For my first grant at least, Im asking for the maximum amount that the first sponser is willing to award ($5000) rather than asking for just what we need. So in a way, I guess Im tailoring my project to meet that $5000 limit. The tractor project is definitely going to be over $5000, so having the in-kind and cash matching terminology from Chapter 12 will definitely be a huge help.
I found the section in the reading about calculating indirect costs to be very interesting. I have not tried to calculate the indirect costs for Habitat for Horses yet, but I feel like the percentage is going to be pretty high. Knowing how to ... make that number appear smaller at times could definitely be useful knowledge too.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Week 8 - Updates
I am slowly working through this lengthy application for the Bernice Barbour Foundation. The due date is July 31, so at least there's not a huge time crunch (just class deadlines!).
Based on everyone's great feedback last week, I have updated my paragraph for Question 17: Describe the project for which funding is being requested, and I have written my response to Question 12: Mission Statement. Question 12 was challenging because it is supposed to be approximately 6 lines.
17. On February 23, 2010, Jason Meduna was sentenced to 40 - 120 months in prison after being convicted on 145 felony counts of animal cruelty. 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 or neglect they previously suffered.
The approximate cost to prepare one horse for adoption is $1500 - $2500. New rescues receive dental care, vaccinations, deworming, farrier visits, and approximately $200 per month 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 recently rescued horses. Your money will ensure that two horses find loving, permanent homes, and that two families find new lifelong friends.
12. Mission of the Organization – (6 lines) Habitat for Horses seeks to promote and secure the safety and physical well being of all horses. We are dedicated to changing the lives of horses and humans through rescue, adoption, education, and equine-assisted programs. HfH believes that education, commitment and understanding can bring about change in how horses are cared for and treated both by individuals and in society.
Based on everyone's great feedback last week, I have updated my paragraph for Question 17: Describe the project for which funding is being requested, and I have written my response to Question 12: Mission Statement. Question 12 was challenging because it is supposed to be approximately 6 lines.
17. On February 23, 2010, Jason Meduna was sentenced to 40 - 120 months in prison after being convicted on 145 felony counts of animal cruelty. 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 or neglect they previously suffered.
The approximate cost to prepare one horse for adoption is $1500 - $2500. New rescues receive dental care, vaccinations, deworming, farrier visits, and approximately $200 per month 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 recently rescued horses. Your money will ensure that two horses find loving, permanent homes, and that two families find new lifelong friends.
12. Mission of the Organization – (6 lines) Habitat for Horses seeks to promote and secure the safety and physical well being of all horses. We are dedicated to changing the lives of horses and humans through rescue, adoption, education, and equine-assisted programs. HfH believes that education, commitment and understanding can bring about change in how horses are cared for and treated both by individuals and in society.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Weekly Update
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.
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.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Weekly Update
Updates are still a bit slow on my projects, but at least I now have two (well, pretty much) concrete projects determined. I am very excited to be working with Habitat for Horses' regular grant writer (who happens to be a full time grant writer for the American Heart Association)- I know I will be able to learn a lot from her this semester. She sent me a great spreadsheet of all the grants/funding opportunities they are currently looking into, and I will try to get it posted on here as soon as Excel and I learn to cooperate. I have also had a chance to review their two recent successful proposals, and some letters of intent they have written.
Our first grant is going to be either looking for a tractor/backhoe or the funds to purchase one. One possible tractor is the 2000 CASE 580SL Backhoe Loader- for a new one, we're looking at around $25,000; a used one in decent condition would probably be around $15,000. I'd like to approach some local companies like Tractor Supply and Bechtel to see if they would be willing to help out or make an equipment donation.
The second grant is not really for a project, but rather for operating funds. I know Dr. Rice has said most foundations will not award grants just for operating funds, so this may be a little more difficult. The farm was recently audited by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries who recommended that the farm should have at least $115,000 cash on hand at any given point in case of emergency. The farm's annual budget is about $300,000 per year, and it costs approximately $1000 per day to maintain the farm, so there is obviously not much of a cushion right now.
Our first grant is going to be either looking for a tractor/backhoe or the funds to purchase one. One possible tractor is the 2000 CASE 580SL Backhoe Loader- for a new one, we're looking at around $25,000; a used one in decent condition would probably be around $15,000. I'd like to approach some local companies like Tractor Supply and Bechtel to see if they would be willing to help out or make an equipment donation.
The second grant is not really for a project, but rather for operating funds. I know Dr. Rice has said most foundations will not award grants just for operating funds, so this may be a little more difficult. The farm was recently audited by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries who recommended that the farm should have at least $115,000 cash on hand at any given point in case of emergency. The farm's annual budget is about $300,000 per year, and it costs approximately $1000 per day to maintain the farm, so there is obviously not much of a cushion right now.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
First Paragraph
Sorry, this post is a little late because my grant-writing partner and I have not solidified any plans yet. I'm going to approach this post as if we are definitely applying to the EQUUS Foundation for a grant for general operations. The EQUUS Foundation does specify that they will award grants for general ops.
"Habitat for Horses, Inc. (HfH), located in Hitchcock, Texas, is one of the largest non-profit equine protection agencies in the country. HfH appreciates and fosters the important role horses play in society. We coordinate with law enforcement to provide equine rescue services, operate an equine adoption program to place horses in loving, forever homes, and provide rehabilitation and sustainable lifetime care for horses that are too affected to be adopted. HfH also provides educational opportunities to teach youth and adults to appreciate the contributions horses make to civilization. To date, HfH has saved thousands of these beautiful creatures from suffering, abuse, and even death.
The current financial situation has led to an increase in unwanted/improperly cared for horses that are in need of a safe haven. HfH has been in operation for over 12 years, and will continue to foster horse health and wellfare by providing rehabilitation services, care and a chance for mutually beneficial adoptions.
"Habitat for Horses, Inc. (HfH), located in Hitchcock, Texas, is one of the largest non-profit equine protection agencies in the country. HfH appreciates and fosters the important role horses play in society. We coordinate with law enforcement to provide equine rescue services, operate an equine adoption program to place horses in loving, forever homes, and provide rehabilitation and sustainable lifetime care for horses that are too affected to be adopted. HfH also provides educational opportunities to teach youth and adults to appreciate the contributions horses make to civilization. To date, HfH has saved thousands of these beautiful creatures from suffering, abuse, and even death.
The current financial situation has led to an increase in unwanted/improperly cared for horses that are in need of a safe haven. HfH has been in operation for over 12 years, and will continue to foster horse health and wellfare by providing rehabilitation services, care and a chance for mutually beneficial adoptions.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Problem Mapping
I had a great phone meeting today with Olympia, the current grant writer for Habitat for Horses. She has several foundations already selected to apply to for funds, and she is planning to take a look at the EQUUS Foundation as well. She had never heard of EQUUS, so it was nice to feel like I had something valuable to contribute to the conversation!
Right now, the three top priorities for the organization are obtaining a new tractor (the old one is in the 'tractor hospital,' and with $1000 worth of repairs will be usable, but only for so long...), increased cash reserves (they recently underwent an audit by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries, who advised having at least $115,000 cash on hand at any given time), and general operating costs (operating costs are approximately $1000 per day).
We don't have a solid solution in mind yet, so for the mapping assignment, I have created a map of my 'conversation' with myself about the problem.
Right now, the three top priorities for the organization are obtaining a new tractor (the old one is in the 'tractor hospital,' and with $1000 worth of repairs will be usable, but only for so long...), increased cash reserves (they recently underwent an audit by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries, who advised having at least $115,000 cash on hand at any given time), and general operating costs (operating costs are approximately $1000 per day).
We don't have a solid solution in mind yet, so for the mapping assignment, I have created a map of my 'conversation' with myself about the problem.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Thesis Statement
I have a phone date set up with my organization for this Wednesday, just before class, so I still dont have a specific proposal/project narrowed down. I'm going to post my attempt at a 'thesis statement,' but I'm afraid it might be a little on the generic side.
Tens of thousands of often young and healthy horses in the United States are abused, neglected, or shipped out of the country for horse slaughter each year. We believe that change begins with education, and seek to rescue and rehabilitate abused horses and provide them with useful careers educating America's youth.
Again, I'm afraid its very generic, since I have not narrowed down a specific 'mission' yet with my organization, so obviously lack of specifics could be an issue someone would have with my thesis statement. Once I have a specific project in mind, I think I will be able to provide more facts and statistics, which will be backed up by case studies and examples, to help mitigate concerns about the statement.
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