Like the bond a rider forms with his horse, enduring relationships between equestrians and donors are key to success. Financial resources should not bar passionate, deserving riders from maximizing their equestrian careers.

No matter what equestrian sport you pursue, the Equestrian Fundraising School is designed to give you the communication, presentation, marketing and financial skills you need to succeed. All students will:

  • Learn the art and techniques of fundraising
  • Improve their presentation and written communication skills
  • Discover the importance of giving back to your sport and community
  • Get help from The Dressage Foundation staff on setting up giving options
  • Receive a fundraising toolkit with personalized stationery, business cards and reference materials

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FAQs

School Founders John Boomer
and Karin Reid Offield

Thanks to John Boomer and Karin Reid Offield, the Equestrian Fundraising School is a valuable resource to equestrians everywhere. This unique school stands alone in the equestrian landscape and captures John and Karin’s vision for a curriculum taught by nationally distinguished instructors in a convenient, online format.

Each course covers a different area critical to successful fundraising. Lessons include information about communication styles and skills, how to give effective and professional presentations, how to ask for money and sponsorships, tax laws and charitable giving strategies, how to identify and approach potential supporters and how to execute fundraising events.

Equestrian Fundraising School Lessons

Lesson 1Lessons in Fundraising and Giving Introduction: The Dressage Foundation Funds and Programs
Lesson 2Online Tools: Gift Legacy
Lesson 3Communication Skills
Lesson 4 Preparing Your Case
Lesson 5Identifying Prospective Donors and Sponsors
Lesson 6Grant Writing
Lesson 7Asking for Money
Lesson 8Charitable Remainder Trusts
Lesson 9Charitable Gift Annuities
Lesson 10Charitable Lead Trusts
Lesson 11Tax Basics
Lesson 12Event Planning
Lesson 13Sponsorship Opportunities
Lesson 14Maximizing Your Support
Lesson 15What Donors Wish You Knew About Asking for Support: Donor Panel
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FAQs

"For myself and many other high performance riders, fundraising is the biggest challenge that we face. By hosting this program, The Dressage Foundation gives riders access and knowledge to all the expertise that is available." – Reese Koffler-Stanfield

Web conferencing technology has made it possible for us to create a virtual classroom. Through their computers, students will hear audio while the instructor presents the information in a slide format, online through a secure, dedicated website. Students, instructors and Foundation staff can interact by phone or email to ensure personalized, prompt responses to all questions.

Students will have three months from the beginning of each session to complete the lessons and an additional three months to fulfill the fundraising goal required for graduation.

Each lesson consists of a 30-60 minute presentation followed by associated 'homework' assignments intended to further students' understanding of the material presented. These assignments will increase students' comfort level when the time comes to ask others for funding and support.

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FAQs

Photo By: Quince Tree

Marion Grady and Gaius

Instructors chosen to teach in the Equestrian Fundraising School are proven experts in their fields. Possessing more than just book knowledge, they’ve done everything from fill water buckets to compete in international competition. Our instructors know what it’s like to struggle to find the funds to fuel your dreams.

Equestrian Fundraising School Faculty

Jennifer Baumert
Jennifer Baumert won Region 8 championships at the Prix St. Georges, Intermediare I, Intermediare II and Grand Prix levels. She is a United States Dressage Federation Bronze, Silver, and Gold medal holder and a USDF Certified Instructor/Trainer, Fourth Level. Baumert has students from many disciplines from Dressage to Eventing to Hunters and Jumpers.
John Boomer
John Boomer has been involved in fundraising work for over 20 years, and served from 1984 to 1994 as founding President of Good Samaritan Hospital Foundation in Kearney, Nebraska. From 1997-2009, Boomer and his wife, Lynn, served as the sole management staff for The Dressage Foundation.
Melissa Filipi
Melissa Filipi, Development Director at The Dressage Foundation is responsible for all aspects of fundraising and marketing, donor relations, establishing new funds, and assisting in the daily operations of the Foundation.
Robin Gifford

Robin Gifford founded her own company, Springboard, helping students acquire the social skills they need to handle themselves in any business or social situation.

Gifford also led United States Dressage Federation for five years, and has served as a senior vice president for an international social service organization.
Jenny Johnson
In her role as Administrative Director, Jenny Johnson is responsible for all internal functions of the Foundation such as the grant and scholarship review process, managing the accounting and associated reporting, donor software reporting, and website maintenance.
Reese Koffler-Stanfield
Reese Koffler-Stanfield, United States Dressage Federation Bronze, Silver, and Gold Medallist, is a nationally and internationally ranked professional High Performance competitor. Koffler-Stanfield is a USDF Certified Instructor/Trainer through Fourth Level. At the Collecting Gaits National Grand Prix Festival of Champions in June 2009, Koffler-Stanfield and Kasper finished fourth overall placing them on the distinguished USEF Long List and Eligible Athlete Committee. Koffler-Stanfield was the Head Eventing Dressage Coach for Argentina in the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.
Gil Merrick
Over the past twenty years Gil Merrick has served in senior management positions within corporations based throughout the United States, Germany and Australia. The key focus for Merrick throughout his career has been the training and development of the staff and management teams for whom he was responsible. Sharing the knowledge he has gained through a 20 year study in the field of human effectiveness training and organizational development, Merrick has contributed to the growth and enrichment of countless people's lives within the companies he has managed.
Hilary Moore
Hilary Moore is an FEI Competitor, United States Dressage Federation Associate Instructor, USDF "L" Education Program Graduate, USDF/USEF Advanced Young Rider Graduate, Senior Editor at Dressage Today and Member of the PVDA Board of Directors. She enjoys sharing what she learns as a resident blogger for Dressage Today and frequent contributor to multiple equestrian publications. Moore is one of the only former Advanced Young Riders to have simultaneously competed at the YR levels of FEI dressage and Prelim eventing. At the same time, she was also a member of Mount Holyoke College's Intercollegiate Dressage Team during their National Championship years.
Bud Synhorst
Robert "Bud" Synhorst, CFRE, is the Executive Director of the Mary Lanning HealthCare Foundation in Hastings, Nebraska. Bud is responsible for all aspects of fundraising to support Mary Lanning HealthCare - including donor relations, solicitation, legacy and estate planning, and strategic planning for the Foundation. Bud has nearly 15 years of experience working in philanthropic organizations with annual giving, event management, planned and estate giving, and Foundation leadership in education and healthcare. Bud has held the designation of Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) since 2004.
Scott A. Wendt
Scott A. Wendt, CFA, is the Vice President and Chief Investment Officer at First Nebraska Trust. Prior to arriving at First Nebraska Trust, Scott was Head of the Equity Selection Team at the First National Bank of Omaha Trust Investment Group, which managed over $1.5 billion in stocks. Previously, Soctt was employed by two Fortune 500 companies, Union Pacific and Enron Corp. Scott is a member of the CFA Institute and the CFA Society of Nebraska. He is past President of the CFA Society.
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FAQs

"Mr. Boomer, I wanted to say a big thank you for your support of the Fundraising and Giving Program. It was a great pilot group with invaluable information. Thank you for taking the time to develop this program and see it to fruition. These types of programs with the information that was presented are crucial to the progression of the sport. We as young professionals need this information. Thank you again." – Meaghan Byrne, www.mtbdressage.com

Tuition for the Equestrian Fundraising School is $500. This educational course will help you gain the skills you need to develop funding support for your own equestrian activities. As a requirement of graduation from the program, we also ask you to commit to raising $1,000 for a charity (or charities) of your choice after you complete the lessons. This goal gets you motivated to apply what you’ve learned AND provides first-hand knowledge of the benefits of giving back to your sport and community.

Don’t let a lack of planning and presentation prevent you from pursuing your dreams. Apply today to gain the skills you need to continue your quest for success.

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FAQs

"The road to the top is very difficult: some ways are more bumpy than others, some are more crooked, and some are dead ends. My Olympic dream came true only because my road was paved with many generous supporters who gave not only dollars, but also tack, equipment, and even discounted transportation." – Olympian Carol Lavell

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You are just a few minutes away from completing your application to the Equestrian Fundraising School. Please complete the following information. The Dressage Foundation staff will review your application and respond within three business days. If you have further questions or want to inquire about the status of your application, please contact melissa@dressagefoundation.org.