GREAT ESCAPE INC

Collaborate for Solutions. Protect our Resources. Save our Mustangs.

aka The Great Escape Mustang Sanctuary & Training Center   |   Deer Trail, CO   |  www.greatescapesanctuary.org

Mission

We offer education and awareness about mustangs and burros, collaborate to support wild horses on the range and provide training, adoptions and sanctuary to those in need. Since 2011, The Great Escape Mustang Sanctuary and Training Center has been an innovative model working with the Bureau of Land Management and other key organizations for both on range and off range collaboration for healthy herds, lands, and homes for mustangs.

Ruling year info

2012

Executive Director

Stephanie Linsley

Main address

42132 Ridge Road

Deer Trail, CO 80105 USA

Show more contact info

EIN

45-3417604

NTEE code info

Wildlife Preservation/Protection (D30)

Educational Services and Schools - Other (B90)

Alliance/Advocacy Organizations (D01)

IRS filing requirement

This organization is required to file an IRS Form 990 or 990-EZ.

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Communication

Programs and results

What we aim to solve

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

With over 48,000 wild horses in holding facilities nationwide and 82,000 in the wild, when Appropriate Management Levels (AML) are called to be closer to 27,000, something different has to be done, a new model needs to be explored. We believe that organizations partnering directly with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and specific Herd Management Areas (HMA) will not only help alleviate the pressures on holding facilities and tax payers wallets, but also keep manageable numbers of wild ones running free on their native lands for generations to come. This is exactly what we’re doing. By offering support on and off the range, we are able to be an effective solution to a growing need.

Our programs

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?

Training & Adoption Program

Our goal with our Training and Adoption Program is to provide people and mustangs the knowledge and skill set to successfully handle the transition from wild to trained. The key to successful adoptions is training...for both human and animal.

Population(s) Served

Whether leading school field trips at the ranch or bringing our Ambassador Mustangs and Burros to schools, our goal with our Outreach Program is to provide children of all ages a learning experience that is unique and not one they will forget. We present an age appropriate slideshow and discuss topics that are relevant, while bringing education and awareness to the issues that Mustangs and Burros face both on and off the range. Then, we meet our live animals for hands-on interactions.

Population(s) Served

Through our partnership with the Mustang Heritage Foundation, GEMS serves as the only storefront location in Colorado for qualified TIP trainers to pick-up wild horses. Under the Mustang Heritage Foundation's Trainer Incentive Program (TIP), trainers work with the horses so they will lead, be able to have their feet handled, and be loaded onto a trailer. These horses are then offered to interested adopters for a chance at new homes. This program was created to bridge the gap between potential adopters and wild horses housed at BLM facilities.

Population(s) Served

Escape on the Range is our retreat center located on the sanctuary pasture amongst the wild herds. Guests are overnighters from our Horsemanship Programs, photography workshops, our Great Escape Veterans Program and more. The goal to give people from different backgrounds exposure to Mustangs and allowing them to get back to nature.

Population(s) Served

This program is aimed at increasing the number of people equipped to successfully create a partnership with their horse. They will learn the language of leadership with horses in this full day, hands-on clinic as they explore intricacies of natural herd behavior and equine psychology, while emulating the qualities of a good leader and partner from the horse’s perspective and improve their ability to influence the horse’s mind and body.

Population(s) Served

Our day tours offer the public an up close and personal experience with our Ambassador Mustangs and Burros, then either a drive or hike to the sanctuary pasture to visit with the wild herds that call GEMS their forever home. Another wonderful opportunity to bring the public into the world of the Mustang.

Population(s) Served

The Great Escape Veterans Program is produced in partnership with the Mustang Heritage Foundation Veterans & Mustangs program. This week long, residential style, training program is aimed at pairing Military Veterans with Mustangs they choose themselves, taking the horses through a gentling process led by our Head Trainer.

Population(s) Served

Where we work

Goals & Strategy

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.

Charting impact

Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.

The Great Escape Mustang Sanctuary (GEMS) is a 501c3 non-profit organization. We are an innovative model working with the Bureau of Land Management and other key organizations for both on range and off range collaboration for healthy herds, lands, and homes for mustangs.

Off range, GEMS provides training and adoption of Mustangs and Burros, while providing a sanctuary for those animals in need. We foster a connection with children and adults through community outreach, tours, field trips, overnight retreat programs, therapeutic programs and clinics in order to increase public awareness and education.

On range, our organization is responsible for herd documentation, fertility control, gather support and promotion of proper wild horse management.

The Sand Wash Advocate Team (SWAT) is our ‘on range’ program. An organized alliance of individuals and groups working together with the BLM to support the Sand Wash Basin HMA with herd documentation, herd population management, gather support and education/marketing/promotion for the range.

Our Adoption Storefront, in collaboration with the Mustang Heritage Foundation and the BLM, was developed to increase the number of mustang adoptions through training.

Junior GEMS Training Club teaches Natural Horsemanship training methods to youth utilizing Mustang weanlings.

At the sanctuary, we offer a myriad of unique and exciting programs, built to offer our audience the opportunity to learn new disciplines of horsemanship (Escape to Horsemanship), or partake in yoga and meditation or artistic retreats (Escape on the Range). We also offer day tours, children’s field trips, Airbnb Experiences overnights and even facility rentals...all designed to bring the public closer to the mustangs.

We manage a 900 acre sanctuary of beautiful open meadows, stands of pine trees and ponds. Our training facilities are comprised of various corrals, round pens and arenas. Our team is highly skilled and adept at handing the challenges of wild horse management, training and care.

From 2015-2018, our organization has moved over 350 horses from holding and into homes and has accommodated 1,000's of visitors at our facility whether for day or overnight programs. However, we are continuously searching for new collaborations and partnerships to be able to accomplish more.

Financials

GREAT ESCAPE INC
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Operations

The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.

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Connect with nonprofit leaders

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GREAT ESCAPE INC

Board of directors
as of 04/17/2020
SOURCE: Self-reported by organization
Board chair

Michelle Sander

Louis Ferracane

Michelle Sander

Caroline Roy

Joe Roy

Vicky Graham

Nicki Creasey

Board leadership practices

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.

  • Board orientation and education
    Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes
  • CEO oversight
    Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes
  • Ethics and transparency
    Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes
  • Board composition
    Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes