The information in this post is current as of February 12, 2025. CharityWatch periodically updates our charity ratings as more current financial information becomes available. The most up-to-date information for Castleton Ranch Horse Rescue can be found on its CharityWatch profile page.

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Mission 

Castleton Ranch Horse Rescue provides rescue, rehabilitation and lifetime sanctuary to those horses who are at risk of needless slaughter, who are old and/or injured and have been abandoned with nowhere to go.

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CharityWatch Rating

CharityWatch conducted an in-depth analysis of Castleton Ranch Horse Rescue’s audited financial statements and IRS tax Form 990 (Tax ID#11-3731839) for its fiscal year ended December 31, 2023. Based on this analysis, CharityWatch assigned the charity a rating of C-minus on our “A+” to “F” rating scale for spending 55% of its cash expenses on programs, 45% on overhead, and for spending $43 to raise each $100 of cash support.

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Fundraising

According to the Castleton Ranch Horse Rescue audit of December 31, 2023 (Note A, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Concentrations):

“…During the year ended December 31, 2023, Castleton derived $1,450,943 or 75% of its revenues through its direct mail campaign conducted by Fundraising Strategies…Any significant interruptions or impairment of campaign revenues would have a significant adverse impact on Castleton.”

Of the charity’s $1,914,443 total reported cash expenses, the charity reports spending $736,992 on “Direct Mail Expense” and $63,283 on “Professional fundraising services.”

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Governance & Transparency

Castleton Ranch Horse Rescue meets CharityWatch’s Transparency benchmark but fails our Governance benchmark based on our analysis of its financial reporting for fiscal year 2023. 

CharityWatch evaluates certain criteria related to a charity’s Governance and Transparency. Donors may want to consider a charity’s willingness to be open and transparent with CharityWatch to be a good litmus test for determining its commitment to public accountability.

Governance Benchmarks: Charities required to file a Form 990 with the IRS are asked to answer basic questions each year about their governing body and management, governance policies, and disclosure practices. CharityWatch reviews a charity’s tax form to see if it reports having certain policies in place, a sufficiently large and independent governing body, and other basic governance information that serve as standard benchmarks for large charities of national scope or interest. Charities must pass all nine benchmarks in order to meet CharityWatch’s overall benchmark for Governance.

Castleton Ranch Horse Rescue fails CharityWatch’s Governance benchmark due to not having a sufficiently large or independent governing body. The charity reports that its board of directors is comprised of only 3 people, of which only 1 is considered “independent.” To meet CharityWatch’s governance benchmark, a charity’s board must be comprised of at least 5 voting members with majority independence to help ensure that the board can meet its fiduciary duties to make decisions that are in the best interest of the charity.

Transparency Benchmark: Indicates whether a charity has met CharityWatch’s Transparency benchmarks for the fiscal year analyzed. To meet transparency benchmarks, a charity must post a complete copy of its most current, independent audited financial statements on its public website. It must provide complete copies of its IRS Form(s) 990 to CharityWatch upon request and may be required to answer questions related to its financial reporting and/or provide additional documentation if such information is necessary for CharityWatch to complete a meaningful evaluation.

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Related Party Disclosures

According to the Castleton Ranch Horse Rescue audit of December 31, 2023 (Note H, Related Party Disclosures):

“The president of Castleton, Lisa Thomas, is in charge of all activities and transactions. During the course of the year ended December 31, 2023, Castleton compensated Ms. Thomas for work performed. 

In addition, all directors reside at the Valley Center Ranch location and have corporate vehicles and phones available for personal use.”

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