Rhythms of Grace
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Rhythms of Grace is a volunteer-powered nonprofit partnering with licensed therapists and specially trained horses to bring hope, healing, and belonging to children and adults with disabilities and special needs.
- Income
- $232,802
- Spending
- $240,974
- Spent on programs
- 93%
- Reserves
- 1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 70%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 154
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: 63 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (health care, under $250k).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 1.0 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 4% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 4% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 4% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1593% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 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
Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 76% of charities in its peer group (health care, under $250k).
Independent board
18 of 253 of 3 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
10 of 10Reports 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 (4)
- $44,959 spent. Rhythms of Grace is recognized as an accredited member center of the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Int'l). It is one of eight PATH Int'l centers in the State of Iowa. The Founder is one of 26 PATH Int'l credentialed Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructors in the State of Iowa and one of 6 Equine Specialists in Mental Health and Learning. Adhering to the PATH Int'l industry Standards for safety, facility, programming, policies and procedures is a priority for all aspects of the organization's program services. Equine Assisted Services is an umbrella term encompassing Therapeutic Horsemanship, Equine Assisted Learning and Equine Assisted Therapy, programs which are medically recognized forms of therapeutic intervention for a number of disabilities. In 2025, Rhythms of Grace partnered with 12 special horses to offer 32 weeks of programming and 952 client hours. Clients represent children and adults with more than 35 primary diagnoses in aggregate. Volunteers provided more than 5,250 hours of volunteer time at a value of $182,647.
- $80,927 spent. Equine Assisted Psychotherapy involves our Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning (ESMHL) partnering with licensed mental health therapists to offer therapy either unmounted or mounted on a horse for rhythmic riding. Both professionals are also trained in Natural Lifemanship, another certification that's foundation is on connected relationships. Eight (8%) percent of programming was mental health therapy. Hippotherapy, also known as Equine Assisted Occupational Therapy (OT), utilizes the movement of horses for adults and children as young as age 2. A licensed occupational therapist partners with Rhythms of Grace's Certified Instructor to offer OT services for a variety of diagnoses including chronic autoimmune disorders, splastic diplegia, cerebral palsy, stroke recovery, and strength building for more positive life experiences. Twenty-four (24%) percent of programming was occupational therapy.
- $98,910 spent. Therapeutic Horsemanship is offered to adults and children age 4 and older. An extensive list of diagnoses are positively impacted by the therapeutic benefits of horsemanship or adaptive riding. Autism, ADHD, Bipolar, Anxiety, Depression, PTSD, Cerebral Palsy, speech development are all impacted. We teach riding skills. We focus on Physical, Social, Emotional, Fitness, Balance, Coordination, Posture, Calming, Self-Confidence, Sequencing, Empathy, Leadership, etc. Therapeutic riding and therapy is great rehab for people suffering from a stroke. MS, ALS and Parkinson's can be slowed by therapeutic riding. Speech can be regained after trauma. Individuals on the autism spectrum benefit from the flow of oxytocin in the brain and serotonin which help to reduce stress, increase trust, stability and socialization skills. There are 110 movements per minute at the walk, which helps with balance, coordination and strength. Balance is triggered in the inner ear; speech is triggered by riding. Therapeutic riding accounts for 68% for our programming hours.
- Miniature Horse Ambassadors:With our miniature horses, we have brightened the lives of seniors in care facilities and children with our reading time with the minis. They've provided education and outreach in community festivals and parades. We will be purchasing a two horse trailer with ramps for the primary purpose of taking the miniature horses out to schools and senior care centers to reach more individuals with the therapeutic benefits of being with horses. Impact Highlights * 100% said Rhythms of Grace met expectations and they recommend us * 74% reported a positive impact on daily life (26% somewhat positive) * 95% reported improved balance/core strength and posture * 80% reported improved emotional regulation, empathy, and confidence 78% reported improved independence, sequencing skills, and sensory attention * 95% reported improved fine motor skills, quality of gait, and flexibility ("Client progress survey results; ~75% participation.")
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 October 13, 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 April 2021.
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.