Equus Foundation Inc logo

Equus Foundation Inc

Public charity · Grantmaker Westport, CT EIN: 42-1547242 Website

EQUUS FOUNDATION INC is a public charity based in Westport, Connecticut. Established in 2002, it supports organizations working to protect horses and strengthen the bond between people and horses, with grantmaking tied to equine welfare and public accountability.

Key facts about Equus Foundation Inc

In short: Equus Foundation Inc gave $100K across 13 grants in 2025 (avg $8K), top state Virginia. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.

EIN
42-1547242
Latest 990 filing
Form 990, 2025
Annual giving (2025)
$99,610
Grants made (2025)
13
Average grant
$7,662
Median grant
$7,500
Total assets
$1,125,424
Primary geography
Virginia (16% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
How to apply
The Foundation says financial support is available only to organizations that are fully transparent and accountable to the public and have attained Guardian designation or Mentor accreditation for the year in which… Full details ↓
Deadline
The website lists an application period of July 15 through August 15 and says the application cycle is closed.

Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.

Financial Overview

From 2025 IRS Form 990 · View filing

Total Assets

$1.1M

+12.5% YoY

Annual Giving

$100K

-1.2% YoY

Grant Count

13

-13.3% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$8K

+14.0% YoY

How Equus Foundation Inc gives

  • 69% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
  • Giving grew 103% from 2022 to 2025. Method

Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

The Foundation states its mission is to protect America’s horses and strengthen the horse-human bond. Its website describes a focus on supporting equine charities that protect, rehabilitate, retrain, and rehome at-risk or transitioning horses; provide safe retirement for aged horses; and create opportunities for people to engage with horses, including through Equine Assisted Services.

The Foundation’s 2024 filing says its grants support organizations that protect horses, share the benefits of horses with people—especially people with special needs—and educate the public about the horse-human bond. It describes Equine Welfare Awards as helping cover horse-care costs such as veterinary, dental, and farrier care, feed, bedding, equipment, supplies, and alternative treatments.

Examples of grantees’ stated missions illustrate the range of organizations supported. Rising Starr Horse Rescue says it saves, rehabilitates, retrains, and rehomes abandoned, neglected, or abused horses. Central Kentucky Riding for Hope says it uses therapeutic activities with horses to support people with physical, cognitive, emotional, and social needs. This Old Horse says it provides retirement, rescue, and rehabilitation for older and unwanted horses, which may also serve as ambassadors and support horsemanship activities.

Grantmaking

In filing year 2025, the Foundation gave **$99,610 through 13 grants**. Grants ranged from **$5,200 to $12,350**, with a median grant of **$7,500**. Each of the listed largest grants was designated for equine welfare.

Review Cycle

The website lists an application period of July 15 through August 15 and says the application cycle is closed. Those dates have passed for 2026. It also describes annual verification steps from December through June and grant-recipient notification and disbursement in September.

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The Foundation describes its mission and support in national terms. Its 2025 grants went to organizations in multiple states. The largest shares of grant dollars by recipient state were Virginia and Kentucky, at 16% each, followed by Illinois (12%), Massachusetts (10%), and Connecticut (8%).

Grant Distribution by State

18states

Share of all 13 itemized 2025 grant dollars.

Cities

LexingtonForestDover PlainsLovettsvilleOld LymeWindhamAirivilleAldieEncinitasHarvardHigh PointLongmontWest TisburyWiltonBayshoreCenterburgCommerce TownshgREAT fALLSHastingsLisbon

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$50K$100K$150K8 grants20193 grants20203 grants20215 grants202210 grants202315 grants202413 grants2025

From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $23K (2021) to $101K (2024). In 2025 it made 13 grants totaling $100K.

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2025

Bravehearts Therapeutic Riding & Ed: $12KBravehearts Therapeutic Riding& Ed$12KMisty Meadows Equine Learning Cente: $10KMisty Meadows Equine LearningCente$10KBrook Hill Farm: $9KBrook Hill Farm$9KRising Starr Horse Rescue: $8KRising Starr Horse Rescue$8KCentral Kentucky Riding for Hope: $8KCentral Kentucky Riding forHope$8KHorsepower Inc: $8KHorsepower Inc$8KUnited States Equestrian Federation: $8KUnited States EquestrianFederation$8KLoudoun Therapeutic Riding Foundati: $7KLoudoun Therapeutic RidingFoundati$7KSaving Horses Inc: $7KSaving Horses Inc$7KLucky Orphans Horse Rescue Inc: $6KLucky Orphans Horse Rescue Inc$6K

The largest 2025 recipient was Bravehearts Therapeutic Riding & Ed ($12K). Together the top 10 received $83K.

Grant Size Distribution

46 grants across all recorded years

46<$50K$50–100K$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 46 grants of 46 (100%).

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Bravehearts Therapeutic Riding & Ed Harvard, ILEquine Welfare$12,350
Misty Meadows Equine Learning Cente West Tisbury, MAEquine Welfare$9,900
Brook Hill Farm Forest, VAEquine Welfare$9,140
Rising Starr Horse Rescue Wilton, CTEquine Welfare$8,350
Central Kentucky Riding for Hope Lexington, KYEquine Welfare$8,250
Horsepower Inc High Point, NCEquine Welfare$8,090
United States Equestrian Federation Lexington, KYEquine Welfare$7,500
Loudoun Therapeutic Riding Foundati Lovettsville, VAEquine Welfare$7,000
Saving Horses Inc Encinitas, CAEquine Welfare$6,500
Lucky Orphans Horse Rescue Inc Dover Plains, NYEquine Welfare$6,000

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Amounts are reported by filing year.

Filing year Assets Revenue Expenses Grants Grant count
2025 $1,125,424 $961,535 $954,665 $99,610 13
2024 $1,000,218 $942,754 $905,705 $100,836 15
2023 $1,202,929 $845,734 $836,197 $59,125 10
Revenue
Expenses
Net Investment Income
$0$500K$1M$1.5M2019202020212022202320242025
Metric202520242023
Total Assets$1,125,424$1,000,218$1,202,929
Revenue$961,535$942,754$845,734
Expenses$954,665$905,705$836,197
Net Investment Income$39,182$35,770$8,484

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS February 19, 2020)
  2. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS January 29, 2021)
  3. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS October 27, 2022)
  4. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS January 11, 2023)
  5. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS February 28, 2024)
  6. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS January 17, 2025)
  7. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS March 2, 2026)

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The 2025 filing lists Lynn Coakley as president; Jenny Belknap Kees as chairman; Mark Sheptoff as secretary/treasurer; and Catherine Herman as vice chair. Directors listed are Richard Mitchell, DVM; Natalie Jackson; William R. Harris Jr.; and Tina Hinckley.

Equus Foundation Inc is led by Lynn Coakley, President on every filing since 2019; 1 of 8 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.

Officers on the 2025 filing

  • Lynn Coakley

    President

    On filings since 2019

    40 hrs/week

    $70K (2022) → $70K (2025)

  • Jenny Belknap Kees

    Chairman

    On filings since 2019

    3 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Richard Mitchell Dvm

    Director

    On filings since 2019

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • William R. Harris Jr.

    Director

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Natalie Jackson

    Director

    On filings since 2022

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Tina Hinckley

    Director

    On filings since 2024

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Catherine Herman

    Vice Chairman

    On filings since 2019

    3 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Mark Sheptoff

    Secretary

    Secretary & Treasurer → Secretary, 2024

    On filings since 2020

    3 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

Former officers (4)
  • Former: Patricia Keenan (2019–2020) — Director
  • Former: Susan Weber (2019–2020) — Director
  • Former: Anne Walker (2019) — Director
  • Former: Jane Henderson (2019) — Secretary & Treasurer

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.

Compensation Overview

From 2025 IRS filing

Lynn Coakley — President: $70KLynn CoakleyPresident$70K

The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $70K, to Lynn Coakley (President).

Contact

Mailing address: 168 Long Lots Road, Westport, CT 06880
Phone: (305) 377-0777
Website: https://equusfoundation.org

Frequently asked questions about Equus Foundation Inc

How much does Equus Foundation Inc give each year?

Equus Foundation Inc gave $100K across 13 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $101K across 15 grants.

What is Equus Foundation Inc's typical grant size?

Equus Foundation Inc's median grant in 2025 was $7,500, and its average grant was $7,662, across 13 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.

Where does Equus Foundation Inc give grants?

Equus Foundation Inc's top state is Virginia, with 16% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Kentucky (16%) and Illinois (12%). The most frequent recipient cities were Lexington, KY (2 grants).

Does Equus Foundation Inc give general operating support?

Not in 2025: none of the 13 grants with a stated purpose on Equus Foundation Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Equine Welfare" (13 grants).

Who are Equus Foundation Inc's largest grantees?

Equus Foundation Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Bravehearts Therapeutic Riding & Ed ($12,350), Misty Meadows Equine Learning Cente ($9,900) and Brook Hill Farm ($9,140), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 32% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.

How large is Equus Foundation Inc?

Equus Foundation Inc reported $1.1M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $962K.

What does Equus Foundation Inc fund?

The Foundation states its mission is to protect America’s horses and strengthen the horse-human bond. See mission & focus areas ↑

How do I apply for a grant from Equus Foundation Inc?

The Foundation says financial support is available only to organizations that are fully transparent and accountable to the public and have attained Guardian designation or Mentor accreditation for the year in which… Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑

What is Equus Foundation Inc's EIN?

Equus Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 42-1547242. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.

Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.

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