Grants
Applying for Grants
Fifteen to twenty percent of the average established nonprofit’s budget comes from grants. Equine oriented grants may be offered by the following:
- National animal welfare organizations
- Corporate foundations
- Family foundations
- Private foundations
www.Grantspace.org, a service of the Foundation Center, offers a free webinar entitled Introduction to Finding Funders which helps listeners utilize the Foundation Center Directory. This Directory will be your key to finding local and regional funders as well as the national funders that consider applications from nonprofits all over the country – or even the world. The Foundation Center Directory can be accessed on-line by paying a monthly or annual fee or by going to one of the 470 Funding Information Network locations across the world. To find the location nearest you, go to www.foundationcenter.org.
In addition to the organizations at www.animalgrantmakers.org that fund equine projects, a partial list of equine welfare funders includes the following:
- AAEP Founation for the Horse
- After the Finish Line
- Albert Schweitzer Animal Welfare Fund provides funding to U.S. based 501(c)(3) organizations that promote humane education, humane sheltering, solutions to overpopulation and animal protection.
- Animal Assistance Fund
- Animal Sheltering Online provides listings of grant opportunities for municipal agencies and non profit organizations
- Association for Animal Welfare Advancement
- ASPCA Equine Fund provides provides grants to U.S. nonprofit equine welfare organizations and other animal welfare organizations that care for horses, mules, donkeys and ponies in alignment with our efforts to protect all equines.
- Banfield Foundation funds U.S. programs designed to keep pets and owners together. Various opportunities exist for 501(c)(3) organizations. Disaster Relief Grants provide financial support to nonprofit animal organizations and/or local or state governments whose communities have suffered the impact of natural or other disasters.
- Botstiber Animal Rescue Fund (Pennsylvania)
- Brennan Equine Welfare Fund
- CARMA for Horses (California)
- Emily Vernon Foundation
- Equine Protection Fund
- Equus Foundation
- Fleet of Angels
- Horses First Fund – Administered by TCA, the Horses First Fund was established in 2016 by LNJ Foxwoods to assist Thoroughbreds and their caretakers in need of emergency aid due to large scale neglect, natural disaster, or other catastrophe.
- The Kenneth A. Scott Charitable Trust invites proposals from active 501(c)(3) humane organizations based in the USA for projects designed to enhance the well-being of animals in Ohio, elsewhere in the Great Lakes region(IL, IN, MI, WI, Western PA, Upstate NY, and Northeastern MN), or in the Nation as a whole.
- Kentucky Horse Council’s Save Our Horse Fund
- Laura J. Niles Foundation funds 501(c)(3) organizations, primarily in the Northeastern U.S., with initiatives that support people and animals simultaneously. Areas of concentration include canine health research, animal protection & adoption, search & rescue training, human assistance and similar fields of interest.
- PETCO Foundation offers disaster assistance and pet food bank support to municipal and private organizations.
- Petfinder Foundation Diaster Grants offers support for disaster preparation and recovery, enrichment, pet sponsorship and vaccinations to Petfinder members. Municipal and private agencies are eligible.
- PetSmart Charities, Inc. offers help in the event of a large-scale natural disaster. Funds are available to assist during the rescue, relief, and/or recovery stages caused by unforeseen disasters.
- National Equine Rescue Resources
- New Jersey Horse Council Rescue Fund
- North Carolina Horse Council Health & Research Grants
- One Horse At a Time
- Red Rover Resources for Horses
- South Carolina Horse Council: Horse Health Hotline
- The Summerlee Foundation funds 501(c)(3) organizations according to specific program criteria, including a US focus on cats, wildlife rehabilitation and sanctuaries, and emergency funding.
- Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance
- Thoroughbred Charities of America
- Wisconsin Horse Council: Grants
- USA Equestrian Trust
Other Resources
- Find additional funding opportunities by visiting Animal Grantmakers, an affinity group of foundations and organizations making grants to benefit animals.
- Use the Foundation Center’s Foundation Stats tool to explore the top funders of animal-related programs.
- Find funding specific to your state and geographic are using The Grantsmanship Center’s map tool.
And More
Important things to remember when applying for a grant:
- Carefully read all directions, requirements and deadlines and then adhere to them.
- When there are submission deadlines, don’t wait until the last minute to apply.
- Make sure to include all requested documents.
- Before submitting, review for spelling, typing and grammatical errors.
- If declined, respond in a gracious manner – or chances for future funding may be ruined.
- If accepted, personally thank and publicly acknowledge the grant in a timely manner.
- Get progress and/or final reports in on time and in the manner requested.