ManeGait Completes The Beacon Project Fundraising, Securing Final Funds for $13.2M Expansion
ManeGait’s expansion initiative comes to a close after a successful three year campaign.
MCKINNEY, Texas, Aug. 18, 2026– ManeGait, North Texas's multifaceted equine-assisted therapy and brain building center, today announced it has reached the $13.2M goal needed to complete and fund The Beacon Project. Over the past three years, the organization has received grants and donations from generous supporters, helping to bring this initiative to a close. The expansion project broke ground in 2024 to serve a growing waitlist of more than 400 individuals with disabilities. Currently, 150 children, adults, and veterans benefit weekly from ManeGait’s life-changing equine-assisted therapy programs, supported by 30 therapy horses and 1,200 active volunteers.
"With more than 400 individuals on our waitlist, the expansion wasn’t just a choice, but a necessity, and one we embraced wholeheartedly,” said Patricia Nelson, CEO and President of ManeGait. “We are blessed to have dedicated donors and supporters who made The Beacon Project a reality. To meet our goal in just three years shows how important this expansion is to North Texas. It means more children, adults, and veterans can build the confidence, independence, and hope that come from this work.”
The Beacon Project will double ManeGait’s capacity to serve families and expand its facilities to include a 32-stall horse barn and a second covered arena. A new administrative building will house ManeGait’s GaitWay to the Brain therapy center, equestrian simulator, and growing mental health program. Rounding out the expansion is a versatile multi-use event area and a 75-seat conference space.
As the Beacon Project construction nears completion, ManeGait has already welcomed 24 people off its waitlist. Among them is Julian, a 6-year-old who waited three years for his place in the program.
"When we received the call in June, I was overwhelmed with excitement,” said Raven Abrams, Julian's mother. “This was the moment we had been waiting several years for. Julian has already experienced life-changing benefits in such a short time. His core strength has improved, his arms move with greater ease, and he can stand for longer than ever before. What’s beautiful to witness is this isn’t just therapy for Julian, it's pure joy."
ManeGait has become a premier equine-assisted therapy and brain-building center in the United States, committed to expanding its therapeutic riding services and growing as a knowledge center for industry peers and nonprofit professionals. It will serve as a hub for volunteerism, corporate team building, day camps, conferences, and events. ManeGait will be a refuge for the community to be inspired by nature and engaged in a shared mission of hope and healing.
The Beacon Project brings this vision to life, optimizing every acre of land to renovate the facility and grow ManeGait’s programs to support the North Texas community for the next 50 years. ManeGait anticipates the project will be complete just in time for its 19th Annual Gala at the ‘Gait on October 17th, which will be hosted back at ManeGait for the first time in three years. The Gala will support vital funds necessary to scale operations and grow into the capacity that The Beacon Project has made possible.
For more information about ManeGait and its programs, visit www.manegait.org.
About ManeGait
ManeGait is a nationally recognized equine-assisted therapy center and named Organization of the Year (Midsize) at D CEO's 2026 Nonprofit & Corporate Citizenship Awards. Founded in 2007 as the answer to a three-and-a-half-year prayer by Priscilla and Bill Darling, ManeGait empowers children and adults with disabilities to move beyond their boundaries through the healing power of the horse and the dedication of a professional, caring community. What began with just two horses and four riders has grown into one of the nation’s premier equine-assisted therapy and brain-building centers, serving more than 150 individuals each week through equine-assisted programs. ManeGait is not only a place of hope and healing for its riders but also a hub for volunteerism, connection, and partnership — welcoming thousands of volunteers, families, supporters, and community-minded businesses each year. Located in a peaceful, natural setting, ManeGait offers a unique space where lives are transformed, and a shared mission unites all who enter the arena.
