The first foundation I am applying to for a grant is The Bernice Barbour Foundation. They provide Animal Welfare Grants, with top priorities being large animals and adoption programs, so this should be a very good fit. They have an actual application (which looks to be pretty strict) that has to be filled out and mailed in in order to be considered for funding. They generally award grants from $500 - $5000, so I am going to try asking for $5000. They do allow you to ask for funding for two different projects on the same application, so I am considering that option.
The one I am definitely going to ask for is money for Habitat for Horses' adoption program. Recently it has been in the news that Jason Meduna, a Nevada ranch owner who had over 100 horses siezed from his property, was convicted of 145 counts (out of 149) of felony animal cruelty and sentenced to 40 - 120 months in jail, plus fines. Habitat for Horses is one of a few rescues who took some of those horses (I am still waiting to hear back from the owner to find out more specifics, unfortunately), but since this is a pretty recent/relevant issue, I am asking for $5000 to prepare the horses for adoption.
The application asks you to describe the project for which funding is being requested, and the response is supposed to be about 12 lines. So here goes...
On February 23, 2010, Jason Meduna of Bridgeport, Nevada was sentenced to 40 - 120 months in prison after being convicted of 145 Class IV felony counts of animal cruelty resulting in serious injury, illness or death. One hundred thirteen critically ill or injured horses were found on Meduna’s property, along with the carcasses of thirty one dead horses.
Habitat for Horses assisted with the rescue of X horses from Meduna’s property, and is now seeking to place these horses in their adoption program. Habitat for Horses has a strict adoption program which follows guidelines set forth by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries to ensure that adopted horses never face the same cruelty/neglect they previously suffered.
The approximate cost to prepare one horse for adoption is $1500 - $2500. New recsues receive dental care, vaccinations, deworming, farrier visits, and approximately $200 per day worth of feed and hay, along with any other miscellaneous veterinary expenses, plus professional evaluation and training before they are ready to be adopted. We are requesting funding in the amount of $5000 to support the adoption process for two new rescued horses.
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HeatherM says, "probably not - the last sentence was a bit of a cop-out because I still havent heard back from the owner about specifics"
ReplyDeleteDominic says, "the opening is very compelling and in your face...kind of like those SPCA commercials."
You say, "two of how many, approximately? Would it be compelling to point out that you're only asking for 2 when there are, say 200 horses?"
Dominic says, "i like it alot"
HeatherM [to Rich]: "I kind of thought about that some, but I was worried that it would seem then like their money wasnt going very far
AmandaS says, "I like the specifics Heather, it also helped me see where to improve mine"
You say, "okay, don't shoot me for writing this, but why not just put the horses down?"
Rich [to HeatherM]: yeah, that's a tough call
RichardB says, "ooh Rich is in trouble :)"
AmandaS says, "what is the stance from the Barbour foundation on animal treatment?"
Dominic says, "so I'll be reporting Rich Rice to PETA..."
Rich runs.
Boot says, "Illegal"
HeatherM says, "They evaluate to determine whether they think the horse is in good enough condition that it can enjoy life ... if it is too sick, etc, they do put them down"
Boot says, "A vet has to euthinze them I think"
You say, "so, that's not a question that would cross a committee member's mind?"
You say, "that is..."
You say, "is this presssing, NOW?"
You say, "why is it imperative that this gets funded right now?"
AmandaS says, "what happens to horses if you dont get the grant"
HeatherM says, "thats what I was hoping to address by using this example ... there are siezures happening every day - people are still abusing horses in large numbers"
Rich nods to Amanda.
HeatherM is furiously taking notes
You say, "you do a little of that in the first sentence. Let me be brutal, though: there are carcasses. They're already dead. How many are still alive?"
HeatherM says, "31 were already dead and two more had to be euthanized, if my math is right ... 111?"
HeatherM says, "HfH did not get all of them though"
AmandaS says, "would it also be helpful to show that you are not asking them to fund the adoption costs for all the horses they are taking in, just two?"
You say, "and are those alive ones costing how much? Don't know if all that needs to be in there, but it's a question I'd ask if I were trying to think about funding this."
Brett says, "Or these horses will DIE!"
Brett (asleep) has disconnected.
Rich nods
AmandaS [to Heather] "you could take out the sentencing aspect of Meduna's case since it does not have relevance to what you are asking
AmandaS says, "just leave the 145 counts to show severity"
HeatherM [to AmandaS]: "Ok, I might try that - I do need to cut some
Rich nods.
AmandaS says, "can't think of anything else to change. Do you have a deadline for this since it is an ongoing rescue?"
HeatherM says, "submission deadline is 07/31/10"
The housekeeper arrives to cart Brett off to bed.
HeatherM says, "so i have some time ... I almost wish it was closer, so I'd know sooner, and so I'd have some more pressure :)"
AmandaS says, "if you are profiling a Feb instance of cruelty, will the costs be to cover the fees incurred to date for the two horses? "
You say, "Thanks, Heather. I think it's pretty well written, but it could be tighter."
Brett arrives from Classrooms (all)
Brett crawls out of the wormhole he apparently fell into
HeatherM says, "thanks for the suggestions everyone!"
You say, "if they can find a hole, or if they have questions that are significant that aren't answered, that's the type of thing you want to deal with"
Keep us posted!
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