The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) announced that it has awarded its 1,000th grant from the ASPCA Equine Fund on July 14. The $5,000 award went to Equestrian Inc. in Tampa, Florida, and will be used to repair the roof of its feed room, which was destroyed during a storm in May.

“Thanks to the generosity of the ASPCA’s supporters and equine advocates alike, the ASPCA Equine Fund has grown significantly over the years, providing much-needed funding and resources to hundreds of equine rescues and sanctuaries across the country,” said Jacque Schultz, senior director of the ASPCA Equine Fund.

Glenda Smith, founder of Equestrian Inc., said, “When a Memorial Day storm destroyed our feed room, we lost $4,000 in grain and hay and we were in trouble. While we have been in existence for over 28 years, we are still a small rescue. … The ASPCA’s commitment to animals in need will allow us to rebuild our feed room, and Equestrian Inc. is deeply honored to be the proud recipient of the ASPCA Equine Fund’s 1,000th grant.”

The ASPCA Equine Fund provides resources—including financial help, consultation, in-person and online training, and sharing of best practices—to nonprofit equine welfare organizations in the United States. The program began in 1996 as the Lucky Fund, a small grant program distributing up to $125,000 annually to help the foals of the pregnant mare urine industry with some additional support for wild horses and rescues facing emergencies. The fund has continued to grow each year, and in 2013 the ASPCA awarded $1.4 million in grants to support equine rescues and sanctuaries in 43 states and the District of Columbia. Since 2008, the ASPCA Equine Fund has awarded a total of approximately $5.5 million to over 450 organizations