Why Fund Raising?

Some people have asked why we do so much fundraising.  Well, I’d like to make an attempt at answering that question.

First and foremost we receive no third party/medical reimbursement for the services that we provide.  Most service fees are paid by individual pay, respite grants, and/or special waivers. For those who do not have access to any funding, full and/or partial scholarships are offered. This is a result of the Board of Directors commitment to turn no qualified participant away because of their inability to pay.

As a 501©3 Non-Profit Organization, Mounted Eagles has an opportunity to obtain funds from individuals and from other non-profit organizations in the form of donations or grants.  All donations are tax deductible.  Over the past 16 years we have been very blessed to receive financial support from area organizations such as Jaycees, Lions Clubs, VFWs, Rotary Clubs, Sertoma Clubs, American Legions, Knights of Columbus, Church groups and others.  We have also been able to secure grant monies from organizations such as the Initiative Foundation, Minnesota Horse Council, American Quarter Horse Association, Brainerd Lakes Area Community Foundation, Private foundations and others.  In addition, we have received over $5,000 worth of In-Kind donations during CY2009.  While some organizations continue to fund us, others have had to tighten their belts and streamline their guidelines for giving.  We have suffered from those cutbacks for several reasons.  There are many more non-profits who are asking for help and there are many who reach a larger number of the population in our five county area.  Funders that I have spoken with assure me that they consider what we do as very important and vital but because we are ‘smaller’ we don’t make as big of an impact as larger organizations do.  Therefore, funding goes to those who make a bigger impact on the communities - Sad, but understandable.

We currently have 66 riders in our program.  Of that 66, 18 receive financial assistance from the Mounted Eagles’ Ridership Fund.  Another 5 riders receive funding from the Air Warrior Courage Foundation (AWCF).  AWCF is a non-profit organization who provides funding especially for therapeutic riding for the children of our Veterans.  In the past the program has included active and inactive members of any branch of the armed forces.  This year they had to streamline their guidelines to include children of only active members.  Fortunately those children who have been receiving funding will be grandfathered into the program and funds will continue to be provided as long as they are available.  We have had three riders who have lost waivers or respite grants and have had to request financial assistance.  Cutbacks are everywhere – except in expenses.  Individuals who receive funding from the Mounted Eagles Ridership fund are required to be represented at a minimum of two of the fundraising events during the calendar year in order to help raise funds for the program.  This is so they will feel that they are giving back a small portion of what their family member is gaining from the program.

Spirit Horse Center is very generous with Mounted Eagles and supports our program very much.  However, they are a business and need to survive as well.  While we charge participants in our program $20 per lesson, our cost is $43.29 per lesson.  Therefore, we have to raise $23.29 for every participant who is in the program in order to cover our expenses. 

The largest expense we have is for the care and well-being of our horses.  Without them we could not deliver the smiles that you see on your child’s face every time they ride or hear them get excited when it’s time to go to the barn.  You would not be able to see them take their first step after riding, say their first word, win their first blue ribbon, trust someone to be a constant in their lives or sleep through the night out of the fetal position for the first time because their muscles are so relaxed from riding the horse.  The horses and their movement, trusting dispositions and their dedication make this and much more possible.

We know that fund raising is not always a pleasant thing and when a parent has multiple children, it seems there is always something that needs funding.  Businesses are approached multiple times daily and asked to support some worthy cause.  They can’t afford to do it all either.  Therapeutic Horsemanship is the “extra curricular activity” for those who cannot play physical sports or be in the band or speech club.  We have heard many parents say that horsemanship belongs to that child just as football, soccer or basketball belongs to the other children in the family.  We need as much financial support as other sports and clubs do.  We have always encouraged Mounted Eagles’ participants and their families to feel ownership in the program and give us feedback that will help improve the services that we provide.  Ownership comes in helping keep the organization financially healthy as well.  That is why we ask them to help in any way that they can to assist with these fund raising events.  One might not be able to give much money, but perhaps he/she can help make the event a success by working the day of and by spreading the word and encouraging friends and family members to attend; asking your church for a special collection for the riding program – happens all the time for other sports.  Don’t get me wrong they are deserving programs and make wonderful impacts on our young peoples’ lives – but so do we.  We just use a horse instead of a ball and some people don’t realize that we give much more to these special children and adults than a pony ride.  If you are a parent or caregiver of a participant in the Mounted Eagles, you can help by helping others understand the impact this program has on your special person.  We love the opportunity to speak at churches or community organizations and tell more about how our program operates.

I hope I have answered the original question to your satisfaction and that you have a better understanding of “Why Fund Raising?”  If not, please contact me at any time and I’ll be happy to discuss in more detail the financial operations of Mounted Eagles and why we need your help.  We also welcome new ideas on how we can raise funds to keep us helping our participants “mount up as with wings like eagles.”  God Bless and many thanks to all of those who do help!

Aggie Stroot, Executive Director - phone:  218.568.5883  e-mail:  info@mountedeagles.org