Fire Horse Refuge Inc
Fire Horse Refuge Inc is a private foundation based in Denison, Texas. It supports efforts to rescue unhandled mustangs and other equines from the slaughter pipeline and place them in safe homes or sanctuaries.
Fire Horse Refuge Inc at a glance
In short: Fire Horse Refuge Inc gave $38K across 17 grants in 2024 (avg $2K), mostly in Texas. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $38,155
- Grants made (2024)
- 17
- Average grant
- $2,244
- Median grant
- $800
- Total assets
- $40,701
- +17673.4% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Texas (52% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
How to apply to Fire Horse Refuge Inc
- How to Apply
-
Contact the foundation; no specific format or materials are required.
- Review Cycle
- None specified.
- Deadline
- None specified.
- Contact
Application contact: Fire Horse Refuge Inc
Mailing address: 1826 Flowers Dr, Denison, TX 75020
Phone: (214) 668-4922
Email: info@firehorserefuge.org
Website: https://firehorserefuge.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Fire Horse Refuge Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Nirvana Mustang Sanctuary ($18K). Together the top 10 received $26K.
Organizations only. It also paid 4 grants to individuals ($12,093), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
17 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 17 grants of 17 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2024 grant dollars went to recipients in multiple states. The largest reported shares were Texas (52%), Alabama (15%), North Carolina (12%), Colorado (10%), and California (4%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 17 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
In 2024 it made 17 grants totaling $38K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Nirvana Mustang Sanctuary Atlanta, TX | Ongoing Operations. | $18,077 |
| 4 grants to individuals Recipients not named | — | $12,093 |
| Sweet Grass Advocacy for North Amer Rifle, CO | For various fundraisers to care for and save equine from the slaughter pipeling | $2,821 |
| Friends of Lackota Nunn, CO | Ongoing Operations | $1,000 |
| Anne Garrity Muskegon, MI | For various fundraisers to care for and save equine from the slaughter pipeline | $848 |
| Habitat for Horses Alvin, TX | Monthly Sponsorship to Support BLM Mustang | $800 |
| Diamond Bar Ranch Inc Luther, OK | Ongoing Operations | $613 |
| All Seats in a Barn Bakersfield, CA | Ongoing Operations | $500 |
| Tri Ridge Ranch Lafargeville, NY | Fundraisers for Bail/Hauling for BLM Mustangs/Burros | $500 |
| For Love of Hoof Seligman, AZ | Ongoing Operations. | $351 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $40,701 | $197,505 | $203,825 | $38,155 | 17 | $193,774 |
| 2023 | $229 | $136,352 | $133,637 | — | — | $133,637 |
| 2022 | — | $25,014 | $29,633 | — | — | $29,633 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization states that its main purpose is to rescue unhandled mustangs from the slaughter pipeline and find them safe, stable homes. It says it purchases horses at auctions, from kill buyers, and from feedlots, and facilitates placement in sanctuaries and private homes. Its website describes the Saving Epona fund as supporting high-risk BLM mustangs, burros, and other equines, including through buying, boarding, transport, veterinary and farrier care, rehabilitation, and rehoming.
Its 2024 grants included support for organizations with varied horse-welfare and related missions. Habitat for Horses Inc describes its mission as promoting horse security through rehabilitation, veterinary care, and education. Horse Plus Humane Society describes itself as an open-admissions horse-welfare organization that rescues and shelters horses. Colorado Gives Foundation describes its mission as improving lives in Colorado by connecting people, ideas, and nonprofits.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 17 grants totaling $38,155. Grants ranged from $52 to $18,077, with a median grant of $800. The largest grant was $18,077 to Nirvana Mustang Sanctuary for ongoing operations. Other substantial awards included $5,623 to an individual recipient and $4,447 to an individual recipient for fundraisers to care for and save equines from the slaughter pipeline; $2,821 to Sweet Grass Advocacy for North America for similar fundraising; and $1,173 to an individual recipient for that purpose. Additional grants included $1,000 to Friends of Lackota for ongoing operations and $800 to Habitat for Horses for a monthly sponsorship supporting a BLM mustang.
The foundation’s filing states that it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. It lists no specific application format and no deadline. The stated restriction is that awards support its purpose of rescuing unhandled mustangs from the slaughter pipeline and facilitating their placement in sanctuaries and private homes.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Shelley Cates as President; Alan Martin and Sean Pollaro as Directors; Lindsay Cates as Treasurer; and Courtney Rice as Secretary.
Fire Horse Refuge Inc is led by Shelley Cates, President on every filing since 2022; 2 of 5 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Shelley Cates
President
On filings since 2022
20 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Alan Martin
Director
On filings since 2022
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sean Pollaro
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Courtney Rice
Secretary
On filings since 2022
23 hrs/week
$7K (2022) → $31K (2024)
Lindsay Cates
Treasurer
On filings since 2022
11 hrs/week
$3K (2022) → $10K (2024)
Former officers (1)
- Former: Linda Bornheim (2022) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2022–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $31K, to Courtney Rice (Secretary). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Fire Horse Refuge Inc
How much does Fire Horse Refuge Inc give each year?
Fire Horse Refuge Inc gave $38K across 17 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
What is Fire Horse Refuge Inc's typical grant size?
Fire Horse Refuge Inc's median grant in 2024 was $800, and its average grant was $2,244, across 17 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Fire Horse Refuge Inc give grants?
Fire Horse Refuge Inc gives mostly in Texas: 52% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Alabama (15%) and North Carolina (12%).
Does Fire Horse Refuge Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 17 grants with a stated purpose on Fire Horse Refuge Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Ongoing Operations." (7 grants).
Who are Fire Horse Refuge Inc's largest grantees?
Fire Horse Refuge Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Nirvana Mustang Sanctuary ($18,077), Sweet Grass Advocacy for North Amer ($2,821) and Friends of Lackota ($1,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 4 grants to individuals ($12,093), which are not listed by name. Together they received 57% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Fire Horse Refuge Inc?
Fire Horse Refuge Inc reported $41K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Its revenue that year was $198K.
What does Fire Horse Refuge Inc fund?
The organization states that its main purpose is to rescue unhandled mustangs from the slaughter pipeline and find them safe, stable homes. It says it purchases horses at auctions, from kill buyers, and from feedlots, and facilitates placement in sanctuaries and private homes. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Fire Horse Refuge Inc?
Contact the foundation; no specific format or materials are required. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Fire Horse Refuge Inc's EIN?
Fire Horse Refuge Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 92-0483479. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2022–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 12, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2022–2024
Live grants for the work Fire Horse Refuge Inc funds
Environment & Animals Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
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