In time for end of year giving, Boss Mares, Inc. can officially announce that the organization has been assigned charitable status by the Internal Revenue Service. While many seek to aid others in the Western industry, charitable 501(c)(3) status allows for giving that supports the organization while offering the donor tax benefits. Charitable donations will further the Boss Mares, Inc. goal of providing workshops and grants to female business owners and entrepreneurs in the Western industry.
With this status officially bestowed, donor support for Boss Mares, Inc.’s mission is already being realized, including a gift from Nancy Crawford of Holy Cow Performance Horses. Crawford will fully fund the first of 25 grants as Blue Hen Donor #1.
“Recognizing the initial 25 donors to the organization as ‘Blue Hens’ harkens back to the top mare in a bloodline,” said Anna Morrison, co-founder and president of Boss Mares, Inc. “A blue hen mare is one that has proven herself exceptional and whose influence has impacted the generations after her, much like our initial donors who felt moved to help further the goals of women in the Western industry.”
Crawford, who stepped in to run her family’s San Lucas Ranch in Santa Ynez, California, and runs Holy Cow Performance Horses in both Texas and California, understands the commitment needed to pursue a career, and then make it successful. She also has first-hand experience with recognizing and investing in the quality of a blue hen mare as owner of the late Sheza Shinette, AQHA Junior Cow Horse World Champion and National Reined Cow Horse Association $750,000 Dam.
“Sheza Shinette, or ‘Norma Jean’ as we called her, put me on the map from the very beginning as my first big show horse and as a broodmare with offspring still going strong,” said Crawford. “I was in favor of supporting Boss Mares, Inc. because the concept to celebrate how mares, and women, impact the Western industry is something I understand first hand.”
The process to receive a grant begins when applications open in January 2024 during the inaugural “Lead the Herd” Workshop at the Art of the Cowgirl in Queen Creek, Arizona. Applications close end of March, and grants will be awarded beginning in June 2024. Then, the real work will begin for those seeking funds as they enact their vision with added support from Boss Mares, Inc.
Co-founded by Anna Morrison, PhD, Patti Colbert and Kate Bradley Byars early in 2023, Boss Mares, Inc., a 501(c)(3), is offering two entrepreneur empowerment “Lead the Herd” workshops and awarding business and education grants in 2024. The January event in Arizona kicks off both goals. The workshop will meet Western women where they are already gathering then bring in powerful expertise to motivate, educate and support them in targeted areas that impact professional success.
For more information on Boss Mares, Inc., including how you can donate, visit bossmaresinc.org.
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Boss Mares, Inc.
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