Animal Welfare Professionals

Is anyone on the board of or volunteer with a "friends of" a shelter group? I would love to pick your brain. I am helping start a group for the shelter in my city and I have been on the "receiving" end (ie: worked at a shelter with a Friends group), but trying to get a feel for how some other groups operate as we are still trying to nail down some logisitics of funding and programming.

If you'd like to share any info, please let me know and I'll message or email you! Thank you in advance!

#AdoptionsandAdoptionPrograms
#CommunityPartnerships*
#FundraisingandDevelopment
#PeopleManagement(includingVolunteerIntegration)

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Sarah Fuqua
Director
The Bobo Fund
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following

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Lisa Kitchens
Pet Central Helps!
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I am really interested in this topic too. We are a government agency and are not eligible for many grants that are just for a 501(c)(3) and I would love to shephard a Friends of group, I know there is a 49 percent limit on interested directors but am looking on how to get possible directors.

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Roxane Fritz
Veterinary Program Coordinator
San Mateo County
CA
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following!

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tonya hampton
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Original Message:
Sent: 04-08-2025 11:10 AM
From: Roxane Fritz
Subject: "Friends of" groups

I am really interested in this topic too. We are a government agency and are not eligible for many grants that are just for a 501(c)(3) and I would love to shephard a Friends of group, I know there is a 49 percent limit on interested directors but am looking on how to get possible directors.

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Roxane Fritz
Veterinary Program Coordinator
San Mateo County
CA
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I am new(ish) board member of the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter Foundation which directly supports our county's municipal shelter. I'm happy to correspond with anyone and/or post answers to questions on this thread. At the same time, I am curious to hear how municipal organizations feel most supported by their "Friends of" organizations. 

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Sarah Krummel
Board Member
SCCASF
CA
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I am on the board for Trinity Animal Shelter Auxiliary (TASA). We are a 501(c)(3) and we fundraise for the medical needs of the animals at our local municipal shelter (Trinity County Animal Shelter, CA). We also supply funds for other needs - beds, food, washing machines - whatever they need. Our shelter is drastically underfunded so they are very dependent on us for most things. I am the grant writer. We also hold several fundraisers throughout the year. I would be happy to answer any questions. Not sure how helpful I can be, but I will share anything I can to help! 
Anne Eastap

tasagrants@gmail.com

tasatrinity.org is our website if you want to check out what we do

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Anne Eastap
Grant Coordinator/Foster Coordinator
Trinity Animal Shelter Auxiliary/Trinity County Animal Shelter
Weaverville, CA
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Any updates on what you're learning? I'd be curious to know what your perspective is now that you've been in both positions. 

I'm on the board of an unofficial "friends of" non-profit and we work with several shetlers. We have MOUs in place with one shelter, but the others we host volunteer events with and pop in with donations when they post on social media that they need it. Shelters do refer community members and adopters who need assistance to us from time to time. I'm curious what other programs "friends of" groups are running and what paperwork or procedures they have in place. We do try to assist with writing grants, but so far have not been successful in winning any for a particular shelter. We still support financially and we do sponsor fundraisers that the shelters can't do on their own.

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Rebecca Burley
Shelter or rescue volunteer
Pennies for People, Animals, Wildlife and Shelters, INC
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Original Message:
Sent: 7/28/2025 7:37:00 AM
From: Rebecca Burley
Subject: RE: "Friends of" groups

Any updates on what you're learning? I'd be curious to know what your perspective is now that you've been in both positions. 

I'm on the board of an unofficial "friends of" non-profit and we work with several shetlers. We have MOUs in place with one shelter, but the others we host volunteer events with and pop in with donations when they post on social media that they need it. Shelters do refer community members and adopters who need assistance to us from time to time. I'm curious what other programs "friends of" groups are running and what paperwork or procedures they have in place. We do try to assist with writing grants, but so far have not been successful in winning any for a particular shelter. We still support financially and we do sponsor fundraisers that the shelters can't do on their own.

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Rebecca Burley
Shelter or rescue volunteer
Pennies for People, Animals, Wildlife and Shelters, INC
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Hi everyone! I recently became familiar with this robust "friends of" group that supports multiple organizations and has over 300 volunteers (located in TX). They may be worth reaching out to for support or advice. :) https://frastx.org/about/

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Jenifer Reed
Maddie's® Human Animal Support Services Program Implementation Trainer
AmPA!/HASS
TN
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Original Message:
Sent: 07-29-2025 10:08 AM
From: tonya hampton
Subject: "Friends of" groups

Following

 

Original Message:
Sent: 7/28/2025 7:37:00 AM
From: Rebecca Burley
Subject: RE: "Friends of" groups

Any updates on what you're learning? I'd be curious to know what your perspective is now that you've been in both positions. 

I'm on the board of an unofficial "friends of" non-profit and we work with several shetlers. We have MOUs in place with one shelter, but the others we host volunteer events with and pop in with donations when they post on social media that they need it. Shelters do refer community members and adopters who need assistance to us from time to time. I'm curious what other programs "friends of" groups are running and what paperwork or procedures they have in place. We do try to assist with writing grants, but so far have not been successful in winning any for a particular shelter. We still support financially and we do sponsor fundraisers that the shelters can't do on their own.

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Rebecca Burley
Shelter or rescue volunteer
Pennies for People, Animals, Wildlife and Shelters, INC
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