The Dressage Foundation

What The Dressage Foundation does

The Dressage Foundation (TDF) is a national 501(c)(3) non-profit organization headquartered in Lincoln, Nebraska, founded in 1989 by dressage sport visionary Lowell Boomer. The Foundation's mission is to cultivate and provide financial support for the advancement of dressage in the United States, operating exclusively as a donor-driven grant-making body — it charges no fees for its services and has no product revenue. TDF administers a portfolio of 25+ named grant funds and programs addressing financial barriers across the dressage community, including youth riders, adult amateurs, instructors, judges, breeders, para-equestrians, military members and their dependents, western dressage riders, and FEI/high-performance athletes. Individual grants range from $750 (Captain Jack Fritz YR Graduate Program grants) to $25,000 (Carol Lavell Advanced Dressage Prize and Anne L. Barlow Ramsay Grant), with the 2025 disbursement totaling $452,943 across 114 grants supporting 1,000+ riders.

TDF's distribution model combines direct digital channels (website, monthly e-news, TDF News Magazine, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram) with a tri-modal grant-application infrastructure — online portal, mail, and phone support. Strategic partnerships anchor the organization: a long-standing collaboration with the United States Dressage Federation (USDF) co-develops programs such as the Young Rider Graduate Program and FEI Youth Clinic Series, while an 11-year sponsorship with Platinum Performance underwrites the Century Club, which recognizes senior horse-rider teams and has grown past 1,000 members. Other partners include Lorenz Private Trustees, Sotheby's-affiliated Marc Ulanowski, PasturePuff, Spotlight Horse Shows, and MADFest.

The Foundation has no proprietary technology platform and does not operate a traditional commercial business model. Revenue is generated entirely through charitable contributions from individuals, corporate sponsors, and foundations, supplemented by structured giving vehicles including the Impulsion Campaign, the Treasured Horses, Treasured Teachers Fundraiser, the Book of Memory and Honor, and the TDF Legacy Society. Governance is provided by an independent Board of Directors, with Jenny Johnson serving as Executive Director and John Boomer (son of the founder) having led the organization for nearly 15 years following the founder's death in 2011.

Name

The Dressage Foundation

Legal name

The Dressage Foundation

Website

https://dressagefoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Dressage Foundation is a national 501(c)(3) non-profit founded in 1989, headquartered in Lincoln, Nebraska, that awards grants to U.S. dressage riders, instructors, judges, breeders, and equestrian organizations. It is funded entirely through charitable donations and administers 25+ named grant programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Equestrian Nonprofit Foundation

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

akta.pro primary industry

Private Foundations (BPAGAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Education Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAK)

Keywords

• Equestrian grant funding
• Dressage education grants
• Nonprofit foundation
• Equestrian scholarships
• Dressage financial support

Headquarters

HQ city

Lincoln

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Others, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: TDF is funded entirely through charitable donations from individuals, corporate sponsors, and foundations. The organization has been awarding grants since 1989, funded by donor contributions.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Dressage Foundation is a national 501(c)(3) non-profit that cultivates and provides financial support for the advancement of dressage in the United States by administering more than 25 named grant programs and related programs targeting riders of all ages and levels, instructors, judges, breeders, show managers, and dressage clubs. Since 1989, TDF has awarded millions of dollars in grants ranging from approximately $750 to $25,000, funded entirely by charitable donations from individuals, corporate sponsors, and other foundations.

Product overview

The Dressage Foundation operates as a grants-focused nonprofit organization that administers a comprehensive portfolio of named grant programs and membership clubs to cultivate and provide financial support for the advancement of dressage in the United States. The core offering is the Grants and Programs suite, which encompasses 25+ distinct named funds and programs targeting specific segments of the dressage community. Key products include: the flagship Grants and Programs for instructors, youth riders, adult amateurs, judges, and breeders; the Century Club recognizing senior horse-rider teams; the Riding School Fund supporting lesson programs; and the Young Rider Dream Program offering immersive educational experiences at international venues. Additional specialized funds include the Carol Lavell Advanced Dressage Prize and Anne L. Barlow Ramsay Grant ($25,000 each), the Jane Savoie Adult Amateur Fund ($5,000), Region 4 FEI Adult Excellence Fund (up to $8,000), Military Grant Fund, and numerous youth development funds ranging from $500 to $2,500. The organization also facilitates fundraising through Benefit Classes and the Treasured Horses, Treasured Teachers donor program.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Grants and Programs Suite A comprehensive portfolio of grant programs providing financial support for dressage enthusiasts across the United States, including riders of all ages and levels, instructors, judges, breeders, show managers, dressage clubs, and equestrian organizations.
• Century Club A program recognizing dressage riders and horses in the United States whose combined ages total 100 years or more, awarding ribbons and engraved frames to members.
• Carol Lavell Advanced Dressage Prize $25,000 grants for advanced dressage professionals, part of the professional grants program.
• Anne L. Barlow Ramsay Grant $25,000 grants for professional dressage instructors for continuing education and training.
• Debbie McDonald Fund for FEI Riders $25,000 grants for FEI-level dressage riders, supporting high-performance competitors.
• Jane Savoie Adult Amateur Fund $5,000 grants for adult amateur riders training at Fourth Level or above, established in 2022 in memory of Jane Savoie's dedication to dressage.
• Region 4 FEI Adult Excellence Fund Grants of up to $8,000 for adult dressage riders from USDF Region 4 for competition expenses at CDIs or national championships at FEI level, established in 2025.
• Military Grant Fund $1,000 grants for dressage-related education to military members (active duty, reserves, veterans) and their dependents, established in 2022 by Colonel David and Sue Bender.
• Amelia's 'Dressage for All' Youth Fund Annual $1,000 grants for youth and young adult riders (age 25 and under) to support dressage training and education, established in 2025 by Amelia Newcomb.
• George Williams Young Professional Fund Grants of $3,000-$5,000 for instructors aged 25-35 with established businesses to obtain training and education.
• Verne Batchelder Instructor Fund Up to two grants of $2,500 for professional instructors from USDF Regions 1, 3, or 8 for continuing education.
• Amanda Johnson Freestyle Fund Two annual grants of up to $1,500 for young professionals (ages 20-30) to cover costs of creating musical freestyles for competition, established in 2020.
• Lynn Palm Western Dressage Fund $1,000 grants for individuals and $2,000 for groups to support Western dressage education and training, established by Lynn Palm.
• Veronica Holt Dressage Technical Delegate Fund $1,000 annual grant for USEF Dressage Technical Delegates in the 'r' Program to offset apprenticeship expenses.
• Karen Skvarla Fund for Emerging Professionals Up to $1,500 grants for emerging dressage professionals to pursue training or educational opportunities.
• Young Rider Dream Program Educational programs providing young riders opportunities to deepen understanding of dressage theory and upper-level training through immersive experiences at CHIO Aachen World Equestrian Festival (Germany) and Adequan Global Dressage Festival (Florida).
• USDF/USEF Young Rider Graduate Program Two-day educational seminar for young adults ages 20-28 covering topics for professional careers in the equine industry, including goal setting, sponsorship, competition, and business practices.
• USDF FEI Youth Clinic Series Educational opportunity for youth riders striving to compete at FEI levels, promoting talented youth riders.
• Riding School Fund A fund established in 2025 that provides grants to support riding schools and lesson programs across the country, with two $3,000 grants to be awarded starting in late 2026.
• Benefit Classes Program allowing show organizers to host fundraising classes benefiting TDF, with suggested donations of $250 for ribbons or $350 for ribbons and a clock.
• Treasured Horses, Treasured Teachers Fundraiser Donor program honoring horses that have made a difference in riders' dressage journeys, with donation tiers from Friend ($25-$249) to Champion ($1,000+).
• Pure Spanish Horse/P.R.E Grant Fund $2,500 grants for riders who train and compete a Pure Spanish Horse/P.R.E. in dressage.
• Trip Harting Fund $1,000 grants for current or graduate Pony Club members with A, B, or C certification to attend educational events.
• Carolyn Van Cise Fund for Michigan Youth $1,000 annual grant for Michigan youth or young adult riders to cover expenses for educational dressage events.
• Cynthia Aspden Youth and Young Adult Development Fund $1,000 grants for youth and young adult riders (age 25 and under) to aid in dressage development.
• Gifted Memorial Fund for Adult Amateurs $1,500 grants for adult amateurs to attend extended training situations (5-7 days), seeded in remembrance of Carol Lavell's dressage horse Gifted.
• Captain Jack Fritz Grants for YR Graduate Program Up to $750 grants for individual participants to attend the USDF/USEF Young Rider Graduate Program.

Quantifiable outcome

• Awarded $452,943 in grants to 114 recipients helping 1,000+ riders in 2025 alone
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers17 records

Segments9 records

Ideal customer profiles11 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Platinum PerformancecoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2015Platinum Performance has been a dedicated sponsor of TDF's Century Club for 11 years, supporting the program as it has grown to more than 1,000 members. The partnership includes supporting ribbons and engraved frames for new Century Club members and the annual Century Club News magazine. Platinum Performance provides equine nutritional supplements and shares TDF's passion for exceptional senior equine athletes.
• USDF (United States Dressage Federation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUSDF is a key strategic partner in the dressage ecosystem. TDF and USDF collaborate on programs including the USDF/USEF Young Rider Graduate Program, USDF FEI Youth Clinic Series, and other educational initiatives. USDF serves as a Group Member Organization (GMO) for grant eligibility purposes.
• Lorenz Private TrusteesminorOthersCorporate sponsor acknowledged on TDF's website partner section.
• Marc Ulanowski - Real Estate AdvisorminorOthersSotheby's International Realty equestrian specialist acknowledged as a partner.
• PasturePuffminorOthersPartner acknowledged on TDF's website partner section.
• Spotlight Horse ShowsminorOthersPartner acknowledged on TDF's website partner section.
• MADFest (Mid-Atlantic Dressage Festival)minorOthersEvent partner acknowledged on TDF's website.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Emerging players

• Laureus Sport for Good Foundation USA: Laureus Sport for Good funds community sport programs globally, including equestrian-based youth programs. While not equestrian-exclusive, it is a comparable donor-driven nonprofit foundation that uses sport as a vehicle for education and youth development — overlapping with TDF's mission.

Broad incumbents

• Thoroughbred Charities of America: TCA is a charitable organization that distributes grants to Thoroughbred-related nonprofits serving horse rescue, retirement, and backstretch worker welfare. Comparable in structure to TDF as a grantmaking intermediary for a specific equestrian community, though at materially larger scale.
• The Jockey Club: The Jockey Club is the breed registry for Thoroughbreds in North America and operates multiple charitable foundations (e.g., Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation, Jockey Club Safety Net Foundation). It is a comparable nonprofit foundation in equestrian, though focused on Thoroughbred racing rather than dressage.
• American Quarter Horse Foundation: The AQHA Foundation is the charitable arm of the American Quarter Horse Association, the world's largest equine breed registry. It funds scholarships, research, and equine-related programs via donations — a much larger-scale grantmaking foundation than TDF, but serving a different (Western, breed-based) segment of equestrian.

Direct peers

• Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation: Grayson-Jockey Club is one of the largest U.S. private foundations funding equine veterinary research, raising and granting funds in the equine health space. It is a peer in scale and structure (donor-driven equine foundation) but with a health-research rather than athlete-development mission.
• Equestrian Aid Foundation: Equestrian Aid Foundation provides financial assistance to equestrians — including riders, grooms, and trainers — facing catastrophic injury, illness, or hardship. It is a mission-aligned peer that fundraises from the broader equestrian community to support individual beneficiaries.
• United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation: The USET Foundation is the primary philanthropic arm supporting U.S. high-performance equestrian athletes, including dressage. Like TDF, it is a 501(c)(3) that solicits donations to fund training, competition, and development — but with a broader equestrian mandate across multiple disciplines.
• American Morgan Horse Association Foundation: The AMHA Foundation supports Morgan horse breed preservation, education, and youth programs through grants and scholarships. Like TDF, it is a niche breed/discipline nonprofit that channels donor funds to a small community of enthusiasts.

Regional players

• American Saddlebred Horse Association Foundation: The ASHA Foundation supports Saddlebred breed preservation, youth scholarships, and educational programs. It is a small-scale peer that channels donor funds into a specific equestrian community, mirroring TDF's niche-discipline focus.
• National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Affiliate & Foundation: NRHA supports Western reining competition and operates philanthropic programs for reining athletes. While a different equestrian discipline, NRHA shares TDF's model of donor-funded athlete support within a niche Western-discipline community.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCuV8MpMak9k8ns37ytwZw_Q
• Facebookfacebook.com/TheDressageFoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-dressage-foundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/dressagefoundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about The Dressage Foundation