For 30 years, The Rhode Island Foundation has taken a leading role in issues relating to the humane treatment and protection of animals. From funding statewide education programs, to supporting low-cost spay and neuter clinics, to preserving habitats for threatened species, the Foundation has made a difference in the lives of animals.
Throughout the state, six special funds have made this work possible. The Virginia B. Butler Fund, established in 1978, supports programs that educate residents about the humane treatment of animals. The Abbie A. Brougham Memorial Fund was established in 1988, and focuses on support for the maintenance, care and welfare of animals. More recently, in 2005, resources from the John B. and Ruth L. Kilton Fund began in part to support animal welfare, as does the Helen Walker Raleigh Fund for Animals, established in 2006. Also in 2006, the Dawn, Gregg and Leland Weingeroff Animal Fund was established to provide for the humane treatment of animals, and the Mary Lou Crandall Fund was established to provide for the care of and prevention of cruelty to animals in the areas of Westerly, RI, and Stonington, CT. These funds together generate more than $490,000 in funds for grants annually.
GRANT OPPORTUNITIES
Please use the 2008 Program for Animal Welfare Grant Application to apply for Immediate Assistance grants.
Immediate Assistance Grants, under $5,000, offer funding for two types of immediate needs: emergency assistance and technical assistance. Emergency assistance will be considered for those projects or organizations faced with an urgent unforeseen need relating to the welfare of animals. Technical assistance grants will support nonprofits wishing to purchase consulting services or pay for educational materials, for example, for which funding is not otherwise available. Applications for these grants may be made throughout the year.
Please use the Professional Development Mini-Grants application for the following.
Professional Development Mini-Grants are designed for management, staff, board members or volunteers of Rhode Island humane organizations and are available for those who wish to increase their professional knowledge and skills. The grant provides up to $2,000 toward the costs of travel, conference fees and expenses so that animal humane education professionals may attend conferences in which they would otherwise be unable to participate. This grant may also be used to bring outside educators to Rhode Island as presenters before local audiences. Applications may be made throughout the year and should be submitted six weeks prior to conference dates.
WHO CAN APPLY
The Program for Animal Welfare supports grants to organizations working to promote and/or provide humane treatment of animals, and to organizations working more generally on the welfare of animals, including wildlife, endangered species, companion animals and training for assistance animals. The Rhode Island Foundation makes grants to non-profit 501(c)3 groups. We do not make grants to individuals.
An organization may apply for more than one grant, or to grants in different categories, but we recommend that you contact a Community Philanthropy staff member to discuss your proposals prior to doing so.
We encourage you to contact Owen Heleen, senior community philanthropy officer, to discuss your project ideas and ask questions, either by email at oheleen@rifoundation.org or by calling our office at (401)274-4564.
Additional application forms are available on the Foundation’s website, www.rifoundation.org, or by calling Libby Monahan at The Rhode Island Foundation at (401) 274-4564.
Please submit applications to:
Ms. Libby Monahan
The Rhode Island Foundation
One Union Station
Providence, RI 02903
APPLICATIONS:
