Our Mission

     "The mission of the Tennessee Walking Horse Foundation, Inc. is to encourage support of, and funding for charitable, scientific, and educational projects for the welfare of the Tennessee Walking Horse while serving the needs of both the donor and the recipient."

What is the Tennessee Walking Horse Foundation?

     The Tennessee Walking Horse Foundation is a tax exempt charitable organization that enables people to easily and effectively support and promote funding for charitable, scientific and educational projects for the welfare and interest of the Tennessee Walking Horse and educate people about the unique talents of this equine breed. As a 501 C 3 all contributions are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law. The TWHF has a board of directors set up separately from the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders’ & Exhibitors’ Association.

Contributions of all sizes are welcome. You may make a contribution to any of our existing Funds or set up your own with a minimum gift of $5,000.00 with approval of the Foundation board. The Foundation offers several levels of giving for those who wish to make a contribution.

TWHF Funds

• General Fund
• Academy Fund
• Animal Welfare Fund
• Rick Major’s Adult Make-A-Wish Fund
• Scholarship Fund
• Therapeutic Fund
• Endowment Fund

General Fund      Donations which are non-specific will be placed in the general fund for accumulation and dispersed as donations or support operating costs. Donation requests will be made using the TWHF request form to determine how the requested donation follows the Foundation’s criteria and a decision will be made by the Board.

Academy Fund      The Academy Fund will assist is providing funding for the training of Certified Riding Instructors and in the cost of promoting and sponsoring Academy Shows. The Foundation will assist further the Academy Program by providing donors of school or lesson horses a tax benefit.
Please read instructions for Horse Donation Criteria.

Animal Welfare Fund      This fund provides for programs to support equine trauma and research through education, treatment and rehabilitation of horses that have been injured or suffered a debilitating disease. This fund will be available for Tennessee Walking horses in crisis from catastrophic events.

Rick Major’s Adult Make-A-Wish Fund       Rick Major’s was an avid trail rider and Tennessee Walking Horse enthusiast. His life long dream was realized when he rode from Bowling Green, Kentucky to the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. Those wishing to make donation in his memory or to support trail riding programs or distance programs can make donations to this fund.

Scholarship Fund      This fund provides for students in the Tennessee Walking Horse industry who will specialize in equine or veterinarian related studies in an accredited vocational school or university.

Therapeutic Riding Fund      This fund is to help start or help fund an existing therapeutic riding program. The Foundation can assist donors in receiving a tax benefit for placing a suitable TWH in a therapy program.
Please read instructions for Horse Donation Criteria.

Endowment Fund      This fund is created by a non profit as a means of protecting charitable dollars for the future of our work and our mission. This fund will provide stability and the opportunity for future financial growth. At the present time the TWHF has money invested in The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. Any one can donate funds to increase this endowment. The endowment provides us with a means of investing money with other charitable groups, increasing the overall investment, decreasing the burden of having a staff, having an “in-house” expert and gives us technical assistance offered by The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. You may go on-line to www.cfmt.org and make a donation to the Tennessee Walking Horse Foundation endowment fund.

Horse Donations:      Horse donations must meet very stringent criteria before a tax donation letter will be issued. The Tennessee Walking Horse Foundation will not assist in placing a horse into a Therapy or Academy Program at this time due to man power restrictions. If the donor works out an agreement with the receiving program, the Foundation will assist in helping the donor receive the tax benefit allowed by federal tax laws. As with all contributions a donor must seek advice from his or her tax advisor regarding their tax requirements.
Please read instructions for Horse Donation Criteria.