Grant Guidelines

Animal Assistance Foundation makes two kinds of grants:

  • Model State Grants
  • Service Grants

Model State Grants fund projects that support the Foundation's mission to make Colorado exemplary in animal welfare. The budget for Model State Grants is not fixed.

Model State Grants Guidelines
Prior to submitting a formal application for a Model State grant, the applicant organization must submit an e-mail or letter of inquiry that includes: a brief description of the organization and the proposed program and amount for which funding is requested. Unapproved applications will not be considered.  Applicants must be located in Colorado or have a direct impact on animals and their owners in Colorado. Staff will reply promptly. If your project is accepted, you will be e-mailed the application form along with guidelines.

For more information and to submit an e-mail or letter of inquiry , contact AAF at info@aaf-fd.org or 1805 South Bellaire Street, Suite 400, Denver, Colorado 80222 or 303-744-8396.

AAF's next grant application deadline is March 26, 2010 . Proposals must be postmarked by that date.

AAF accepts the Colorado Common Grant Application (www.coloradocommongrantforms.org ) with the
additional attachment of your Pet Animal Care Facilities (PACFA) license and most recent year's
statistics if applicable.  In addition, applicants for Human/Animal Interaction and Animal Assisted Therapy programs must include their policies and procedures for the welfare of the animals and meet AAF's requirements for HAI/AAT .

Applicants must be either a government entity or a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. However, groups
designated by the IRS as Type III supporting organizations are not eligible to apply. Individuals are
not eligible to apply.

The duration of most Model State grants is one year, but projects are eligible to apply for a second year 
of funding.

The Foundation considers only one request from an organization during any 12-month period.

Grants for long-term funding, endowment funds, or retirement of debt will not be considered.

2010 Grant Guidelines

In considering Model State grant requests, AAF values proposals that:

  • Advance the Foundation's goal of establishing Colorado as a model state for the care and humane
    treatment of animals
  • Are located in Colorado or have a direct impact on animals and their owners in Colorado
  • Demonstrate collaboration within the community
  • Demonstrate a high potential for self-sufficiency and sustainability
  • Address the human-animal connection, (which according to the American Veterinary Medical Association,
    ". . . is a mutually beneficial and dynamic relationship between people and other animals that is
    influenced by behaviors that are essential to the health and well-being of both. This includes, but is not
    limited to, emotional, psychological, and physical interactions for people, other animals, and the
    environment.").
    Examples of projects that address the human-animal connection include:
    • Establish solutions for the unwanted horse
    • Promote understanding of the LINKTM between abuse of animals and human violence and
      support innovations in treatment and prevention
    • Support and enhance ethical standards and protocols for the use of animals in animal-
      assisted therapy (AAT).
  • Improve animal health, wellness, and welfare in Colorado by
    • Increasing the capacity for sterilization of cats and dogs through both surgical and
      non-surgical means
    • Supporting community education
    • Supporting operating costs
    • Fostering professionalism and effectiveness in animal care through education, training, and
      technical assistance
    • Strengthening emergency preparedness and response capacity for animals
  • Address the importance of animals to human quality of life with innovative approaches by
    • Supporting scholarly, educational, or practical efforts that demonstrate and/or celebrate the
      positive relationship between human beings and animals
    • Supporting awareness of the demonstrated relationship between cruelty toward animals and
      violence toward humans.

These statements do not preclude our consideration of creative proposals designed to address one or
more components of our mission. They are provided to assist grant writers in understanding our special
emphases for the current grant cycle. The statements are not ranked in priority order.

Service Grants fund only medical services (non-chronic treatments) to animals in the shelter/rescue
system prior to adoption. They require matching dollars from the grantee. Contact us for more information
on how to apply for service grants.