Hi Karen,
This is a great question!
Shelter Animals Count has been collecting Community Service Data, which is counting how pets and people are helped in communities rather than in a shelter or a foster based rescue. You can learn more at on their website at: shelteranimalscount.org, but basically they are looking to collect data on organizations that provide services to keep owned pets in their homes and to keep community pets thriving in their neighborhoods.
Most organizations should be able to participate, but if Shelter Animals Count says you cannot participate, please let us know and let us know why.
For our purposes, we are asking that organizations sign up and begin submitting their data on a monthly basis in order to apply for our grant.
I hope this helps, but am happy to answer any additional questions you may have.
Best,
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Amber Eby
Grants Specialist
Maddie's Fund
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Original Message:
Sent: 02-29-2024 05:02 AM
From: Karen Kirsch
Subject: 2024 Open Arms Challenge Pre Huddle Tomorrow 1/18/24 at 10am PST/1pm EST
QUESTION - We are an animal welfare group. (Not a shelter or rescue group) We are not eligible to participate in Shelter Animals Count. Are we still eligible to participate in this grant?
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Karen Kirsch
Founder
Spayed and Aid
KY
Original Message:
Sent: 01-19-2024 01:11 PM
From: Amber Eby
Subject: 2024 Open Arms Challenge Pre Huddle Tomorrow 1/18/24 at 10am PST/1pm EST
Thanks to everyone who was able to join our pre-challenge huddle yesterday! For those that were unable to attend, the recording is now available to watch and share with your teams: https://youtu.be/0SKemKElGYk
We're already seeing folks getting started early with creating their Grants Portal accounts! If you have any questions or need any help with your Grants Portal account, please send us an email at grants@maddiesfund.org and our team will be happy to assist you. Please keep in mind that your login for your Grants Portal account is separate from your account you use to access Maddie's Pet Forum and Maddie's University.
I've attached a few resources here to help you prepare for the registration period including a sample registration application (so you and your team can begin answering those questions together), a sample participation report (so you can see what we'll be requiring at the end of the challenge period) and a list of Welcoming Practices & Program Suggestions/Action Items (so you can start brainstorming on what changes or practices you'll want to pilot during the challenge)!
Here's a quick reminder of the important challenge dates to add to your calendar:
- Registration Period: February 26 - March 6, 2024 (Apply through the Maddie's Fund grants portal until 5pm PT on March 6, 2024.)
- Challenge Period: April 1, 2024 - April 30, 2024. During this time, you will pilot your new practices.
- Participation Reports Due: May 15, 2024
- Final Report (via Zoom Huddle) for Award Winners: September 2024
And be sure to register for the Weekly Community Conversations call as the call topics in February will be focused on welcoming practices that can give you some ideas and inspiration for the Open Arms Challenge: https://maddies.fund/CommunityConversationsRegistration
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Amber Eby
Grants Specialist
Maddie's Fund
Original Message:
Sent: 01-17-2024 10:47 AM
From: Amber Eby
Subject: 2024 Open Arms Challenge Pre Huddle Tomorrow 1/18/24 at 10am PST/1pm EST
Updated 1/18/24 at 4:25pm: Recording now available!
Hi everyone!
Don't forget to join us on Thursday, January 18, 2024 at 10am PST/1pm EST for our 30-minute Open Arms 2024 Pre-Challenge Huddle!
We'll be discussing the Grants Portal, Registration Process, Participation Reports and past grant winners as well as answering your Open Arms Challenge questions. Joining this huddle is not required to participate in the Challenge, but recommended if this is your first time joining one.
You can register for tomorrow's Pre-Challenge Huddle here:
We will share the recording after the Huddle and continue this discussion here in the Maddie's Pet Forum 2024 Open Arms Challenge Discussion Thread. We look forward to answering your questions during the call as time allows and here in the thread after the call.
Can't wait to discuss more tomorrow!
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Amber Eby
Grants Specialist
Maddie's Fund
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