Illinois Children’s Healthcare Foundation awards Equine Dreams $100,000
September 2017
Equine Dreams is pleased to announce that it is the recipient of a $100,000 grant from the Illinois Children’s Healthcare Foundation. The funds will be used towards a program expansion to purchase a life size Therapeutic Horse Simulator that will work to improve the quality of life and build resilience in children with disabilities through Equine Assisted Activities. Funds will also go toward building a climate controlled room for the simulator. The project will seek to improve and sustain physical, cognitive, behavioral/mental health and/or social skills of children with disabilities in the underserved rural areas in Illinois by providing year-round therapeutic Equine Assisted Activities on a life-size, equine simulator. “Our heartfelt thanks go out to the Illinois Children’s Healthcare Foundation for their support of our mission to nurture abilities in individuals with special needs. We appreciate their confidence in our ability to provide a unique and beneficial service to this community.” said Windy Kopecky, Board Member and Head Instructor for Equine Dreams.
About the Illinois Children’s Healthcare Foundation
The Illinois Children's Healthcare Foundation (ILCHF) has a single vision: to ensure every child in Illinois has the opportunity to grow up healthy. Working through grantee partners across the state, the Foundation focuses its grant making on identifying and funding solutions to the barriers that prevent children from accessing the ongoing health care they need. The Foundation's philosophy is that health care must address the whole child. They focus their current grant making in two high needs areas in children's health: Improving oral health of Illinois' children and addressing the mental health needs of children in Illinois. ILCHF also designates each year a portion of its grant making dollars for those opportunities that are innovative programs or emerging needs in children's health care in the state of Illinois. For more information on ILCHF, visit their website at: http://www.ilchf.org/aboutilchf.html.
Grants
Knights of Columbus awards funds to
Equine Dreams
December 2025
Thank you to the Knights of Columbus Council 13436 Somonauk, Il. who generously donated funds collected from their annual tootsie roll fundraising campaign to support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
We are so Blessed to be a part of such a generous and supportive community!
The Knights of Columbus was officially chartered in 1882 as a fraternal benefit society. Their founding principles are charity, unity, patriotism and fraternity. Social and intellectual fellowship is promoted among members and their families through educational, charitable, religious, social welfare, war relief and public relief works. The Knights of Columbus have grown from several members in one council to over 14,000 councils and 1.8 million members throughout the United States, Canada, the Philippines, Mexico, Poland, the Dominican Republic, Panama, Bahamas, the Virgin Islands, Cuba, Guatemala, Guam and Saipan. For more information, please visit their website at www.KofCYorkville.org.
Home Depot Foundation awards $10,426 to Equine Dreams
May 2023
THANK YOU to the Home Depot Foundation for awarding our program a very generous grant to go towards the build out of a new tack room and office area, which included not only materials but a work crew to do the work! Are we lucky or what?? This grant was a part of Home Depot's Local Volunteer Project, which is a Nationwide “Celebration of Service” Campaign for improving the Homes and Lives of Veterans. We are so grateful for their support of our mission to improve the lives of children and adults with special needs, veterans and their families.
Duly Health and Care Charitable Fund donates to Equine Dreams through their Your Cause Grant Program
June 2022
Equine Dreams was blessed to have been nominated not once, but twice, by employees to receive a total of $1000. We feel so very thankful for this support of our mission.
Duly Health and Care’s Charitable Fund invests in solutions that improve the health of our communities. Together with their nonprofit partners, they collaborate to address the social needs and risk factors that impact health beyond their clinic doors.
WALMART donates to Equine Dreams
2025
Equine Dreams would like to express its sincere gratitude to Walmart in Plano and Morris for their generous grants. The funds will go toward the feed and care of their therapy horses. “We are so grateful to Walmart for their continued support of our mission and the support they show to all local charities in this area,” Windy Kopecky, Board Secretary and PATH Intl. CTRI.
About Walmart
Walmart Inc. helps people around the world save money and live better - anytime and anywhere - in retail stores, online, and through their mobile devices. Each week, nearly 275 million customers and members visit our more than 11,300 stores under 58 banners in 27 countries and eCommerce websites. With fiscal year 2019 revenue of 514.4 billion, Walmart employs over 2.2 million associates worldwide. Walmart continues to be a leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy, and employment opportunity. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting http://corporate.walmart.com.
Andrew and Alice Fischer Charitable Trust awards generous grant to Equine Dreams
December 2024
Equine Dreams is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a generous grant of $7,500 from the Andrew and Alice Fischer Charitable Trust. This funding will be directed toward the organization’s general operating expenses, helping to sustain its mission of improving the lives of individuals through equine-assisted therapy.
"We are deeply grateful for the continued support of the Andrew and Alice Fischer Charitable Trust," said Windy Kopecky, Board Secretary and PATH, Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor. "This grant not only strengthens our ability to serve our community but also directly impacts the lives of those who benefit from our programs. We are truly fortunate to have such dedicated partners who share in our vision." The grant will play a crucial role in supporting the ongoing efforts to provide these valuable services to those in need.
About the Andrew and Alice Fischer Charitable Trust
The Trust’s primary focus is to provide funding towards education for physically, emotionally,
financially and/or developmentally challenged individuals, as well as support for programs benefitting
children, senior citizens and U.S. Veterans.
DeKalb County Community Foundation donates grant to Equine Dreams
July 2025
Equine Dreams Receives $50,000 Grant from the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley
Equine Dreams is ecstatic to announce that we are the recipient of a $50,000 grant from the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley that will support the final construction of their indoor Equine and Participant areas!
The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley is a nonprofit organization that administers charitable funds to enhance and support the quality of life in the Fox River Valley. The Foundation serves the City of Aurora, Kane County, and Kendall County.
We are beyond grateful for this grant, which aids the completion of major construction, for our indoor accessible areas which will further facilitate inclusion and independence.
This grant allows Equine Dreams to make meaningful improvements that directly impact the quality of care and consistency of services we provide to our community.
Thank you Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley!
June 2025
Equine Dreams Receives $23,619 Grant from Northwestern Medicine toward Accessible Tack Room Project
Grant Will Support Improved Accessibility and Expanded Services for Individuals with Special Needs
Equine Dreams is pleased to announce it has received a generous $23,619 grant from Northwestern Medicine to support the construction of an accessible tack room. This critical funding will enhance the safety, functionality, and inclusivity of this space.
This vital support aids Equine Dreams in serving their current population and the growing needs of the community. The Accessible Tack Room Project is part of Equine Dreams’ broader initiative that aids the completion of major construction for our indoor accessible areas, which further facilitate inclusion and independence.
As a repeat supporter of Equine Dreams, Northwestern Medicine continues to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those served by the organization.
About the Northwestern Medicine Community Benefit Grant Program
Northwestern Medicine is dedicated to enhancing community health through its Community Benefit Grant Program. This initiative supports local health care providers, social service agencies, and other community organizations. For more details, please visit Northwestern Medicine Community Impact at www.nm.org/about-us/nm-community-impact
