The EQUUS Foundation Announces 2013 Grant Awards

WESTPORT, CT - August 31, 2013 - The Board of Directors of the EQUUS Foundation, Inc. is pleased to announce the award of $275,000 in grants to charities dedicated to ensuring the well-being of horses, improving the quality of life of people through equine-assisted activities and therapies, and fostering the horse-human bond.

2013 marks the 10th anniversary of the EQUUS Foundation and the evolution from a local community-based effort to a nationwide campaign to serve charities directly involved with horse rescue, foster care, rehabilitation, adoption and retirement and charities that are operating programs involving horses that benefit the public, including equine assisted activities and therapies for those with special needs.

"While our primary goal is to provide financial support, we also operate a network connecting equine enthusiasts to organizations that need their help," said Jenny Belknap Kees, the Foundation’s Chairman of the Board. Thanks to the partnership with Ariat International, we also offer the Champions Equine Service program and awarded $10,000 in scholarships to equine volunteers in addition to the grants to organizations.

"Even though we have awarded over $2.5 million in grants and there are nearly 800 organizations taking advantage of our free services, many qualified organizations are not awarded grants due to the limited availability of funds," said Belknap-Kees."

The EQUUS Foundation is now one of only seven animal welfare Principle Partners of Animal Planet, and the only organization focused on horse welfare. This significant recogntion should will help raise awareness and donations so that the Foundatoin can support more organizations that need help.

"Our success in raising funds is directly related to donor confidence in our evaluation and selection process. Most recently, we developed standards for the management and operation of a charity either directly or indirectly responsible for the care of horses and a systematic mechanism to provide an impartial verification of the charity’s horse care and use practices," continued Belknap-Kees.

The EQUUS Foundation will be renaming its network, the Equine Welfare Network, to encompass the philanthropic aspect of the Foundation's mission and the other services provided to aid equine charities, and to more clearly identify the network as a trusted source for equine welfare organizations in the United States.

The EQUUS Foundation will also be introducing a new program to recognize organizations on our Equine Welfare Network that demonstrate a commitment to public transparency by their willingness to publish and make available critical data about their programs, horse care practices, and governance.

The new program will not only provide vital information to individuals seeking information on the services provided by participating organizations but also the means for participating organizations to share their best practices.

The EQUUS Foundation is proud to announce that the following organizations received grants and scholarships from the EQUUS Foundation this year:

About The EQUUS Foundation

The EQUUS Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity established in 2002, also known as Horse Charities of America, is dedicated to improving the quality of life of horses, enabling the therapeutic use of horses for those in need, fostering the horse-human bond, and educating the public about the horse's unique ability to empower, teach and heal. Donations are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law. Contact the EQUUS Foundation, Inc., at 168 Long Lots Road, Westport, CT 06880, Tele: (203) 259-1550, E-Mail: mail@equusfoundation.org, Website: equusfoundation.org.