Pal-O-Mine Equestrian
Accredited Charity
Meets Standards
Accredited Charity
Meets Standards
Standards Legend
- Meets Standards
- Standards Not Met
- Did Not Disclose
- Review In Progress
- Unable to Verify
Standards For Charity Accountability
Governance
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Board Oversight
Oversight of Operations and Staff: Standard 1
Description
Organizations shall have a board of directors that provides adequate oversight of the charity's operations and its staff. Indication of adequate oversight includes, but is not limited to, regularly scheduled appraisals of the CEO's performance, evidence of disbursement controls such as board approval of the budget, fundraising practices, establishment of a conflict of interest policy, and establishment of accounting procedures sufficient to safeguard charity finances.The organization meets this standard.
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Board Size
Number of Board Members: Standard 2
Description
Soliciting organizations shall have a board of directors with a minimum of five voting members.The organization meets this standard.
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Board Meetings
Frequency and Attendance of Board Meetings: Standard 3
Description
An organization shall have a minimum of three evenly spaced meetings per year of the full governing body with a majority in attendance, with face-to-face participation. A conference call of the full board can substitute for one of the three meetings of the governing body. For all meetings, alternative modes of participation are acceptable for those with physical disabilities.The organization meets this standard.
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Board Compensation
Compensated Board Members: Standard 4
Description
Not more than one or 10% (whichever is greater) directly or indirectly compensated person(s) serving as voting member(s) of the board. Compensated members shall not serve as the board's chair or treasurer.The organization meets this standard.
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Conflict of Interest
Conflict of Interest: Standard 5
Description
No transaction(s) in which any board or staff members have material conflicting interests with the charity resulting from any relationship or business affiliation. Factors that will be considered when concluding whether or not a related party transaction constitutes a conflict of interest and if such a conflict is material, include, but are not limited to: any arm's length procedures established by the charity; the size of the transaction relative to like expenses of the charity; whether the interested party participated in the board vote on the transaction; if competitive bids were sought and whether the transaction is one-time, recurring or ongoing.The organization meets this standard.
Measuring Effectiveness
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Effectiveness Policy
Board Policy on Effectiveness: Standard 6
Description
Have a board policy of assessing, no less than every two years, the organization's performance and effectiveness and of determining future actions required to achieve its mission.The organization meets this standard.
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Effectiveness Report
Board Approval of Written Report on Effectiveness: Standard 7
Description
Submit to the organization's governing body, for its approval, a written report that outlines the results of the aforementioned performance and effectiveness assessment and recommendations for future actions.The organization meets this standard.
Finances
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Program Expenses
Program Service Expense Ratio: Standard 8
Description
Spend at least 65% of its total expenses on program activities.The organization meets this standard.
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Fundraising Expenses
Fundraising Expense Ratio: Standard 9
Description
Spending should be no more than 35% of related contributions on fundraising. Related contributions include donations, legacies, and other gifts received as a result of fundraising efforts.The organization meets this standard.
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Accumulating Funds
Ending Net Assets: Standard 10
Description
Avoid accumulating funds that could be used for current program activities. To meet this standard, the charity's unrestricted net assets available for use should not be more than three times the size of the past year's expenses or three times the size of the current year's budget, whichever is higher.The organization meets this standard.
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Audit Report
Financial Statements: Standard 11
Description
Make available to all, on request, complete annual financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. When total annual gross income exceeds $1 million, these statements should be audited in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. For charities whose annual gross income is less than $1 million, a review by a certified public accountant is sufficient to meet this standard. For charities whose annual gross income is less than $250,000, an internally produced, complete financial statement is sufficient to meet this standard.The organization meets this standard.
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Detailed Expense Breakdown
Detailed Functional Breakdown of Expenses: Standard 12
Description
Include in the financial statements a breakdown of expenses (e.g., salaries, travel, postage, etc.) that shows what portion of these expenses was allocated to program, fundraising, and administrative activities. If the charity has more than one major program category, the schedule should provide a breakdown for each category.The organization meets this standard.
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Accurate Expense Reporting
Accuracy of Expenses in Financial Statements: Standard 13
Description
Accurately report the charity's expenses, including any joint cost allocations, in its financial statements. For example, audited or unaudited statements which inaccurately claim zero fundraising expenses or otherwise understate the amount a charity spends on fundraising, and/or overstate the amount it spends on programs will not meet this standard.The organization meets this standard.
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Budget Plan
Budget: Standard 14
Description
Have a board-approved annual budget for its current fiscal year, outlining projected expenses for major program activities, fundraising, and administration.The organization meets this standard.
Fundraising & Info
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Truthful Materials
Misleading Appeals: Standard 15
Description
Have solicitations and informational materials, distributed by any means, that are accurate, truthful and not misleading, both in whole and in part. Appeals that omit a clear description of program(s) for which contributions are sought will not meet this standard. A charity should also be able to substantiate that the timing and nature of its expenditures are in accordance with what is stated, expressed, or implied in the charity's solicitations.The organization meets this standard.
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Annual Report
Annual Report: Standard 16
Description
Have an annual report available to all, on request, that includes: (a) the organization's mission statement, (b) a summary of the past year's program service accomplishments, (c) a roster of the officers and members of the board of directors, (d) financial information that includes (i) total income in the past fiscal year, (ii) expenses in the same program, fundraising and administrative categories as in the financial statements, and (iii) ending net assets.The organization meets this standard.
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Website Disclosures
Web Site Disclosures: Standard 17
Description
Include on any charity websites that solicit contributions, the same information that is recommended for annual reports, as well as the mailing address of the charity and electronic access to its most recent IRS Form 990.The organization meets this standard.
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Donor Privacy
Privacy for Written Appeals & Internet Privacy: Standard 18
Description
Address privacy concerns of donors by (a) providing in written appeals, at least annually, a means (e.g., such as a check off box) for both new and continuing donors to inform the charity if they do not want their name and address shared outside the organization, (b) providing a clear, prominent and easily accessible privacy policy on any of its websites that tells visitors (i) what information, if any, is being collected about them by the charity and how this information will be used, (ii) how to contact the charity to review personal information collected and request corrections, (iii) how to inform the charity (e.g., a check off box) that the visitor does not wish his/her personal information to be shared outside the organization, and (iv) what security measures the charity has in place to protect personal information.The organization meets this standard.
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Cause Marketing Disclosures
Cause Related Marketing: Standard 19
Description
Clearly disclose how the charity benefits from the sale of products or services (i.e., cause-related marketing) that state or imply that a charity will benefit from a consumer sale or transaction. Such promotions should disclose, at the point of solicitation: (a) the actual or anticipated portion of the purchase price that will benefit the charity (e.g., 5 cents will be contributed to abc charity for every xyz company product sold), (b) the duration of the campaign (e.g., the month of October), (c) any maximum or guaranteed minimum contribution amount (e.g., up to a maximum of $200,000).The organization meets this standard.
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Complaints
Complaints: Standard 20
Description
Respond promptly to and act on complaints brought to its attention by the BBB Wise Giving Alliance and/or local Better Business Bureaus about fundraising practices, privacy policy violations and/or other issues.The organization meets this standard.
Conclusion
Pal-O-Mine Equestrian meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.
Purpose
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Year, State Incorporated
1995, NY
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Stated Purpose
Pal-O-Mine Equestrian began in 1995 as a therapeutic horseback riding program for individuals with disabilities and other vulnerable populations. Our mission has been, and continues to be, to provide a comprehensive therapeutic equine program using horses to facilitate growth, learning and healing. Our populations include children and adults with disabilities, those who have been abused or neglected, the military and the impoverished.
Programs
Adaptive Riding & Unmounted Horsemanship: Pal-O-Mine Equestrian provides quality adaptive horseback riding to individuals with disabilities. Adaptive horseback riding provides unique benefits to our students. The goals for each lesson are tailored to make improvements in the most needed areas of the rider’s life. Adaptive riding sessions are exceptional for improving fine and gross motor skills, balance, coordination, sensorimotor skills, language, and social skills. In addition, each one of our riding instructors excels in their field and continues with training and certification throughout their careers. Pal-O-Mine’s Adaptive Riding and Unmounted programs benefit students with cognitive, physical, emotional, and multiple disabilities. Our students range in age from 5 to 70.Equine Assisted Learning:Pal-O-Mine’s Equine Assisted Learning programs incorporate horses experientially for educational, emotional, growth and learning. EAL uses unique approaches to create positive and constructive learning experiences for children and adolescents who are at risk of failing in the traditional academic setting. EAL sessions incorporate guided and safe horse interactions, positive interaction between students, animals and adults, as well as the incorporation of grade-level appropriate reading, writing, art and math skills. These approaches, combined with a varied and very specialized teaching staff helps to reengage the typically disengaged or defiant student and recreate a positive learning experience that carries over into the students’ traditional classroom experiences.Equine Assisted Psychotherapy: Our Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) program follows the prescribed model designed by EAGALA, Inc., the leading international EAP training and certifying organization. Currently, Pal-O-Mine has 7 Licensed Mental Health Professionals and 11 Equine Specialists who are certified in the EAGALA model. Pal-O-Mine also is the host to the New York Metropolitan Networking Group.All Pal-O-Mine staff/personnel participate in ongoing training and experiential workshops to further their education and skills to better serve our clients. Lisa A. Gatti, our CEO and Founder, served on EAGALA’s Board of Directors and as Board Chair from 2009-2015.Pal-O-Mine offers individual, family and group therapy. Groups focus on the following issues: grief, trauma and abuse, eating disorders, substance abuse, addiction and codependency. At-risk youth, women’s empowerment and the military are among these groups, as well. EAP affords clients the opportunity to gain knowledge about their behaviors while providing them with an emotionally safe environment for them to develop positive alternatives. The benefits to the client include increased self-esteem, improved communication skills, assertiveness, creative thinking, problem solving, development of coping skills and taking responsibilities for themselves.Speech & Occupational Therapy:Hippotherapy:According to the American Hippotherapy Association, “the term ‘hippotherapy’ refers to how occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech-language pathology professionals use evidence-based practice and clinical reasoning in the purposeful manipulation of equine movement to engage sensory, neuromotor, and cognitive systems to achieve functional outcomes. In conjunction with the affordances of the equine environment and other treatment strategies, hippotherapy is part of a patient’s integrated plan of care.”The term hippotherapy originates from the Greek word, “hippos”, meaning horse or equine. Hippotherapy is a treatment strategy provided by licensed and specially trained occupational therapists, physical therapists, or speech-language pathologists as part of a patient’s overall treatment plan. The therapist uses the movement of the horse to help address and improve function. The horse’s walk provides multidimensional movement, which is variable, rhythmic and repetitive. This movement is modified by trained horse handlers under the direction of the therapist. Hippotherapy can be used to facilitate coordination and timing, grading of responses, respiratory control, sensory integration skills, attention skills, speech production skills, swallowing and receptive, expressive and pragmatic language skills.Animal Assisted Speech/Occupational Therapy:Occupational Therapists and Speech Language Pathologists are able to provide therapy services with the assistance of the wonderful animals at Pal-O-Mine, including horses, ponies, miniature horses, miniature donkeys, goats, sheep, chickens, bunnies and cats. Clients respond well to therapy incorporating activities with animals, and a variety of therapy goals can be addressed using this treatment strategyClinic:Occupational Therapy in Motion and Speech Language Pathology in Motion offer a variety of other highly effective treatment strategies in their Hauppauge clinic, conveniently located just 5 minutes from Pal-O-Mine at 300 Wheeler Road, Suite 106, Hauppauge NY.Military Programs: For more than four thousand years, horses have been an integral part of warfare. Today, horses are still playing an important role in war, this time in the recovery of military veterans who have suffered emotional and/or physical injuries. Clinical evidence and generations of human experience show that horses have a special ability to help people work through emotional barriers without shame or stigma.Pal-O-Mine Equestrian is an EAGALA DESIGNATED MILITARY PROGRAM. This designation asserts that EAGALA Certified Professionals working with the military have specialized training and experience in the military community. Sessions at the farm are action,nottalk.We offer individual, group and family sessions.Corporate Workshops:Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) is an experiential approach that fosters real lasting change. It is a unique opportunity that goes beyond traditional leadership programs to restore balance in people’s lives while teaching critical thinking, clear communication and social skills. A typical workshop involves activities on the ground with the horses (there is no riding), which provides opportunities for team discovery through experiential learning. Prior horse experience is not necessary to benefit from this program.
For the year ended December 31, 2019, Pal-O-Mine Equestrian program expenses were:
| Contracts | $538,025 |
| Lessons | $338,444 |
| Job Security Through Equine Partnership | $333,433 |
| Other Programs | $251,589 |
| Program Expenses | $1,461,491 |
Governance & Staff
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CEO
Lisa Gatti, CEO and Founder
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Compensation*
¤73,354.00
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Board Chair
Blair Griesmeyer, Co-Owner
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Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Larsen Home Improvement
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Board Size
10
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Paid Staff Size
47
Governance
* Compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts and other allowances.
Fundraising
Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Invitations to fundraising events, Print advertisements (newspapers, magazines, etc.), Grant proposals.
% of Related Contributions on Fundraising: 3.60%
Tax Status
This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.
Financial
The following information is based on Pal-O-Mine Equestrian's Audited financial statements for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2019
| Source of Funds | |
|---|---|
| Contributions | $986,510 |
| Revenue from contracts with participants | $515,591 |
| In-kind donation of property and equipment | $225,000 |
| Contributed services | $193,184 |
| Special events, net of direct benefit to contributors | $137,689 |
| In-kind donation of investments in marketable securities | $65,108 |
| Other income | $54,765 |
| Investment income | $590 |
| Total Income | $2,178,437 |
Breakdown of Expenses
| Total Income | $2,178,437 |
| Total Expenses: | $1,676,000 |
| Program Expenses | $1,461,491 |
| Fundraising Expenses | $57,892 |
| Administrative Expenses | $156,617 |
| Other Expenses | $0 |
| Income in Excess of Expenses | $502,437 |
| Beginning Net Assets | $943,239 |
| Other Changes In Net Assets | $0 |
| Ending Net Assets | $1,445,676 |
| Total Liabilities | $1,874,832 |
| Total Assets | $3,320,508 |
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