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research dossier

WNY HARNESS HORSEMAN'S ASSOCIATION INC

BATAVIA, NY · EIN 160874671 · Form 990 · FY2024 · Medium ($1M-$10M) · wnyhha.net

revenue

$1.7M

expenses

$1.6M

net assets

$2.0M

employees

program ratio

96%

mission · from form 990

THE ORGANIZATION WAS ESTABLISHED TO PROMOTE HARNESS RACING, TO IMPROVE WORKING CONDITIONS FOR ALL INVOLVED AND TO ESTABLISH HEALTH, WELFARE PENSION, AND INSURANCE PROGRAMS TO BENEFIT ITS MEMBERS.

profile · synthesized from sources

The Western New York Harness Horsemen's Association (WNYHHA) is a membership organization representing owners, trainers, drivers, and breeders of Standardbred horses. It advocates for the interests of harness racing participants in Western New York, focusing on improving working conditions, promoting the sport, and securing benefits for members. The organization operates through a board of directors and various committees, offering insurance programs and serving as a liaison with racing authorities and track management.

named programs · 6 · from sources

What they call their work

Contract Committee

Negotiates and oversees contractual agreements affecting members, including stipends for weather-related cancellations

Fire and Disaster Insurance

Provides fire and disaster insurance benefits to member horse owners and operators

Health Insurance and Pension Committee

Oversees health, welfare, and pension programs for members of the association

On Track Accident Insurance

Offers medical, accidental death, and disability coverage for members while at racetracks

Track Committee

Addresses track-related issues and works to improve conditions for horsemen at local racetracks

Welfare Committee

Manages welfare initiatives and support for members involved in harness racing

activities · 5 groups

What they do

Equine Industry Representation and Support 3 activities
- Advocates for harness racing and industry participants
  
  Advocates for the interests of harness racing members—including owners, trainers, drivers, and breeders—before state, local, and federal governments, regulatory authorities, and track managements; promotes the sport and works to improve industry working conditions.
- Recommends rule and operational improvements in harness racing
  
  Reviews and recommends changes to rules and regulations affecting harness racing to governing authorities; collaborates with meet organizers and provides advisory support on operational improvements based on internal evaluation.
- Supports United States Trotting Association objectives
  
  Supports and advances the goals of the United States Trotting Association by providing access to USTA membership, horse ownership transfer, and lease forms, and by aligning advocacy efforts with USTA initiatives.
Union and Association Benefit Funds 2 activities
- Administers health, welfare, pension, and insurance programs for harness racing members
  
  Establishes and manages health, welfare, pension, and insurance programs for members involved in harness racing, including on-track accident insurance covering medical expenses, accidental death, and disability, as well as fire and disaster insurance.
- Provides cancellation stipends for weather-related race cancellations
  
  Offers a discretionary stipend of $500 to owners and $25 to trainers and drivers per starter when races are canceled due to weather conditions at the racetrack.
Organizational Governance & Leadership Development 2 activities
- Forms member working committees
  
  Establishes working committees composed of WNYHHA members to carry out organizational functions and support governance and advocacy activities.
- Organizes governance and membership operations
  
  Manages organizational governance through a 9-member Board of Directors with staggered 3-year terms and annual officer elections; organizes annual board elections and general membership meetings, including logistical arrangements such as post-meeting meals.
Membership Program Administration 1 activity
- Processes and manages member applications and dues
  
  Processes written membership applications accompanied by annual dues, which are refundable if the application is not accepted, as part of ongoing membership management.
Uncategorized 2 activities
- Distributes event tickets and food vouchers to members
  
  Purchased and distributed 500 admission tickets and 400 food vouchers to members between July 22 and July 28, 2026, with additional tickets mailed to meet high demand.
- Provides access to harness racing rules and documentation
  
  Provides members with access to official harness racing rules and regulations, requiring Adobe Reader for viewing, to support compliance and operational knowledge.

financials · form 990 · fy2024

revenue

Total revenue$1.74M

Contributions & grants$6K0%

Program service revenue$1.71M98%

Investment income$25K1%

Other revenue$0

expenses

Total expenses$1.56M

Program expenses96%

Admin / overhead4%

Fundraising0%

Salaries & benefits$1.43M

Grants paid out$0

Largest expense lineCompensation

balance sheet

Total assets$2.01M

Cash$1.17M

Investments$599K

Liabilities$5K

Net assets$2.00M

Liquid reserves13.6 mo

5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -0.2%

leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 9

Name	Title	Hours/wk	Compensation
BRUCE TUBIN	PRESIDENT	1	$86K
JAMES MULCAHY	TREASURER	1	$14K
DARRIN MONTI	DIRECTOR	1	$600
DONALD NILES	VICE PRESIDENT	1	$600
JAMES MCNEIGHT	DIRECTOR	1	$600
LEE WINTERS	DIRECTOR	1	$600
MICHAEL TORCELLO	DIRECTOR	1	$600
MARY WARRINER	DIRECTOR	1	$400
RON BEBACK JR	DIRECTOR	1	$400

relationships · 23

Who they work with

Batavia Downs Partner — Hosts WNYHHA events and meetings at its facility, including the annual general meeting and election.
Bruce Tubin Partner — Consultant to the WNY HARNESS HORSEMAN'S ASSOCIATION INC
Buffalo Raceway Partner — Collaborates with WNYHHA, as reflected in shared contact information and website links.
Harness Horse Youth Foundation Partner — Linked as a resource providing information on the Standardbred horse and harness racing industry
Harness Link Partner — Linked as a resource providing information on the Standardbred horse and harness racing industry
Harness Racing Museum Partner — Linked as a resource providing information on the Standardbred horse and harness racing industry
Harness Racing Online Partner — Linked as a resource providing information on the Standardbred horse and harness racing industry
Mohawk Racetrack Partner — Linked as a resource providing information on the Standardbred horse and harness racing industry
NYS Gaming Commission Government — Linked as an official regulatory body with rules related to harness racing in New York State
New York Sires Stakes Partner — Linked as a resource providing information on the Standardbred horse and harness racing industry
New York State Gaming Commission Government — Follows rules and regulations set by the New York State Gaming Commission for harness racing operations.
Ontario Sires Stakes Partner — Linked as a resource providing information on the Standardbred horse and harness racing industry
Saratoga HHA Network — Member organization with overlapping individual membership; part of a network of regional harness horsemen's associations.
Standardbred Canada Partner — Linked as a resource providing information on the Standardbred horse and harness racing industry
Standardbred Retirement Foundation Partner — Linked as a resource providing information on the Standardbred horse and harness racing industry
The Black Book Partner — Linked as a resource providing information on the Standardbred horse and harness racing industry
The Little Brown Jug Partner — Linked as a resource providing information on the Standardbred horse and harness racing industry
Trot Magazine Partner — Linked as a resource providing information on the Standardbred horse and harness racing industry
United States Trotting Association Partner — Provides access to USTA forms for membership, horse ownership transfer, and leasing agreements.
United States Trotting Association Partner — Uses the USTA Rule Book as a foundational guide for harness racing regulations.
United States Trotting Association Partner — Works to further the objectives of the United States Trotting Association.
Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corporation (WROTB) Partner — Partnered with WNY HARNESS HORSEMAN'S ASSOCIATION INC to provide cancellation stipends during weather-related race cancellations.
Woodbine Racetrack Partner — Linked as a resource providing information on the Standardbred horse and harness racing industry

strategies · 3

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.

Financial Stability Support During Disruptions

methodology: financial_stipend_for_weather_cancellations
By providing financial stipends during weather-related racing cancellations, the organization helps sustain participation and operational continuity among horsemen, because income stabilization reduces attrition and maintains industry capacity during unpredictable disruptions.
Membership-Driven Advocacy

methodology: membership-driven_advocacy
By maintaining a large and active membership base, the organization strengthens its influence and effectiveness in advocating for rule and regulatory improvements in harness racing, because collective representation increases bargaining power with governing bodies.
Stakeholder-Representative Governance

methodology: stakeholder-representative governance
By structuring governance to include board representation from owners, trainers/drivers, and at-large members, the organization ensures equitable decision-making that reflects diverse industry interests, because inclusive representation builds legitimacy and alignment across key groups.