The Academy is a digital training program custom-tailored for those interested in learning the fundamentals of how to start and/or enhance a nonprofit ranch ministry like Hope Reins. The Academy is an extension of Hope Reins’ effort to realize its vision of True Hope and Real Healing for Every Child.

Covid exacerbated an already dire mental health crisis worldwide for kids. Children and teens all over the world are desperate for access to a program like Hope Reins. We have had kids from 16 counties in North Carolina, Virginia, and South Carolina participate in our program.

Hope Reins is the leading provider for faith-based equine mentorship in the country. We have a proven, replicable program for helping children go from trauma to resilience. Because of the awareness of the Joey book, Hope Reins has been receiving calls from all over the country and world inquiring on how to start a similar program.

In 2019, we began to teach an introductory class that has been successful but has only scratched the surface of need. The board and leadership team of Hope Reins feel a strong calling from God to launch a more immersive training program to help people start and be successful long-term. Time is urgent. Kids need help now. We want to support people to launch their own ranch in order to make a larger impact in the mental health crisis for kids.

In parallel to our pathway of helping children transition from trauma to resilience, The Academy pathway will help similar ministries transition from dreaming to reality. We launched our Essentials course in early 2024, and we are working diligently to build out future courses.

1. Essentials – Available now
   1. For those looking to build or strengthen a faith-based equine mentorship ministry
   2. Provides foundational content on business, leadership, and operations
2. Hope Reins’ Horsemanship (2025-2026 launch time frame)
   1. Empowering others to help humans heal with horses
   2. Provides a framework on how to support horses with a relational job through
      healing-based horsemanship
3. Post-Essentials course (2026 launch time frame)
   1. For those looking to strengthen and refine their existing faith-based equine mentorship program
   2. Provides a deeper dive into the foundational topics of the Essentials course

Our goal is to provide a high value of content at a low price point to enable the highest number of participants to enroll in our courses.

Our Essentials course is priced at $300 for one-year course access for three users.

Please note that the registration fee is not considered a tax deductible donation.

The Essentials is an online course that provides everything you need to start up or strengthen your similar nonprofit ranch ministry. The course is divided into three core topics: business, leadership, and operations. Each of the modules highlights important fundamentals for beginners and best practices for those looking to strengthen an existing program.

Business Essentials:

• Module 1 – Setting Your Strategic Vision
• Module 2 – Be a Legitimate Nonprofit
• Module 3 – Be a Legitimate Nonprofit: Board Development
• Module 4 – Business Planning: Why Plan?
• Module 5 – Business Planning: How to Plan
• Module 6 – Technical Infrastructure
• Module 7 – Fundraising Fundamentals
• Module 8 – Fundraising: Engaging & Growing Champions
• Module 9 – Fundraising: Marketing & Communications

Leadership Essentials:

• Module 10 – Calling
• Module 11 – Competency
• Module 12 – Communication
• Module 13 – Character

Operations Essentials:

• Module 14 – Property: Development & Setup
• Module 15 – Horses: Finding & Selecting
• Module 16 – Horses: Care & Training Basics
• Module 17 – Volunteers: Culture & Structure
• Module 18 – Volunteers: Finding, Training & Managing
• Module 19 – Programs: Developing a Trauma Mindset
• Module 20 – Programs: Client Selection & Management
• Module 21 – Programs: Planning a Great Session

The goal of Essentials is to shorten the time frame from the dream of a ranch ministry to the reality of open gates to serve kids in your community. For those ministries already in operation, Essentials will help strengthen infrastructure to help accelerate effectiveness and growth. Below are some ways Essentials can benefit you:

1. Discern if God is calling you for this endeavor.
2. Follow a proven pathway–one that’s been honed for more than 15 years.
3. Build camaraderie with like-minded people so you don’t feel alone.
4. Strengthen your confidence.
5. Accelerate your personal growth and that of your organization.
6. Learn from season leaders who have built a successful nonprofit
7. Enjoy the convenience and flexibility of an online course.

Essentials is 100% an online course with no in-person requirements.

Essentials course registration includes:

• Three user accounts/logins for each paid registration
• Beginning the day of payment, one-year access to:
  • The Academy Online Learning Community
  • The Essentials course with business, leadership, and operations modules.
  • Mission Triangle training courses on governance, financial, legal, and fundraising
    fundamentals
  • Built-in communication channels for onboarding and technical support

Please note that the registration fee is not considered a tax deductible donation.

Hope Reins’ mission is to inspire true hope and real healing for every child. As a 501c3 organization under IRS regulation, any registration fees collected for our training program must come from organizations who are committed to using the training: 1) to further the mission of Hope Reins, and 2) for nonprofit purposes only. To that end, it is imperative for us to receive affirmation of your commitment to both of those tenants.

By purchasing this training and signing the waiver, you are affirming your intention to further the mission of Hope Reins through a nonprofit ranch that expresses faith in Jesus, serves kids in crisis, and uses horses as a means of connection.

The Essentials course is comprehensive in scope and is meant to be thought-provoking towards application. With the 21 videos, additional resources, and optional homework, we suggest budgeting a few hours each week to slowly digest and apply the concepts to your ministry. With that pace in mind, the course will likely take at least 6-9 months to complete. I had in the closing for essentials that it takes at least 6-9 month process or more to build and launch your program.

Yes, there is a PDF companion workbook for note-taking and homework which is downloadable upon enrollment in the course.

The instructors for Essentials are experienced leaders at Hope Reins, including:

• Kim Tschirret, Founder and CEO
• Barbara Foulkrod, Chief Operating Officer
• Jennifer Shepard, Director of Operations
• Hilary Schofield, Director of Programs
• Christy Burkey, Director of Marketing and Communications

The registration fee includes one-year of course access.

There are no deadlines for completion, and you can go at your own pace.

Yes, you will need internet access and either a computer or phone to access the online course.

No, we do not offer refunds.

You can contact our team at TheAcademy@hopereins.org.