Equus Foundation Inc
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.
Equus Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Equus Foundation Inc gave $100K across 13 grants in 2025 (avg $8K), top state Virginia. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $99,610
- -1.2% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 13
- -13.3% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $7,662
- +14.0% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $7,500
- Total assets
- $1,125,424
- +12.5% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Virginia (16% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Equus Foundation Inc
- 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…
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 support is awarded. Its charity application information describes an Equine Welfare Network process: new organizations submit an initial application, while approved member charities verify their profile information and complete the annual verification and Guardian review steps. Grant recipients are selected after Guardian approvals. The Foundation says award amounts depend on funds raised and its evaluation of an organization’s equine welfare and business practices, needs, and operating budget.
- 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.
- Deadline
- The website lists an application period of July 15 through August 15 and says the application cycle is closed.
- Contact
Mailing address: 168 Long Lots Road, Westport, CT 06880
Phone: (305) 377-0777
Website: https://equusfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Equus Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
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
The most common grant size was under $50K: 46 grants of 46 (100%).
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
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 13 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Equus Foundation Inc gives
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.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $23K (2021) to $101K (2024). In 2025 it made 13 grants totaling $100K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Bravehearts Therapeutic Riding & Ed Harvard, IL | Equine Welfare | $12,350 |
| Misty Meadows Equine Learning Cente West Tisbury, MA | Equine Welfare | $9,900 |
| Brook Hill Farm Forest, VA | Equine Welfare | $9,140 |
| Rising Starr Horse Rescue Wilton, CT | Equine Welfare | $8,350 |
| Central Kentucky Riding for Hope Lexington, KY | Equine Welfare | $8,250 |
| Horsepower Inc High Point, NC | Equine Welfare | $8,090 |
| United States Equestrian Federation Lexington, KY | Equine Welfare | $7,500 |
| Loudoun Therapeutic Riding Foundati Lovettsville, VA | Equine Welfare | $7,000 |
| Saving Horses Inc Encinitas, CA | Equine Welfare | $6,500 |
| Lucky Orphans Horse Rescue Inc Dover Plains, NY | Equine Welfare | $6,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Amounts are reported by filing year.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,125,424 | $961,535 | $954,665 | $99,610 | 13 | $39,182 |
| 2024 | $1,000,218 | $942,754 | $905,705 | $100,836 | 15 | $35,770 |
| 2023 | $1,202,929 | $845,734 | $836,197 | $59,125 | 10 | $8,484 |
| 2022 | $1,172,056 | $919,300 | $743,293 | $49,065 | 5 | $8,375 |
| 2021 | $992,712 | $813,825 | $861,072 | $22,563 | 3 | $582 |
| 2020 | $1,205,287 | $931,249 | $724,294 | $25,025 | 3 | $3,434 |
| 2019 | $1,126,638 | $1,262,457 | $603,181 | $48,360 | 8 | $8,438 |
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.
Among the 2025 grants were $12,350 to Bravehearts Therapeutic Riding & Education; $9,900 to Misty Meadows Equine Learning Center; $9,140 to Brook Hill Farm; $8,350 to Rising Starr Horse Rescue; and $8,250 to Central Kentucky Riding for Hope. Other notable recipients included Horsepower Inc. ($8,090), the United States Equestrian Federation ($7,500), and Loudoun Therapeutic Riding Foundation ($7,000).
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
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $70K, to Lynn Coakley (President).
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 October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS January 17, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS March 2, 2026)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS February 19, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS January 29, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS October 27, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS January 11, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS February 28, 2024)
Live grants for the work Equus Foundation Inc funds
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Equus Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 19, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/equus-foundation-inc-morg_a98a10f76773498f9e39792815d699fe
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_421547242_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Equus Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/equus-foundation-inc-morg_a98a10f76773498f9e39792815d699fe},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-19. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Equus Foundation Inc's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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