irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2025
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $137KHORSE SHOWS TO PROMOTE HORSEBACK RIDING. THERE WERE FOUR HORSE SHOWS IN 2024. BTRC SERIES HORSE SHOWS ARE TWO DAYS LONG WITH AN AVERAGE OF 60 PARTICIPANTS AND 125 SPECTATORS AT THE SHOWS.
named programs · 3 · from sources
What they call their work
BTRC Series
Year-round competitive horse show series running from September through May, featuring hunter, jumper, and equitation classes, culminating in championships and high-score awards
Therapeutic Riding Program
Accredited riding instruction designed to enhance physical, emotional, and cognitive development for children with special needs in a safe and nurturing environment
US Equestrian Federation Recognized Shows
Sanctioned equestrian competitions offering riders official ratings and qualifications within national frameworks
activities · 3 groups
What they do
-
Therapeutic Equine-Assisted Programs 3 activities
- Deliver therapeutic riding programs for children with disabilitiesProvides small-group therapeutic riding classes for children ages 5 to 18 with emotional, developmental, and/or physical challenges, with sessions limited to four students and tailored to individual or group goals. Programs are conducted at an indoor facility in downtown Buffalo and have operated continuously for over 30 years, including during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Employ certified instructors and maintain lesson horsesEmploys PATH International-certified instructors, including a certified head instructor, and maintains a stable of 15 to 20 lesson horses, differentiated by rider skill level, to support therapeutic horsemanship programs.
- Host special events for program participantsHosts special events such as Stephen's Fun Day, which served 50 children in a single event, and a year-end celebration for participants and volunteers, featuring therapeutic horse-related activities including riding, grooming, arts and crafts, and painting horse shoes.
-
-
Equestrian Competition and Recognition Programs 1 activity
- Host annual horse shows to support therapeutic programsOrganizes and hosts a series of annual horse shows from September through May, including the Buffalo International Horse Show—a USEF-rated "A" exhibition with a 75-year history—culminating in championship events and High Score awards. These events generate financial support for the organization’s therapeutic riding programs and facility operations, with recent editions drawing hundreds of participants and spectators.
-
-
Equine Rescue and Retirement Care 1 activity
- Provide volunteer training and maintain organizational capacityOffers training for volunteers who support therapeutic riding programs and maintains organizational infrastructure through an active board of directors, office staff, and barn staff responsible for animal care and facility operations.
-
financials · form 990 · fy2025
revenue
Total revenue$1.59M
Contributions & grants$1.17M74%
Program service revenue$194K12%
Investment income$8K1%
Other revenue$216K
expenses
Total expenses$1.14M
Program expenses93%
Admin / overhead6%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$221K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineFacilities
balance sheet
Total assets$2.45M
Cash$207K
Investments$32K
Liabilities$69K
Net assets$2.38M
Liquid reserves2.5 mo
6 years on record · 2020–2025 · YoY revenue +64.2%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2025
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| SUSAN SCHOELLKOPF | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 35 | $68K |
board members · 11
- ARTHUR BRONSON — PRESIDENT
- CARA MATTELIANO — SECRETARY
- CHRISTINE RUH — DIRECTOR
- DONNA STEINWACHS — DIRECTOR
- LINDA MATT — DIRECTOR
- MARK NICKERSON — TREASURER
- MICHAEL EUSANIO — TREASURER
- MICHAEL FLAHERTY — DIRECTOR
- SUSAN LENAHAN KIMBERLY — DIRECTOR
- SUSAN MACDONALD — VICE PRESIDENT
- THOMAS GRILLO — DIRECTOR
relationships · 31
Who they work with
- Buffalo Equestrian Center Partner — Partner organization with a shared website link and equestrian focus
- Carly's Club Partner — Collaborated to make Stephen's Fun Day possible for children affected by cancer.
- Children's Foundation of Erie County Funder — Provided financial support to BUFFALO THERAPEUTIC RIDING CENTER INC
- Connors Charitable Foundation Funder — Provided financial support to BUFFALO THERAPEUTIC RIDING CENTER INC
- Delaware North Companies Funder — Provided financial support to BUFFALO THERAPEUTIC RIDING CENTER INC
- Garman Family Foundation Funder — Provided financial support to BUFFALO THERAPEUTIC RIDING CENTER INC
- Goshen Hill Foundation Funder — Provided financial support to BUFFALO THERAPEUTIC RIDING CENTER INC
- Highmark of WNY Funder — Provided financial support to BUFFALO THERAPEUTIC RIDING CENTER INC
- Josephine Goodyear Foundation Funder — Provided financial support to BUFFALO THERAPEUTIC RIDING CENTER INC
- Margaret L. Wendt Foundation Funder — Provided financial support to BUFFALO THERAPEUTIC RIDING CENTER INC
- Odd Fellow & Rebekah Benefit Fund Funder — Provided financial support to BUFFALO THERAPEUTIC RIDING CENTER INC
- Ohio PHA Partner — Supports the Buffalo International Horse Show.
- PATH International Partner — Collaborates with PATH International by certifying instructors through its Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship standards.
- Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship Network — Member organization accredited by PATH as a Premier Accredited Center.
- Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International Network — Organization whose certified instructors teach at BTRC programs.
- Ramsay Family Foundation Funder — Provided financial support to BUFFALO THERAPEUTIC RIDING CENTER INC
- SBS Farms Partner — Partner organization with a shared website link and equestrian focus
- STS Foundation Funder — Provided financial support to BUFFALO THERAPEUTIC RIDING CENTER INC
- Stephan Comunale Jr. Family Cancer Foundation Funder — Provided financial support to BUFFALO THERAPEUTIC RIDING CENTER INC
- Stephen A. Comunale Jr. Family Cancer Foundation Partner — Partnered to host Stephen's Fun Day for children affected by cancer.
- Syracuse PHA Partner — Supports the Buffalo International Horse Show.
- Taylor Harris Insurance Partner — Sponsor and supporter of the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center.
- The Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center, Inc. Partner — Receives and processes student applications at its Buffalo, NY location.
- The Children's Guild Foundation Funder — Provided financial support to BUFFALO THERAPEUTIC RIDING CENTER INC
- The Estate of Helen Dent Lenahan Funder — Provided financial support to BUFFALO THERAPEUTIC RIDING CENTER INC
- U.S. Equestrian Federation Government — Designated the Buffalo International Horse Show as a Heritage Competition due to the organization's philanthropic efforts and contributions to equestrian sport.
- US Equestrian Federation Partner — Hosts horse shows recognized by the US Equestrian Federation.
- USEF Government — BUFFALO THERAPEUTIC RIDING CENTER INC's horse show is rated "A" by the USEF and recognized with Heritage Status.
- Verizon Foundation Funder — Provided financial support to BUFFALO THERAPEUTIC RIDING CENTER INC
- WPPHA Partner — Supports the Buffalo International Horse Show.
+ 1 more
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Event-Based Fundraising for Program Sustainabilitymethodology: event_based_fundraisingBy generating revenue through horse show events, the organization sustains and improves its therapeutic riding programs because community-engaged fundraising increases financial stability and public awareness.
- Individualized Goal-Aligned Instructionmethodology: individualized_programmingBy designing individualized and group-specific therapeutic riding programs aligned with participant goals, the organization increases the relevance and effectiveness of instruction because personalized planning enhances engagement and developmental outcomes.
- Therapeutic Riding for Holistic Developmentmethodology: equine_assisted_therapyBy using equine-assisted interactions and therapeutic horseback riding, the organization supports the development of social, emotional, physical, and educational skills in children with special needs because the human-horse bond provides a non-academic, experiential context that fosters engagement and growth.