Hidden Pastures Access Fund
Helping make meaningful participation possible.
Cost should not automatically prevent someone from participating in a Hidden Pastures program or experience that may be a good fit.
If cost is making participation difficult, please ask.
Financial need does not always fit neatly into an income bracket, and you do not need to wait until circumstances are extreme to request support.
Making Participation More Possible
The Access Fund provides need-based assistance for eligible programs and experiences when funding is available. Assistance may cover part — or in some cases, all — of the cost, and is supported through designated Access Fund donations.
We Look Beyond Income
Financial need does not always fit neatly into an income bracket. A family may earn above a traditional assistance threshold and still face real barriers to participation.
Hidden Pastures considers the overall barrier to participation, not income alone — applicants may share as much or as little personal circumstance information as they feel is necessary.
You do not need to meet a specific poverty-level threshold to be considered.
If cost is creating a real barrier for you or your family, that is enough reason to ask whether support may be available.
How It Works
1. Choose a Program
Identify the Hidden Pastures program or experience that appears to be a good fit.
2. Request Support
Submit an Access Fund request, ideally before completing registration.
3. Hidden Pastures Reviews the Request
Assistance depends on the individual request, program structure, capacity, and available Access Fund resources.
4. We Follow Up
We will let you know what support, if any, may be available and what happens next.
How Assistance Is Determined
Access Fund awards are based on the individual request, program cost, available funding, and the structure of the experience. When possible, assistance may cover part of the cost so available funds can help more people; full assistance may also be considered when circumstances warrant it.
Eligible Programs & Experiences
Access Fund assistance may be used for many Hidden Pastures programs and experiences, including:
Youth & Family
Adult Programs
Individual Experiences
Other Hidden Pastures programs or experiences may also qualify depending on program structure and available funding.
Considering Private Equine-Assisted Learning & Wellbeing?
Access Fund support may be available for a limited block of sessions when cost creates a barrier.
Please apply before deciding the experience is out of reach.
Request Access Fund Support
The Access Fund application is intentionally brief. Extensive documentation is not required, and applicants do not need to disclose more personal information than they are comfortable sharing.
Share what you believe we need to understand your request. You do not need to provide an exhaustive explanation of your personal circumstances.
Requests are reviewed individually. Assistance depends on available funding and is not guaranteed.
What to Know Before You Apply
- Assistance is awarded for a specific program, session block, camp week, or approved experience.
- Funding may cover part or, in some circumstances, all of the cost.
- Awards depend on available Access Fund resources.
- Receiving assistance previously does not guarantee future assistance.
- Program availability, fit, requirements, and participation expectations still apply.
- Access Fund assistance does not guarantee admission or override normal program policies.
Can I apply again?
Yes. Receiving assistance once does not prevent you from requesting support again. Each program, enrollment period, camp week, session block, or experience is reviewed as a new request, and assistance is never automatically renewed.
For Schools, Nonprofits & Community Organizations
Community & Partner Requests
Schools, nonprofits, community organizations, and other mission-aligned partners may also request Access Fund support when cost would otherwise prevent the people they serve from participating in a Hidden Pastures experience.
Requests are considered based on the experience, available funding, mission alignment, and the needs of the group being served.
Help Open the Door for Someone Else
The Hidden Pastures Access Fund is supported by designated donations, kept separate from general operating support and used specifically to help offset participation costs.
Gifts to the Access Fund help reduce financial barriers for individuals, families, and community partners who may otherwise be unable to participate in meaningful Hidden Pastures programs and experiences.
If Cost Is a Barrier, Please Ask
You do not have to decide on your own that a Hidden Pastures experience is out of reach.
If a program feels like a good fit but cost creates a barrier, please apply. We will review the request based on the circumstances, the program, and the funding available.