Thoroughbred Charities of America (TCA) today announced that more than $1 million in grants have been awarded this year. The 86 organizations approved for a grant include 56 equine aftercare organizations, 21 backstretch and farm worker programs, five equine-assisted therapy organizations, three Thoroughbred promotion programs, and one research organization. Grant recipients can be found on www.tca.org. Over the past 34 years, TCA has awarded more than $27 million in grants.
TCA’s endowments were boosted this year by a generous bequest from the late California Thoroughbred owner Nancy Messineo. Messineo was dedicated to the welfare of animals, especially horses. She was a strong supporter of Thoroughbred aftercare efforts and frequently worked to find new homes for her former racehorses. In addition to TCA, Messineo’s estate left money to the California Retirement Management Account (CARMA), the Wild Horse Sanctuary, the Red Bucket Sanctuary, and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
With a record number of grant applications received this year, the TCA Board of Directors has established clear funding priorities for funding. Working with the TCA Grants Committee, the Board has determined that funding will be focused on approved organizations that are working to serve the farm and backstretch worker community as well as non-traditional aftercare organizations. TCA defines non-traditional aftercare organizations as organizations that are working to provide rehoming services for Thoroughbred horses approaching retirement or organizations that are working to encourage horse enthusiasts to select a Thoroughbred as their next mount.
“Every year, the TCA Grants Committee works hard to ensure that we are excellent stewards of the donations we receive,” said Erin Halliwell, TCA Executive Director. “This year was no exception, as the committee carefully reviewed over 100 applications. Our grants are only possible thanks to our generous donors, and we are delighted to be able to support so many impactful, effective, and change-making organizations in our industry with this support.”
Applications for the 2025 funding cycle will be available in mid-January.
TCA’s mission is to provide grants and support to Thoroughbreds and their caregivers. TCA distributes grants to a variety of Thoroughbred-related nonprofit organizations including rehabilitation, retraining, relocation, and retirement organizations; backstretch and farm worker programs; equine-assisted therapy programs; and research organizations. Since its founding in 1990, TCA has provided more than $27 million in grants to over 200 charities. TCA is the charitable arm of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA).
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