEPLAY FOR LEADERS PROGRAM FOR CORPORATE AUDIENCES, INCLUDING SOME SPONSORSHIP TIERS, WE OFFER HORSEPLAY FOR LEADERS, A PROGRAM OFFERED IN 4 MODULES THAT IS DESIGNED TO ENHANCE A VARIETY OF LEADERSHIP SKILLS, INCLUDING ADVANCED COMMUNICATION CAPACITY, EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE IN THE WORKPLACE, USING CONFLICT PRODUCTIVELY TO OVERCOME BARRIERS AND IMPASSES, AND TEAM BUILDING, ALL WITH OUR WISE HERD OF HORSES AND OUT IN NATURE. HERE IS A PARTICIPANT'S TAKEAWAY AFTER THE FIRST MODULE: "WHAT I'M TAKING AWAY IS COMMUNICATION AND LEADERSHIP ISN'T ABOUT ME, BUT IT'S ABOUT WHO I'M COMMUNICATING WITH OR LEADING." HORSES HEALING HEARTS - DEVELOPMENTAL PROGRAM JUST LAST YEAR, IN 2024, WE BEGAN OFFERING HORSES HEALING HEARTS, A PROGRAM FOR FAMILIES SHELTERED DUE TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. THE PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO INCREASE SELF-AWARENESS AND RESILIENCE, AND TO OFFER NEW THOUGHT AND BEHAVIOR PATTERNS TO REPLACE THOSE THAT ARE NO LONGER USEFUL. THE PARTICIPANTS ENGAGE IN A VARIETY OF EXERCISES AND EXPERIENCES DESIGNED TO ENHANCE CONFIDENCE, HOPE, SELF-LEADERSHIP AND EVOKE A GREATER SENSE OF PEACE AND POTENTIAL. IN JUST 8 MONTHS WE HAVE SERVED CLOSE TO 50 KIDS AND MOMS. HERE ARE A FEW QUOTES FROM PARTICIPANTS: "YOU NEED TO BE FIRST IN SETTING THE BOUNDARIES. THIS IS THE LINE; YOU DON'T CROSS ANYMORE." "THE TONE OF YOUR VOICE MAKES A DIFFERENCE. AND THEY LISTEN, AND THEY ARE VERY WELL BEHAVED." (IN REFERENCE TO SETTING BOUNDARIES WITH THE HORSES) "IF I WANT TO TAKE A STEP FORWARD IN BEING MORE ASSERTIVE, I JUST HAVE TO GIVE MORE TONE ANDJUST BEING MORE ASSERTIVE AND LETTING WHOEVER KNOWTHIS IS WHAT IT IS." "IT'S EXCITING TO SEE THE IMPACT THIS OPPORTUNITY HAS ON THEIR WELLBEINGTHE IMPACT HAS BEEN HUGE." (ACCORDING TO THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HELP NOW, OUR PROGRAM PARTNER). HORSEPLAY FOR LEADERS PROGRAM FOR CORPORATE AUDIENCES, INCLUDING SOME SPONSORSHIP TIERS, WE OFFER HORSEPLAY FOR LEADERS, A PROGRAM OFFERED IN 4 MODULES THAT IS DESIGNED TO ENHANCE A VARIETY OF LEADERSHIP SKILLS, INCLUDING ADVANCED COMMUNICATION CAPACITY, EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE IN THE WORKPLACE, USING CONFLICT PRODUCTIVELY TO OVERCOME BARRIERS AND IMPASSES, AND TEAM BUILDING, ALL WITH OUR WISE HERD OF HORSES AND OUT IN NATURE. HERE IS A PARTICIPANT'S TAKEAWAY AFTER THE FIRST MODULE: "WHAT I'M TAKING AWAY IS COMMUNICATION AND LEADERSHIP ISN'T ABOUT ME, BUT IT'S ABOUT WHO I'M COMMUNICATING WITH OR LEADING."
- $21,794 spent. PARENTS AND SPOUSES OF SUICIDE SUPPORT GROUP OUR FIRST PROGRAM OFFERED, WHICH IS STILL GOING STRONG, IS PASOS (PARENTS AND SPOUSES OF SUICIDE), A TWICE-MONTHLY ZOOM FOR THOSE WHO HAVE LOST A HUSBAND/PARTNER OR CHILD TO SUICIDE. IN FEBRUARY 2025 WE CELEBRATED 100 SESSIONS OF THIS PROGRAM, AS WE STARTED IN JANUARY 2021. IN THAT TIME WE HAVE SERVED MORE THAN 50 PEOPLE WHO HAVE LOST SPOUSES/PARTNERS/CHILDREN TO SUICIDE. HERE IS WHAT ONE MEMBER HAD TO SAY ABOUT OUR PASOS GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP: "LOSING MY SON AT 24 YEARS YOUNG HAS BEEN DEVASTATING FOR ME. PASOS GROUP SUPPORT HAS BEEN A COMFORTING GATHERING. KNOWING THAT OTHERS HAVE SIMILAR FEELINGS AND/OR BEHAVIORS FOR THESE TRAGIC LOSSES. EVERYONE IS VERY FRIENDLY AND SUPPORTIVE. YOU ONLY SHARE WHAT AND WHEN YOU ARE ABLE. THANK YOU TO KERUL FOR INITIATING AND MAINTAINING THE PASOS GROUP". LIKE MOST OF OUR PROGRAMS, THIS PROGRAM IS FREE FOR THOSE WHO WOULD LIKE TO ATTEND AND IS SUPPORTED BY DONATIONS AND SPONSORSHIPS. OTHER PROGRAMS: COMMUNITY AND EDUCATION OUTREACH
- PARENTS AND SPOUSES OF SUICIDE SUPPORT GROUP OUR FIRST PROGRAM OFFERED, WHICH IS STILL GOING STRONG, IS PASOS (PARENTS AND SPOUSES OF SUICIDE), A TWICE-MONTHLY ZOOM FOR THOSE WHO HAVE LOST A HUSBAND/PARTNER OR CHILD TO SUICIDE. IN FEBRUARY 2025 WE CELEBRATED 100 SESSIONS OF THIS PROGRAM, AS WE STARTED IN JANUARY 2021. IN THAT TIME WE HAVE SERVED MORE THAN 50 PEOPLE WHO HAVE LOST SPOUSES/PARTNERS/CHILDREN TO SUICIDE. HERE IS WHAT ONE MEMBER HAD TO SAY ABOUT OUR PASOS GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP: "LOSING MY SON AT 24 YEARS YOUNG HAS BEEN DEVASTATING FOR ME. PASOS GROUP SUPPORT HAS BEEN A COMFORTING GATHERING. KNOWING THAT OTHERS HAVE SIMILAR FEELINGS AND/OR BEHAVIORS FOR THESE TRAGIC LOSSES. EVERYONE IS VERY FRIENDLY AND SUPPORTIVE. YOU ONLY SHARE WHAT AND WHEN YOU ARE ABLE. THANK YOU TO KERUL FOR INITIATING AND MAINTAINING THE PASOS GROUP". LIKE MOST OF OUR PROGRAMS, THIS PROGRAM IS FREE FOR THOSE WHO WOULD LIKE TO ATTEND AND IS SUPPORTED BY DONATIONS AND SPONSORSHIPS. OTHER PROGRAMS: COMMUNITY AND EDUCATION OUTREACH
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
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.
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.
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.
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 October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since January 2018.
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 November 4, 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.