Equine Welfare Network:
Eligibility Requirements for an Affiliate

To be accepted as an affiliate on our network:

I. The organization must certify that
•  The organization provides or conducts real services, benefits, assistance, or program activities related to equine welfare in the United States.
•  The organization does not engage in any activity that disregards the welfare of animals of any kind, causes an animal to feel pain or fear, exploits or harms an animal to benefit the organization, or willfully slaughters an animal to benefit the organization.
•  The organization's programs and activities are directed by an active and responsible governing body, whose members have no material conflict of interest and a majority of which serve without compensation.
• If a private foundation, the organization prepares and submits to the IRS a complete copy of the organization's IRS Form 990 or certifies that the organization is not required to submit an IRS Form 990.
• If a non-profit other than a private foundation, the organization may be required to provide documentation attesting to the organization's non-profit status.
•  The organization conducts publicity and promotional activities based upon its actual program and operations, and that these activities are truthful and non-deceptive, include all material facts, and make no exaggerated or misleading claims.
• The organization has operated for at least one full operating year.
• The organization does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, creed, national origin, disability, handicap, age, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by law.
• The organization maintains a presence on the internet, i.e., a unique domain/url address that clearly defines its equine programs, and ensures that the content displayed is kept current and based on actual programs and operations. A Facebook page is not acceptable.

II. The EQUUS Foundation expects all organizations that are accepted on our network, regardless of their size and scope, to be accountable and transparent to the public. If a private foundation, the organization must keep its GuideStar profile current. The EQUUS Foundation requires that the GuideStar seal reflecting the current year be displayed on the organization's GuideStar profile. GuideStar is a free information service specializing in U.S. nonprofit companies. Please update your organization's GuideStar profile at https://www.guidestar.org/Login.aspx with the required information. If you have not done so already, you will need to create an account; otherwise sign in to update the report.

III. For those organizations that are eligible to attain verification or accreditation status with the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS), an EQUUS Foundation Alliance member, the organization may be required to attain verification prior to being accepted as a member of the EQUUS Foundation Equine Welfare Network. To learn more about GFAS Accreditation and Verification for equine organizations, visit the GFAS website at https://www.sanctuaryfederation.org/ or contact GFAS Program Director-Equine, Daryl Tropea, at Daryl@sanctuaryfederation.org