named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Adoption Program
Facilitates adoption of retired Thoroughbreds by individuals and families, with a guarantee of lifetime sanctuary if needed
Rescue Program
Offers sanctuary to retired Thoroughbreds whose welfare is at risk due to owner circumstances
Retirement Program
Provides lifelong sanctuary for retired Thoroughbreds who cannot be rehomed due to age or infirmity
Sponsor a Horse Program
Enables individuals and organizations to sponsor the care of specific retired Thoroughbreds at various giving levels
TRF Second Chances Program
Vocational training program in correctional facilities where incarcerated individuals learn equine care and life skills while caring for retired Thoroughbreds
activities · 4 groups
What they do
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Equine Rescue and Retirement Care 4 activities
- Accepts in-kind donations to support horse careAccepts and utilizes in-kind donations of grooming, medical, and barn supplies that directly support the care of horses in its sanctuary herd.
- Lifetime sanctuary and care for retired Thoroughbred horsesProvides lifelong sanctuary, safe housing, proper nutrition, and expert support for retired Thoroughbred racehorses, including those unfit for riding due to age or infirmity. Operates sanctuary farms and maintains a herd of horses in its care, investing over $1.2 million annually in their feeding and care.
- Rescue services for at-risk retired ThoroughbredsProvides rescue services for retired Thoroughbred racehorses whose welfare is threatened due to owner hardship or other circumstances, ensuring their safety and long-term care.
- Retraining and adoption placement for retired racehorsesRetrains and adopts out hundreds of retired racehorses to new roles such as pets, competition horses, police mounts, and therapy partners. Manages a network of partnership farms and maintains over 400 retired racehorses available for adoption.
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Reentry Support Services 1 activity
- Post-release career support for program graduatesSupports post-release employment and career placement for graduates of the Second Chances programs in equine-related fields such as farrier work, veterinary assistance, and animal care. This includes workforce integration and career development services.
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Workforce Readiness Training 1 activity
- Second Chances vocational training programs in correctional facilitiesOperates equine vocational training programs in correctional facilities across eight states, where incarcerated individuals receive hands-on training in horse anatomy, injury care, nutrition, and horsemanship. The program includes certification based on mastered expertise and aims to develop responsibility, purpose, and workforce skills.
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Equine Education and Riding Instruction 1 activity
- Youth horsemanship and responsibility programsOffers youth programs that teach horsemanship, responsibility, and life skills through hands-on interaction with retired racehorses.
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financials · form 990 · fy2025
revenue
Total revenue$2.46M
Contributions & grants$2.00M81%
Program service revenue$54K2%
Investment income$196K8%
Other revenue$207K
expenses
Total expenses$3.01M
Program expenses71%
Admin / overhead15%
Fundraising14%
Salaries & benefits$1.01M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$14.54M
Cash$395K
Investments$13.52M
Liabilities$164K
Net assets$14.37M
Liquid reserves55.4 mo
6 years on record · 2020–2025 · YoY revenue -49.5%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2025
Who runs it
paid leadership · 2
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MAGGIE SWEET | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $128K |
| PAT STICKENY | CFO | 15 | $50K |
board members · 14
- ANITA MOTION — DIRECTOR
- CINDY MCDONALD — DIRECTOR
- DARYL TROPEA — VICE PRESIDENT
- JOHN CANNIE TERMED 3142025 — DIRECTOR
- KATIE DAVIS MCCARTHY — DIRECTOR
- KATIE LAMONICA — DIRECTOR
- KELSEY MARSHALL HUGHES — DIRECTOR
- MAGGIE WOLFENDALE — DIRECTOR
- MICHELLE KEATING — DIRECTOR
- PATRICK MACKAY — CHAIRMAN
- PAUL SAYLOR — TREASURER
- SARAH STEIN — SECRETARY
- STEPHANIE BRENNAN — DIRECTOR
- STOWE BURKE — DIRECTOR
relationships · 8
Who they work with
- Brook Ledge Partner — Supports TRF's mission to provide lifetime care for retired racehorses and second-chance opportunities for incarcerated individuals and at-risk youth.
- Godolphin Partner — Supports TRF's mission to provide lifetime care for retired racehorses and second-chance opportunities for incarcerated individuals and at-risk youth.
- Jockey Club Partner — Requires submission of a properly endorsed Jockey Club certificate of foal registration as part of the retirement application process.
- Second Chances Farms Partner — Collaborative program providing rehabilitation and retraining for retired thoroughbred horses, often involving correctional facility inmates.
- State of New York Department of Correctional Services Partner — Partnered to establish the TRF Second Chances Program at the Walkill Correctional Facility through a land and labor exchange agreement.
- Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, Inc. Partner — Legal entity named as beneficiary in planned giving arrangements, including bequests, retirement accounts, life insurance, and trusts.
- UBS Financial Services Government — Brokerage partner used to process donations of appreciated stock.
- Wheeler Farm Partner — Longstanding sanctuary farm partner in South Carolina, housing retired Thoroughbreds for nearly 30 years.
strategies · 4
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.
- Donor Engagement Through Relational Sponsorshipmethodology: donor-engagement-through-animal-sponsorshipBy enabling individuals to sponsor specific horses, the organization fosters personal emotional connections that increase donor commitment and sustained funding, because people give more consistently when linked to a named beneficiary with an ongoing story.
- Equine-Assisted Personal Transformationmethodology: equine-assisted_rehabilitationThrough structured interaction with horses, incarcerated individuals and at-risk youth develop emotional regulation, responsibility, and self-worth, because the relationship demands presence, empathy, and nonverbal communication that catalyze internal change.
- Integrated Mutual Rehabilitation Modelmethodology: integrated_rehabilitationBy providing lifelong sanctuary care for retired thoroughbred horses and engaging incarcerated individuals in their care, both populations experience healing and transformation—horses receive dignity in retirement, while people gain purpose, skills, and emotional growth through structured human-equine connection.
- Lifelong Sanctuary-Based Retirement Modelmethodology: lifelong_sanctuary_modelBy guaranteeing permanent, no-questions-asked refuge for retired racehorses—especially non-rideable ones—the organization ensures equine well-being and dignity, reducing rehoming risks and enabling sustainable rescue through donor trust and return policies.