Clark Associates’ Derby Day Tradition Delivers $2.7 Million Win for Charities

Whether it’s a photo-finish or a breathtaking breakaway from the pack, the Kentucky Derby long ago earned its reputation as the most exciting two minutes in sports. The thrill of seeing horses sprint down the 1.25-mile dirt track is perhaps only exceeded by correctly picking the winner at the betting window.

Yet some of the biggest winners at this year’s derby were the organizations supported by the Clark Associates Charitable Foundation. The company raised more than $2.7 million at its 14th annual Derby Day fundraiser, held May 2 at the Lancaster Country Club in Pennsylvania. All proceeds will be distributed to the 30 charities supported by the foundation, with individual check sizes for each organization ranging from $25,000 to $30,000. This year’s beneficiary charities serve individuals with disabilities, provide youth education, preserve the environment, support at-risk youth, run programs for homeless populations, fight food insecurity, uplift local volunteers, and aid war refugees.

Beth Clark, wife of Fred Clark, company founder and chairman, began the Derby Day fundraiser in 2013 as a way to benefit the Conestoga Valley Education Foundation. Thanks to the efforts of Clark’s employee-led Derby Day Committee, revenue has grown from a first-year amount of $25,000 to this year’s total of $2.7 million — itself a 12% increase from the 2025 fundraiser. More than 300 people bought tickets for the weekend event, which featured activities that blended tradition, entertainment, and community engagement, such as a hat contest and a live broadcast of the race.

“Though it’s almost become expected that Derby Day weekend will grow in its capacity to help high-value nonprofits each year, it’s hard not to be astonished when listening to CEO Gene Clark read the list of recipients and their donations at Saturday’s main event,” said Mike Thornton, executive director of the Clark Associates Charitable Foundation.