FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ORLANDO, FL — May 30, 2026 — Snowpity, Inc., the parent organization of Mare Fair, today announced the official launch of the Helping Hoof Grant Program. This new initiative is designed to provide critical, upfront seed funding to first-year My Little Pony and equine-themed conventions, fostering a supportive environment for the next generation of pony conventions.
The program establishes an initial $8,000 fund dedicated entirely to helping new, non-profit pony events establish secure operational foundations. Individual grants ranging from $500 to $2,000 will be awarded upfront to qualifying events to assist with early-stage liabilities, such as venue deposits and startup infrastructure costs. With funding now fully secured and official approval granted by the Board of Directors, the application window is officially open.
“The pony convention landscape is experiencing an exciting period of rapid expansion,” said Joshua Hope, Head Pony In Charge at Snowpity. “As an established organization, we want to encourage the healthy growth of this ecosystem by providing the financial stability newcomers need to hit the ground running. By investing in these emerging events, we aren’t just supporting new conventions—we are multiplying our community’s collective capacity to champion equine welfare and give fandom artists more venues to showcase their incredible work.”
To maintain the program’s focus on ethical operations, applicant organizations must meet strict eligibility criteria. To qualify for a grant, an event must:
- Be Pony or Equine Focused: The event should be focused on ponies or equines, either cartoon or real
- Be a New Entity: The program is exclusively available to organizations that have not yet held their first public convention. Well-established events are ineligible
- Be a Non-Profit: Applicants must be an IRS registered 501(c)(3) public charity, have an equivalent legal designation in their home country, or actively be in the process of obtaining such recognition
- Be Committed to Equine Welfare: Recipient conventions must formally designate an equine rescue charity as their primary charitable beneficiary for their inaugural event
Applications will be reviewed by the Snowpity Board of Directors on a rolling basis in the order they are received at the next scheduled regular Board meeting after receipt. The initial $8,000 fund will remain active until exhausted or until the Board decides to end the program. Prospective applicants will be required to submit a comprehensive application package, including a rough budget outline, an asset compilation, and a draft venue contract or formal Letter of Intent.
More details on eligibility requirements, guidelines, and instructions on how to submit a formal application package can be found below or on the News and Updates section at snowpity.org. Any questions about this program should be directed to helpinghoof@snowpity.org.
Frequently Asked Questions
For Prospective Applicants
- Our organization has hosted local meetups and small picnics, but never a full multi-day convention. Are we eligible?
- Yes! As long as your organization has not yet held its first formal, public convention event, you likely meet the criteria. Small, casual social gatherings or planned meetups do not disqualify you
- Can we apply if we are based outside the United States?
- Absolutely. The program is open to international pony conventions, provided you hold an equivalent registered legal non-profit status in your home country or are actively in the process of obtaining it
- What counts as an “in-progress” 501(c)(3) status?
- If you are preparing or have already filed your paperwork with the IRS (such as a Form 1023) but are still waiting for official approval, you are eligible to apply. You should include documentation proving you are working towards this in your application package
- What qualifies as an “equine rescue charity”?
- Any registered non-profit sanctuary, rescue, or rehabilitation facility dedicated solely or primarily to the care and welfare of horses, ponies, donkeys, zebras, mules, etc. If you are unsure if your chosen charity qualifies, please reach out to us and ask
- How long does the review process take?
- Applications are reviewed in the order they are received. The Snowpity Board of Directors will evaluate submissions at their next regularly scheduled Board meeting following the receipt of your complete application package. This process could take two months or more. If you need a response sooner, please let us know when you submit your application
- Is there a deadline to apply?
- There is no fixed calendar deadline. The program operates with a total pool of $8,000 and will accept applications on a rolling basis until the fund is fully exhausted or the Board of Directors votes to conclude the initiative
- What happens if a convention receives the grant but has to cancel their event?
- To protect Snowpity’s investment, all approved recipients must sign a formal Grant Agreement before funds are disbursed. This legally binding contract requires the full return of the upfront funds to Snowpity if the event is cancelled or if the convention fails to fulfill its charitable commitment to an equine rescue
- How does my organization apply?
- Please send as much information you can about your organization to helpinghoof@snowpity.org. Feel free to direct all questions to this address
- Why is Snowpity giving money to other conventions instead of spending it on Mare Fair?
- One of Snowpity’s core mission objectives is to empower fandom artists and support equines in need. By helping new non-profit conventions establish stable foundations, we are multiplying the community’s collective ability to raise charity funds and creating more venues for artists to showcase and sell their work. A healthier convention ecosystem benefits everypony
- Will well-established conventions be able to sweep in and take these funds?
- No. This program is strictly exclusive to brand-new organizations launching their inaugural public events. Well-established conventions are completely ineligible for this grant
For more information on Snowpity, Inc., see https://snowpity.org/.
