Guardians

Guardians are organizations on the Equine Welfare Network that demonstrate a commitment to public transparency by their willingness to make comprehensive data about their programs, horse care practices, and governance available for public scrutiny.

Eligible organizations are equine charities that provide:
• Shelter and rehabilitation for America's equines subjected to abuse and neglect, and at risk for slaughter;
• Retraining and re-homing of America's equines in transition with careers as athletes, companions, teachers, and healers;
• Peaceful and humane retirement and end of life for aged equines that ensures that they are able to live out their lives in comfort and with dignity;
• Mutually beneficial opportunities for people and equines to partner for the purpose of contributing positively to cognitive, physical, emotional and social well-being.

Informed Giving

The EQUUS Foundation is committed to putting an end to the abuse and neglect of America's horses by increasing opportunities for horses to flourish as athletes, companions, teachers and healers. We focus our efforts on empowering equine charities nationwide that provide protection, rehabilitation, retraining and re-homing of America's at-risk and transitioning horses and opportunities for horses to elevate the lives of people.

To ensure a future for America's horses, it is critical to identify and invest in the most-effective equine charities in the US - those that operate at the highest standards for horse care. The need for transparency is more important now than ever before. With the advent of the internet and social media, it is easy for people to be misinformed and misled.

The Guardian Seal of Transparency is awarded annually and appears on the Equine Welfare Network profile of an approved organization. The Guardian Seal of Transparency is not an endorsement. The Guardian Seal of Transparency is a recognition of an organization's commitment to transparency and accountability by their willingness to make comprehensive data about their programs, horse care practices, and governance available for public scrutiny.

While the Guardian Seal is not an endorsement of the organization and not a guarantee that the organization will receive financial support from the EQUUS Foundation, only Guardians are afforded a DONATE button on their Equine Welfare Network profile. Donors are encouraged to review an organization's Guardian information before making a donation directly to a Guardian charity. Guardians receive 100% of the donations; the EQUUS Foundation covers all transaction fees.

Only organizations designated as EQUUS Foundation Guardians are eligible to be considered for financial support from the EQUUS Foundation. The award of financial support from the EQUUS Foundation is based solely on an organization's horse care practices and is to be used to underwrite an organization's horse care costs. The award is not based on the merits of an organization's activities that incorporate equine interactions for the benefit of the public. Review our guidelines here.

More about Informed Giving

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We know there are many organizations doing fabulous work and look forward to their becoming a part of the EQUUS Foundation family.

If your favorite charity is not participating, encourage them to join the Equine Welfare Network here and take the next step to be an EQUUS Foundation Guardian.

Participating as a Guardian not only offers the potential for receiving financial support, it also provides critical data to safeguard America's horses now and in the future.

Why Become a Guardian

As the only national charity 100% dedicated to protecting America's at-risk horses and to sharing the magic and power of horses with as many people as possible, the EQUUS Foundation is in a unique position to raise public awareness of the value of horses in our lives, but we need your help.

Sharing your extensive data about your programs, horse care practices, and governance will allow us to to gather and make use of critical information on a national scale.

While the Guardian designation is not an 'endorsement' and is not a guarantee of EQUUS Foundation financial support, the designation demonstrates the charity's willingness to be fully transparent and make their policies and horse care practices available for public scrutiny. EQUUS Foundation Guardians provide vital information to individuals seeking information on the services provided by participating organizations, as well as the means for participating organizations to share their best practices.

INCENTIVES

• Only Guardians designated as EQUUS Foundation Guardians are eligible to be considered for financial support from the EQUUS Foundation. Review our guidelines here.
• Only organizations designated as Guardians are eligible to receive a donate button on their profile page where 100% of the donations are distributed back to the Guardian.
• Only organizations designated as Guardians are promoted in our social media.
• Only organizations designated as Guardians are eligible to participate in our Next Chapters program for horse lovers to connect directly with organizations that have horses that are ready for adoption and with organizations that are looking for program horses. Horse lovers who may not be looking to adopt or place horses will also have the opportunity to make donations directly to participating organizations.
• Only organizations designated as Guardians are eligible to be invited to participate in EQUUS Foundation Next Chapter events.
• Only organizations designated as Guardians are eligible to participate in our Auction Rewards program, which allows our Guardians to provide auction items for EQUUS Foundation fundraising events. 100% of the proceeds from the sale of the auction item(s) are distributed back to the Guardian that donates the item(s).
• Only organizations designated as Guardians are eligible to post Wish List items on their profile page.
• Only organizations designated as Guardians are eligible to are eligible to post Volunteer Opportunities on their profile page.

How To Become a Guardian

In order to be designated as a Guardian, an organization must first join our Equine Welfare Network. Click here to join our Equine Welfare Network.

If your organization is already participating on our network, click here to log into your network profile and follow the online instructions to update your Guardian information.

Resources

Below is a collection of links to online resources. Please feel free to contact us here with additional links that would be helpful to share with our Guardian charities.

Equine Welfare Grant Makers

Published: 2020-05-01 Homes for Horses Coalition

Safety Net Assistance

Published: 2020-05-01 Homes for Horses Coalition

COVID-19 Resources

Published: 2020-04-01 United Horse Coalition

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