irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $0DISASTER AND HARDSHIP RELIEF - DURING THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2024 THE ASSOCIATION PROVIDED HARDSHIP ASSISTANCE TO MEMBERS WHO WERE SUFFERING FROM ILLNESS, FIRE AND OTHER LIFE EVENTS AND WHO WERE UNABLE TO MEET FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS AS A RESULT.
- #2 $0PROVIDE NON-QUALIFIED RETIREMENT SAVINGS AND SECURITY TO TRAINERS AND DRIVERS THAT PARTICIPATE IN HARNESS RACING. MORE THAN FIFTY MEMBERS CURRENTLY ARE ENROLLED IN THE PLAN. DURING THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2024 NO DISTRIBUTIONS WERE MADE TO MEMBERS.
named programs · 3 · from sources
What they call their work
Aftercare Program
Assists with placement and retraining of retired Standardbred racehorses through partnerships with nonprofit organizations like Purple Haze Stables
Disaster and Hardship Relief
Provides financial assistance to members facing illness, fire, or other life events that impact their ability to meet financial obligations
Non-Qualified Retirement Savings Plan
Offers retirement savings and security to trainers and drivers participating in harness racing, with over fifty members enrolled
activities · 6 groups
What they do
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Equine Industry Representation and Support 3 activities
- Advocacy for harness racing welfare and regulationAdvocates for the welfare of harness racing in the United States and Canada, particularly in Saratoga Springs, NY. Recommends rule changes to governing authorities and cooperates with regulatory bodies and race meeting associations to improve standards for Standardbred horses.
- Capacity building through trainer referralsProvides referrals to licensed trainers for prospective and current horse owners at Saratoga and other regional tracks to support stable operations and horse development.
- Member advisory and welfare supportConsults with and advises horsemen, women, and stable employees on issues affecting their welfare at Saratoga Harness and Saratoga Gaming and Raceway, including assistance with housing through county contacts.
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Union and Association Benefit Funds 2 activities
- Reimbursement for race-related equipment damageProvides reimbursement to member drivers, trainers, and owners for damages to race bikes sustained during harness racing activities.
- Retirement savings plan administrationAdministers a non-qualified retirement savings plan for harness racing trainers and drivers, with enrollment of at least 46 members in 2021 and over fifty members as of 2024.
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Member Hardship Assistance Programs 1 activity
- Hardship and disaster relief assistanceProvides financial hardship assistance to members affected by illness, fire, housing loss, or other crises. In specific years, supported 4 members due to illness and 13 due to housing loss, including disaster relief for a seriously injured member unable to care for horses.
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Membership Program Administration 1 activity
- Membership services and administrationOffers online and mail-based membership application and payment processing for horsepersons, including ongoing management of membership enrollment.
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Equine Rescue and Retirement Care 1 activity
- Post-racing care and retraining referralsConnects owners of retired or injured Standardbred racehorses with nonprofit organizations that provide aftercare, retraining, and rehabilitation services.
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Driver Training and Motorsports Education 1 activity
- Race event production and mediaOrganizes and conducts live harness racing events annually, including the 2024 season. Produces and shares educational videos and full or edited race footage featuring prominent drivers such as Billy Dobson and Wally Hennessey.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$664K
Contributions & grants$41K6%
Program service revenue$6K1%
Investment income$61K9%
Other revenue$556K
expenses
Total expenses$605K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits$93K
Grants paid out$30K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$1.55M
Cash$945K
Investments$600K
Liabilities$0
Net assets$1.55M
Liquid reserves30.7 mo
4 years on record · 2021–2024 · YoY revenue -15.2%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
board members · 10
- BRIAN CROSS — DIRECTOR
- JEFF CANTINE — DIRECTOR
- JOHN HOAGLAND JR — DIRECTOR
- JORDAN DERUE — DIRECTOR
- KYLE SPAGNOLA — DIRECTOR
- LISA ZABIELSKI — DIRECTOR
- MARK WHITCROFT — DIRECTOR
- MELISSA BECKWITH — DIRECTOR
- MICKEY MCGIVERN — DIRECTOR
- SCOTT MONGEON — DIRECTOR
relationships · 11
Who they work with
- Purple Haze Stables Partner — Nonprofit organization that the SHHA refers owners to for the retirement, retraining, and care of Standardbred racehorses no longer able to race.
- Saratoga Casino Hotel Partner — Co-announced a public memorial service for horses lost in the Barn Fire Tragedy.
- Saratoga Casino Hotel Partner — Co-announced a public memorial service with the Saratoga Harness Horsepersons Association.
- Saratoga County Foundation, Inc Partner — Designated recipient for donations related to the Barn Fire Tragedy, in coordination with SHHA.
- Saratoga Gaming and Raceway Partner — Provides consultation and advisory services to horsemen, women, and stable employees at this facility.
- Saratoga Springs Government — Hosts harness racing events in Saratoga Springs.
- Saratoga Springs Government — Location of operations and mailing address
- Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts Partner — Collaborated on the development of stakes programs.
- Standardbred horse Coalition — Works to protect the interests and welfare of the Standardbred horse within the harness racing industry.
- The Saratoga County Foundation, Inc Partner — Receives donations designated for the Barn Fire Tragedy on behalf of the Saratoga Harness Horsepersons Association.
- United States Trotting Association Government — Member organization that governs harness racing, requiring SHHA members to hold USTA membership for horse ownership and racing eligibility.
strategies · 2
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Industry Self-Governance through Collective Advocacymethodology: industry-self-governanceBy leveraging collective industry expertise to advocate for rule and regulatory improvements, the organization enhances the integrity and long-term sustainability of harness racing because shared stakeholder input leads to more effective and accepted governance reforms.
- Workforce Well-Being through Representation and Support Servicesmethodology: workforce-wellbeing-through-representationBy providing direct consultation, advisory services, and membership-linked benefits such as health insurance, the organization improves the stability and professionalism of the harness racing workforce because supported workers are more likely to remain engaged and resilient in their roles.