Brooke USA Bridge Grants

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Bridges connect us. They can unite and strengthen communities by physically connecting people and organizations and allowing for greater social interaction. Bridges can also serve as lifelines during disasters and may be the only opportunity to deliver aid and supplies. In a time of crisis, financial support in the form of a Bridge Grant can provide respite to individuals and organizations while other options are considered.

Brooke USA's Bridge Grant program, a joint effort of Brooke USA Foundation and the EQUUS Foundation, has two components:
1) to support EQUUS Foundation Guardian charities in desperate need of financial support brought on by unplanned, unexpected, and/or extenuating circumstances, including but not limited to catastrophes and disasters.
2) to support the safety net programs of EQUUS Foundation Guardian charities aimed at helping to keep horses with their owners, assist with re-homing horses, and provide counseling and end-of-life services.

Brooke USA's Bridge grants generally range between $500 and $1,500. Grants are awarded on a rolling basis and are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, as long as grant funds are available. A total of $10,000 will be available in 2025 although Brooke USA reserves the right, from time to time, to increase the funds made available. Funds are limited to the yearly donation made by Brooke USA Foundation to the EQUUS Foundation. Selections will be made by a committee of EQUUS Foundation and Brooke USA representatives.

Financial support is awarded to underwrite the cost of services, such as feed/hay banks, veterinary, dental, and farrier care, gelding assistance, euthanasia, and maintenance and repair resulting from catastrophic weather conditions or significant accidents/fires, etc., or an organization's involvement with significant law enforcement seizures, as well as circumstances arising from the inability of the owner to continue to care for a horse without assistance and/or from the death of the owner.

The number one criterion to receive a Brooke USA Bridge Grant is that the request must be based on an unplanned, unexpected and/or extenuating circumstance that could not have been foreseen.

Requests to support a specific equine under the existing control of the organization may be rejected upon our determination that the costs fall under the organization's general mission of caring for horses. The expectation is that the organization accepts financial responsibility when they make the decision to take in the horse, with or without previously known conditions. While these cases may be unexpected for that equine, they may not meet the criterion of an emergency situation.

For ongoing support associated with the care of horses, such as veterinary, dental, and farrier care, horse feed, supplements, bedding, horse gear, equipment, and supplies as well as alternative treatments and interventions, please see our Equine Welfare Grants here.

Eligible equine charities include EQUUS Foundation Mentor and Guardian charities -- and, in some instances, those equine charities on the Equine Welfare Network that are in the process of attaining the Guardian designation -- that find homes for at-risk equines and equines in transition, provide a safe haven for aged equines, and increase opportunities for equines to engage, inspire and empower people.

To apply, the EQUUS Foundation charity will need to log into its organization profile, select "BROOKE USA BRIDGE GRANTS", and complete the online application. Applicants must address how the funds will be used, and within six months of receipt of funds, grantees must report on the use of the funds, including bills for services rendered.

For more information, contact Tim Williams, EQUUS Foundation Director of Programs, at programs@equusfoundation.org.


I. By submitting information to the EQUUS Foundation, your organization is granting permission to the EQUUS Foundation to ask people to review the information and to give advice and information to the Foundation about your organization, board, staff,and others with whom you are affiliated.
II. Materials submitted to the EQUUS Foundation as part of the process become the property of the Foundation and will not be returned. The materials will be used as the Foundation deems appropriate. They are not subject to any right of confidentiality unless specifically agreed to in writing by the EQUUS Foundation.
III. The EQUUS Foundation is under no obligation to fund or otherwise have a future relationship with any organization.
IV. The Guidelines contained herein are subject to change without notice.