Southlands Foundation

What Southlands Foundation does

The Southlands Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Rhinebeck, New York, operating a nearly 200-acre equestrian and nature preserve in the Hudson Valley. Formalized as a charitable foundation in 1983 by Deborah Dows after operating as a riding school since 1938, the organization delivers riding lessons, full-service equine boarding, summer and academic camps, and unmounted equine-assisted therapy to regional families, individual riders, and partner nonprofit organizations. Approximately 90% of the land is protected under a conservation easement with Scenic Hudson dating to 1987, and the property includes more than three miles of maintained trails across forests, meadows, and aquatic habitats.

Core products span four programmatic lines: riding lessons at all skill levels (private, group, beginner, advanced); two-tier boarding (Basic Board and Grooming Board) with supplementary training, show preparation, and rehabilitation services; three camps (Pony Camp at $800 per weekly session for ages 7-14, Nature Camp at $525 per session for ages 4-7, and Jumpstart academic camp at $375 per week for grades 1-3); and equine-assisted therapy delivered through partnerships with Anderson Center for Autism, Ramapo for Children, and Samaritan Daytop Village. The organization does not operate a proprietary technology platform; service delivery depends on credentialed trainers, program curriculum, and the physical facility.

Revenue is generated through five streams: lesson fees, boarding contracts, camp tuition, an eight-tier membership program ranging from $100 to $5,000 annually, and tax-deductible donations processed via Bloomerang. The foundation is governed by a board including former IBM executives and consumer-brand veterans, led by Executive Director Kathy McGettrick, with no parent company, no equity funding, and no disclosed financial figures beyond publicly available 990 filings.

Name

Southlands Foundation

Legal name

The Southlands Foundation

Website

https://southlands.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Southlands Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating a nearly 200-acre Hudson Valley equestrian and nature preserve in Rhinebeck, NY, offering riding lessons, equine boarding, camps, and equine-assisted therapy to regional families and partner nonprofits.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Equestrian and Nature Education Services

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190), Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYTHAAAKAL

Equestrian & Horse Trekking Centers

Travel & Hospitality/Adventure, Amusement Parks & Ecotourism/Adventure Sports & Activity Centers (Paragliding, Skydiving, Surf Schools)

SECONDARYTHAAAKAM

Adventure Multi-Sport Camps & Skills Academies

Travel & Hospitality/Adventure, Amusement Parks & Ecotourism/Adventure Sports & Activity Centers (Paragliding, Skydiving, Surf Schools)

SECONDARYTHAAAOAI

Instructor-Led Skills Academies (Climbing, Paddling, Mountaineering Schools)

Travel & Hospitality/Adventure, Amusement Parks & Ecotourism/Educational Adventure Programs (Outdoor Education, Skill Development)

Keywords

• Equestrian education
• Horse boarding services
• Equine-assisted therapy
• Youth summer camps
• Land conservation programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Rhinebeck

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Annual membership contributions at multiple tiers ($100-$5,000) supporting the organization's mission. Higher tiers provide lesson discounts and other benefits.
2. Riding Lessons: Revenue from providing riding instruction for all ages and skill levels, including private and group lessons.
3. Equine Boarding: Full-service boarding packages including Basic Board and Grooming Board options, with additional services such as training, show preparation, and rehabilitation.
4. Camp Programs: Summer camp revenue from Pony Camp ($800/session), Nature Camp ($525/session), and Jumpstart academic camp ($375/week).
5. Equine Therapy Programs: Equine-assisted therapy services provided in partnership with organizations serving individuals with developmental differences, behavioral health challenges, and those building life skills.
6. Donations and Annual Appeals: Tax-deductible contributions supporting land conservation, equine care, and program expansion. Public donations encouraged through website.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Southlands Foundation is a 501c3 nonprofit operating a nearly 200-acre equestrian and nature preserve in Rhinebeck, NY. It offers riding lessons for all ages and skill levels, full-service horse boarding (Basic and Grooming tiers), equine-assisted therapy programs, summer youth camps (Pony Camp, Nature Camp, Jumpstart Camp), and land conservation across a permanent Scenic Hudson easement. The organization generates revenue through program fees, boarding, memberships, camp tuition, and donations.

Product overview

The Southlands Foundation offers a unified portfolio of equestrian and nature-based programs centered around their 200+ acre Hudson Valley preserve. The core offerings include Pony Camp (summer program for ages 7-14), Nature Camp (for ages 4-7), and Jumpstart Camp (back-to-school program for grades 1-3), which together form the camp programming. Riding Lessons provide private and group instruction for all skill levels, while Stables & Boarding offers full-service equine care with Basic and Grooming Board tiers plus supplementary services. Equine Therapy delivers unmounted therapeutic programs for individuals with developmental and behavioral health needs. These programs interconnect through shared facilities, staff, and mission of connecting people with horses and nature.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Riding Lessons Riding lessons for all ages and skill levels including private lessons, group lessons, beginner lessons, and advanced lessons. Lessons focus on building confidence, developing lifelong skills, and connecting with nature.
• Stables & Boarding Full-service equine boarding with Basic Board (spacious 12'x12' stalls, daily cleaning, customized feeding, daily turnout, nightly wellness checks) and Grooming Board (daily grooming including currying, brushing, and hoof picking). Additional services include horse training packages, horse show preparation, farrier and vet coordination, and rehabilitation services.
• Pony Camp A hands-on summer experience for children ages 7-14 who love horses and being outdoors. Campers spend their days grooming and caring for ponies, learning basic riding and horsemanship skills, and building confidence through supportive instruction.
• Nature Camp A camp for children ages 4-7 that invites young campers to slow down, explore, and discover the natural world around them through hiking, meeting animals, observing insects and birds, creating nature-inspired crafts, and enjoying outdoor games with weekly pony rides.
• Jumpstart Camp A week-long, half-day program for children entering grades 1-3 designed to help young students ease back into learning through a fun, supportive environment combining reading, math, and creative activities with hands-on interactions with ponies.
• Equine Therapy Equine-assisted therapy programs that create meaningful connections between people and horses through unmounted interactions including grooming, leading, and guided activities. Programs serve children, adolescents, and adults with diverse needs including developmental differences and behavioral health challenges.
• Annual Membership Program Annual membership program supporting Southlands' mission with tiered contributions providing lesson discounts and other benefits. Tiers include Friend and Supporter ($100), Collegiate Ribbon ($200), Red Ribbon ($350), Blue Ribbon ($500), Reserve Champion Family ($1,000), Champion Family ($2,500), and Grand Champion Family ($5,000).

Quantifiable outcome

• Successful defense against eminent domain attempt in 1979 to preserve land from becoming a landfill
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Scenic HudsoncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1987Conservation partner holding a permanent conservation easement over approximately 90% of Southlands' land since 1987, ensuring permanent protection from development. Critical to Southlands remaining 'forever green.'
• Anderson Center for AutismcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing partnership providing equine-assisted programs for children and adults with autism. Emma Mearkle (Assistant Barn Manager) leads programs with Anderson Center and is pursuing PATH certification in equine therapies.
• Samaritan Daytop VillagecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWeekly equine-assisted program serving adult rehabilitation center participants. Founded 1988 at FoxHollow Farm. Longstanding 501c3 partnership with Deborah Dows' support. Elizabeth Golden Hilton (Board member) leads weekly program.
• Ramapo for ChildrenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEquine therapy partnership providing riding lessons and unmounted equine interactions for children from Ramapo. Emma Mearkle leads programs with Ramapo participants.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Old Salem Farm: Westchester County, NY equestrian facility offering boarding, riding lessons, training, and horse shows — comparable New York equestrian operations, lesson/board revenue mix, and Hudson Valley-adjacent horse show ecosystem.
• Wyndmont Equestrian Center: Regional equestrian center offering boarding, lessons, and training with similar tiered service offerings (Basic vs. full-grooming board), comparable lesson/boarding revenue mix, and experienced trainer base.
• BraveHearts Therapeutic Riding: Nonprofit therapeutic horsemanship organization serving veterans, children, and adults with disabilities, comparable to Southlands' equine therapy programs in target population, certification standards, and partner-driven delivery model.
• Pegasus Therapeutic Riding: Hudson Valley-based nonprofit providing equine-assisted therapy and adaptive riding programs, directly comparable in therapeutic equestrian services, partnership model with healthcare NGOs, and nonprofit funding structure.
• HorseAbility: Long Island, NY nonprofit offering therapeutic horsemanship and adaptive riding with similar nonprofit governance, PATH-instructor trained staff, and special-needs partnership programs akin to Southlands' work with Anderson Center and Ramapo.
• Bittersweet Farms: Ohio-based nonprofit therapeutic riding center serving individuals with developmental differences through equine programs, closely mirroring Southlands' nonprofit equine-therapy mission, partnership with disability services, and certified-instructor model.

Others

• Scenic Hudson: Hudson Valley land conservation nonprofit holding Southlands' conservation easement and a key strategic partner, comparable as a mission-aligned regional conservation organization rather than a direct competitor.

Regional players

• Skylands Equestrian Center: New Jersey equestrian facility offering lessons, boarding, and summer camps in a comparable Northeast corridor, reflecting the regional competitive set for boarding and youth riding programs but operating in a different geography.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/TheSouthlandsFoundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/southlandsfoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-southlands-foundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles19 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Southlands Foundation