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Pegasus Riding Academy for the Handicapped

EIN 95-3774003 · Palm Desert, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair54 out of 100GovernanceFair65 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Elevating the capabilities of kids and adults with disabilities through therapeutic horseback riding.

Income
$307,891
Spending
$461,657
Spent on programs
55%
Reserves
4.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
4
Volunteers
100
Highest pay
$93,222, executive dir.

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

Fair: 54 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 28% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 50% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    55% 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

Fair: 65 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 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.

  • 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. $254,166 spent. Pegasus Therapeutic Riding is a place where children and adults of all ages and with all types of disabilities can come for a full range of motion exercise on horseback, equine assisted therapy. The walking motion of the horse's body, against human legs, massages all the muscles used in the human walk, and is an inspiring and exciting experience for those whose life is spent in a wheelchair or with disabilities. Each rider is gently eased into a program of physical exercise geared to their needs. Immobility causes good muscles to atrophy which leads to further problems for a disabled person. At Pegasus, we try to strengthen the muscles and joints with these exercises along with the effort required in mounting, dismounting and riding a horse. Our program offers psychological and emotional benefits such as learning to concentrate, the discipline of following directions and a sense of accomplishment at being able to steer a large animal. Most autistics have difficulty bonding with people, a short attention span and most do not communicate. At Pegasus autistics are able to bond with an animal and volunteers, developing trust and confidence. In the riding arena many of them are suddenly attentive and some have found ways to communicate. Riders feel a sense of accomplishment by achieving certain goals. The interaction with the volunteers and the horse also help the riders socializing skills. At Pegasus we look to the ABILITY of a person rather than the DISABILITY. At Pegasus, we believe everyone is worthy and we know that MIRACLES DO HAPPEN, we see them every time we take a person out of a wheelchair and put them on a horse. About Our Clients: Riders/Clients come from the Coachella Valleys Unified School Districts special needs classes. Pegasus pays to bus these riders to and from our facility during the week. Other riders/clients are referred from Angel View Crippled Children's Foundation, Desert Arc, Autism Association, and ACT for MS. We also have classes for preschool and home school children, and we get referrals from Loma Linda and private practice doctors.

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 December 1982.

    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.