Sample Grant Application

We hope this gives your organization a good idea of what our grant application looks like. Please read through our suggestions to help make your application stand out. For a downloadable and printable version of the sample application, please click here.
Please tell us about your organization, include why you are requesting this grant and how the funds will be utilized.
  • In this question, we’d love to hear about how your organization got started to where it is today.
  • Make sure to include any specific projects that you are working on that this grant might be utilized for, or if there are any specific animals in need. We would love to see a clear representation of how the funds would be used. The more specific, the better.
  • If you have a mission statement, this is a great place to include it!
  • Do you have a specific type of animal you are dedicated to working with? Let’s hear about it!
  • Overall, heartfelt and detailed responses will really raise your application to the top of the pack! We love hearing about the work rescues are doing and the more info you can provide the better.
What is your average annual receipt of donations and/or adoption fees? How much does the organization spend annually on vet care/medications/food, etc? On average, how much does the organization spend annually on operating and administrative costs (including salaries)?
  • In order to qualify for our grant, we are looking for groups that have an annual receipt of donations of $40,000 or less. If you feel you are close to that mark with maybe a little over, please apply and we will take the rest of the application into consideration as to whether or not the rescue qualifies.
Do you have a social media presence?
  • We are looking for rescues who are active in their community! Please be sure to include links to your Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and any other platforms you are active on.
  • We would love to stay connected after the grant cycle concludes!
Does the organization have a website?
  • Your website should be easy to read and easy to find information on.
  • Ideally we’d like to easily be able to find your contact information and board information on your site as well as your mission statement
  • Your website should also be kept up to date, the more recent information the better!
Does the organization have a working relationship with any animal shelters?
  • Please list the animal shelters you have partnerships with in your community.
  • If your organization works with more at risk shelters, we will put a higher emphasis on those applications.
Is the organization on GuideStar?
  • Pretty simple yes or no on this one! Pro tip: aim for that Platinum Seal of Transparency - you can do it!
Please list your board of directors and their duties.
  • We’d like to hear about what your board of directors do in your rescue. The more active your board members are in the community, the better!
How long as your organization been in operation?
  • For this question, we’d like to hear about how long your organization has been around, but longevity won’t necessarily score you high points. We’d like to hear about what you’ve focused on during the time you’ve been in operation and hear about how many animals you’ve helped, what you’ve done for the community during your active time, etc.
  • You might be an organization that’s only been around for 3-5 years, but if you’ve done a lot to help animals in that time we know that outweighs a longer standing organization that may have slowed down in recent years