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HUNKAPI PROGRAMS INC

Scottsdale, AZ · EIN 263902877 · Form 990 · FY2022 · NTEE E50 · Health Care · Medium ($1M-$10M) · www.hunkapi.org
revenue
$2.1M
expenses
$2.2M
net assets
$1.5M
employees
55
program ratio
83%
mission · from form 990

HUNKAPI PROGRAMS IS A SUSTAINABLE, THERAPEUTIC FARM WHERE PEOPLE ARE HELPED TO GROW IN BODY, MIND AND SPIRIT THROUGH EQUINE AND GARDENING THERAPIES

profile · synthesized from sources

Hunkapi Programs Inc. is an operational nonprofit based in Scottsdale, Arizona, that provides equine-assisted psychotherapy and somatic healing. The organization utilizes horses and other farm animals to help individuals, including children with abuse and neglect, heal from trauma, anxiety, depression, and other challenges. They focus on teaching individuals to "fear less and love more" through interaction with their therapeutic herd.

named programs · 4 · from sources

what they call their work

Equine Assisted Psychotherapy
Therapy sessions that incorporate horses to help individuals with mental health challenges.
Somatic Equine Experience ©
A trademarked curriculum specifically designed for working with First Responders living with PTSD.
Somatic Healing
Healing practices that involve the body, often in conjunction with equine interaction, to address trauma and emotional regulation.
Therapeutic Riding Program
Utilizes horses to provide therapeutic benefits to clients, including those with special needs.
activities · 9 groups

what they do

  • Equine-Assisted Therapy for Veterans and First Responders 8 activities
    • Addiction and Recovery Programs
      Provides programs utilizing horses to help individuals in addiction and recovery identify and control urges and build healthy relationships.
    • Counseling and Life Skills Programs with Horses
      Provides counseling and life skills programs that involve interaction with horses and licensed therapists to help individuals address life challenges, including emotional regulation and healthy management skills for children and parents, and programs for addiction and recovery to help individuals identify and control urges and build healthy relationships.
    • Equine Assisted Therapy Programs
      Provides mindfulness-based, trauma-informed therapeutic programs using horses to support emotional regulation, healthy relationship building, communication, and life skills development for individuals facing challenges including trauma, addiction, and mental health issues.
    • Equine-Assisted Therapy and Learning Programs
      Provides a variety of therapeutic and educational programs utilizing horses, including therapeutic riding lessons, mindfulness-based programs, and specialized equine-assisted therapy focused on emotional regulation, relationship building, and communication skills for individuals and families.
    • First Responder and Veteran Support Programs
      Provides equine Somatic Experiencing to first responders to help reduce stress through the First Responder Program and hosts a 4-hour intensive program for families of first responders and veterans to foster stress reduction, enhance communication, and strengthen family bonds.
    • First Responder and Veteran Support Programs
      Delivers equine Somatic Experiencing and intensive family programs for first responders and veterans to reduce stress, strengthen family bonds, and improve communication through horse-based therapeutic interventions.
    • First Responder and Veteran Support Programs
      Offers equine Somatic Experiencing to first responders for stress reduction and provides a 4-hour intensive program for families of first responders and veterans to foster stress reduction, enhance communication, and strengthen family bonds.
    • Therapeutic Equine Programs
      Offers mindfulness-based, therapeutic horse programs, including specialized Equine Assisted Therapy focused on building healthy relationships, regulating emotions and behaviors, identifying strengths, and improving communication. This includes therapeutic riding lessons with PATH certified and HUNKAPI trained instructors to improve health, well-being, sensory, and motor skills, and a Therapeutic Riding program for the community.
  • Youth Internship Placement 4 activities
    • Internship Program
      Accepts interns who need mandated service hours for classes, PATH certification, or college.
    • Volunteer Training and Development
      Offers a structured volunteer program requiring participation in two orientations (Feeding Frenzy and Farm Care Orientation), with a Level 2 track allowing volunteers aged 14+ to join therapeutic sessions after completing Level 1 and 10 hours of Farm Care.
    • Volunteer and Intern Training
      Requires volunteers to complete orientations and offers a Level 2 Volunteer program for direct participation in therapeutic sessions, and accepts interns needing mandated service hours for certifications or college.
    • Volunteer and Internship Programs
      Provides volunteer opportunities with required orientations and a Level 2 program for direct therapeutic session involvement, and accepts interns needing mandated service hours for classes, PATH certification, or college.
  • Youth Equine Education & Horsemanship 4 activities
    • Youth Horse Camps and Life Skills Development
      Offers winter horse camps focused on life skills development through daily farm care, horsemanship, and experiential learning.
    • Youth Winter Horse Camps
      Offers winter horse camps focused on life skills development through activities including daily farm care, horsemanship, and experiential learning.
    • Youth and Family Life Skills Programs
      Offers winter horse camps focused on life skills development through daily farm care, horsemanship, and experiential learning, and provides counseling and life skills programs involving horses and licensed therapists.
    • Youth and Family Life Skills Programs
      Offers winter horse camps and other experiential learning programs focused on life skills development through daily farm care, horsemanship, and structured activities for children and families.
  • Trauma-Informed Training and Professional Consultation 3 activities
    • International Trauma Therapist Training
      Trained trauma therapists and soldiers in Israel using a specialized curriculum in March 2024.
    • Professional Training and Curriculum Development
      Trained trauma therapists and soldiers in Israel using a specialized curriculum in March 2024.
    • Professional Training and International Capacity Building
      Conducted specialized training for trauma therapists and soldiers in Israel in March 2024 using a tailored curriculum to expand equine-assisted therapeutic practices internationally.
  • Horticultural Therapy Programs 3 activities
    • Special Needs Garden Program
      Maintains gardens grown and tended by individuals with special needs.
    • Special Needs Garden Program
      Maintains gardens that are grown and tended by individuals with special needs.
    • Special Needs Gardening Program
      Maintains gardens that are grown and tended by individuals with special needs, providing meaningful engagement and therapeutic horticultural activities.
  • Holiday Gift and Family Support Programs 2 activities
    • Christmas at the Farm Event
      Hosts the 22nd annual Christmas at the Farm event for children in crisis centers and group homes, providing a structured holiday event from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM on Christmas Day.
    • Holiday Events for Children in Crisis
      Hosts the annual Christmas at the Farm event and provides a structured holiday event on Christmas Day for children in crisis centers and group homes.
  • Equine-Facilitated Personal Growth Programs 2 activities
    • Corporate Team-Building Sessions
      Offers three-hour team-building sessions using horses and facilitators to improve workplace dynamics, communication, and productivity.
    • Team-Building Sessions
      Offers three-hour team-building sessions using horses and facilitators to improve workplace dynamics, communication, and productivity.
  • Adaptive Riding & Horsemanship Instruction 1 activity
    • Therapeutic Riding Program
      Offers therapeutic riding lessons with PATH certified and HUNKAPI trained instructors to improve health, well-being, sensory, and motor skills for individuals in the community.
  • Uncategorized 11 activities
    • Community Events and Fundraising
      Hosts an annual Drag & Pony Show to benefit the farm and operates Hunkapi Farms as a venue for various events.
    • Community Events and Fundraising
      Hosts an annual Drag & Pony Show to benefit the farm and operates Hunkapi Farms as a venue for events, seminars, retreats, parties, or weddings.
    • Community and Holiday Events
      Hosts annual events including the 22nd annual Christmas at the Farm for children in crisis centers and group homes, providing a structured holiday experience from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM on Christmas Day, as well as the Drag & Pony Show to benefit the farm.
    • Earl Page Cooper Scholarship Administration
      Administers the Earl Page Cooper Scholarship to honor Earl's legacy and reviews scholarship fund requests three times a year.
    • Earl Page Cooper Scholarship Administration
      Administers the Earl Page Cooper Scholarship, reviewing fund requests three times a year, to honor Earl's legacy and pass on his values to recipients.
    • Earl Page Cooper Scholarship Program
      Administers the Earl Page Cooper Scholarship to honor Earl's legacy and pass on his values to recipients, reviewing requests three times a year with application deadlines in June, August, and December.
    • Event Venue Operations
      Operates Hunkapi Farms as a venue for external events such as seminars, retreats, parties, and weddings.
    • Internship Program
      Accepts interns fulfilling mandated service hours for academic programs, PATH certification, or college requirements, providing hands-on experience in therapeutic and farm operations.
    • Scholarship Administration
      Administers the Earl Page Cooper Scholarship, reviewing applications three times per year (June, August, December) to support recipients in continuing Earl's legacy and values.
    • Special Events and Farm Venue Operation
      Hosts annual events such as the Drag & Pony Show and Christmas at the Farm for children in crisis, and operates Hunkapi Farms as a venue for various events, seminars, retreats, parties, or weddings.
    • Volunteer Training and Placement
      Requires volunteers to participate in two orientations (Feeding Frenzy and Farm Care Orientation) and offers a Level 2 Volunteer program for those aged 14 or older to work directly in therapeutic sessions after completing Level 1 Orientation and 10 hours of Farm Care.
financials · form 990 · fy2022
revenue
Total revenue$2.14M
Contributions & grants$782K37%
Program service revenue$1.32M62%
Investment income$40K2%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$2.17M
Program expenses83%
Admin / overhead17%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$995K
Grants paid out$400
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$9.03M
Cash$251K
Investments$0
Liabilities$7.52M
Net assets$1.51M
Liquid reserves1.4 mo
3 years on record · 2020–2022 · YoY revenue -4.7%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2022

who runs it

paid leadership · 1
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
TERRA SCHAAD EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 40 $110K
board members · 8
  • Heather Malenshek — Director
  • JENNIFER HERSH — SECRETARY
  • JIM PALECEK — BOARD MEMBER
  • JULIE PRUE CAUICH — DIRECTOR
  • MICHAEL ELLENBY — TREASURER
  • STEPHEN LENN — DIRECTOR
  • TOBY BLOCK — CHARIMAN
  • TODD RUSSELL — VICE CHAIR
relationships · 13

who they work with

  • Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System Government — Accepts AHCCCS cards for camp participation.
  • Benaddictionn Partner — Local drag performer participating in the Drag & Pony Show.
  • Carey Peña Partner — Emceed the "Open Your Heart Gala" in 2025.
  • Christmas at the Farm Partner — Event name associated with Hunkapi's annual holiday program for children in crisis
  • DJ Mode Partner — Music performer providing entertainment at the Drag & Pony Show.
  • Espressa Grande Partner — Local drag performer participating in the Drag & Pony Show.
  • Frankie Fletcher Partner — Served as auctioneer for the live auction at the "Open Your Heart Gala" in 2025.
  • Kim Etiquette Partner — Local drag performer participating in the Drag & Pony Show.
  • Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship Partner — Riding instructors are PATH certified.
  • Scottsdale Police Department Partner — Terra Schaad has spoken to this organization.
  • United States Prosecuting Attorney Association Partner — Terra Schaad has spoken to this organization.
  • Utah Prosecuting Attorney Association Partner — Terra Schaad has spoken to this organization.
  • local rescue groups Partner — Collaborates with local rescue groups to adopt and care for animals.