How to Apply
The EQUUS Foundation, Inc., a federally tax-exempt 501 (c) (3) charitable organization, is dedicated to improving the quality of life of horses, promoting the use of horses to enrich the lives of those in need, and educating the public about the horse's unique ability to empower, teach and heal.
The Foundation strives to provide financial support to every worthy charity; however, on the average, less than half of the applicant organizations receive grant awards.
Following the award of its 2011 grants, the Board of Directors of The EQUUS Foundation restructured its grant award program and funding priorities to focus financial support on programs that are directly impacting the well-being of horses, and/or that are improving the quality of life of people through their interactions with horses. Grants are awarded only to charitable organizations that are classified by the Internal Revenue Service as 501(c)(3) public charities, and in some instances, affiliates of applicable government agencies.
The Board also established the EQUUS Alliance in 2011 to broaden its nationwide effort in support of horses and recognize the contributions of organizations involved in the equine community whose activities and programs complement and enhance the core mission of The EQUUS Foundation. The EQUUS Alliance offers a mechanism to address national areas of common interest in the equine community and the means to support programs of Alliance members that educate the public about horses, provide services that benefit the equine community, and help stimulate advocacy and volunteerism on behalf of horses. For more information about the EQUUS Alliance, click, EQUUS Alliance.
Grant recipients must meet the eligibility criteria set by The EQUUS Foundation. Grant applications are reviewed by the Grant Committee of The EQUUS Foundation and approved by the Board of Directors.
Applications will only be accepted through the online application process between May 1 and June 15. Applications that are mailed in or are not completed in their entirety will not be considered. A site visit may be required before or as a condition of a grant.
Grant applications must be received by The EQUUS Foundation, Inc., by June 15th of each year. Grant applicants selected by The EQUUS Foundation, Inc., will be notified by August 31st; grant awards will be made during the month of September.
MINIMUM ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
The EQUUS Foundation awards grants to organizations defined as tax-exempt under IRS code section 501(c)(3) located in a U.S. state or territory, that are not private foundations as defined in IRS code section 509(a), and have been in existence for at least one full operating year as a 501(c)(3). Please review all our guidelines and our sections on What We Will Fund and What We Will Not Fund before applying.
FUNDING PRIORITIES
Grant request must fall into one of our two funding priorities - programs that are directly involved with 1) horse rescue, rehabilitation, adoption, foster care and/or retirement and/or 2) providing services to the public, such as therapeutic riding, equine-assisted activites or horsemanship programs.
Grants typically represent less than 5% of an organization's operating budget and average $5,000 or less. Grants may be awarded for program operations, specific projects, or capital purchases. Challenge grants will also be considered.
WHAT WE WILL FUND
1) Therapeutic riding programs, equine-assisted activities and horsemanship programs, including but not limited to those for individuals with physical, cognitive, emotional, behavioral, learning disabilities, life-threatening and/or chronic conditions or illnesses, underserved, underprivileged or "at-risk" youth, such as for scholarships, financial aid, riding apparel and equipment, transportation, and horse care;
2) Horse rescue, rehabilitation, adoption, foster care and retirement, such as for feed, supplements, tack, grooming supplies, horse gear, farrier, veterinary care, equine ambulance services, equipment, and small capital improvements.
WHAT WE WILL NOT FUND
Please review the following information carefully before applying for an EQUUS grant.
Grants will not be awarded to:
1) Organizations that are not defined as tax-exempt under IRS code section 501(c)(3);
2) Organizations that are private foundations as defined in IRS code section 509(a);
3) Organizations that are not located in a U.S. state or terrority;
4) Organizations that have been in existence for less than one full operating year as a 501(c)(3);
5) Organizations that propagate a religious faith or are restricted to one religion or denomination;
6) Organizations that discriminate on the basis of race, religion, creed, national origin, disability, handicap, age, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status or any other basis prohibited by law;
7) Political organizations; or
8) Individuals.
Grants will not be awarded for:
1) Operating Deficits;
2) Fundraising activities, such as galas, benefits, dinners and sporting events, goodwill advertising, souvenir journals or programs; and
3) Travel expenses for individuals or groups or fees for conferences or conventions.
TIMETABLE
Grant applications may be submitted online from May 1 to June 15. Applications cannot be submitted prior to May 1 or after June 15. Grant applicants selected as recipients by The EQUUS Foundation will be notified by August 31 with grant awards disbursed by September 30. Grants are intended as annual grants and should be used within a year following the award.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Applications will only be accepted through the online application process. Mailed applications will not be considered. Applications must be completed in their entirety. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Review our Grant Making Guidelines on How To Apply for a Grant. Please take note that the guidlines are subject to change between now and May 1st.
Confirm that your organization is eligible to apply by completing the carrots4acause charity application. Your organization must first be accepted as a carrots4acause charity in order to apply for a grant. Your organization may apply as a carrots4acause charity anytime throughout the year. It is recommended that you apply before May 1.
The EQUUS Foundation is able to raise funds to award grants by assuring donors that there has been due diligence on the part of the Foundation to review the policies, practices and operations of its grant recipients. We expect that all charities that apply for grants, regardless of their size and scope, to be accountable and transparent to the public.
Guidestar is an information service specializing in U.S. nonprofit companies. It provides information on more than 1.7 million IRS-recognized nonprofit organizations. The Guidestar listing is free.
To be considered for a grant from The EQUUS Foundation, your organization must provide certain information on its Guidestar profile. Download the Check List of Guidestar Information Required and update your organization's Guidestar profile at http://www.guidestar.org. Your organization may update its Guidestar application anytime throughout the year, but only organizations that have updated their Guidestar profiles with the information required by The EQUUS Foundation by June 15 will be considered for a grant.
Starting on May 1st, a link will be available on this page to apply for a grant.
If your organization is deemed eligible, your organization will be provided access to the online grant application. Applications must be completed and submitted online. The information will be stored in an online database, which you may continue to update between May 1 and June 15. On June 15, your application must be complete as the link to the online application will be deleted. After June 15, you will not be able to update your application.
PREVIOUS GRANT RECIPIENTS
Organizations that have previously been awarded grants must complete a Prior Year Grant Report as part of the application process. No further funding will be considered without this report. The Grant Report Form will be available on May 1st.
