Our Wish List
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Special Equestrians is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with a mission to provide high quality therapeutic horseback riding and equine-assisted activities to individuals with physical, mental, developmental and emotional disabilities. Special Equestrians welcomes individual contributions of any size. In addition, the program has the following particular funding needs.
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$2,000,000 Endowment – gifts of $5000 or more
Special Equestrians operates on an average annual budget of $300,000. Tuition covers less than 18% of this amount; grant income, an annual fund drive, and fundraising from events cover the rest. An endowment of $2,000,000 would provide a significant level of financial stability.
Gifts options: donations of $5,000 or more, as a one-time gift or annually for any period of years.
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Financial Aid Funding – gifts of all sizes
Special Equestrians offers tuition discounts, or scholarships, for families that cannot afford to pay the full cost of the program. One-time gifts of all sizes are welcome, but multi-year commitments are sought to fund all or part of this annual cost. Gift options: Individual gifts of any size: pledged repeating annual gifts of $100 - $6,000 per year for three to five years, or $120,000 to endow a scholarship fund.
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Professional development funding – gifts of $300 - $3,600
Underwriting is needed for instructors to attend regional and national conferences sponsored by the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International. These meetings provide valuable professional development and networking opportunities.
Gift options: Fund in full or in increments of $300 (per person for regional) or $900 (per person for national); $3,000 to send 10 instructors to the regional conference; or $3,600 to send 3 staff members and our OT to the national conference.
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Truck and Horse Trailer
We are in need of a truck to pull our horses to events and horse shows.
Gift options: Truck (gift of $5,000-$10,000)
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Re-bed covered arena – to be bid out
The footing in the covered arena is over ten years old and needs to be replaced
Gift options: fund at 50% or 100%, or in-kind donation.
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New waterproof blankets for our horses – gifts of $100 - $1,100 in increments of $100
The majority of our horses, most of who are more "senior" citizens, need to be blanketed on the colder winter nights. We need new waterproof blankets to keep them warm and healthy.
Gift options: $100 per horse, $700 to fund blankets for half our herd, $1400 for the entire herd.
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Run hot water to the wash station – to be bid out
The outdoor wash station at Special Equestrians was built through an Eagle Scout Project. Having hot water available there would enhance its usefulness.
Gift options: full cost or in-kind donation of materials and labor.
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Rebuild hinged window panels on the road side of stable - $600 or in-kind
These panels allow for increased air flow throughout the stable but need to be closed in winter.
Gift options: full cost of $600 or in-kind donation of materials and labor.
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Horses – priceless!
We often need good program horses and take them on loan or as a donation. Ideal horses are seasoned, sound, and steady. English or Western training is fine, but they must like being handled and be comfortable in an arena and on trails. Potential donors should call the office at (205) 987-9462 to tell us more about specific horses.
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Continuous Needs:
Animalintex pads
Vet wrap
Flick's fly spray
Leather halters of all sizes
Baby diapers
Duct tape
Ink cartridges: HP #62
First-class Forever postage stamps
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Check out our Amazon Wishlist for specific items!