The property SAFE currently operates from has been leased by us for about the last 9 years. It’s been a great home, but there are a lot of risks involved in leasing, especially for a nonprofit caring for horses. Stability is vital. Which is why we are so proud to finally announce that SAFE has purchased Cedar Meadow Farm in Echo Lake as a permanent home for our organization.
It’s been our dream for a long, long time that SAFE would own its own home one day. Years of hard work have gone into making that dream a reality. We’ve looked at a lot of places over the years but when we saw Cedar Meadow Farm, our immediate reaction was: this is the perfect home for SAFE! 26 stalls with runs, super-safe Centaur fencing, all weather paddocks, automatic waterers, great arena footing…it’s a perfect fit. The beauty of this place, and the overwhelming peace and quiet you feel surrounded by the trees and the grass…it’s magical. It’s just 20–25 minutes from our current location so it’s really close, which means we can bring a lot of our current volunteers over with us.
How does a non-profit purchase a property like this?
A non-profit with solid and transparent financials, a proven track record, and a plan for long term sustainability can apply for a commercial real estate loan to purchase property that supports its mission. Getting approved isn’t easy. Lenders want to see healthy cash flow, emergency reserves, and a repayment plan. You also have to provide evidence of successful programs, community engagement, and donor support to demonstrate your ability to manage resources effectively. For the past 20 years, SAFE has done everything necessary to build a strong, healthy organization that can successfully undergo intense scrutiny. We’ve done this to prove our worth to our donors, to achieve accreditation, and to prepare to one day apply for a mortgage and purchase a permanent home. It hasn’t been easy, but it sure was worth it!
SAFE celebrates 20 years this year, and we are so proud to be starting our next 20 years with a home of our own. No more landlords, no more worrying about losing our home out from under us, none of the instability and uncertainty that comes with leasing a place for 30 horses. SAFE is all about sustainability, and this purchase will ensure that we’re going to be here helping horses for many years to come.
CLICK HERE TO SEE OUR NEW HOME!
