named programs · 3 · from sources
What they call their work
Adaptive Riding Program
Therapeutic riding program offering 7,000 lessons per year to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, using specially trained horses and certified instructors.
Horticulture and Equine Active Learning (HEAL)
Outdoor education program integrating horticulture and equine experiences for school groups, veterans, and elder-care facilities.
Mission Mustang
Program engaging veterans through equine care and interaction with rescued mustangs, supporting mental health, relationships, and well-being.
activities · 5 groups
What they do
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Therapeutic Equine-Assisted Programs 2 activities
- Adaptive riding and therapeutic horsemanship programsProvides equine-assisted activities including adaptive riding and therapeutic horsemanship, offering 7,000 lessons annually to hundreds of participants with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
- Mission Mustang Program for veterans and first respondersRuns the Mission Mustang® Program, providing over 1,200 one-on-one equine training lessons annually to more than 55 veterans and, since 2024, first responders, supporting their personal growth and transition into instructor roles.
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Community-Based Urban Agriculture 2 activities
- Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program with produce distributionOperates a CSA program with market-style and pre-bagged pickup options, distributing fresh produce to members and contributing to local food access.
- Food and plant distribution for hunger relief and community gardensHarvests and distributes over 8,000 pounds of fresh produce annually—equivalent to over 30,000 servings—to hunger relief efforts, and distributes thousands of nursery plants to community and school gardens to support food access and green spaces.
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Plant-Based Nutrition Education & Support Programs 1 activity
- Cooking with Heroes culinary education programOffers Cooking with Heroes, a culinary education program launched in 2016 that teaches healthy, plant-based cooking using produce from the EquiCenter farm.
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Trauma-Informed Community Resilience Initiatives 1 activity
- Horticulture and nature-based therapeutic programsOperates horticulture and nature-based programs that involve hands-on planting, maintenance, and harvesting activities to support physical, emotional, and social well-being, including the HEAL Program launched in 2015 for school groups, veterans, and elder-care facilities.
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Mentorship and Professional Development Programs 1 activity
- Instructor mentorship and staff capacity buildingOversees an instructor mentorship program for therapeutic riding staff and volunteers to build professional capacity and ensure high-quality service delivery.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$4.25M
Contributions & grants$3.65M86%
Program service revenue$562K13%
Investment income$128K3%
Other revenue$-86K
expenses
Total expenses$1.81M
Program expenses85%
Admin / overhead11%
Fundraising3%
Salaries & benefits$1.23M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$8.90M
Cash$2.32M
Investments$1.07M
Liabilities$793K
Net assets$8.11M
Liquid reserves22.5 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +5.0%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| KATHERINE HATCH | CFO/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $93K |
board members · 10
- ALEX AMORESE — DIRECTOR
- ALEX ROBINSON — DIRECTOR
- ANNA ZEILER — VICE CHAIR
- BARB EGENHOFER — SECRETARY
- CHRISTINE SULLIVAN — DIRECTOR
- MARY MAIDA — DIRECTOR
- RICHARD 'CHARLIE' FOX JR — CHAIR
- STUART MACKENZIE — DIRECTOR
- TAMRA WERNER — DIRECTOR
- WILLIAM CHERRY — TREASURER
relationships · 7
Who they work with
- Canandaigua VA Medical Center Partner — Collaborated with EquiCenter to develop the Therapeutic Horticulture Program for veterans.
- PATH Intl. Network — EquiCenter instructors are certified through PATH Intl., and the organization aligns with its standards for therapeutic riding and equine-assisted learning.
- Trillium Health Partner — Partner organization that uses donated produce to create healthy meals for the community.
- U.S. Bureau of Land Management Partner — Collaborates with EquiCenter on the Mission Mustang® Program, providing wild mustangs for veterans and first responders to train.
- Veterans Affairs Office of Rural Health Government — Administered congressional appropriation funding for EquiCenter’s Therapeutic Horticulture Program.
- Veterans Outreach Center Partner — Partner organization that uses donated produce to create healthy meals and strengthen communities.
- YWCA Partner — Partner organization that receives produce donations and distributed Thanksgiving farm shares to women and families in residence.
strategies · 4
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.
- Client Choice in Food Access Programsmethodology: client_choiceBy allowing clients to choose their preferred produce items in the CSA program, we increase engagement and reduce waste because autonomy enhances dignity and encourages utilization of nutritious food.
- Cycle of Service for Veteran Well-Beingmethodology: cycle_of_serviceBy engaging veterans in farming and culinary operations where their contributions have visible outcomes, we reinforce purpose and improve holistic well-being because meaningful service strengthens identity and self-efficacy.
- Farm-to-Table Integrated Educationmethodology: farm_to_table_educationBy teaching culinary skills in direct connection to on-site food production, we strengthen participants’ relationship with food and health because experiential learning across the full cycle of growing and preparing food deepens understanding and behavioral change.
- Nature-Based and Animal-Assisted Therapeutic Modelmethodology: nature_based_therapyBy using equine-assisted, horticultural, and nature-based activities as therapeutic modalities, we support emotional, psychological, and cognitive healing because interactions with nature and animals provide non-judgmental, responsive feedback that fosters trust, self-awareness, and growth.