Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund

What Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund does

The Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF) is a 501(c)(3) public charity founded in 2006 and headquartered in Lexington, Kentucky, that provides ongoing monthly financial stipends to approximately 50-60 former Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse jockeys who have suffered catastrophic on-track injuries resulting in permanent disabilities, primarily paralysis, spinal cord injuries, and traumatic brain injuries. Since inception, the organization has disbursed nearly $15 million in financial assistance, with recipients eligible to apply two years post-injury and receiving support for life. PDJF became a freestanding 501(c)(3) in 2009 and is governed by a board comprising Hall of Fame jockeys (John Velazquez), prominent industry owners and operators (William Farish of Lane's End Farm, Churchill Downs, FanDuel TV), and nonprofit-sector leaders; notable long-tenured beneficiaries include Triple Crown-winning jockey Ron Turcotte (paralyzed 1978, deceased August 2025) and Quarter Horse champion Tad Leggett.

PDJF's core service is the monthly stipend program covering housing, utilities, medical supplies, nursing care, medication, adaptive equipment, and therapy for recipients. The organization has no proprietary technology platform or SaaS product; supporting infrastructure consists of a website donation portal (processed via LGL Forms), an e-commerce merchandise storefront (pdjf.org/shop selling t-shirts, wristbands, and Under Armour golf apparel at $10-$90 unit pricing), and a telethon broadcast on FanDuel TV and FOX Sports' America's Day at the Races. Its business model is entirely donation-driven, with PDJF explicitly stating 100% dependency on private funding with no guaranteed industry support. Revenue streams include individual donations (online, memorial, honor, planned giving via the PDJF Endowment Fund), tiered corporate sponsorships (Signature Partners $50,000+, Premier Partners $25,000-$49,999, Select Partners $10,000-$24,999), the annual televised telethon (over $3 million cumulative since 2018), event-based fundraising (Casino Night, jockey dinners, Jockeys Across America Day), grants (notably Thoroughbred Charities of America), and merchandise sales.

Distribution and go-to-market are community-led within the horse racing industry. Donor acquisition relies on earned media in racing trade publications (BloodHorse, Thoroughbred Daily News, Paulick Report), social media presence on Facebook, X, Instagram, and YouTube, recipient storytelling for emotional donor engagement, and direct activation at racetracks nationwide. Signature partners include Lane's End Farm (telethon presenting sponsor and host at Keeneland), FanDuel TV, Churchill Downs, Kentucky Downs, KY HBPA, Ohio HBPA, with newer recurring-revenue pilots such as the Delaware Park per-mount-fee matching mechanism (September 2025) indicating experimentation with automated, sustained giving channels.

Name

Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund

Legal name

Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund

Website

https://pdjf.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity providing lifetime monthly financial stipends to approximately 50-60 permanently disabled former Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse jockeys, funded entirely through individual donations, corporate sponsorships, annual telethons, events, and merchandise sales.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Lexington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Direct donations from individuals passionate about supporting permanently disabled jockeys. Donations can be made online, in honor of someone, or in memory of a loved one. The organization states it is 100% dependent on such donations.
2. Annual Telethon: Eighth annual PDJF Telethon held in April 2026 raised over $575,000, representing over $100,000 more than previous year. Since inception in 2018, the telethons have raised over $3 million total.
3. Corporate Sponsorships: Tiered sponsorship program including Signature Partners ($50,000+), Premier Partners ($25,000-$49,999), and Select Partners ($10,000-$24,999). Includes major industry players like FanDuel TV, Churchill Downs, Keeneland, and others.
4. Grants: PDJF was awarded a grant from Thoroughbred Charities of America (TCA), which has provided over $28 million in grants to more than 200 Thoroughbred-related organizations over three decades.
5. Merchandise Sales: Online store selling branded merchandise including t-shirts ($20-$90), wristbands, and golf apparel. All profits from merchandise sales go directly to support the fund.
6. Event Fundraising: Various events including Casino Night at National Museum of Racing, Jockey Dinners and Awards, and industry-wide Jockeys Across America Day. Events feature ticket sales, auctions, raffles, and donations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF) provides ongoing monthly financial stipends to approximately 50-60 former jockeys who have suffered catastrophic on-track injuries resulting in permanent disabilities such as paralysis, spinal cord injuries, and traumatic brain injuries. The organization supplements this core mission with a branded merchandise e-commerce store, an annual televised telethon, tiered corporate sponsorship program, and various donation channels (memorial, honorarium, endowment).

Product overview

The Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF) operates primarily as a charitable financial assistance program rather than a technology product company. The organization's core offering is a monthly stipend program that provides ongoing financial support to approximately 50-60 former jockeys who have suffered catastrophic on-track injuries resulting in permanent disabilities. Supporting this mission, PDJF operates an online merchandise store selling branded apparel and accessories including t-shirts, wristbands, and golf shirts, with all profits directed to the assistance program. The organization also hosts an annual telethon as its signature fundraising event and accepts various donation types including memorial, honorarium, and endowment contributions. PDJF does not offer a technology platform or SaaS product; its services are entirely focused on charitable disbursements to disabled jockeys, supplemented by merchandise sales and event-based fundraising.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Monthly Financial Assistance Program Provides monthly financial stipends to approximately 50-60 former jockeys living with paralysis, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and other life-altering permanent disabilities resulting from on-track injuries. Recipients may apply two years after the accident and receive support for life.
• Annual PDJF Telethon Annual televised fundraising event broadcast on FanDuel TV and America's Day at the Races on FOX Sports, bringing together Hall of Fame jockeys and racing personalities to raise funds for permanently disabled jockeys.
• Donation Programs Accepts various types of donations including general donations, memorial donations, honorarium donations, and planned giving options. The PDJF Endowment Fund provides long-term stable funding.
• Corporate Sponsorship Program Corporate sponsorship program offering multiple tiers (Signature Partners at $50,000+, Premier Partners at $25,000-$49,999, and Select Partners at $10,000-$24,999) with benefits including event visibility, brand association, and charitable giving recognition.
• PDJF Branded Merchandise Store Online merchandise storefront selling branded apparel and accessories including youth and adult t-shirts, silicone wristbands, and Under Armour golf shirts. All profits from sales go directly to support permanently disabled jockeys. Items range in price from $10 (wristband pack of 5) to $90 (Under Armour golf shirt).

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $15 Million disbursed to disabled jockeys since inception
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, premier, core and minor.

• KeenelandflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 18 April 2026Select Partner contributing $10,000-$24,999. Hosts PDJF telethon events and provides significant industry visibility. Keeneland President Shannon Arvin has publicly supported the organization.
• Santa Anita ParkflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 18 April 2026Select Partner contributing $10,000-$24,999. Participates in telethon events and supports PDJF throughout the year. General Manager Nate Newby has praised the organization's work.
• Lane's End FarmflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 5 November 2025Signature Partner contributing $50,000+. Lane's End Farm has been the presenting sponsor of the PDJF Telethon, hosting the event at Keeneland and providing critical visibility for the organization's fundraising efforts.
• FanDuel TVflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 5 November 2025Signature Partner contributing $50,000+ and presenting sponsor of the PDJF Telethon. Provided $100,000 donation from FanDuel in 2026. Broadcasts telethon and provides on-air talent.
• Churchill DownsflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 5 November 2025Signature Partner contributing $50,000+. Major Kentucky racetrack providing ongoing financial support to PDJF.
• Kentucky DownsflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 5 November 2025Signature Partner contributing $50,000+. Donated $100,000 along with KY HBPA during 2025 telethon.
• KY HBPA (Kentucky Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association)flagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 5 November 2025Signature Partner contributing $50,000+. Represents horsemen's interests and partners on fundraising initiatives.
• Ohio HBPAflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 5 November 2025Signature Partner contributing $50,000+. Represents Ohio horsemen and supports PDJF mission.
• Indiana HBPApremierGTM or Marketing Partner · 5 November 2025Premier Partner contributing $25,000-$49,999.
• Fox SportscoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 5 November 2025Select Partner contributing $10,000-$24,999. Broadcasts America's Day at the Races which features PDJF telethon.
• Delaware Park CasinocoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 13 September 2025Donated $20,000 combined with other Delaware organizations. Developed unique funding mechanism where jockeys donate $1 from each mount fee, matched dollar-for-dollar.
• Delaware Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (DTHA)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 13 September 2025Matched Delaware Park's $20,000 donation as part of combined initiative to support PDJF.
• Thoroughbred Charities of America (TCA)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 15 August 2025Awarded PDJF a grant in August 2025. TCA has provided over $28 million in grants to more than 200 Thoroughbred-related organizations over three decades.
• National Museum of Racing and Hall of FamecoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 11 August 2025Hosts Casino Night fundraising event on August 18, 2025 benefiting PDJF. Event included celebrity dealers, silent auction, and 50/50 raffle.
• Live Oak PlantationminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 11 August 2025Sponsor of Casino Night at National Museum of Racing benefiting PDJF.
• Jockeys' GuildflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 April 2025Strategic partner representing jockeys. Partners with PDJF on Jockeys Across America Day and telethon events. President Terry Meyocks has expressed strong support for PDJF mission.
• Breeders' CupcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 19 April 2025Select Partner contributing $10,000-$24,999. Major supporter through Breeders' Cup Charities.
• NYRA (New York Racing Association)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 19 April 2025Partners on telethon broadcasts. Senior Director Eric Donovan has praised PDJF's importance to the sport.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Players Trust / MLB Players Association Charities: Established professional athletes' charity that supports former players in need including those with disabilities. Comparable model of providing ongoing financial assistance to athletes with career-ending conditions, though in baseball rather than horse racing.

Direct peers

• Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation: Leading Thoroughbred industry charity funding equine veterinary research. Shares PDJF's horse-racing donor base and 501(c)(3) charitable structure, with comparable reliance on track, farm, and owner contributions.
• Backstretch Employee Service Team (BEST): Provides health, educational, and social services to backstretch workers at racetracks. Comparable to PDJF in serving a vulnerable horse racing population with welfare support funded through industry donations.
• Thoroughbred Charities of America: Grantmaking organization that funds over 200 Thoroughbred-related nonprofits including PDJF itself. TCA and PDJF operate in the same niche of horse-racing welfare philanthropy with overlapping donor and grantee networks.
• Jockeys' Guild: National organization representing active and retired jockeys, a strategic partner of PDJF on Jockeys Across America Day and telethon events. Both organizations serve the welfare interests of professional jockeys, though Jockeys' Guild focuses on working conditions rather than catastrophic injury.
• New York Race Track Chaplaincy: Provides humanitarian services including food, clothing, and crisis support to backstretch workers and their families. Operates in the same racing welfare niche with overlapping industry donors and event-based fundraising.
• The Race For Education: Provides scholarships and educational support to children of horse racing industry workers. Operates as a horse-racing-focused charitable foundation serving a similar donor ecosystem as PDJF, including tracks, farms, and racing organizations.

Emerging players

• ReRun Thoroughbred Adoption: Thoroughbred adoption and retraining nonprofit. Shares PDJF's reliance on horse racing industry donors and 501(c)(3) charitable structure, but focuses on equine rehoming rather than human disability welfare.
• Horse Racing Women's Empowerment Foundation: Industry-funded charity supporting women in Thoroughbred racing with crisis and educational funding. Comparable niche charitable structure within horse racing industry donor ecosystem.
• Standardbred Retirement Foundation: Charitable organization funding retirement and care of Standardbred racehorses. Comparable charitable model within harness racing with similar donor base structure, though focused on equine rather than human welfare.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/PDJFund
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCENqdHS3xu-0sTKHn7XabTw
• Facebookfacebook.com/jockeysfund
• Instagraminstagram.com/pdjf_fund
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/permanently-disabled-jockeys-fund-inc

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund