GoldStar Horse Rescue and Sanctuary has set a $5,000 NTxGD goal. The nonprofit rescues and rehabilitates abused, neglected and abandoned horses and provides sanctuary for elderly horses. Courtesy Art. Make donations at NorthTexasGivingDay.org through Sept. 17.

Farmersville-area nonprofits are preparing for one of their biggest fundraising days of the year as North Texas Giving Day returns Thursday, Sept. 17.

From rescuing neglected horses and homeless animals to providing therapeutic riding programs and caring for rescued exotic cats, local and nearby organizations are among thousands across the region asking North Texans to support causes close to home.

Now in its 18th year, North Texas Giving Day has grown into one of the region’s largest charitable giving efforts. In 2025, more than 100,000 North Texans donated $78 million to more than 3,500 nonprofits supporting causes ranging from education, health and social services to the arts, environment and animal welfare.

Since its inception, the event has generated $712 million for North Texas nonprofits.

Donors do not have to wait until Sept. 17 to participate. Early giving began Aug. 27, and donations made through NorthTexasGivingDay.org count toward this year’s campaign. Communities Foundation of Texas, which presents North Texas Giving Day, is covering transaction and technology fees this year, allowing 100% of online donations made through the platform to go directly to participating organizations.

For Farmersville residents, the event provides an opportunity to support some of the nonprofits working in their own community as well as others serving the surrounding area.

Shutt’er Down Ranch & Rescue, a 30-acre sanctuary and home to Girty’s Place Animal Rescue, has set a $10,000 goal. The organization provides a permanent safe haven for rescued farm animals.

Donations will help expand facilities to accommodate a growing number of animals in need, including construction of a livestock shelter to provide additional coverage, and help pay ongoing medical expenses for animals in the rescue’s care.

GoldStar Horse Rescue and Sanctuary has set a $5,000 goal. The organization rescues and rehabilitates abused, neglected and abandoned horses and provides sanctuary for elderly horses to live out their lives in a safe environment.

The rescue is seeking help with basic needs including grain, hay, medicines and supplements, along with veterinary and farrier care for approximately 50 horses. Rising feed and hay costs have increased the expense of caring for the animals, and the organization is seeking funding to provide feed through the winter.

GoldStar also is raising money for a covered arena that would allow staff and volunteers to rehabilitate, exercise and train horses and provide educational programs for children and adults regardless of weather conditions.

Hillcrest Animal Rescue works primarily to save homeless, neglected and abused animals from high-kill county shelters, provide needed medical care and find permanent homes.

The organization, which does not list a specific Giving Day fundraising goal, is seeking donations to help pay for surgeries and medications. Foster homes also are needed to provide care and attention to dogs while they await adoption, with the rescue helping cover expenses for foster families.

Heavenly Hooves Therapeutic & Recreational Riding Center has set a $5,500 goal. The organization uses horses to assist individuals facing physical, psychological or emotional challenges, providing its equine-assisted health care programs free of charge.

Donations help provide feed, hay and other care for the therapy horses that serve as partners in the programs. Heavenly Hooves also is seeking funding for a covered riding area that would allow sessions to continue during rain and periods of extreme heat or cold.

Weather can be particularly disruptive for participants who are sensitive to temperature extremes and benefit from consistent sessions. Additional needs include fence panels for another riding area and round pen.

In-Sync Exotics Wildlife Rescue and Educational Center in northern Wylie also is participating in this year’s Giving Day. The sanctuary has set a $250,000 goal to help care for rescued exotic cats, including animals that are old, injured or unwanted.

In-Sync spends more than $21,000 each month on food and more than $250,000 annually on medical care. This year’s campaign also will help transform previously unusable land into permanent sanctuary space and create new natural habitats for rescued animals. Donations of up to $18,000 are being matched during the campaign.

North Texas Giving Day is only part of the local nonprofit community. Other Farmersville-area nonprofits also are participating but are not included here because of space limitations, and not every local nonprofit participates in the annual event. Donors can search for participating organizations and make donations at NorthTexasGivingDay.org through Sept. 17.