YNAB You Need A Budget

[Tif_Ann]

My family owns a non-profit horse rescue. On Wednesday night we were called about a potential seizure case about two hours from where our Sanctuary location is. Thursday morning we found out the facts - 31+ horses dead on the farm, 22 alive but in very bad condition, if owner didn't surrender the sheriff was going to seize them, the owner has been charged. We mobililzed.

I'm 6 hours away, but I do all the bookwork for the rescue. A couple months ago I set up our books in YNAB because it lends itself nicely to non-profit rules: for example, donations to a specific cause MUST be spent on that. Someone donates for hay, for example, you can't take that money and spend it on a vet bill. That's always the hardest part for me to keep track of, what is set aside for what, and YNAB makes it EASY. Set up a category and budget the money to it, and it's done.

This neglect case made the news and TONS of people have offered help. We've had so many volunteers show up, items dropped off, and of course, financial donations. 22 horses in bad shape can be very expensive to take care of, and people are so outraged that they are wanting to help in any way. The last big case like this we had was a NIGHTMARE. This time, not so much. By the time I knew that the horses were signed over, fed, and watered, and we were moving onto getting a vet out the next morning to check them all and photograph them all, the donations were starting to come in. YNAB took the stress away. All I had to do was set up a master category for this specific case, and a few subcategories. It's been nice to be able to just know at a glance what is funded, and be able to report to people as it comes in where the donations sit. Transparency is SO important to rescues ... too many bad ones defrauding donors. To ultimately be able to put a pdf out of our categories and balances, etc., is even better. So thank you, Jesse and the YNAB team.

So ... right now, everything is stable, and we're all finally breathing. I just found myself saying "thank goodness for YNAB" over and over again and wanted to share.

For more info about the rescue and the horses, there's a basic info page on our website: http://www.gentlespirithorses.com and photos, etc., on our facebook, http://www.facebook.com/gentlespirithorses

[tindelsurf]

Wow... my wife is a non-profit manager... she found this very interesting. I know that YNAB wouldn't work for her non-profit because it's not payroll friendly... not that I can see anyway. But your use would be perfect for sure!

Poor horses

[Tif_Ann]

Right, we don't currently have payroll, we're small. Maybe someday

[artee gee]

New to forums and YNAB but I just wanted to say I am from near the area this happened and what you did for those horses was nothing short of awesome. I don't understand why this abuse happens but thank goodness for organizations such as yours.

[TPro]

So ... right now, everything is stable,

Pun intended?

So glad to read about the rescue efforts Tif Ann. Thanks for sharing.

[Bee&Bea]

I'm glad you were able to at least help the ones still alive. That is so sad.

It's wonderful you can keep track of donations easily with YNAB and that you can help rescue wonderful animals.

[WairereRose]

Wow, my skin has goose-bumps reading that. It's so sad so many horses died, but great that you were able to rescue the others.