The EQUUS Foundation 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.
Our goal is to build a more informed and compassionate America that values the magical and powerful bond we have with horses - a bond that has existed for centuries and is stronger now than ever before - given the evidence offered by millions of people who are connected to horses today.
The EQUUS Foundation also does business under the name, "Horse Charities of America". Information about Horse Charities of America and The EQUUS Foundation is available at two identical website addresses, www.horsecharitiesofamerica.org and www.equusfoundation.org. The name, "Horse Charities of America", was selected in 2009 to help convey the mission of The EQUUS Foundation.
The Foundation strives to provide financial support to every worthy eligible organization; however, on the average, less than half receive grant awards. In an effort to discover other ways to help, a survey of the applicants was conducted in 2009. The organizations responded that second to financial support is the need for volunteers.
The EQUUS Foundation launched carrots4acause in 2010 to bring together interested individuals with equestrian and horse-related organizations across America and build a support base of equine enthusiasts and advocates. Over 350 organizations have signed up for the complimentary web page on The EQUUS Foundation "carrots4acause" website to educate visitors about their mission and programs, recruit volunteers, and secure essential products and services.
The EQUUS Foundation has funded a broad range of programs that are insuring useful lives for horses; most of which are directly involved with horse rescue and welfare, or are providing equine assisted activities and therapies (EAAT) to the public. These programs require extensive evaluation to determine which ones will receive the limited funds available for grant awards.
The merits of each grant request and the quality of the applicant organization, including its management and financial practices, are carefully evaluated. The selection of the grant recipients by the Board of Directors is based on the amount of funds raised over the course of the year and a set of guidelines designed to ensure that the donations we receive make the greatest possible impact.
Following the award of its 2011 grants, the Board of Directors of The EQUUS Foundation restructured its Grant Award program to focus core financial support on programs that are directly impacting the well-being of horses, and of people through their interactions with horses.
The Board of Directors of The EQUUS Foundation also established the EQUUS Alliance in 2011 to recognize the contributions of organizations involved in the equine community whose activities and programs complement and enhance the mission of The EQUUS Foundation.
The EQUUS Alliance offers a mechanism to address national areas of common interest in the equine community. The Foundation support programs of Alliance members that educate the public about horses, provide unique services within the equine community to improve the lives of the participants, and help stimulate advocacy and volunteerism on behalf of horses.
In accordance with IRS regulations, the Foundation files the IRS Form 990 annually and is audited by the accounting firm of Sheptoff & Reuber located in Glastonbury, Connecticut.
The EQUUS Foundation is a participant in the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC), the annual workplace charity fund drive for federal employees, postal workers, and military personnel which is the largest and most successful workplace drive in the country. The CFC allows contributors to make gifts only to pre-approved "authorized" charities.
This Seal is awarded to the members of Independent Charities of America and Local Independent Charities of America that have, upon rigorous independent review, been able to certify, document, and demonstrate on an annual basis that they meet the highest standards of public accountability, program effectiveness, and cost effectiveness.
The EQUUS Foundation was awarded the "Best in America" seal by the Independent Charities of America in 2009.
Of the 1,000,000 charities operating in the United States today, it is estimated that fewer than 50,000, or 5 percent, meet or exceed these standards, and, of those, fewer than 2,000 have been awarded this Seal.
