EQUESTRIAN AID FOUNDATION INC

The Equestrian Aid Foundation seeks to support the general health and wellbeing of the equestrian community within the United States through three avenues: by offering grant support during times of medical crisis, by securing essential goods or services for communities facing unforeseen catastrophe, and by connecting equestrians to appropriate resources during times of difficulty.

PROGRAMS: designing and implementing programs that effectively address vulnerability within our community, and continuously evaluating the efficacy of said programs.
INTERAGENCY COLLABORATION: partnering with other nonprofit organizations in order to most effectively serve individuals or communities in crisis.
OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY: using available technology to streamline and enhance communication within our organization; to increase engagement with our supporters and outreach to potential grant recipients; and to modernize our application and grant-giving processes.
MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS: driving brand awareness and maintaining donor confidence through consistent and frequent messaging across all outreach platforms (press releases, social media, e-blast, and in-person networking and donor engagement).
FUNDRAISING: strategic planning of fundraising events and bi-annual appeals; participating in online crowdfunding initiatives.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS: The members of EAF’s Board of Directors maintain an active presence in the horse world in a wide variety of capacities. They serve as ambassadors for the Foundation in their day-to-day interactions within the equestrian community.
STAFF: The Foundation relies on a small but highly capable and efficient staff to perform day-to-day operations; execute outreach, programming, and fundraising initiatives; and contribute to both short- and long-range strategic planning.
PARTNERSHIPS AND NETWORKS: EAF has built productive partnerships with other nonprofit organizations, businesses, and individuals within the equestrian community who share our vision of “Horsemen Helping Horsemen.” Such partnerships enhance both our outreach to vulnerable individuals/populations and our fundraising capacities.
DONORS: Fulfilling our mission is ultimately reliant upon the generosity of our donors.

Initially called the Equestrian AIDS Foundation, EAF was incorporated in 1996 to care for members of the equestrian community living with HIV/AIDS. From 2006 to present, as a result of robust community support, it broadened its mission to assist horsemen and women suffering from any catastrophic illness or injury. Since our last GuideStar report in 2018, we have hit the $3 million mark in grant support provided to equestrians in crisis. We have increased operational efficiency, allowing us to simultaneously decrease our overhead and enhance the quality of services we offer. We have improved our brand visibility and creative potential, resulting in increased funding from both established donors and a new demographic of supporters. Most importantly, we have expanded our programming to establish a Disaster Relief Fund.

As we begin our 25th year of service, we remain committed to our founders’ grassroots conviction that a community cares for its members. Given the staggering costs of healthcare and the increased frequency and severity of catastrophic disasters within the United States, there continues to be a tremendous need for the Equestrian Aid Foundation's services. As we look forward, our goals are to cultivate stronger relationships with existing donors and supporters; to improve our visibility, outreach, and fundraising potential outside our areas of geographic strength; and to expand the depth of services we offer in order to most effectively address vulnerability within our community.