Solid footing starts here.
Financial literacy education, one-on-one guidance, and direct assistance for the people who kept the Maryland Racing Industry running. Current and former Maryland backstretch workers facing financial hardship are eligible.
The backstretch runs on people the industry rarely plans for financially.
Grooms, hot walkers, and most former Race Track employees move from track to track, season to season. The work is steady in effort and unsteady in pay, cash tips, irregular hours, and long stretches without a paycheck that looks the same twice.
Many backstretch workers have little access to traditional banking, let alone financial guidance built around how their income actually works. Stable Footing exists to close that gap, with education, real conversations, and direct help when it's needed.
"Every horse needs solid ground to run on. The people who care for them deserve the same."
Three ways we show up for backstretch workers.
Financial education
Plain-language conversations about budgeting, saving, and avoiding predatory loans, built around irregular, seasonal income instead of a standard nine-to-five paycheck.
One-on-one guidance
Confidential, judgment-free conversations to work through a specific situation, a debt, a savings goal, a big decision, with a board member who understands the industry. General guidance, not investment, tax, or legal advice.
Direct assistance
Short-term financial help for workers facing an immediate gap, paid directly to bills, vendors, or urgent needs, because sometimes the most useful thing is steady ground right now, not just a plan for later.
We're just getting started, and we'd like to hear from you.
Whether you're a current or former backstretch worker looking for support, someone who wants to help, or just curious about what we're building, reach out. Stable Footing is run by a small, volunteer board, and every message gets a real reply.
Open Stable Footing on Venmo
Scan with your phone camera or the Venmo app. Stable Footing is in the process of applying for 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status with the IRS. Donations may become tax-deductible, retroactive to our formation date, once that status is granted. Deductibility is not guaranteed.
Stable Footing, Inc.
10509 Twin Cedar Ct
Laurel, MD 20723
Please make checks payable to Stable Footing, Inc. Stable Footing is in the process of applying for 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status with the IRS. Donations may become tax-deductible, retroactive to our formation date, once that status is granted. Deductibility is not guaranteed.