Saving Grace Farm INC

About the Organization

Organization category

Public Charity

Country / State

United States / North Carolina

Mission

Our mission at Saving Grace Farm is to enrich the quality of life and promote the abilities of individuals and families through equine assisted services.

Programs or services

Psychotherapy, Equine Assisted Services, Equine Assisted Learning, Therapeutic Riding, Adaptive Riding

Detailed programs

Saving Grace Farm provides equine-assisted services that partner people with horses to promote healing, personal growth, confidence, connection, and independence. As a PATH International-accredited center serving Rowan County and surrounding communities, we offer programs for children, adults, individuals with disabilities, veterans, first responders, and families.

Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy

Our Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) program combines traditional mental health therapy with facilitated interactions between participants and horses. Sessions are ground-based and led by a licensed mental health professional in partnership with a trained Equine Specialist.

Participants do not need prior horse experience. Working alongside horses provides opportunities to explore communication, boundaries, trust, emotional regulation, relationships, problem-solving, and self-awareness in an experiential setting. EAP is available for children ages 7 and older and adults experiencing a variety of mental health and emotional challenges.

Therapeutic and Adaptive Riding

Our therapeutic/adaptive riding program provides individuals with disabilities opportunities to develop physical, cognitive, emotional, social, and horsemanship skills through riding and working with horses.

Activities are adapted to individual abilities and may support balance, coordination, strength, communication, confidence, independence, following directions, and social skills. Our program is offered as a structured multi-week experience that allows participants to build skills and confidence over time.

Equine-Assisted Learning and Horsemanship

Equine-Assisted Learning (EAL) provides experiential opportunities for children, teens, adults, families, and groups to learn alongside horses. Programs may focus on communication, teamwork, leadership, problem-solving, responsibility, confidence, and relationship skills.

We also provide horsemanship education and hands-on experiences that help participants develop practical skills while building a deeper understanding of horse behavior and care.

Veterans and First Responders

Saving Grace Farm offers a specialized, ground-based program at no cost to veterans and first responders. Participants partner with horses through activities designed to encourage connection, communication, trust, stress management, and personal well-being. No previous horse experience is required.

Camps, Workshops, and Community Programs

We also offer camps, workshops, educational programs, and other community experiences that introduce participants to horses in a safe, supportive environment. These programs provide opportunities for learning, connection, confidence, and personal growth.

Across all of our programs, we focus on the individual’s abilities and potential while creating meaningful partnerships between people and horses. We strive to reduce barriers to participation through scholarships and other financial assistance whe

Target Audience

Children, teens, adults, veterans, first responders, people with disabilities, ages 4 and up

Geographic Focus

United States, North Carolina (USA), Cabarrus County (NC), Davidson County (NC), Davie County (NC), Iredell County (NC), Mecklenburg County (NC), Rowan County (NC), Stanly County (NC)

Current projects

Saving Grace Farm is currently focused on expanding access to equine-assisted services while strengthening the organization’s capacity to serve more individuals and families in our community.

Expanding Equine-Assisted Mental Health Services: We are working to increase access to Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy for children and adults experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, and other mental health challenges. We are also working with our mental health partner to expand appointment availability to include times that are more accessible for families, students, and working adults. Our EAP program is ground-based and combines licensed mental health services with facilitated partnerships between participants and horses.

Increasing Access to Therapeutic and Adaptive Riding: We continue to provide structured six-week riding and horsemanship sessions for individuals with disabilities and other challenges, with scholarships available to help reduce financial barriers. Our current 2026 program includes multiple seasonal sessions throughout the year.

Expanding Services for Veterans and First Responders: We are continuing to provide free equine-assisted programs for veterans, active-duty military, EMS personnel, and other emergency personnel. These programs include Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy and therapeutic horsemanship, with both mounted and ground-based options depending on individual needs.

Growing Equine-Assisted Learning and Community Programs: We are developing opportunities for youth, adults, families, and organizations to participate in experiential programs focused on communication, confidence, leadership, teamwork, horsemanship, and personal growth.

Building Organizational Capacity: As demand for our services grows, we are working to strengthen staffing, volunteer training, program capacity, and fundraising so that we can serve more people without compromising the quality or safety of our programs. We are also working toward improving our facilities and infrastructure so that our horse partners and participants have a safe, accessible, sustainable environment in which to learn and grow.

Reducing Financial Barriers: Fundraising and grant support remain an important initiative as we work to provide scholarships and subsidized services for individuals and families who cannot afford the full cost of participation.

Organization goals

Saving Grace Farm’s long-term goal is to expand access to high-quality equine-assisted services while creating a sustainable organization capable of meeting the needs of our community for years to come.

Our goals include:

Increase access to services so more children, adults, individuals with disabilities, veterans, first responders, and families can benefit from equine-assisted programs.
Expand program availability to better accommodate the schedules and needs of the people we serve, including offering more opportunities outside traditional school and work hours.
Strengthen and diversify our programs so we can provide meaningful opportunities for mental health support, therapeutic riding, learning, horsemanship, personal development, and community connection.
Build a strong and sustainable staff and volunteer team that allows the organization to grow without relying on one or two individuals to carry the majority of program and operational responsibilities.
Provide excellent care for our horse partners and maintain a herd that is appropriately matched to the needs of our programs while allowing horses to have sustainable, healthy working lives.
Develop a larger, more accessible and sustainable facility that will increase program capacity and allow us to serve more people in a safe and supportive environment.
Increase long-term financial sustainability through a diverse mix of grants, individual giving, partnerships, program revenue, and fundraising so that services remain available to those who need them.

Ultimately, we want Saving Grace Farm to be a sustainable community resource where people can experience connection, growth, hope, and healing through meaningful partnerships with horses.

Leadership

Janna Griggs – Executive Director
Janna Griggs provides overall leadership for Saving Grace Farm, including organizational strategy, program development, fundraising, community partnerships, operations, and long-term planning. She also provides leadership and oversight for the farm’s equine-assisted programs and works closely with staff, volunteers, and the farm’s horse partners to ensure programs are safe, effective, and aligned with the organization’s mission.

Janiece Jenkins – Clinical Program Partner / Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy Program Lead
Janiece Jenkins provides clinical leadership for Saving Grace Farm’s Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy (EFP) program through our partnership with Jenkins Creative Counseling Center, her private counseling practice. Jenkins Creative Counseling provides the licensed therapists who work with participants and manages therapist scheduling, clinical services, and billing for the program. Janiece works collaboratively with Saving Grace Farm to support the development and delivery of the EFP program.

Kelly Cagle – Administrator and Volunteer Coordinator
Kelly Cagle oversees the organization’s administrative and volunteer coordination functions. Her responsibilities include office communication, volunteer recruitment and coordination, participant scheduling, data entry, records and administrative support, and coordinating communication between participants, volunteers, staff, and program leadership. Her role helps ensure the day-to-day operations of the organization run smoothly and that program staff can focus on serving participants.

Strategic priorities

Saving Grace Farm’s strategy moving forward is centered on expanding access to equine-assisted services while building a strong, sustainable organization capable of serving our community for the long term.

1. Expand Access to Services
Increase opportunities for children, adults, individuals with disabilities, veterans, first responders, and families to participate in equine-assisted services, while reducing financial and scheduling barriers.

2. Strengthen Program Quality and Capacity
Continue developing and expanding our Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy, therapeutic/adaptive riding, Equine-Assisted Learning, and horsemanship programs while maintaining high standards for safety, individualized care, and participant outcomes.

3. Invest in People
Build a strong staff and volunteer team with the skills and capacity needed to support program growth, reduce dependence on a small number of individuals, and provide consistent, high-quality services.

4. Prioritize the Well-Being of Our Horse Partners
Maintain a carefully selected and appropriately sized herd and ensure that our horses receive the care, rest, training, and support necessary to have healthy and sustainable working lives.

5. Build Long-Term Organizational Sustainability
Strengthen our financial foundation through diversified fundraising, grants, individual giving, community partnerships, and program revenue so that we can continue providing services and scholarships regardless of fluctuations in any single funding source.

6. Plan for Sustainable Growth
Work toward acquiring land and developing a larger, accessible facility that can accommodate increased program capacity, provide an appropriate environment for our participants and horse partners, and allow Saving Grace Farm to meet the needs of our community well into the future.
Ultimately, our strategy is to grow thoughtfully—not simply to serve more people, but to build the people, programs, resources, and infrastructure necessary to

Organizational capacity

Saving Grace Farm is a PATH International-accredited organization with an experienced leadership team, trained program staff, dedicated volunteers, and established administrative and financial systems that support the delivery of our programs.

Our Executive Director provides overall organizational and program leadership, while our Administrator and Volunteer Coordinator manages day-to-day administrative functions, scheduling, volunteer coordination, communications, and program records. Our Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy program operates in partnership with Jenkins Creative Counseling, providing access to licensed mental health professionals who work collaboratively with trained Equine Specialists.

Our programs are supported by trained staff and volunteers, established safety procedures, participant intake and documentation processes, and a carefully managed herd of horse partners. We maintain the facilities, equipment, and resources necessary to provide therapeutic riding, Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy, Equine-Assisted Learning, horsemanship, and community programs.

Financially, we maintain established accounting and internal controls, including third-party accounting support for reconciliations, payroll, and annual tax filings, along with Executive Director, Treasurer, and Board oversight.

As a small nonprofit, our capacity is strengthened by committed staff, volunteers, community partners, and supporters. We continue to build our staffing, resources, and infrastructure so that we can responsibly expand our reach while maintaining the quality and safety of our programs.

Funding Needs

Grant categories you're seeking

Capital Funding, Children, Community Services, Disabilities, Justice and Juvenile Justice, Mental Health, Quality of Life, Sports and Recreation, Students, Veterans and Military, Women, Youth and At-Risk Youth

Funding needs

Saving Grace Farm is seeking funding to strengthen our current programs and build the capacity needed to serve more individuals and families in the future.

A primary need is staffing. As demand for our services grows, additional staff are needed to expand program availability, provide more lessons and Equine-Assisted Learning opportunities, support mental health and therapeutic programs, and reduce the reliance on a small number of staff members to provide the majority of program and farm operations. Additional staffing will allow us to increase our reach while maintaining safe, high-quality services and appropriate care for our horses.
We also need funding to acquire additional horses that are well-suited for therapeutic riding, mental health, and educational programs. Our horses are essential partners in our work, and expanding our herd with carefully selected, suitable horses will allow us to accommodate more participants and provide greater variety while also allowing us to appropriately manage the workload and health needs of our current horses.

Our greatest long-term need is a larger, more sustainable facility and property. Our current location limits the number of participants and programs we can accommodate and creates challenges as we continue to grow. We hope to acquire additional land and ultimately develop a larger facility designed specifically for equine-assisted services, with improved space for programs, horses, participants, and staff. A larger facility would allow us to increase program capacity, expand services, improve accessibility, and serve more people in our surrounding communities.

Funding at any level will help Saving Grace Farm move toward greater stability and capacity while continuing to provide meaningful opportunities for hope, healing, connection, and growth through partnerships between people and horses.

Impact & Recognition

Outcomes and impact

Saving Grace Farm serves children and adults with disabilities and mental health challenges, as well as veterans, first responders, and families in Rowan County and surrounding communities. In the most recent program year, we served approximately 35 individuals weekly, through Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy, therapeutic/adaptive riding, Equine-Assisted Learning, horsemanship, and community programs.

Our outcomes are individualized but commonly include increased confidence and self-esteem, improved emotional awareness and regulation, stronger communication and social skills, greater independence, improved balance and coordination, and increased ability to problem-solve and build healthy relationships.

The change created extends beyond the farm. Participants often gain confidence in their abilities and develop skills they can carry into school, work, relationships, and daily life. Our programs provide a supportive environment where individuals can focus on their abilities and experience success through meaningful partnerships with horses.

One participant in our Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy program, a college student struggling with significant anxiety, found the farm to be a safe place to step away from a difficult home environment, work on emotional regulation, and build confidence. At the end of her experience, she shared that the program had helped her “a lot” and described it as wonderful.

Success stories

There are many stories we could share. Most recently, a college student came to Saving Grace Farm during a difficult season in her life. She struggled with significant anxiety and, while home from college for the summer, did not have access to a car. This limited her ability to get away from a challenging home environment and find a healthy outlet for herself.

At Saving Grace Farm, she found a place where she could step away from those circumstances and simply breathe. Through Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy, she was able to work with a therapist and partner with horses in a safe, supportive environment.

The horses gave her opportunities to practice being present, recognizing her emotions, building confidence, and developing healthier ways of responding to stress. As she spent time with the horses, she began to recognize how her own emotions and behavior could affect the horse she was partnering with. Learning to become calmer and more intentional helped her build a greater awareness of her own ability to regulate her emotions.

Perhaps just as importantly, Saving Grace Farm became a place where she felt safe, connected, and accepted. She had somewhere to go during a challenging time—a place where she could focus on herself, develop new skills, and experience the quiet connection that comes from partnering with a horse.

By the end of her time with us, she shared that the experience had helped her “a lot” and described it as wonderful.

Her story is a reminder that equine-assisted services are about more than working with horses. They can provide a safe place to heal, discover strengths, build confidence, and experience hope when someone may need it most.

Organization achievements

Saving Grace Farm has been a PATH International-accredited center since 2007, demonstrating our longstanding commitment to professional standards, safety, quality programming, and ongoing improvement. At our most recent accreditation visit, Saving Grace Farm received a perfect score of 100, reflecting the strength of our programs, policies, and practices.

Our horse partners have also received significant recognition for their contributions to therapeutic and equine-assisted services. Pumpkin, one of our beloved therapy horses, was named 2025 Therapy Horse of the Year by the Norwegian Fjord Horse Alliance and was also recognized as Horse of the Year by Special Olympics North Carolina in 2025.

These accomplishments reflect our commitment to providing safe, high-quality services and honoring the unique partnerships between people and horses that are at the heart of our work.

Major funders

Fundraisers
Blanche & Julian Robertson Family Foundation
Margaret C. Woodson Foundation
Salisbury-Rowan Community Foundation

Partnerships & Collaborations

Saving Grace Farm believes that strong community partnerships are essential to providing effective, accessible services. Our partnerships have evolved over time as community needs and programs have changed, and we focus on building relationships that directly strengthen the services we provide.

Jenkins Creative Counseling Center
Jenkins Creative Counseling is a key clinical partner for our Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy program. Through this partnership, licensed mental health therapists provide clinical services while working collaboratively with Saving Grace Farm’s Equine Specialists. Jenkins Creative Counseling also manages therapist scheduling and billing for the program.

PATH International
Saving Grace Farm is a PATH International-accredited center. Our relationship with PATH International supports our commitment to professional standards, safety, training, and quality within our therapeutic and adaptive riding programs.

Community and Funding Partners
We collaborate with local foundations, businesses, donors, and community organizations that help make our programs accessible to individuals and families who might otherwise be unable to participate. These partnerships provide financial support, community connections, referrals, and opportunities to increase awareness of equine-assisted services.

Volunteers and Community Supporters
Our volunteers are an essential part of our ability to provide services. They assist with programs, participants, events, horse-related activities, and day-to-day operations. We also work with local individuals, businesses, and community supporters who contribute resources, expertise, referrals, and financial support.

We continue to seek meaningful partnerships with mental health providers, schools, healthcare and disability organizations, businesses, veteran and first responder organizations, and other community groups that share our commitment to improving quality of life and expanding access to services.

Sustainability, dissemination & replicability

Sustainability: Saving Grace Farm is committed to building a diverse and sustainable funding model so that programs can continue beyond the period of any individual grant. We combine grants, individual donations, fundraising, program revenue, community partnerships, and scholarships to support our services. We are also working to strengthen staffing, organizational infrastructure, and long-term financial capacity so that growth is sustainable rather than dependent on a single funding source. Our long-term facility goals will further support the stability and capacity of the organization.

Dissemination: We share information about our programs and their impact through our website, social media, community outreach, fundraising events, grant reports, and relationships with local organizations and referral partners. Participant stories, with appropriate permission and protection of privacy, help demonstrate the impact of equine-assisted services and increase awareness of these opportunities within our community. We also work to educate community members and potential referral partners about the different ways equine-assisted services can support mental health, individuals with disabilities, veterans, first responders, and others.

Replicability: While every equine-assisted program must be tailored to its community, participants, facilities, and horse partners, the principles underlying our programs can be adapted by other organizations. Our approach combines qualified professionals, trained Equine Specialists, appropriate horse partners, individualized programming, and established safety practices. By documenting our programs, developing staff and volunteer training, and following recognized professional standards, we are building a model that can inform and support similar programs while allowing each organization to adapt services to its own community and resources.

Our ultimate goal is to create a sustainable organization that not only continues serving our current community, but demonstrates how thoughtful partnerships between people, horses, mental health professionals, and community organizations can expand access to meaningful equine-assisted services.

Internal checks & balances to prevent fraud

Saving Grace Farm maintains internal financial controls and separation of duties designed to promote accountability, protect organizational funds, and reduce the risk of fraud or misuse of resources.

Financial responsibilities are divided among multiple individuals rather than being handled by one person from beginning to end. Purchases and expenses are made by authorized individuals, while administrative staff enter transactions, organize supporting documentation, and maintain receipts and financial records. A third-party accountant independently reconciles the organization’s accounts and prepares payroll and the organization’s annual Form 990.

The Executive Director regularly reviews financial activity for errors or irregularities, and the Treasurer provides an additional level of financial oversight. The Treasurer works with the Executive Director to prepare financial information and reports for review by the Board of Directors. This provides multiple levels of review rather than relying on a single individual to manage and verify financial transactions.

Saving Grace Farm maintains documentation, including receipts, invoices, and other supporting records, to provide an audit trail for organizational transactions. Access to financial accounts and systems is limited to individuals who require access for their responsibilities.

The organization follows Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and applicable nonprofit financial and reporting requirements. Through these controls, third-party accounting oversight, Board involvement, and regular internal review, Saving Grace Farm works to ensure that donor and grant funds are handled responsibly, accurately recorded, and used for their intended purposes.

Get Involved

How can volunteers get involved?

Volunteers may assist with therapeutic and adaptive riding, Equine-Assisted Learning, camps and special programs, participant support, horse care and barn activities, events, fundraising, administrative tasks, and community outreach. Some roles involve working directly with participants and horses, while others provide behind-the-scenes support.

Volunteers receive orientation and appropriate training for their roles, and those working directly with participants or horses receive additional instruction and support. No previous horse experience is required for many volunteer opportunities; we provide training for the responsibilities involved.

We welcome individuals, families, students, community members, and groups who want to contribute their time and skills. Volunteers can help on a regular basis or assist with special events and projects.

Those interested in volunteering can visit our website to learn about current opportunities, complete the volunteer application process, and receive information about upcoming orientation and training. Volunteers must be age 12 or older.

How can donors support your mission?

Donors play an essential role in helping Saving Grace Farm provide equine-assisted services and care for our horse partners. There are several ways to support our mission:

Sponsor a Horse: Help provide for the ongoing care of one of our horse partners, including feed, veterinary care, farrier services, and other essential needs.
Sponsor a Participant: Help make equine-assisted services accessible to an individual or family who may not otherwise be able to afford them.
Make a General Donation: Contributions support the area of greatest need and help fund programs, horse care, operations, and organizational growth.
Become a Monthly Donor: Recurring gifts provide dependable, ongoing support that helps us plan for the future and maintain consistent services.
Shop Our Amazon Wish List: Donors can purchase needed supplies directly from our Amazon Wish List.
Shop Our Chewy Wish List: Donors can help provide food, supplements, and other supplies for our horse partners through our Chewy Wish List.

Every gift, regardless of size, helps us continue creating opportunities for hope, healing, connection, and growth through partnerships between people and horses.

Do you accept partnerships?

Saving Grace Farm welcomes partnerships and collaborations with organizations, businesses, healthcare and mental health providers, schools, community organizations, veteran and first responder organizations, and others who share our commitment to improving quality of life through meaningful partnerships with horses.

Partnerships may take many forms, including program collaboration, participant referrals, sponsorships, financial support, in-kind donations, volunteer involvement, community outreach, educational opportunities, and shared events or initiatives.

We especially value partnerships that help us reach individuals who could benefit from our services, reduce barriers to participation, strengthen our programs, or increase awareness of equine-assisted services in our community.

We believe the strongest partnerships are mutually beneficial and built around a shared purpose: helping more people experience connection, growth, hope, and healing.

Are you seeking board members?

Saving Grace Farm welcomes inquiries from individuals interested in serving on our Board of Directors. As our organization grows, we are particularly interested in individuals who can contribute expertise in areas such as fundraising and development, business and financial management, community partnerships, strategic planning, marketing, and organizational growth.

We seek board members who are passionate about our mission and willing to actively participate in advancing the organization. Individuals interested in learning more about current or future board opportunities are encouraged to contact Saving Grace Farm.

Website & Social Media