Endowment Giving

Creating an endowed fund or giving to an existing endowed fund managed by the American Quarter Horse Foundation ensures the Foundation can continue its mission to preserve our horse’s legacy and further the well-being of the American Quarter Horse and the Quarter Horse family. 

What is an endowment?

Endowments are a powerful investment in the American Quarter Horse’s future as they deliver a dependable, perpetual source of funding. When you establish or invest in an endowment the funds are invested instead of being spent. Each year, a percentage of the return is made available to be directed toward the area of your passion.

What is the importance of an endowment fund?

Endowments grow over time through long term investment returns and additional contributions. These returns provide annual distributions in the form of a spending policy. This source of funding can be invaluable in uncertain economic times when fundraising can be more challenging. During times of strong investment returns, funds can grow significantly allowing for reinvestment and further growth of the fund. Endowments stabilize the Foundation’s ability to fulfill its mission in perpetuity, thus giving donors confidence that the programs they support will have longevity and long-term impact that grows over time.

What is a named endowment?

When a donor chooses to fund an endowment at the minimum levels outlined below, they are afforded the opportunity to name their endowed fund.  This leaves a lasting legacy of support for the donor’s program of passion. Donors who establish named endowment funds receive annual reports highlighting the financial and programmatic impact of their fund.

Minimum levels to establish an endowment:

How does an endowment fund distribute funding?

The American Quarter Horse Foundation maintains an endowment spending policy of up to five percent (5%) of the trailing 60-month average market value of the invested funds (including up to 0.5% management fee).  The 60-month period of calculation is utilized to smooth the impact of fluctuations in market returns thus enabling more consistent fund distributions. When establishing your own named fund, the annual distribution will include a 0.5% endowment administration fee. This helps the Foundation recoup its expenses for investing, monitoring, and awarding funds from the endowment. 

When will the fund I create begin distributing support for the program I choose?

The Foundation allows individuals to pledge funding support for a named endowment over a maximum of five years.  Once the fund meets the minimum balance outlined above the funds remain invested for one year to allow for the minimum growth necessary to distribute funds.

Can I supplement my pledge payments with a spendable cash contribution if I would like to see immediate distributions occur?

Yes! When you establish an endowed fund, staff will work with you to identify a “fast track” payment option which allows you to fulfill your pledge payment with a permanent contribution coupled with a temporarily restricted gift which will pay out the first scholarship or grant while the fund grows.

For additional information on endowment fund impact, policies, and investment oversight, see the AQHF Financial Overview.

Meet some of our endowment fund donors!

• Scholarships

   

  • Amy Bell Pay it Forward Scholarship Whether known as an experienced huntress, tenacious horsewoman, or friend to all animals and children, Amy Doris Bell touched the lives of many across the world. This kind and generous young woman lived life to the fullest and many years ago along with her family adopted a “pay it forward mantra.” Amy was at the heart of the Bell family’s Kalpowar Quarter Horses as manager of their breeding program. Her sudden death last May left a void in the hearts of many. Amy’s love of the horse was in her blood. Her parents, Larry and Ellen Bell are deeply rooted in farming and ranching heritage. Larry grew up in farm and ranch country in eastern New Mexico and Ellen has ties to the Kansas and West Texas cattle and Quarter Horse industry. Ellen’s grandfather was Roy Parks Sr. who served as president of the American Quarter Horse Association in 1960. Amy began riding English when she was eight years old and all through college. She then branched out into cutting and reined cow horse with the help of her beloved horse Hobby Five. As her cow horse involvement grew Amy brought her family along with her. The Bells and their three children Matthew (Ann), Brian (Kara) and Amy Bell have been actively involved in their ranching and Quarter Horse business. The family’s passion for travel led them to hunting and safari trips to Africa and New Zealand. Amy made many friends on these adventures and loved all the children she met. She generously provided for children throughout the world supporting projects such as Child Fund International, Feed the Children and her beloved sponsored child in Zimbabwe. Larry says Amy was “Living out her cowgirl dream - raising and showing horses, loving and serving her neighbor especially children in need - that was her calling. And when Amy was 25 years old, she took a substantial portion of her savings and created the Amy Doris Bell Fund at the Permian Basin Area Foundation. In the creation of that foundation, she found ways to nurture and support children and their needs with both her time and her treasure. She loved what she was doing.” The Bells have chosen to honor Amy and carry on her legacy of “paying it forward” by establishing the Amy D. Bell “Pay It Forward” Memorial Scholarship. Through this scholarship Amy’s passion and service to people and horses will live on and grow in the young people who will be afforded an opportunity to “pay it forward” as they learn and grow into our future industry leaders.
    Adrianna Andreini Scholarship Today’s youth will become tomorrow’s equine industry leaders, and American Quarter Horse Foundation donors, the late John Andreini and his wife Linda created a scholarship to ensure the future is bright. Born in Los Angeles, Giovanni Aurelio Andreini was the son of an Italian immigrant who built his own insurance business. At age 17, John joined the United States Merchant Marines. “When I came back out of the service, my father asked me what I wanted to do,” John said. “I said, I want to be in the insurance business just like you, Pop.” John attended night school, studying banking and law, later working for Bank of America as a bookkeeper and teller before he joined his father in the family’s insurance business that became the largest privately owned brokerage in the United States. “I want to give young people a chance to obtain a formal education,” said John Andreini. “It is something I wish I would have done, and it is a gap you just cannot fill.” With that in mind, John and his wife endowed a scholarship fund in 2013 for fully deserving American Quarter Horse Youth Association members. The generous scholarship donation was named in honor of their daughter, Adrianna. Adrianna has been involved with horses since she was a young child and is very passionate about showing and ranching. John and Linda felt this was the best way to ensure all youth have an opportunity to succeed. “I want this scholarship to support kids with ambition to be successful,” said John.
    Las Tunas Scholarship Applications opened October 15, 2023, for the inaugural Las Tunas International Ranching Scholarship, endowed by the Las Tunas Cattle Co. of Chihuahua, Mexico at the American Quarter Horse Foundation. The scholarship is available to American Quarter Horse Association and American Quarter Horse Youth Association members interested in pursuing college degrees in ranch management and being involved with the international AQHA community. Applications closed January 15, 2024. “AQHA has members and registered horses in over 80 countries. This scholarship demonstrates our commitment to our members internationally and will serve to strengthen the Quarter Horse industry,” said Chief Foundation Officer Chris Sitz. “So many kids study abroad, and this scholarship is their first step toward a career path to make an impact on the international equine industry.” Owned by Miguel and Ana Laura Guerrero, Las Tunas Cattle Co. strives to retain the traditions of ranching established decades ago. Their goal is to advance education and the ranching industry in Mexico. “Horses and livestock are part of our DNA,” says Miguel Guerrero, owner of Las Tunas Cattle Co. “Ranching drives our economy, and the people of Mexico are passionate about it as our way of life. We are proud to partner with AQHA and the American Quarter Horse Foundation on this scholarship.”
    Kentucky Quarter Horse Association Britney Joe Prewitt, daughter of Joe and Eva Prewitt, was a senior at Nelson County High School in Bardstown, Kentucky, a member of the varsity cheerleading squad, FFA, and the Kentucky Quarter Horse Youth Association. But in 2007, Britney passed away leaving a void in the hearts of many. She was an active member and competitor in KyQHYA known for her laughter and wonderful smile. “People would just stop to see what Britney was going to do next. She was full of sunshine,” says Kelly Salmon, youth advisor for the Kentucky Quarter Horse Association. Prewitt truly loved her American Quarter Horse, Goodtime Candy. And it was her love and compassion for her horse and fellow competitors that brought the organization together to create an endowed scholarship through the American Quarter Horse Foundation which would pay tribute to Britney’s courageous and energetic personality. The Britney Joe Unbridled Spirit Scholarship was established to recognize Kentucky students who demonstrate a love for their horses by promoting and fostering the Kentucky Quarter Horse Youth Association and its programs in a meaningful way. “Kentucky is a place where spirits are free to soar and big dreams can be fulfilled. We relish competition and cherish our champions for their willingness to push beyond conventional boundaries to reach new heights of success,” says the KyQHA board of directors. Two $2,500 scholarships will be awarded annually. Candidates must apply as a college sophomore in anticipation of continuing their junior and senior years as an undergraduate enrolled at an accredited college or university of their choice. Students must be a Kentucky resident with at least two years membership in the KyQHYA, one year of which must be their last eligible year of youth.
    Charles B. Wang Ranching Scholarship What does nearly every dad do when his little girl says she wants to take horseback riding lessons? He enrolls her in riding lessons. That was how Kimberly Wang Dey got involved with horses at the age of 10, graduated to a former barrel racing horse when she was 11 and went on to become an amateur world champion at age 29 aboard Chipariffic in working hunter in 2000. She also competed in reining. It was after winning the world championship in 2000 that Kimberly, who is a trustee for her father’s foundation, the Charles B. Wang Foundation, established two scholarships at the American Quarter Horse Foundation: the Charles B. Wang Excellence in Equine & Agricultural Involvement Scholarship and the Charles B. Wang Farm & Ranch Heritage Scholarship. These were the first $1 million scholarship endowments for the Foundation. Charles, who founded Computer Associates International in 1976, was an entrepreneur, visionary, author and philanthropist. “Horses taught me patience, perseverance and responsibility,” says Kimberly, who now has two teenage daughters riding and showing. “Back when we endowed the scholarships, it was a personal goal to provide opportunities for students interested in horses or agriculture,” says Kimberly, who lives in Nashville, Tennessee. Charles died in 2018. Since then, Kimberly has taken the opportunity to tell scholarship recipients more about her dad and the reasoning behind the scholarships. “I give them a little background on my dad, who was terrified of horses,” Kimberly says. “Because of his fear, my message to the kids is, ‘See how unlikely it is that you received this help? As you go forward, pay it forward, give back when you can, anytime you can and as much as you can.’ If all of us as individuals each do as much as we can for our fellow man, it just makes the world a better place.” Since 2001, the Charles B. Wang Excellence in Equine & Agricultural Involvement Scholarship has been awarded to 25 recipients for a total of $610,500. Eighty-seven students have received the Charles B. Wang Farm & Ranch Heritage Scholarship for a total of $1,087,500.
    Swayze Woodruff Memorial Scholarship A 1994 diagnosis of Ewing Sarcoma did not keep Mary Bess and Garry Woodruff’s daughter, Swayze, from dreaming of riding and competing. Swayze chased her dreams, showing and competing at local weekend shows throughout her treatments. In 1995, the family started competing at American Quarter Horse shows and their family of Quarter Horse exhibitors grew. Swayze’s horse, Two Steppin Oreo “J.R.,” was there for her, carrying her safely into and out of the arena. In December 1998, doctors discovered Swayze had leukemia and recommended immediate treatment. Swayze had a different plan, competing for the title of Dixie National Quarter Horse Queen at the Dixie National Horse Show in Mississippi the following February. She won! On April 15, 1999, Mary Bess and Gary’s lives shattered when Swayze passed away. Mary Bess found comfort in continuing to compete with Swayze’s noble partner, “J.R.,” and says to this day her Quarter Horse family continues to support and encourage her. “J.R.” won the MD Barns Silver Spur award in 2000. Mary Bess says, it was one of the most emotional experiences since Swayze’s death. ‘’We were surrounded by people who were crying, who loved Quarter Horses, and were touched by Swayze and J.R.’s story.” The Woodruffs sold the barn that was part of the prize and donated the proceeds to the American Quarter Horse Foundation to establish the Swayze Woodruff Memorial Mid- South Scholarship Endowment celebrating Swayze’s life. “Since Swayze passed away when she was 16 years old and never had a chance to go to college, we wanted to help make the quest for higher education more affordable for others,” Mary Bess says.

• Equine Research

   

  • Dr. Glenn Blodgett Equine Research Fund

    Dr. Glenn Blodgett Equine Research Fund "Doc Blodgett" was a man of few words, with even fewer to waste. When it came to his profession, practice and passion, Dr. Blodgett kept it simple. Glenn Paul Blodgett grew up in Spearman, Texas, where his father farmed and ranched at the top of the Texas Panhandle. He married high school sweetheart Karen Wright (from the rival school in nearby Gruver), and both of the Blodgetts earned bachelor's degrees at Oklahoma State University. Glenn went on to get his veterinary degree at Texas A&M, and today is recognized as an outstanding alumnus by both universities. Together more than 50 years, Glenn and Karen have two daughters, Buffie Guynes, with husband Michael and daughters Catherine, Rebecca and Clair; and Brandie Mustain, with husband Mike, son Maddox and daughter Myla. Dr. Blodgett served on the board of the American Association of Equine Practitioners and was the Texas Veterinary Medical Association's equine practitioner of the year. He served the Four Sixes Ranch at Guthrie, Texas beginning in 1982, overseeing the breeding of legendary stallions Dash For Cash, Special Effort, Streakin Six, Mr Jess Perry, One Famous Eagle and Tanquery Gin. Dr. Blodgett developed the Four Sixes into a mecca for broodmare owners and the horses the cowboys ride there into an AQHA Best Remuda. A member of the Texas Horse Racing Hall of Fame, Dr. Blodgett in 1988 was appointed to the first Texas Horse Racing Commission, where during his tenure he received the Association of Racing Commissioners International's Joan Pew Award for racing commissioner of the year. Dr. Blodgett devoted the same time and energy to AQHA. He became a director in 1991 and director-at-large in 2011, and has served on the AQHA Hall of Fame Committee and the Stud Book and Registration Committee, which he chaired for three years. In 2011, he took home the AQHA Racing Council's Special Recognition Award. Dr. Blodgett was elected to the Executive Committee in 2012 and in 2015 became the 65th person to serve as the Association's president and was inducted into the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame in 2021. Dr. Blodgett stressed first and foremost the welfare of the horse. To further animal welfare, AQHA implemented the Multiple Medications Violations System and Animal Welfare Commission, and offers a five-panel genetic disease test to help breeders make more informed breeding decisions. "From all standpoints–whether it's health, nutrition or breeding–we want to do everything we can as an Association to help our members in every way we can," Dr. Blodgett said. Dr. Blodgett was passionate about young people and the health and wellbeing of horses. The Dr. Glenn Blodgett Equine Research Endowment funds the Young Investigator Award. This fund ensures that young researchers have dedicated support for research projects during their educations. Students may apply while pursuing their MS or PhD, DVM/VMD or postdoctoral studies. Their proposed project must be a stand-alone or pilot project with exceptionally focused scope and objectives in the field of equine research and must be completed during a one year period under the supervision of a graduate level advisor, major professor or senior faculty PdD or DVM/VMD. Doc was committed to providing opportunities for young people to advance their careers in equine medicine and in turn impact the health of the horses he loved dearly. His legacy lives on through the Dr. Glenn Blodgett Equine Research Endowment.

• Museum

   

  • Dorothy and Clarence Scharbauer Jr. Historical Preservation Fund

To learn more about the many ways you can invest in the future of the American Quarter Horse, call 806-378-5029 or email foundation@aqha.org.

Tax-Deductible Contributions

The American Quarter Horse Foundation’s EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 51-0187823. The American Quarter Horse Foundation (“the Foundation” or “AQHF”) is the related philanthropic organization of the American Quarter Horse Association and is classified under the Internal Revenue Service Code as a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) charitable organization eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions. It is also classified as a 509(a)(3) Type I support organization with the American Quarter Horse Association. Donations are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law.