Grant Guidelines 2012
The Animal Assistance Foundation launched its Model State Grant program to address its mission to make Colorado the Model State for animals to live with people. To invest our resources most effectively and to have the greatest impact on animal welfare in Colorado, AAF has identified the following priorities listed below. 1. Companion Animal Spay/Neuter 2. Animal Sheltering, including sheltering for companion animals and equines 3. Other Initiatives demonstrating innovation or high impact
AAF appreciates the time invested in pursuing a grant from us. Should you have any questions about our grant process or an idea you would like to discuss with us then please don’t hesitate to get in touch. You can reach us on 303-744-8396 or by email at info@aaf-fd.org.
1. Companion Animal Spay/Neuter Program Support
AAF supports initiatives that promote the spay/neuter of companion animals, both owned and within shelters or rescues. AAF will consider proposals that:
· Provide or increase access to subsidized spay/neuter surgeries;
· Enhance the capacity of a non-profit organization to increase spays and neuters in their community;
· Provide educational outreach about spay/neuter;
· Work to find alternatives to surgical sterilization.
2. Animal Sheltering Support
AAF supports initiatives that seek to optimize sheltering for companion animals and equines. Optimization of sheltering will be different for every community. Programs that might optimize sheltering include the following (this list is not exhaustive):
· Increasing community access to sheltering/rescue
· Increasing community support or awareness of shelter/rescue
· Increasing live release rate (through provision of transfer programs, microchipping, etc.)
· Decreasing euthanasia rates of adoptable animals (through provision of medical support, behavior training, etc.)
· Capital Improvements
3. Other Initiatives
AAF will consider proposals that do not fall within our Spay/Neuter or Animal Sheltering focus areas, if these proposals advance AAF’s mission. Proposals of this nature should be innovative or demonstrate high impact. If you have a proposal that you feel may be of interest, please contact our offices to discuss it further.
AAF focuses its funding on rural communities, communities with high need or communities that lack access to resources. These terms are not defined. It is up to an applicant to demonstrate how or why their community meets these requirements. Grants awards are generally between $2,000 and $5,000. Larger grants may be made when there is a compelling application.
AAF favors proposals that:
· show innovation for solving an issue and producing lasting change
· demonstrate or show potential for high impact by identifying a target population to affect
· producing measurable results based on identified metrics
· demonstrate the ability to affect large populations
· Demonstrate collaboration within the community and leveraging of support from other agencies
· Demonstrate a high potential for self-sufficiency and sustainability
Eligibility Criteria
AAF does not fund the following:
· Pass through organizations
· For profit agencies
· Private individuals or pets of individuals
· Grants for long-term funding, endowment funds, political campaigns, or retirement of debt
· groups designated by the IRS as Type III supporting organizations are not eligible to apply
To be eligible for a grant you must be one of the following entities and meet the eligibility criteria in step 1 of the application process:
a. a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization
b. a government entity
c. an organization with a 501(c)(3) Fiscal Sponsor
The Application Process
Step 1: Determine whether your Organization is eligible to begin our grant process.
To be eligible you must meet all of the following:
1. Be either:
a. a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization
b. a government entity
c. an organization with a 501(c)(3) Fiscal Sponsor
2. Located within the State of Colorado or an agency that has a direct impact on animals and their owners in Colorado. Direct Impact on animals and their owners in Colorado applies to Institutions conducting studies that result in new science, practice or knowledge significantly affecting animals living in Colorado.
3. Proposing a program for funding which is compatible with our focus areas. If you have an innovative or creative grant idea that is outside our focus areas but may further our mission statement then please contact us by telephone to discuss your idea on (303) 744-8396.
4. Have not received Model State grant program funding for the last two consecutive years (Service Grants are not considered Model State grants). If you have received funding for the last two consecutive years, generally AAF requires that you take a “rest period” for one year. After the “rest period” organizations may reapply following the same guidelines. The Foundation considers only one proposal from an organization during any 12-month period.
If you are unsure about whether your organization is eligible to apply, please contact us on (303) 744-8396 for assistance.
Step 2: Letter of Inquiry
If you meet the eligibility requirements in Step 1, you may submit a Letter of Inquiry. Letters of Inquiry should be emailed to info@aaf-fd.org. It should be approximately one page in length and include a brief description of the organization, information about the proposed program and amount for which funding is requested. Based on your Letter of Inquiry, staff will reply with a decision about whether you may submit a formal application. If your project is accepted, you will be e-mailed the application form along with guidelines on how to complete it.
A Letter of Inquiry may be submitted at any time throughout the year. When a letter is received it will be considered for the next grant cycle. AAF has two grant cycles each year; our Spring Cycle, which falls on the last Friday in March, and our Fall Cycle, which falls on the last Friday in September.
Step 3: Complete Application form
If your Letter of Inquiry is successful, AAF will invite you to submit a full proposal. You will be sent the application form together with guidelines for completing it.
What to Expect from the Grant Application?
The grant application consists of the following:
· Summary Sheet – basic information about the organization is provided.
· A series of questions. The questions will identify what impact your proposed program will have. All agencies will be required to identify baseline measurements for their grant request. Measurements must be tracked throughout the grant period and AAF expects that baseline measurements will be improved with AAF funding.
· Provision of financial information
· Provision of other attachments
The application form must be received by the grant application deadline. The next grant deadline is Friday March 30th, 2012. Further information on completing and submitting a grant application is included in the grant application guidelines.
If you have questions about the grant process, please do not hesitate to contact us either by phone or email.