Individuals in any field are eligible for relatively few grants. The bulk of grants funding goes to registered 501(c)3 tax-exempt nonprofit organizations. Since nonprofits focus on various fields and grants are competitive, grant writers or applicants should make sure the funding for which the particular organization applies suits the mission and purpose of the funding entity.
DJ&T Foundation
This animal welfare foundation, founded by TV personality and animal advocate Bob Barker, provides funding to nonprofit organizations for establishing spay/neuter mobile or on-site clinics, equipment purchases and transport vehicles for spay/neuter programs. The foundation also offers the Spay/Neuter Assistance Program (SNAP) for nonprofit animal welfare organizations conducting low-cost spay/neuter for companion animals, especially dogs. The target population consists of large to medium-size dogs.
Ford Foundation
In any given year, the Ford Foundation receives approximately 44,000 grant requests from nonprofit organizations, and funds about 2,000 of them. The foundation focuses on proposals from nonprofit organizations that help alleviate poverty and injustice and aid in social change. Applicants must carefully outline the proposal, including budget and time frame for the project, staff and the issues addressed. Funded throughout the year, all grants are monitored by the Ford Foundation, including required site visits, regular updates and financial reports.
National Park Service
The National Park Service provides grants to various nonprofit organizations involved with the cultural heritage of the United States. These include funding for battlefield protection and preservation, rehabilitation work on buildings on historically black college campuses, protection of Native American grave-sites and general historic preservation. The National Park Service administers the Save America's Treasures grants to nonprofit and government agencies to conserve artifacts and buildings of national significance.
Ben and Jerry's Foundation for Social Justice
Ben and Jerry's is about more than ice cream. The Ben and Jerry's Foundation for Social Justice sponsors the National Grassroots Grant program for nonprofit organizations focusing on environmental issues, social justice and systems of sustainable food. Grants of up to $15,000 are available for nonprofits with annual budgets under $500,000. Religious organizations, non-U.S. based and social service organizations are ineligible. Funding priorities go to nonprofit organizations, each of which is "working to transform the consciousness of its constituents and the wider community to make them aware of the systemic nature of the problem."
Tags: nonprofit organizations, Ford Foundation, National Park, National Park Service, Park Service, spay neuter, animal welfare