Nancy Kelly is executive director of The Jockey Club Safety Net Foundation, a charitable trust that provides financial assistance to those in need in the Thoroughbred industry. Since 1985, the foundation has given over $14 million in support to backstretch workers and their families, farm workers, jockeys, office personnel, and various race track chaplains.
In addition, Kelly is vice president of development for Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation, a leading private source of equine medical research funding in the nation.
She organizes and oversees fund-raising events for both charities.
Kelly joined The Jockey Club as an executive assistant in 1985 before being promoted to special projects manager. In 1994, she became the director of development for the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation and The Jockey Club Foundation. Before joining The Jockey Club, she spent eight years at the New York Racing Association.
In August 2001, Kelly was presented with the Red Smith “Good Guy” Award from the New York Turf Writers Association for her humanitarian efforts within the Thoroughbred industry.
In August 2008, she received the “Award of Excellence” from the Race Track Chaplaincy of America (RTCA) for “faithfully supporting the mission of RTCA to provide, with excellence, for the spiritual, emotional, physical and social/educational needs of horse racing’s workforce.”
Kelly also serves on the board of directors of the Belmont Child Care Association Inc. (BCCA).
