Grant Invitation Process
The Foundation Board of Directors conducts an annual round of funding in the following way:
- Funding is limited to animal shelters, animal rescues, and related organizations.
- We send grant invitations to organizations we’ve had previous contact with. We also accept unsolicited submissions from other Michigan organizations. Our goal is to send out invitations no later than September 15th of each year.
- To make sure you’re on the invitation list, please complete this information.
- The deadline for funding submissions is October 31st.
- The Foundation will review proposals, make decisions, and issue funding by November 30th.
Funding Priorities
This funding is competitive. Awards are based on proposals that best fit the following funding priorities (i.e., #1 is our top priority, etc.):
- Purchasable Goods and Equipment. Please specify goods/equipment needed, the purpose, and the cost.
- Veterinarian Services. Please specify the number of services (e.g., spay/neuter services) and cost per service.
- Building Repairs and/or Code Compliance. Please describe funding needed for sanitation, safety, ventilation, temperature control, etc.
- Other items may also be considered, if they are your greatest need.
Funding Cap:
- We prefer funding requests up to $2,000
- We prefer proposals where we can cover the bulk of the need rather than only a small portion of a larger need.
Restrictions:
- Applicants must have 501c3 approval or be public entities.
- Requests for pet supplies (food, kitty litter, etc.) are our lowest priority and are unlikely to be funded.
- Funds cannot be used for salaries.
Narrative Required:
Tell us why this is an important priority for your organization. Please include any additional information you think will help to make your case.
If you have not received funding from us in the past, please describe your organization so we understand your primary mission, service area, and goals.
Contact Information:
Include your organization’s contact information (organization name, address, phone, website, and email). Please include contact information for the individual most knowledgeable about your funding request.
Employer Identification (EIN):
Provide your Employer Identification Number (EIN) which we use to verify your non-profit or governmental status (required for all organizations we fund).
Documentation Required:
As a condition of funding, you agree to provide documentation (receipts, photos, etc.) to show that our funds were spent as intended. Organizations that fail to do this will be ineligible for future funding for a period of no less than two years.
Funding Deadline:
Submit your request no later than October 31st.
Our Decision-Making Timeline:
Our intent is to fund the most urgent and/or strategic requests consistent with the Funding Priorities listed above.
Once received, your request will be reviewed by Foundation staff who will identify any questions or concerns. They may contact you to discuss them. Your proposal will then be submitted to the Foundation Board for review.
Our goal is to make our decisions by November 30th and send out grant awards shortly after that.
Questions? Contact Us!
We are happy to discuss proposals with you by phone or email. Feel free to contact us at any time.
Funding Requests Outside the Funding Cycle
If your proposal is time-sensitive and does not fit within our normal funding cycle, we may still consider it. You are welcome to contact us at any time to discuss it.