Best TB-racing-related charities to donate to?

[Lauruffian]

I’ve enjoyed over 3 decades of following thoroughbred racing and want to give back. I’ve previously donated to the TRF/Thoroughbred Racing Foundation and Old Friends, and I know there is CANTER and other charities out there. I’d like to sign up to donate to one or more monthly.

From those of you with more personal experience with these charities (maybe you’ve donated a horse, visited facilities, volunteered/worked there, adopted from them, etc.), which one(s) are reliable, honest, take good care of their horses? None is perfect, I know, I just want to make sure whichever we donate to is good with both the horses and the funds they receive.

[Larbear]

After the Races is a good one (imho). They are in the Fair Hill area or close to it (think atm they’re currently in PA). They also have a gala coming up and have tickets still available I think.

After The Races - Rehabbing and Rehoming Thoroughbred Horses

[anonevent]

I have learned so many terrible things about dog “rescues” that I will now only donate to those that I have direct, 1st hand, experience with, so I appreciate that you are asking this about horse charities.

I donate to, and adopt from, the Secretariat Center. Disclaimer: I have not been there in person since they brought on a new director, but at least under the last director, it was so wonderful. They invested a ton of time and work into the horses so that they’re sound and comfortable when they started training, then they trained conscientiously and fairly. The horse’s connections are allowed to visit the facility. They give public tours. They offer transparency to potential adopters about the horse’s medical history, behavior, etc. They screen adopters and track horses for life after adoption.

[chestnutmarebeware]

Charity Navigator (charitynavigator.org) is a good resource to investigate organizations before deciding whether to donate or not. Under “About Us” there is a page about their methodology that explains exactly what they look for from the orgs and how they apply the data that they find.

For example, here’s the page from the Secretariat Center:

Charity Navigator - Rating for Secretariat Center

[Davignport]

Akindale Thoroughbred Aftercare in Pawling, NY is a wonderful organization.

Akindale Thoroughbred Aftercare (akindaleta.org)

[Bogie]

I volunteered for CANTER for many years and thought they did a great job. Since it was a volunteer organization the money raised went to the horses (I fostered).

[LaurieB]

The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance is a great organization.

Home - Thoroughbred Aftercare AllianceThoroughbred Aftercare Alliance

[NaturallyHappy]

I agree re:TAA. My farm is an approved location by TAA. They sent someone to inspect everything and had written reports about everything. TAA even contacted the vets and farriers who did work here.