The EQUUS Foundation Awards Over $300,000 to 50 Charities in 2008
RELEASE: September 9, 2008
AUTHOR/ADMINISTRATOR: By Phelps Media Group
The Board of Directors of The EQUUS Foundation, Inc., is pleased to announce the award of over $300,000 in grants to 50 charitable organizations. Grants were awarded in three funding areas: public welfare—organizations that use the horse to benefit the public; horse welfare—organizations involved with horse health and welfare; and equestrian sport—organizations devoted to the elevation of the sport.
Public welfare grants were awarded for therapy for individuals with physical, emotional, behavioral and learning disabilities; individuals with life-threatening or other serious illnesses; and "at-risk" youth; including scholarships, financial aid, riding apparel and equipment, certified riding instructors, transportation and horse care.
Horse welfare grants were awarded for horse rescue, rehabilitation, adoption and retirement, including feed, supplements, tack, grooming supplies, horse gear, farrier, veterinary care, equipment and capital improvements. They are also awarded for veterinary education and research and equine ambulance services.
The grants awarded to organizations involved with the sport will be used for scholarships, awards, youth involvement, relief for equestrians in need and programs to promote public education and awareness.
"We are thrilled that with the award of over $300,000 in grants this year, we are topping $1.1 million in grants since our first awards in 2003, achieving this almost entirely from two special events. Fifty very worthy charities were awarded grants, but we received over 130 requests, many of which were also worthy of support.
As we enter our new year this month, we will be working hard to increase our donor base to generate enough funds to accept all the grant requests that meet our requirements. In the coming year, we hope to share the compelling stories of our grants recipients to fulfill our mission to raise public awareness of the valuable role horses play in our society. New for our 2008-2009 year, we are adding a third event at the Syracuse Invitation Sporthorse Tournament, and have established the EQUUS Horse Whisperers program," said Chairman Jenny Belknap.
EQUUS Horse Whisperers are donors who wish to make a perpetual commitment to the charities that EQUUS deems worthy of support. EQUUS Horse Whisperer Grants are named by the donors in honor of a family member, friend, associate or in the memory of a loved one or a loved equine companion, and may be designated for a specific interest.
Giant Steps School & The American Institute for Neuro-Integrative Development in Southport, CT, was selected to receive the $10,000 Michele E. Arnhold Grant. The grant will be used to underwrite the cost of the certified therapeutic riding instruction for the school's therapeutic riding program at the Fairfield County Hunt Club, which donates the use of its facilities and horses for the program. Volunteers from the club membership and the surrounding communities serve as leaders and side walkers for 12 autistic children, participating weekly in fall, spring, winter and summer sessions. The program runs for three hours one day a week and there are three to four children in a class accompanied by three volunteers (two side walkers and a leader). The Bridgeport Police Mounted Unit, an EQUUS Grant Recipient, also supports the program by donating larger horses for the older children involved.
Days End Farm Horse Rescue based in Lisbon, MD, was selected to receive the $5,000 Visse M. Wedell Grant. Days End Farm Horse Rescue provides shelter, rehabilitation encompassing medical and psychological intervention and care, training, foster care and qualified adoption to abused, neglected and unwanted equines, operating both a critical care unit and an extended care program.
In addition to its rescue and rehabilitation programs, Days End conducts education and outreach programs to bring attention to t