Sanda Hills Equine Center Inc
Sanda Hills Equine Center Inc is a private foundation based in Jasper, Indiana. Its 2024 giving included support for horse rescue and equine programs, animal welfare, and organizations addressing human needs, religious topics, and social issues.
Sanda Hills Equine Center Inc at a glance
In short: Sanda Hills Equine Center Inc gave $261K across 9 grants in 2024 (avg $29K), mostly in Missouri. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $260,645
- -97.5% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 9
- +50.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $28,961
- -98.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $3,000
- Total assets
- $105,790,376
- +2.7% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Missouri (74% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Sanda Hills Equine Center Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
- Contact
Mailing address: 510 Mendel Lane, Jasper, IN 47546
Phone: (408) 482-9991
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Sanda Hills Equine Center Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 9 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Missionaries of the Holy Family ($190K). Together the top 9 received $261K.
Grant Size Distribution
54 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 37 grants of 54 (69%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2024 grant dollars were distributed among recipients in Missouri (74%), New Jersey (19%), Massachusetts (2%), Virginia (2%), and Indiana (2%). The listed recipients also included organizations in Kentucky.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 9 itemized grants.
Cities
How Sanda Hills Equine Center Inc gives
- Giving fell 47% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 10% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $261K (2024) to $10.3M (2023). In 2024 it made 9 grants totaling $261K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Missionaries of the Holy Family Saint Louis, MO | To provide basic human needs including clean water, food, shelter, and education | $189,695 |
| Saddlebred Rescue Inc Hardwick, NJ | Save Horses from Slaughter and Support Re-Homing Programs | $50,000 |
| Daughters of Mary of Nazareth Quincy, MA | To provide basic human needs, including food, shelter, education, and to support the spiritual works of mercy | $5,000 |
| Lifesitenewscom Inc Front Royal, VA | To support an internet news service dedicated to issue of life, family, and religious topics | $5,000 |
| Sisters in Jesus the Lord St Joseph, MO | To support programs caring for families in need, including orphans and street children | $3,000 |
| Vanderburgh Humane Society Evansville, IN | Support Animal Rescue, Adoption, and Welfare | $2,000 |
| Dubois County Humane Society Jasper, IN | Support Animal Rescue, Adoption, and Welfare | $2,000 |
| The Shelbyville Horse Show Shelbyville, KY | Support the saddlebred horse show and promote the equine industry in Shelby county | $2,000 |
| Rock Creek Riding Club Louisville, KY | Support the saddlebred horse show and equine educational programs | $1,950 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $105,790,376 | $3,573,586 | $769,025 | $260,645 | 9 | $855,756 | $4,042,654 | $8,836,492 |
| 2023 | $102,985,249 | $3,733,945 | $10,866,125 | $10,339,625 | 6 | $10,621,791 | $3,705,651 | $6,945,284 |
| 2022 | $110,381,495 | $19,891,660 | $9,435,400 | $8,949,900 | 16 | $9,190,582 | $4,083,221 | $6,772,304 |
| 2021 | $100,091,421 | $13,379,801 | $933,024 | $490,100 | 15 | $723,002 | $3,147,802 | $6,013,216 |
| 2020 | $87,641,297 | $14,525,904 | $1,327,629 | $864,863 | 8 | — | $2,824,232 | $4,431,776 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Sanda Hills Equine Center Inc reported a distributable amount of $8.8M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 contributions show support for a range of charitable organizations. Saddlebred Rescue Inc describes its mission as saving unwanted horses from slaughter, returning them to productive lives, and educating the public about concerns facing saddle seat breeds. Dubois County Humane Society says it provides care for homeless animals, promotes adoptions, and investigates animal abuse and neglect. Rock Creek Riding Club describes its aim as promoting horseback riding, horse shows, and related activities to the public.
Other 2024 recipients included organizations whose stated purposes involved basic human needs, religious and family programs, and news coverage of life, family, faith, and cultural issues.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 9 grants totaling $260,645. Grant amounts ranged from $1,950 to $189,695, with a median grant of $3,000. Its largest grants were $189,695 to Missionaries of the Holy Family for basic needs, including clean water, food, shelter, and education, and $50,000 to Saddlebred Rescue Inc to help save horses from slaughter and support re-homing programs.
The foundation also gave $5,000 to Daughters of Mary of Nazareth and $5,000 to LifesiteNews.com Inc; $3,000 to Sisters in Jesus the Lord; $2,000 each to Vanderburgh Humane Society and Dubois County Humane Society; and $2,000 to The Shelbyville Horse Show. Rock Creek Riding Club received $1,950.
The foundation reported direct charitable activity supporting Missionaries of the Holy Family with funding for education, clean-water wells, healthcare, church renovation, and a retirement facility for priests. It also reported funding for Saddlebred Rescue to help save unwanted horses and return them to productive lives.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Theresa S Vonderschmitt as President and Director; Lizelle Hill as Secretary and Director; Lori Mehringer DVM as Director; and Jill Knies and William Wessel as key employees.
Sanda Hills Equine Center Inc is led by Theresa S. Vonderschmitt, President & Director since 2023 (on filings since 2020); 3 of 5 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Theresa S. Vonderschmitt
President & Director
President → President & Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
15 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lizelle Hill
Secretary & Director
Secretary → Secretary & Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
30 hrs/week
$18K (2020) → $35K (2024)
Lori Mehringer Dvm
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
William Wessel
Key Employee
On filings since 2020
22 hrs/week
$19K (2020) → $14K (2024)
Jill Knies
Key Employee
New on the 2024 filing
20 hrs/week
$44K (2024)
Former officers (4)
- Former: Sharon Cox (2020–2023) — Key Employee
- Former: David Hurm (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Wilfred C. Bussing III (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Roscoe R. Tempel (2021–2022) — Key Employee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "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 $44K, to Jill Knies (Key Employee). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Sanda Hills Equine Center Inc
How much does Sanda Hills Equine Center Inc give each year?
Sanda Hills Equine Center Inc gave $261K across 9 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $10.3M across 6 grants.
What is Sanda Hills Equine Center Inc's typical grant size?
Sanda Hills Equine Center Inc's median grant in 2024 was $3,000, and its average grant was $28,961, across 9 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Sanda Hills Equine Center Inc give grants?
Sanda Hills Equine Center Inc gives mostly in Missouri: 74% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was New Jersey (19%).
Does Sanda Hills Equine Center Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 9 grants with a stated purpose on Sanda Hills Equine Center Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are Sanda Hills Equine Center Inc's largest grantees?
Sanda Hills Equine Center Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Missionaries of the Holy Family ($189,695), Saddlebred Rescue Inc ($50,000) and Daughters of Mary of Nazareth ($5,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 94% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Sanda Hills Equine Center Inc?
Sanda Hills Equine Center Inc reported $105.8M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $856K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $8.8M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does Sanda Hills Equine Center Inc fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 contributions show support for a range of charitable organizations. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Sanda Hills Equine Center Inc?
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Sanda Hills Equine Center Inc's EIN?
Sanda Hills Equine Center Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 46-2359859. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Sanda Hills Equine Center Inc accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 12, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 7, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 16, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 12, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 4, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Sanda Hills Equine Center Inc funds
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