irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $90KATHLETIC EQUESTRIAN LEAGUE (AEL)- MEMBERS ARE FOCUSED ON LEARNING HOW TO COMPETE AND THEIR LEARNING IS MORE INSTRUCTIONAL THAN COMPETITIVE.THERE WAS $2,230 USE OF FACILITIES FOR THIS PROGRAM SERVICE. THERE WERE $7,514 OF DONATED SUPPLIES AND $8,473 DONATED SOFTWARE FOR THIS PROGRAM.
- #2 $131KEQUINE OPPORTUNITY PROGRAM (EOP)- ALLOWS RIDERS AROUND THE COUNTRY TO BECOME AS CREATIVE AS THEY WANT THROUGH THE EDUCATIONAL AND EQUESTRIAN PROGRAMS PROVIDED. MEMBERS HAVE THE ABILITY TO RIDE IN ANY DISCIPLINE AND WORK TOWARDS THEIR GOAL.THERE WAS $3,242 USE OF FACILITIES FOR THIS PROGRAM SERVICE. THERE WERE $10,929 OF DONATED SUPPLIES AND $12,324 DONATED SOFTWARE FOR THIS PROGRAM.
named programs · 6 · from sources
What they call their work
4-H Equine & Agriculture Program
Partnership with Cornell Cooperative Extension offering hands-on learning in horse care, riding, agriculture, leadership, and environmental science for youth in Nassau and Suffolk Counties
Alternative Learning Program (ALP)
STEAM-based education program integrating academic subjects like financial literacy, literature, and career development with equestrian experiences
Athletic Equestrian League (AEL)
Instructional program focused on teaching members how to compete in equestrian events across disciplines including English, Hunter-Jumper, Dressage, and Western Pleasure
Equine Opportunity Program (EOP)
Nationwide program providing youth access to equestrian sports, academic advancement, collegiate advisement, online classrooms, and fundraising opportunities; has helped students earn over $2 million in college scholarships
Horse Powered Reading
Equine-assisted literacy program that uses experiential learning with horses to improve reading comprehension, vocabulary, and fluency while supporting social-emotional development
Horses of Honor Equine Program
Provides veterans, active-duty service members, and Gold Star families access to horsemanship, mounted sessions, and group workshops, with programming in Central Islip, NY
activities · 5 groups
What they do
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Equine Education and Riding Instruction 5 activities
- Administer the Equine Opportunity Program (EOP) for nationwide equestrian trainingOperates the Equine Opportunity Program (EOP), which provides educational and equestrian programming enabling riders across the country to train in any discipline and pursue personal goals, supported by donated horses, facilities, supplies, and services.
- Deliver equine-assisted academic and personal development programsProvides structured educational programming integrating equine activities to teach reading, STEAM subjects, financial literacy, literature, and life skills. Uses horse-based interactions to strengthen core academic skills, social-emotional development, leadership, teamwork, and personal responsibility among youth.
- Operate a 4-H charter program in partnership with Cornell Cooperative ExtensionRuns a recognized 4-H charter program in Nassau and Suffolk Counties, New York, offering youth programming that combines equestrian education with leadership development and hands-on learning in nature and animal care.
- Provide mounted and unmounted equestrian programs for individuals of all ages and abilitiesOffers horseback riding lessons, horsemanship instruction, and non-riding equine activities such as grooming and groundwork at locations in Central Islip, NY, and Rock Creek Park Horse Center in Washington, D.C. Programs are designed for participants of all ages, abilities, and disabilities, with beginner individual sessions and group workshops focused on building comfort and skills with horses.
- Run summer camp programs with equestrian and educational componentsOperates horseback riding summer camps for children ages 7–14 at Rock Creek Park Horse Center in Washington, D.C., and offers 4-H Summer Program sessions in Central Islip, NY. Camps include mounted and unmounted activities focused on horse care, barn responsibility, nature, and hands-on learning during weekly sessions in July.
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Volunteer Engagement and Capacity Support 1 activity
- Engage volunteers in program delivery and operational supportRelies on volunteers to support equestrian instruction, barn operations (feeding, grooming, paddock maintenance), event organization, marketing, administrative tasks, and specialized services such as veterinary care and grant writing. Volunteers also assist in running horse shows, fundraising events, and educational workshops.
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Equestrian Competition and Recognition Programs 1 activity
- Operate equestrian competition programs (AEL and IEA) with coaching and show supportOrganizes and supports rider participation in the Athletic Equestrian League (AEL) and Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA) competitions across multiple states, including regional and national advancement. Provides on-site coaching, team coordination, and hosts USEF-rated horse shows and clinics to support competitive training and development.
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Therapeutic Equine-Assisted Programs 1 activity
- Provide equine therapy and healing programs for survivors and individuals with disabilitiesOffers equine-assisted, ground-based therapeutic activities designed to support healing, personal empowerment, and emotional awareness for survivors and individuals with disabilities. Programs focus on creating a safe, supportive environment for personal growth and self-esteem building.
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Financial Aid and Scholarship Access Programs 1 activity
- Support student success through scholarships and mentorshipHas secured over $2 million in college scholarships and equestrian grants for participants, with cumulative awards exceeding $2 million over 13 years. Offers mentorship in academic subjects, college preparation, and leadership development to support long-term student success.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$760K
Contributions & grants$657K86%
Program service revenue$101K13%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$1K
expenses
Total expenses$806K
Program expenses75%
Admin / overhead25%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$162K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$82K
Cash$33K
Investments$0
Liabilities$640K
Net assets$-558K
Liquid reserves0.5 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +11.7%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JANE DACOSTA | DIRECTOR | 40 | $33K |
relationships · 11
Who they work with
- AEL Partner — Partners with AEL to enable rider participation in equestrian league competitions, including National Finals.
- Cornell Cooperative Extension Partner — Partner organization through which MET operates its recognized 4-H charter in Nassau and Suffolk Counties
- IEA Partner — Partners with IEA to enable rider participation in interscholastic equestrian competitions.
- NJPHA Partner — Provides point eligibility for participants in horse show competitions.
- Operation Underground Railroad Partner — Partnership to connect survivors in need of healing with equine therapy programs.
- Rock Creek Park Horse Center Partner — Hosts MET Equestrian riding lessons at its facility in Washington, DC.
- State of New York Government — Funds the Horses of Honor Equine Program for the upcoming year at the Central Islip, NY location.
- USEF Partner — Partners to host USEF-rated horse shows, ensuring official recognition and standards.
- USET Foundation Partner — Hosts events at its Hamilton Farm facility in Gladstone, NJ.
- USHJA Partner — Collaborates on Mini EAP clinics and outreach classes during equestrian events.
- United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Partner — Collaborates with USEF through judge involvement and likely program alignment in equestrian competitions.
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.
- Competition and Progressive Engagement as Developmental Toolsmethodology: competition_as_developmentBy using competitive equestrian disciplines and progressive involvement — starting with non-riding activities — the organization supports long-term personal achievement because structured challenges and incremental skill-building increase motivation, goal-setting, and pathways to education and careers.
- Experiential Learning with Non-Judgmental Feedback from Horsesmethodology: experiential_learning_with_non-judgmental_feedbackBy leveraging horses’ sensitivity to human emotion and behavior, the organization delivers immediate, non-verbal feedback during activities because this enhances self-awareness, focus, and emotional regulation more effectively than traditional instructional methods alone.
- Holistic Youth Development Through Equestrian Artsmethodology: holistic-youth-development-through-equestrian-artsBy integrating equestrian activities with academic support, leadership training, and mental health development, the organization fosters comprehensive youth growth because engagement with horses creates a unique, multi-domain learning environment that simultaneously builds confidence, responsibility, and emotional resilience.
- Inclusive Equine Access as a Pathway to Engagementmethodology: inclusive-equine-accessBy providing both mounted and unmounted equine experiences alongside financial and adaptive support, the organization enables participation across socio-economic, physical, and cognitive differences because accessible, low-barrier entry points foster sustained engagement and personal development for diverse populations.