Photo Credit: Bella Saville Photography
The California Retirement Management Account (CARMA) proudly announces the renaming of its grant program to the Howard “Howie” Zucker Grant Program, in honor of Howard Zucker, our late past president and long-serving board member. Accompanying this significant renaming, CARMA is awarding $451,000 to 23 aftercare charity partners this December, continuing our commitment to the welfare of retiring racehorses.
While the primary focus of these grants is to support retiring racehorses, it is noteworthy that many of our grant recipients are also vital community pillars. Beyond their core mission, many offer horsemanship skills, equine therapy, volunteer opportunities, and more, significantly contributing to their local communities.
Rigorous Selection Process for Enhanced Care
Each organization has undergone a stringent grant application process, ensuring they meet high standards of care and reporting. A critical part of this process includes annual site visits by CARMA representatives to confirm compliance with our standards and to ensure that each recipient, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, maintains their good standing.
A Legacy for Retiring Racehorses
The renaming of the grant program honors Howard Zucker’s lasting impact on the racehorse retirement community. “Howard’s dedication and commitment to CARMA, and more importantly, the horses, was unparalleled. He was a true horseman, always putting the care of these amazing athletes first. He brought that care and commitment with him when he joined our board in 2009,” said CARMA Founder Madeline Auerbach, “There are so many things Howard loved about CARMA, but the grants we award each year were what he believed in most. He was a constant champion for all the organizations we supported each and every year.”
2023 Grant Recipients
We are proud to congratulate the following organizations for their commitment and dedication:
| ● After The Homestretch AZ |
| ● CANTER – CA |
| ● Canter Haven Farm |
| ● Champions Retreat, Inc. |
| ● Dale and Patti Shirley Equine Encore Foundation |
| ● Desert Oasis Rescue |
| ● Down The Stretch Ranch |
| ● Eclipse Thoroughbred Aftercare |
| ● Fresh Start Sport Horses Inc. |
| ● GEVA |
| ● Harmony & Hope Horse Haven |
| ● Healing Arenas Inc. |
| ● Hope For Horses, Inc. |
| ● Old Friends, Inc. |
| ● Neigh Savers Inc. |
| ● Redwings Horse Sanctuary |
| ● Remember Me Rescue Foundation |
| ● Sandia Creek Ranch Auxiliary Foundation |
| ● Square Peg Foundation |
| ● Tranquility Farm |
| ● United Pegasus Foundation |
| ● Whispering Meadows Ranch Equine Rescue |
| ● Win Place Home, Inc. |
Our grant recipients are key to building a strong safety net for retiring racehorses, both in California and nationwide, ensuring their well-being when their racing careers are over. We invite everyone to join us in celebrating the achievements of these organizations and their invaluable contribution to the well-being of retiring racehorses and our communities.
Donations to CARMA are tax deductible and may be made online here or sent to: CARMA, 285 West Huntington Drive, Arcadia CA, 91007 (Tax ID #80-0146395).
About California Retirement Management Account
CARMA (California Retirement Management Account) is a charitable 501 (c)(3) organization formed to assist Thoroughbred rehabilitation and retirement organizations that facilitate the care and retraining of horses who raced in California and whose racing careers have ended. CARMA ensures that racehorses have retirement options by managing and disbursing funds to qualified retirement facilities caring for such horses.