Animal Welfare Professionals

Hello! 

The organization that I volunteer with is 100% volunteer-run, and we are doing some grant-writing for the first time this year.   I am curious as to what the experience is of other rescues with a grant-writing team - what your success rate has been, how you find grant opportunities that have actually funded your cause, and what your volunteer turnover is like.  We've had limited success, but have put in a lot of effort and time.  I want to be mindful of our volunteers' time, and would like to use their skills in a meaningful way and would appreciate any insights, suggestions, etc.

Thanks!

Jenn

Hello! 

The organization that I volunteer with is 100% volunteer-run, and we are doing some grant-writing for the first time this year.   I am curious as to what the experience is of other rescues with a grant-writing team - what your success rate has been, how you find grant opportunities that have actually funded your cause, and what your volunteer turnover is like.  We've had limited success, but have put in a lot of effort and time.  I want to be mindful of our volunteers' time, and would like to use their skills in a meaningful way and would appreciate any insights, suggestions, etc.

Thanks!

Jenn

Hello! 

The organization that I volunteer with is 100% volunteer-run, and we are doing some grant-writing for the first time this year.   I am curious as to what the experience is of other rescues with a grant-writing team - what your success rate has been, how you find grant opportunities that have actually funded your cause, and what your volunteer turnover is like.  We've had limited success, but have put in a lot of effort and time.  I want to be mindful of our volunteers' time, and would like to use their skills in a meaningful way and would appreciate any insights, suggestions, etc.

Thanks!

Jenn

Hello! 

The organization that I volunteer with is 100% volunteer-run, and we are doing some grant-writing for the first time this year.   I am curious as to what the experience is of other rescues with a grant-writing team - what your success rate has been, how you find grant opportunities that have actually funded your cause, and what your volunteer turnover is like.  We've had limited success, but have put in a lot of effort and time.  I want to be mindful of our volunteers' time, and would like to use their skills in a meaningful way and would appreciate any insights, suggestions, etc.

Thanks!

Jenn

Hi Jenn, I have successfully written grants for over 50 years, and am currently doing so for a TN-based cat rescue . In the past 30 months we've received 12 grants, from foundations coast to coast, the largest being $12,500 and the smallest $1,000.    If you visit our website (www.purrfectmatchcatrescue.org) you'll see we are just a modest-sized rescue that transports cats from TN to our rescue partners in New England.   In my experience, storytelling and a well-defined project/program are the best ways to win grants.  Being well-prepared with all necessary background materials, (both paper and electronic) is a huge help as well.  We have our IRS letter, current operating budget, current 990 form, list of our Board of Directors and their backgrounds, map of our service area, photo page of our physical facility, and several recent success stories all ready to go as most grantors ask for these kinds of documents when applying.    You have to be patient and able to accept rejection and don't be afraid to re-apply in a year or so(if that is available) if you're turned down the first time.   Also, once you get a grant BE SURE TO COMMUNICATE regularly with the grantor as it can (and will!) lead to repeat grants (we've experienced this on several occasions.)  BEST OF SUCCESS!

Hello! 

The organization that I volunteer with is 100% volunteer-run, and we are doing some grant-writing for the first time this year.   I am curious as to what the experience is of other rescues with a grant-writing team - what your success rate has been, how you find grant opportunities that have actually funded your cause, and what your volunteer turnover is like.  We've had limited success, but have put in a lot of effort and time.  I want to be mindful of our volunteers' time, and would like to use their skills in a meaningful way and would appreciate any insights, suggestions, etc.

Thanks!

Jenn

@Bruce Thorsen, congratulations on your success! Do you use paid grant funding tools? Do you have any other tips for how you've identified so many opportunities? 

Hi Jenn, I have successfully written grants for over 50 years, and am currently doing so for a TN-based cat rescue . In the past 30 months we've received 12 grants, from foundations coast to coast, the largest being $12,500 and the smallest $1,000.    If you visit our website (www.purrfectmatchcatrescue.org) you'll see we are just a modest-sized rescue that transports cats from TN to our rescue partners in New England.   In my experience, storytelling and a well-defined project/program are the best ways to win grants.  Being well-prepared with all necessary background materials, (both paper and electronic) is a huge help as well.  We have our IRS letter, current operating budget, current 990 form, list of our Board of Directors and their backgrounds, map of our service area, photo page of our physical facility, and several recent success stories all ready to go as most grantors ask for these kinds of documents when applying.    You have to be patient and able to accept rejection and don't be afraid to re-apply in a year or so(if that is available) if you're turned down the first time.   Also, once you get a grant BE SURE TO COMMUNICATE regularly with the grantor as it can (and will!) lead to repeat grants (we've experienced this on several occasions.)  BEST OF SUCCESS!

Hello! 

The organization that I volunteer with is 100% volunteer-run, and we are doing some grant-writing for the first time this year.   I am curious as to what the experience is of other rescues with a grant-writing team - what your success rate has been, how you find grant opportunities that have actually funded your cause, and what your volunteer turnover is like.  We've had limited success, but have put in a lot of effort and time.  I want to be mindful of our volunteers' time, and would like to use their skills in a meaningful way and would appreciate any insights, suggestions, etc.

Thanks!

Jenn

Hello! 

The organization that I volunteer with is 100% volunteer-run, and we are doing some grant-writing for the first time this year.   I am curious as to what the experience is of other rescues with a grant-writing team - what your success rate has been, how you find grant opportunities that have actually funded your cause, and what your volunteer turnover is like.  We've had limited success, but have put in a lot of effort and time.  I want to be mindful of our volunteers' time, and would like to use their skills in a meaningful way and would appreciate any insights, suggestions, etc.

Thanks!

Jenn

Hi Jenn--we've had significant success with grants over the past 5 years.  In many instances, our first request is denied, but after 2 or 3 tries, we're accepted and become regular recipients.  I'd just say don't let the first no discourage you!  We've really expanded how we approach grant funders to really think about how we can match our work to their priorities and it's worked very well for us.  We use Candid to search for new grants but even a Google search can turn up something we hadn't seen before.  Hope that's helpful--feel free to reach out directly if I can be of any further help.

Robin Olson

Director of Development

Indraloka

robin@indraloka.org

Hello! 

The organization that I volunteer with is 100% volunteer-run, and we are doing some grant-writing for the first time this year.   I am curious as to what the experience is of other rescues with a grant-writing team - what your success rate has been, how you find grant opportunities that have actually funded your cause, and what your volunteer turnover is like.  We've had limited success, but have put in a lot of effort and time.  I want to be mindful of our volunteers' time, and would like to use their skills in a meaningful way and would appreciate any insights, suggestions, etc.

Thanks!

Jenn

Hi Jenn--we've had significant success with grants over the past 5 years.  In many instances, our first request is denied, but after 2 or 3 tries, we're accepted and become regular recipients.  I'd just say don't let the first no discourage you!  We've really expanded how we approach grant funders to really think about how we can match our work to their priorities and it's worked very well for us.  We use Candid to search for new grants but even a Google search can turn up something we hadn't seen before.  Hope that's helpful--feel free to reach out directly if I can be of any further help.

Robin Olson

Director of Development

Indraloka

robin@indraloka.org

Hello! 

The organization that I volunteer with is 100% volunteer-run, and we are doing some grant-writing for the first time this year.   I am curious as to what the experience is of other rescues with a grant-writing team - what your success rate has been, how you find grant opportunities that have actually funded your cause, and what your volunteer turnover is like.  We've had limited success, but have put in a lot of effort and time.  I want to be mindful of our volunteers' time, and would like to use their skills in a meaningful way and would appreciate any insights, suggestions, etc.

Thanks!

Jenn