Create a Lasting Legacy for Thoroughbreds and the People Who Care for Them
For many supporters, the most meaningful gift they ever make to charity is one that takes effect in the future. Planned giving allows you to create a legacy that reflects your values while also making thoughtful financial decisions for yourself and your family.
For more than four decades, the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation has paired the lifetime care of retired racehorses with nationally recognized vocational programs inside correctional facilities. These programs offer second chances to horses who need lifelong care and to people working to rebuild their lives.
A planned gift helps ensure that this work continues for generations.
Planned gifts can:
- Provide lifelong care for retired Thoroughbreds
- Sustain TRF Second Chances programs in correctional facilities
- Support youth programs that teach responsibility and horsemanship
- Allow donors to make a larger impact than may be possible with annual giving
Many planned gifts also offer tax advantages, income opportunities, and estate planning benefits. We always recommend that donors consult with their financial or legal advisors to determine the best option for their circumstances. Your attorney may need the following information:
Legal Name:
Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, Inc.
Employer Identification Number (EIN):
13-3130553
Mailing Address:
Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation
P.O. Box 834
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
Below are several ways you can include the TRF in your long-term plans. Click each option to expand and learn more.
Bequests in Your Will or Revocable Trust
One of the simplest and most popular ways to support the TRF is through a bequest in your will or living trust.
A bequest allows you to retain full control of your assets during your lifetime while ensuring that a portion of your estate supports the horses and programs you care about.
Types of Bequests
- A specific dollar amount
- A percentage of your estate
- A particular asset, such as property or securities
- A residual bequest (what remains after other gifts are made)
Sample Bequest Language
“I give and bequeath ___ percent of my estate (or the sum of $____) to the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, a nonprofit organization, to be used for its general charitable purposes.”
If you are considering a bequest, we would be honored to speak with you confidentially about your wishes.
Gifts from Retirement Accounts
Retirement accounts are often one of the most tax-efficient assets to leave to charity. Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs), also known as IRA Charitable Rollovers, are a way for individuals age 70½ or older to use their IRAs to maximize their charitable impact.
If retirement funds pass to heirs, they may be subject to significant income taxes. By designating the TRF as a beneficiary of part or all of your retirement account, you may reduce the tax burden on your estate while making a powerful charitable impact.
Eligible Accounts
- Traditional IRA
- Inherited IRA
- Inactive SEP
- Inactive SIMPLE
How to Do It
Simply request a beneficiary designation form from your plan administrator and list the TRF as a full or partial beneficiary.
Example Beneficiary Language
Beneficiary: Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, Inc.
Purpose: General charitable purposes or program support
Life Insurance Gifts
Life insurance can be a powerful and flexible way to make a future gift to the TRF.
You can name the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation as a beneficiary on any life insurance policy, or donate a permanent policy you no longer need. Either approach allows you to make a future gift that helps retired Thoroughbreds and our programs thrive.
Charitable Remainder Trusts (CRTs)
A Charitable Remainder Trust allows you to make a meaningful gift while also receiving income during your lifetime.
Here’s how it works:
- Working with an attorney, you create a CRT and transfer assets into the trust
- The trust pays income to you (or another beneficiary) based upon the language in your trust
- When the trust term ends, the remaining assets go to the TRF.
Benefits
- Potential charitable tax deduction
- Lifetime income stream
- Possible capital gains tax advantages
- Long-term support for the TRF
These trusts are often funded with appreciated securities, real estate, or other investment assets. We suggest you work with your advisors to establish the CRT.
Charitable Lead Trusts (CLTs)
A Charitable Lead Trust works in the opposite direction of a charitable remainder trust.
- The trust would provide annual payments to the TRF for a set number of years
- After that period, the remaining assets pass to your heirs or other beneficiaries
This approach can support the TRF during your lifetime while helping transfer wealth to family members. We suggest you work with your advisors to establish the CLT
Life Estate Gifts of Homes, Farms, or Land
Through a life estate arrangement, you may deed your property to the TRF while retaining the right to live there for the rest of your life.
Benefits
- Possible immediate charitable tax deduction
- Continued use and enjoyment of your property
- A lasting gift that supports the TRF’s mission
Donating appreciated real estate may allow you to avoid capital gains tax and receive a charitable deduction.
Each property is evaluated individually, and our team is happy to discuss potential gifts confidentially.
Your legacy can ensure that retired Thoroughbreds live out their lives with dignity and that the TRF’s life-changing programs continue for generations to come.
A Special Note: Bequeathing Thoroughbreds to the TRF
For many supporters, their connection to the TRF begins with a deep love of the Thoroughbred horse.
Some donors choose to bequeath a Thoroughbred to the TRF through their estate plans so the horse will always have a safe home if circumstances change.
Because the TRF is responsible for lifetime care, these gifts require thoughtful planning.
Important Considerations
We kindly ask that donors:
- Discuss this intention with the TRF in advance
- Include monetary support to help cover the horse’s lifetime care
- Work with our team to ensure appropriate documentation
Advance planning helps ensure the best outcome for the horse and allows us to prepare responsibly for intake.
The TRF has sample contracts and planning materials available to assist donors and their advisors.
The calculator below is designed to give you a general idea of the financial gift that might accompany a bequest of a retired Thoroughbred. It is not a final figure and should not replace formal estate planning or legal contracts.
For accurate guidance and to ensure a horse’s lifetime care is fully provided for, all bequests should be drafted with the assistance of qualified estate planning professionals. We encourage you to contact the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF) for personalized support and information.
Lifetime Care Calculator