2026 Horses For Mental Health Campaign Program Partner Application

2026 Horses For Mental Health Campaign Program Partner Application
If your organization incorporates horses into mental health or personal growth services, we invite you to apply now to be part of the Horses for Mental Health Campaign, taking place during Mental Health Awareness Month in May 2026.

Please submit your application by January 13, 2026. Once received, we’ll review it and notify you of results, along with next steps, by January 20, 2026.

Because we can only accept a limited number of participants, not all applicants will be approved.
About the HMH Campaign

This annual campaign provides tools, training, and global visibility to elevate your organization’s awareness and fundraising efforts under a united movement to showcase the powerful role horses play in mental health and well-being.

What makes it unique:
- You keep 100% of the funds you raise. Donations go directly to your program through your own campaign fundraising page.
- You’re not on your own. We equip you with a complete campaign toolkit: social media assets, storytelling templates, press materials, and fundraising tips, plus ongoing training and support.
- Your mission gains global visibility. We feature partners in press releases, media coverage, and social campaigns that reach millions.
- You’re part of something bigger. The collective impact of all participating organizations creates awareness and credibility for the entire field.
Pre-requisites

1. To apply as a Program Partner in the HMH Campaign, you must be:
- A U.S. nonprofit with 501(c)(3) status, or
- A registered charity in your country, or
- A for-profit program with approved fiscal sponsorship from HMH.
2. Your programs providing mental health or personal growth services incorporating horses need to be currently operating and serving clients for at least two years.

3. Your website needs to clearly reflect that you provide mental health and/or personal growth services incorporating horses (psychotherapy, counseling, or EAL-specific programming), and that your facilitators have proper qualifications to provide those services.
- Facilitators have professional qualifications with equine, mental health, organizational development, coaching, education or other professions that reflect the specific scope of mental health or personal growth (EAL) services you provide.
- Facilitators are trained and certified by professional organizations in the equine-assisted services realm.
- Your website clearly reflects your professional services utilizing optimal terminology - click here to read more on terminology and messaging your services.
Because we can only accept a limited number of participants, not all applicants will be approved.
Before You Begin

Please have the following documents ready to upload (collecting these may take time).
- Proof of nonprofit or charitable status in your country (e.g., IRS 501(c)(3) letter).
- Current certification in equine-assisted services for mental health or personal growth (organization or one team member).
- One team member’s professional license or credential in the human services scope of practice you provide (e.g., licensed mental health professional, educator, or certified coach).
- A signed veterinarian’s letter (dated within the last 12 months) confirming that horses are cared for physically, mentally, and ethically.
- For for-profit organizations, to participate in the campaign, you will need HMH to be approved as your fiscal sponsor (U.S. only). Complete the fiscal sponsor application first. Only fill out this campaign application after your fiscal sponsorship is approved and an agreement is in place.
⏳ This application will take about 30 minutes to complete once your documents are ready. Submit by January 13, 2026. Notifications will be sent by January 20, 2026.

You can save your progress at the end if you need to close and return later.
Campaign Commitments

Joining the HMH Campaign means stepping into a shared effort to uplift programs and raise awareness together. The list below outlines the responsibilities and approximate time required as a Program Partner. Please review and confirm that your organization is committed to each of these items before submitting your application.
Campaign commitments (all boxes must be checked before applying):*

1. Dedicated Team Lead: Assign a Team Lead who will commit at least 5 hours/week from March–April and 6 hours/week during May to manage campaign activities.2. Fundraising Ambassador Team: Recruit a minimum of 5 volunteer Fundraising Ambassadors by May 1 to raise funds and awareness for your organization during the campaign (May 1–31).3. Fundraising Goal: Commit to raising at least $5,000 for your organization with the support of your Fundraising Ambassadors.4. Fundraising Pages: Complete your organization’s fundraising page by April 1 and all Ambassador pages by May 1.5. Campaign Promotion: Implement at least 8 promotional campaign assets from April–May (e.g., social media posts, videos, newsletters, press releases). All assets will be provided by HMH.6. Training & Education Calls: Ensure your Team Lead attends at least 3 campaign training and education calls.7. Commitment Fee & W9: Pay a non-refundable $250 commitment fee and submit your organization’s W-9 by January 27, 2026.8. Post-Campaign Feedback: Complete a post-campaign feedback survey by the end of June to provide essential feedback and data on your participation’s impact.
Section 1: Organization Information
Organization Name*
Year Founded*
Has your organization participated as a program (charity) partner in previous HMH campaigns?*

New to campaignReturning program partner
Organization's Location*
Organization’s website URL*
Primary Contact Information
Contact Person Name*

First NameLast Name
Contact Person Email*
example@example.com
Phone Number*

Country CodeArea CodePhone Number
1. Is your organization a registered 501c3 in the US or a registered charity in your country?*

YesNoHMH is our fiscal sponsor
2. Does your organization incorporate horses for mental health or personal growth services?*

YesNo
3. What is your organization's mission statement?*
4. Briefly describe your equine-assisted services: who you serve and the types of programs you offer (e.g., psychotherapy for veterans, addictions counseling, social-emotional learning for students, etc.).*
5. What is your interest and expectations in participating in the HMH Campaign?*
Section 2: Training and Qualifications

We ask about your team’s training and qualifications to confirm that services are led by skilled, licensed, and certified professionals within their scope of practice.
1. What qualifications do your program's facilitators have in the human services scope of practice you provide? (i.e. licensed/accredited mental health professionals, coaches, educators, etc.)*
2. What qualifications do your program's facilitators have in equine care, training and interactions? *
3. What membership, training, and certification do your facilitators have in providing equine-assisted services for mental health or personal growth? (check all that apply)*

Arenas for Change (ARCH)New Trails Learning Systems/Horse Boy MethodInstitute for Human-Animal Connection - Denver Univ.Natural LifemanshipPATH InternationalPolyvagal Equine InstituteThe HERD InstituteNoneOther
Section 3: Equine and Facility Care

This helps us to ensure horses are cared for ethically, safely, and in ways that support both their well-being and the work they do.
1. How many horses are in your organization's care?*
2. What do you to support your horses for this type of work? *
Review the Five Domains Model of Animal Welfare guidelines.
3. Does your organization meet the following standards of horse care as outlined by the Five Domains Model of Animal Welfare? Please check all that apply.*

Nutrition: Horses have access to food and clean, fresh water.Environment: Horses have safe shelter and turnout, with protection from extreme weather (heat, cold, rain).Health: Horses receive routine veterinary care (vaccinations, deworming, dental, soundness checks), and illness/pain is promptly addressed.Behavior: Horses have opportunities for natural behaviors, including movement, foraging, and regular social contact with other horses.Mental State: Horses are supported to maintain positive well-being, with management practices that reduce stress, fear, or discomfort.
4. What processes do you have in place to create and sustain a physically and emotionally safe space for horses and clients alike?*
Veterinary Information

This helps us ensure that every Program Partner’s horses are under appropriate veterinary oversight and cared for to the highest standards.
1. Primary Veterinarian's Name*
2. Veterinary Clinic Name*
3. Veterinary Clinic Website*
4. Clinic Address (Note: Typing in clinic name may bring up address)*
5. Veterinarian Phone Number*
Please enter a valid phone number.
6. Veterinarian Email*
example@example.com
Section 4: Team and Budget

We ask for this information to better understand your organization’s staffing, volunteer support, and capacity.
1. How many board members does your organization have?*
2. How many paid full-time staff in your organization? (Not including board members) *
3. How many paid part-time staff or contractual workers in your organization? (Not including board members)*
4. How many active volunteers in your organization? (Not including board members)*
5. What is your organization's annual budget?*

$0 - $50,000$50,001 - $100,000$100,001-$400,000$400,001 - $1,000,000$1,000,000 +I don't know
Section 5: Community Engagement and Fundraising

This information helps us get a sense of how your organization connects with your community and raises support today.
1. What types of activities does your organization currently engage in for public awareness, community engagement, and fundraising? *
2. How would donations to your organization be used? Describe what programs, services, or needs they would support.*
3. How active is your organization on social media?*

We do not use social mediaWe have accounts, but post rarely (a few times a year)We post occasionally (about once a month)We post somewhat regularly (2–3 times a month)We post consistently (at least once a week)We post very actively (multiple times a week)Other
4. Organization's Instagram URL *
i.e: instagram.com/horsesformentalhealth
5. How many Instagram followers does your organization have?*
6. Organization's Facebook URL*
i.e: facebook.com/horsesformentalhealth.org
7. How many Facebook followers does your organization have?*
8. Does your organization have an email database?*

YesNo
9. If yes, how many are in your database?*
10. How comfortable is your organization with social media/marketing?*

Very comfortableSomewhat comfortableNeutralSomewhat uncomfortableNot comfortable
11. How comfortable is your organization with community engagement (involving your community members in advocating for and supporting your organization)?*

Very comfortableSomewhat comfortableNeutralSomewhat uncomfortableNot comfortable
12. In what ways do you hope the HMH Campaign can support your efforts in marketing, fundraising, and community engagement?*
13. How did you hear about the Horses for Mental Health Campaign? (formerly the Seen Through Horses Campaign) Check all that apply.*

American Horse CouncilArenas for Change (ARCH)Black in the SaddleEquine NetworkEQUUS Film & Arts FestEQUUS FoundationEQUUS TelevisionHorses and Humans Research FoundationInstitute for Human-Animal Connection - Denver Univ.Natural LifemanshipNew Trails Learning SystemsPATH InternationalPolyvagal Equine InstituteRural MindsTemple Grandin Equine CenterThe HERD InstituteUS Equestrian (USEF)ZoetisHMH Social MediaHMH Email/NewsletterGoogle SearchWord of MouthOther
Section 6: Document Uploads
1. For nonprofit organizations: Upload an official document verifying your nonprofit status (e.g. IRS 501(c)(3) Letter) (For profit organizations: skip this step - you must be preapproved for HMH fiscal sponsorship)

If any problems uploading, you can email it to connie@horsesformentalhealth.org.
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2. Upload your current certification in equine-assisted services (organization or one team member)

If any problems uploading, you can email it to connie@horsesformentalhealth.org.
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3. Upload the active professional license/credential for one team member in your organization's human services scope of practice (e.g. mental health, education, coaching)

If any problems uploading, you can email it to connie@horsesformentalhealth.org.
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4. Please upload a signed letter from your veterinarian (dated no more than 12 months prior to your application date) confirming that the horses in your program are cared for physically, mentally, and ethically.

You may fulfill this requirement in one of two ways:
- Provide your veterinarian with the HMH request letter. Your vet can write and sign their own letter, which you then upload below.
- Have your veterinarian complete the HMH template. This template includes the information we need and can be uploaded below once completed and signed.
If any problems uploading, you can email it to connie@horsesformentalhealth.org.
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Do you have any comments or questions?
Thank you!
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2026 Horses For Mental Health Campaign Program Partner Application

Section 1: Organization Information

Primary Contact Information

Section 2: Training and Qualifications

Section 3: Equine and Facility Care

Veterinary Information

Section 4: Team and Budget

Section 5: Community Engagement and Fundraising

Section 6: Document Uploads

Thank you!