Animal Welfare Professionals

Hi everyone.  I have recently founded a new 501(c)(3) nonprofit called The Bobo Fund. The Bobo Fund was founded in memory of my dachshund, Bobo, who suffered from an array of chronic illnesses like Cushing's disease, hypothyroidism, and chronic pancreatitis. The mission of this organization is to provide assistance to pet owners facing financial hardship, ensuring that their beloved pets with chronic illnesses receive the essential medication they need. This mission is very personal to me because of Bobo, but also because I have worked in the nonprofit veterinary and shelter industry for over 10 years, so keeping pets with their families and out of shelters is very important to me! 

We are a very newly established organization and still in the initial fundraising stages, and I have done some research on organizations that offer "start-up" grants to new nonprofits. One is The Binky Foundation and part of the process is: One or more principals of the organization (i.e., founder, officer, director, manager or key personnel) has, within three-years of submitting its application, successfully completed a recognized workshop or training program, or a series of in-person or online seminars, or can demonstrate a comparable level of experience or education, that combines the business aspects of running a non-profit entity with specialty training in operating an animal welfare organization.

It recommends Maddie's University courses as a possible option for fulfilling this requirement and I didn't know 1) if anyone had applied for this grant, 2) if you have any courses that you recommend that might meet this requirement and 3) if you have any other recommendations for start-up grants?

Thank you for any information!