Funders’ Forum Offered at 2009 NARHA National Conference in Fort Worth

“Tough” is the word that best describes the competition among nonprofit equine programs to secure funding for their equine assisted activities and therapies. In fact, in the current economy most nonprofit organizations are facing funding challenges.

Recent data show that foundation grantmaking comprises nearly 13 % of charitable contributions, so on Thursday, November 19, 2009, NARHA presents a Funder’s Forum to provide an opportunity for attendees to learn from several funding organizations how best to apply successfully for financial support.

This face-to-face forum will present foundation representatives from the American Quarter Horse Foundation, the Meadows Foundation and the Hutton Foundation. These foundation professionals will reveal how they think, how an applicant can learn about a particular foundation’s priorities, and which application practices will have the greatest chance of leading to success. In addition it is an excellent opportunity to get answers to the most important questions about securing foundation funds.

For added value, NARHA offers a session on Friday, November 20 about how to use the Foundation Directory Online-a NARHA member benefit-to match program needs with the right grantmaker.

Early registration is currently offered online on the conference page at http://www.narha.org/ www.narha.org, as well as more information about conference sessions, the conference hotel, the conference travel deals and fun things to do in Fort Worth. The funding sessions are expected to fill up quickly and the cost of registration will increase October 8.

About NARHA:

NARHA was formed in 1969 to promote equine assisted activities and therapies for individuals with special needs. At over 700 member centers, a total of 42,000 children and adults find a sense of independence through involvement with horses. These member centers range from small, one-person programs to large operations with several certified instructors and licensed therapists. In addition to therapeutic equitation, a center may offer any number of equine assisted activities including hippotherapy, equine facilitated mental health, driving, interactive vaulting, trail riding, competition, ground work, or stable management. Through a wide variety of educational resources, the association helps individuals start and maintain successful equine assisted activities and therapies for individuals with special needs. There are more than 24,000 volunteers, 2000 instructors, 5,700 therapy horses and thousands of contributors from all over the world helping people at NARHA centers.