Detroit Horse Power

What Detroit Horse Power does

Detroit Horse Power is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2015 by former Detroit elementary school teacher David Silver. The organization provides free equine-assisted youth development programming to Detroit students in grades 6-12, operating summer horse camps (serving 100 students annually from late June through August) and year-round after-school programs at partner horse barns outside the city. Programming is structured around a curriculum teaching PERCS life skills (Perseverance, Empathy, Responsible Risk-Taking, Confidence, and Self-Control) through riding and horse care, with paid counselor-in-training positions for advancing students. Since 2015, the organization has brought nearly 1,000 Detroit youth to its partner barns.

The organization is currently constructing a 14-acre Urban Equestrian Center at 2701 Fenkell, Detroit (the former St. Francis Home for Boys / Paul Robeson Academy site), which when complete is described as the largest urban equestrian center in the nation. The facility, which broke ground on October 21, 2024, will include stables for up to 17 horses, a 75'x160' indoor riding arena, 10,000 sq ft of conditioned classroom and community space, a 100'x200' outdoor arena, and a half-mile bridle path. Upon opening (planned for 2026/early 2027), it is projected to serve 5x more summer camp participants, provide 10x more horse-contact time for after-school students, and reach 1,000+ new students annually.

Detroit Horse Power is funded entirely through a nonprofit donation model comprising individual donations, foundation grants (Kresge, Skillman, Ralph C. Wilson Jr., McGregor, Knight), corporate sponsorships (Huntington, Ford Motor Company Fund, Cadillac Asphalt, Boehringer Ingelheim), and event-based fundraising (annual benefit endurance rides, galas). Capital campaign commitments of $10 million have been secured for the facility, supplemented by a separate $2 million Stable Future Fund for 18 months of expanded operations. Programs are offered free of charge to students, with a stated unit cost of $500 per student per week of summer camp ($7,500 per week for the full cohort of 100). The organization employs 7 key staff and reports no proprietary technology platforms.

Name

Detroit Horse Power

Legal name

Detroit Horse Power

Website

https://detroithorsepower.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Detroit Horse Power is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2015 that provides free equine-assisted youth development programs to Detroit students in grades 6-12, teaching life skills through riding and horse care at partner barns and a new 14-acre Urban Equestrian Center under construction.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Development Services (Equestrian-Assisted Education)

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162), RV (Recreational Vehicle) Parks and Recreational Camps (7212)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Arts, Sports & Recreation-Based Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Sport/Show Horse Training & Performance Programs (AFAEAGAF)

Keywords

• Equine-assisted youth programs
• Nonprofit youth services
• Equestrian education programs
• Social-emotional learning programs
• Urban youth development

Headquarters

HQ city

Detroit

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Funding from individual donors who support the organization to provide free programs for Detroit youth. Donors can sponsor a student or make general contributions.
2. Foundation Grants: Major funding from foundations including Kresge Foundation, Skillman Foundation, Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation, McGregor Fund, and others for capital campaigns and operational support.
3. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate sponsors including Huntington, Cadillac Asphalt, Boehringer Ingelheim, Ford Motor Company Fund, and others provide financial support and in-kind contributions.
4. Event Fundraising: Annual benefit endurance rides, hunter paces, and galas generate revenue and community engagement. The 2025 and 2024 gala photo galleries demonstrate major fundraising events.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Detroit Horse Power delivers free summer horse camps and year-round after-school programs that teach Detroit students in grades 6-12 to ride and care for horses, with the goal of building social-emotional and life skills. Programs are fully funded by donations, foundation grants, and corporate sponsors and are offered at no cost to participating youth. The organization is currently building a 14-acre Urban Equestrian Center on repurposed vacant land in Detroit to serve as a permanent year-round facility.

Product overview

Detroit Horse Power is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2015 that operates a single unified youth development program centered on equestrian education. The organization offers two primary programmatic products: Summer Horse Camp serving 100 Detroit students annually (completely free of charge) and After-School Programming providing year-round access to horses. These programs are designed to teach youth critical life skills through riding and caring for horses. The organization is currently constructing its flagship Urban Equestrian Center on a 14-acre site in Detroit, which will become the largest urban equestrian center in the nation when completed in 2026. Supporting programs include Student Sponsorship, Horse Donation Program, and the Stable Future Fund capital campaign. The organization hosts annual endurance ride events as fundraising activities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Urban Equestrian Center: A 14-acre urban equestrian education center under construction at 2701 Fenkell, Detroit, designed to be the largest urban equestrian center in the nation with stables for 17 horses, a 75'x160' indoor riding arena, and 10,000 square feet of conditioned space.
• Stable Future Fund
• Horse Donation Program
• Sponsor a Student

Products and services

• Summer Horse Camp

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Detroit Public Schools Community DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSold the 14-acre property at 2701 Fenkell to Detroit Horse Power; historical connection to Paul Robeson Academy that previously operated on the site.
• Focus: HOPEcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity strategic master plan highlighted alignment of the urban equestrian center proposal with residents' goals for environmentally-focused land uses and youth opportunities.
• McIntosh Poris ArchitectscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitecture firm leading the design process for the new urban equestrian center, with plans brought back to Hope Village residents and Youth Leadership Council for feedback.
• Ethos Development PartnerscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerDevelopment partner guiding Detroit Horse Power through every step of the facility construction process.
• ProxycoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerDevelopment partner guiding Detroit Horse Power through every step of the facility construction process.
• Lynnman ConstructionmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConstruction partner installing Wick Buildings for the new facility.
• LS BrinkermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConstruction partner working on the achievable construction plan for the urban equestrian center.
• US Equestrian FederationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEquestrian partner providing diversity and inclusion programming support.
• Wayne State UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner in the community network.
• Alternatives for GirlsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner organization supporting Detroit youth.
• Shared DetroitminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner organization.
• University of Michigan School of Social WorkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner providing social work connections.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• GallopNYC: A New York City-based nonprofit offering therapeutic horsemanship programs for youth and adults with disabilities, including social-emotional development. Shares Detroit Horse Power's equestrian-based youth development model in an urban setting.
• Strides to Success: An Indiana-based nonprofit providing equine-assisted learning and therapy to youth and adults facing challenges. Shares Detroit Horse Power's mission of using equestrian programming to teach life skills.
• Horses Healing Hearts: A nonprofit providing equine-assisted therapy and youth development programs, similar in mission to Detroit Horse Power. Both organizations use horses as a vehicle for social-emotional growth in underserved youth populations.
• BraveHearts Therapeutic Riding Center: An Illinois-based therapeutic horsemanship center serving youth and adults with disabilities and other challenges. Directly comparable to Detroit Horse Power in program model and target population.
• Hearts & Horses: A Colorado-based therapeutic riding center providing equine-assisted activities to youth and adults with disabilities. Comparable to Detroit Horse Power in using horses as a development tool for underserved populations.

Broad incumbents

• Green Chimneys: A New York-based nonprofit providing residential and educational services for at-risk youth, with a working farm and equine-assisted therapy programs. A broader, more established player in youth services with a similar equine programming element.

Regional players

• SIRE (Stewards of Independent Recreation and Education): A Houston, Texas-based therapeutic horsemanship nonprofit serving individuals with disabilities through equine activities. Operates in a different region than Detroit Horse Power but shares the urban-equine youth development service model.
• Equest: A Texas-based nonprofit providing equine-assisted therapies and activities to people with disabilities and challenges. Operates in a different geography from Detroit Horse Power but shares the equestrian youth development mission.

Others

• EAGALA (Equine-Assisted Growth and Learning Association): An international professional association setting standards for equine-assisted psychotherapy and personal development. An industry body that supports and certifies programs like Detroit Horse Power's PERCS framework.
• Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH) International: The leading industry association for equine-assisted services, providing accreditation, standards, and education to therapeutic riding centers including Detroit Horse Power. Adjacent enabling organization rather than a direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/dethorsepower
• Facebookfacebook.com/dethorsepower
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/detroit-horse-power

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Detroit Horse Power