About
the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund
With no guaranteed
salaries or injured reserve provisions in the sport of rodeo, these
professional athletes are often left with no place to turn when faced with
serious, sidelining injuries and the accompanying financial hardship.
Recognizing that
serious injuries can be traumatic enough without the additional burden of
financial worries, the Justin Boot Company formed a partnership with the
Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) and the Women's Professional
Rodeo Association (WPRA) in 1989 to establish the Justin Cowboy Crisis
Fund (JCCF). The Fund was granted 501-C3 status as a non-profit charity
organization in 1991.
The JCCF’s premise
is to lend a helping hand to professional rodeo athletes and their
families in the event of catastrophic injuries resulting from professional
rodeo activities. The fund fills the void of financial hardship when the
inevitable serious injury interferes with the careers of those who have
dedicated their lives to the sport. At the closing of 2007, JCCF had
awarded more than $5 million in need-based financial assistance to more
than 750 injured rodeo athletes and their families.
Assistance awards are
based on the severity of injury, the number of dependents and the
applicant's financial situation. The Fund also takes into consideration
the individual's involvement in and/or contribution to the sport of
professional rodeo.
Unique among today's
numerous charitable organizations, the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund stands
above the rest by dedicating 100% (+) of all contributions received for
disbursement to eligible applicants. This uncommon practice for a
charitable organization is made possible by the joint commitment of the
Justin Boot Company and the PRCA, which underwrite all administrative
costs associated with managing the JCCF, leaving all monies received
through contributions (and as investment earnings) to serve their intended
purpose.