Equestrian Aid Foundation Celebrating 30 Years Of Helping People In Need
By Patrick Sherry
WELLINGTON | PHILANTHROPY
This issue, Wellington The Magazine is kicking off- a new series dedicated to everything philanthropic, called Wellington Philanthropy. This new set of feature articles throughout 2026 will celebrate the heart of our community: the nonprofit organizations and individuals who work tirelessly to make Wellington a stronger, more compassionate place to live.
Behind every thriving community is a network of people giving their time, talent and resources to support neighbors, protect the environment, uplift youth, focus on important initiatives and care for those in need. This series exists to shine a light on that often-unseen work.
Through Wellington Philanthropy, we will feature prominent local nonprofits and charitable leaders, sharing their missions, stories and the impact they make every day. Our goal is not only to recognize their achievements, but also to help amplify their voices, connect them with new supporters and inspire community involvement. By highlighting their successes and challenges, we hope to foster deeper understanding and collaboration across Wellington.
This series is our way of thanking local philanthropists, while also encouraging all of us to engage more meaningfully with the causes that shape our community. When we celebrate those who give back, we strengthen the bonds that make Wellington thrive.
We intend to wrap up this series with a “Hearts On” event in partnership with the Wellington Community Foundation and the Village of Wellington, where we will be presenting nonprofit organizations with the Wellington Exceptional Giving Award. Stay tuned to learn how your organization can become involved.
For three decades, the Wellington-based Equestrian Aid Foundation (EAF) has been helping people in the equestrian community through assistance funding. As it approaches its 30th anniversary, the nonprofit is looking to continue and expand its charitable ventures for years to come.
The foundation specializes in supporting people in the equestrian community who are experiencing financial hardships from illness, injury or natural disasters. It supports anyone in the equestrian profession, from riders and grooms to farriers and vet techs, whose livelihoods depend on horses.
Through the years, the EAF has regularly expanded its mission to help as many people as it could in their time of need. These efforts have provided millions of dollars in financial support to people nationwide, including many in Wellington’s tight-knit equestrian community.
“There isn’t another one like us,” said Robert Ross, founding member and team leader of the organization. “We were one of the original charitable organizations in Wellington.”
The EAF was founded in 1996 and initially named the Equestrian AIDS Foundation. At that time, the nation was in the midst of the deadly AIDS epidemic. That year, medical breakthroughs became widely available to treat HIV and AIDS by slowing disease progression and keeping the immune system functioning.
To help support those in the equestrian community impacted by the disease, a group of friends started a foundation to give financial assistance in any way they could.
- Scot Evans, one of the founding board members and former EAF president, explained that during this time, many equestrians were living with AIDS.
“What we were looking to do is to assist them in their time of need — whether it was just to take care of a bill here or there, or try to ease a little bit of the burden… to see if we can get them back on their feet,” Evans recalled.
After 10 years of continuous work in AIDS support, leaders of the foundation wanted to expand its charitable activities. After consulting with public relations agencies, they decided to change the nonprofit’s name to the Equestrian Aid Foundation to better represent the goal to broaden its original mission.
The name change brought an increased focus on helping give grant-based support to anyone in the equestrian field experiencing illness or injury.
“What we found is that there was so much more need in general within the equestrian community about other diseases, accidents and injuries,” Evans said. “[It’s] a high-risk sport… it’s a high-risk environment that we live in each and every day.”
The organization prides itself on helping fellow equestrians in their time of need. Its grant-based support helps cover expenditures such as medical bills, living expenses or basic costs when recipients may struggle to support themselves and their families. The EAF web site has several profiles of grant recipients. From assisting those undergoing cancer treatments, traumatic brain injuries and life-threatening medical conditions, the EAF’s grant support has been able to provide a financial lifeline to many.
As their work continued into the 2010s, members of the foundation decided to once again expand the mission to help more people. In 2018, the EAF opened a disaster relief fund to help equestrian communities across the country impacted by natural disasters. Most recently, its team members have provided funding and support to those impacted by wildfires in California and victims of hurricanes Helene and Milton.
These efforts have led to 2025 being one of its most prolific years in providing financial support and grants awarded to equestrians.
“The disaster relief fund has absolutely taken the front seat with what we do,” Evans said. “I think that’s a sign of the times today… We’re always looking at how we can be better, how we can help more people, and how we can expand our mission.”
Over its long charitable career, the foundation’s team has been able to give out more than $4 million in aid to equestrians all around the nation. The foundation’s team credits these funds to their many private donors and various fundraising campaigns. Not only that, but they also participate in other charitable activities. Most recently, members of the foundation held its annual Toy Drive and Wrapping Party, which donates gifts to children for the holidays.
Founding members like Ross explain that events like these are some of their favorites, and he loves how those at the foundation are always willing to help and contribute toward a cause.
“We want to make sure the most money we raise goes to the most amount of people,” Ross said. “That’s my favorite part about it; I know that we’re making a difference in people’s lives.”
One of their biggest campaigns is their annual Strides for Hope 5K walk and run, which will be held this year on Monday, Feb. 16 at Village Park (11700 Pierson Road, Wellington). The foundation is preparing to celebrate its 30th anniversary at that time as well.
To commemorate the event, they will be officially launching a new endowment fund, with all the proceeds from the 5K going toward it. Founding members hope the establishment of the fund will support the organization’s charitable activities for many years.
“We want the next 30 years to be strong, as far as the support that the Equestrian Aid Foundation can provide,” Evans said.
Organizers’ goals for all of these charity events are to bring people together while raising money for a good cause. Team members encourage anyone who wants to get involved to volunteer because they are always looking for help.
“The way to fundraise is to bring families together, and most importantly, to think about the future of the organization,” Evans said. “We’ve always made sure we were open to anyone and anybody at any time.”
To learn more about the Equestrian Aid Foundation, donate to the organization, or sign up for the upcoming 2026 Strides for Hope 5K on Feb. 16, visit www.equestrianaidfoundation.org.
