About the Organization

Operation Horses Heal was founded in 2021 by Rachael and “Rooster” Loucks to support veterans, active-duty military members, and their families. From the very beginning, their mission has been to create a safe, welcoming environment where people can connect, build skills, and feel a sense of belonging.

“Our goal is to make sure no one in the military community feels like they have to go through life alone,” Rachael says.

The nonprofit’s work is centered on equine-assisted learning, where participants interact with horses and donkeys to develop skills that can strengthen relationships and improve well-being. They also host nature-based gatherings and sober-friendly events, all designed to reduce loneliness and isolation in the military community. These challenges, Rachael notes, can have deep and lasting impacts if left unaddressed.

How the Finances Worked Before

While the programs were growing, managing the organization’s finances was a different story. Operation Horses Heal operates on a mix of funding from community events like their annual chili cook-off, individual sponsorships, and grants. Their largest award to date, a $35,000 grant from the LB Charitable Foundation, was a turning point. “It was the biggest opportunity we’d ever had, but also the biggest responsibility,” Rachael recalls. “I knew we had to be able to track every single dollar.”

The organization’s bank setup allowed only one main checking account and two savings accounts, each set aside for specific long-term goals such as purchasing a truck and trailer or acquiring their own property. This limited structure made it difficult to keep grant funds completely separate from day-to-day operating money.

As a result, Rachael relied on spreadsheets, manual expense tracking, and the help of a local bookkeeper to keep everything in order. Matching each expense to the right grant was time-consuming, and preparing reports for funders often meant extra hours of digging through receipts and reconciling transactions. The system worked, but it wasn’t efficient, and with plans to expand, Rachael knew it needed to change.

How Givefront Made the Difference

Rachael turned to Givefront to create a clearer, faster, and more organized approach to managing expenses. Now, every purchase can be assigned to the correct grant the moment it happens, whether it is a veterinary bill, a new piece of equipment, or program supplies.

“With Givefront, I can see exactly where every dollar goes,” Rachael says. “I spend less time sorting through paperwork and more time focusing on the people we serve.”

Virtual cards make online ordering easier and safer, while physical cards are available for in-person purchases. Every receipt is stored digitally in one place, eliminating the risk of lost paperwork and making reconciliation straightforward.

The benefits extend beyond day-to-day operations. Having organized, real-time financial records gives the team more confidence when applying for future funding. “When a funder asks how we’ve spent their grant, I can give them a clear, accurate report in minutes,” Rachael explains. “That kind of transparency builds trust.”

As Operation Horses Heal continues to grow, Givefront has become a key part of its foundation. “It’s not just a financial tool for us,” Rachael says. “It’s something that lets me focus my energy on our mission instead of drowning in administrative work.”