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EQUUS Foundation Announces the Messenger Program - A Guidebook on Horse Care Practices
WESTPORT, CT - November 30, 2013 - The EQUUS Foundation is pleased to announce its new Messengers program to recognize organizations on its 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.
Organizations like Guidestar provide confidence to individuals and organizations that their donations are being well spent by ensuring that organizations claiming tax-exempt status are indeed classified tax-exempt by the IRS and by making general management, financial and program available to the public.
"The Messengers program goes a lot further," said Lynn Coakley, EQUUS Foundation President. "We required detailed information about the care and use of horses from charities that are involved with horse rescue, rehabilitation, re-training, adoption, foster care and retirement and/or providing equine assisted therapies and activities to the public as part of our grant evaluation process."
"Now this extensive body of information will be available to the public. It 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."
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Why the Messenger Designation is Important?
The Messenger designation is not an "endorsement" of an organization's policies and practices, but it does make a statement that the organization is willing to provide complete and timely information on their operations and services.
The above designation appears on the Equine Welfare Network profile of approved organizations.
The EQUUS Foundation has awarded nearly $2.5 million in grants to over 500 equine charities and awarded over $275,000 in grants in 2013. Over 800 organizations participate on the Equine Welfare Network. Only organizations approved as Messengers by March 31, 2014 will be eligible to apply for grant awards in 2014.
The EQUUS Foundation also established a new Messenger Transparency Grant program. A minimum of $5,000 in Transparency Grants, ranging from $500 to $1,000, will be awarded by random draw in 2014 to organizations designated as Messengers as an additional reward.
CLICK HERE to learn more about our Messengers program.
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Meet our Inaugural Messengers
Amazing Grace Equine Sanctuary, Elkhart Lake, WI
Animal Assisted Therapy Services, West Haven, CT
Animals as Natural Therapy, Bellingham, WA
Brook Hill Retirement Center for Horses, Forest, VA
Chasing Rainbows, Harrisburg, PA
Colorado Therapeutic Riding Center, Longmont, CO
Dream Catcher Stables, Spring, TX
Fieldstone Farm Therapeutic Riding Center, Chagrin Falls, OH
Giving Alternative Learners Uplifting Opportunities (GALLOPNYC), Brooklyn, NY
Gleneayre Equestrian Program, Lumberton, NJ
Green Chimneys Children's Services, Brewster, NY
Heavenly Horse Haven, Anza, CA
High Hopes Therapeutic Riding, Old Lyme, CT
Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, New Haven, CT
Hoofbeats Therapeutic Riding Center, Lexington, VA
Kentucky Equine Humane Center, Lexington, KY
ManeGait Therapeutic Horsemanship, McKinney, TX
New Canaan Mounted Troop, New Canaan, CT
Northern Virginia Therapeutic Riding Program, Clifton, VA
ReRun, Lakehurst, NJ
Riding To The Top Therapeutic Riding Center, Windham, ME
Ripley's Horse Aid Foundation, Mount Vernon, WA
Rocking Horse Ranch Therapeutic Riding Program, Greenville, NC
Shining Hopes Farm, Mount Holly, NC
Small Miracles Therapeutic Equestrian Center, Kingsport, TN
Special Equestrians, Warrington, PA
We Will Ride Therapeutic Riding, Ridgefield, CT
Wings and Hooves Therapeutic Riding,, East Kingston, NH
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About 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.
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