How to Get Grants for Equine-Assisted Therapy

by Robin Devereaux
Working with horses provides healing therapy for individuals with mental, physical and emotional conditions.


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Equine-assisted therapy is a method of therapy that uses horses as a tool to help individuals with physical, mental and emotional conditions gain confidence and work through the healing process. The bond that is formed between the horse and the client is often a strong one that helps the client process feelings, gain skills and ameliorate fears. The cost of these programs is significant, making grant-seeking a funding option often chosen by administrators of equine-assisted therapy agencies. Grants are competitive, and preparing for the grant-writing process is time well spent if it gives the organization a leg up when requesting funding.

1. Write a three- to five-year business plan. If you are unfamiliar with this process, seek assistance from the local chapter of the Small Business Association, or contract a professional to write the plan.

2. Meet with the board of directors to formulate a three-year equine-assisted therapy program plan, outlining program goals, expected outcomes, target population and program benchmarks. Review current staffing to ensure it is adequate to complete program goals.

3. Research local foundations, corporations, state and federal grants that may be potential funding sources. Search for funders with a mission to assist the target population the organization serves, such as individuals with a physical disability, or children who have experienced physical abuse, rather than "equine" programs, per se, as those options are rare. However, if there are any equine associations in your local area, check to see if they have a foundation to which you can apply for a small grant.

4. Decide which grant opportunities seem most viable. Gather grant applications and supporting documents, such as any statistical data related to program outcomes, a list of contact information for the board of directors, employee resumes, the most current audit and other financial information and a current 501c3 nonprofit certification.

5. Read grant guidelines carefully as each grantor's application process differs. Pay particular attention to submission deadlines. Gather any additional materials the guidelines ask for.

6. Write the proposal, filling out any required forms. Write a need statement, draft a time line for the project and list the credentials of program staff and administrators. Document the program's goals and expected outcomes, as well as the method of program evaluation.

7. Draft a three- to five-year proposed budget. Include all expected expenditures and revenues, including care and boarding of the horses, expected veterinary costs, office expenditures, staffing, supplies and facility costs, such as rent and utilities.

8. Assemble the grant as outlined in the grant guidelines. Include only documents that are requested and do not add any extraneous information unless specified. Mail grant applications in accordance with the grant application deadlines.

Things Needed

  • 501c3 nonprofit certification
  • Current financial documents
  • Resumes of program employees
  • Board of directors contact information

About the Author

Robin Devereaux has been writing professionally for more than 25 years. She has written for "The Sowell Review, "Health and Healing Magazine" and has been a contributor to several local Eastern Michigan publications. Robin is a graduate of the Central Michigan University Arts Program.

Photo Credits

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