charity funding

[meg1]

I just wanted to vent my spleen a bit.

As you all know Northumberland Rabbit & Small Animal Rescue has been up and running now for around two months, however it is seemingly impossible to get any financial assistance unless you are a massive organisation. We are operating out of two small houses and  have so many bunnies we are now at saturation point, but that does not seem to matter to anyone we have contacted for help.

A supposed “charitable foundation” who will remain nameless has said we are not established enough to warrant a grant. Although how established you need to be to require a bit of help is beyond me. We have contacted major companies to ask for their help to advertise/provide raffle prizes (tiny little things, which would cost them hardly anything at all) and have been refused because we are “not large enough” “not established enough” “not recognised enough” to warrant their support!!!! These are multi million pound companies who have so much cash they don’t know what to do with it, but won’t even donate a few measly bottles of wine for a raffle, or let us put posters on their notice boards!!! I am so frustrated and feel as though I’m letting down the bunnies we’ve got. We are having to turn buns away now because we do not have hutches to put them in.

My faith in human nature is waning…..

[Sarita]

I don’t know how grants work for you over there but over here it’s extremely competitive to get grants and they are few and far between.

As for donations I would go with some smaller places rather than major establishments – we have more success with them for donations for our raffles.

We get most of our cash donations from previous adopters – we have a “membership” list that we send out emails to on various things as well – it’s a yahoo list.

Also, do you sell items? This is a good way to raise money for your group too.

[Nicci607]

hi meg 

you just have to take it day by day. eventually you WILL be ‘established’ and well known.

I know this website is for the US but it might help you get some ideas for fundraising, resources etc.

check it out:

 

http://www.helpingacause4paws.org/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[MarkBun]

Unfortunately, some companies won’t “invest” in someone or something that hasn’t been around for at least a year. They don’t wan to get the reputation of being someone who hands out cash to people who just start something up. They need to know that you are not a ‘fly by night’ group that will take the money then disband. It sucks, but it is true.

I still haven’t received any info about making personal donations, BTW. I had promised to do so when you first posted.

Oh, and K&K, I’ll get you a contribution too once you are non-profit.

[osprey]

We have a volunteer whose main task is applications for grants. We get some, but we don’t get a lot more. It is a lot of work and requires someone who understands the grant reviewing process and can put in the time to research the grants that are available and tailor a proposal for each. Sometimes we pitch spay/neuter, sometimes vet bills for special needs bunnies, sometimes it is equipment like audio/video for education events. It really depends on what organization is giving the grant. Raising money when your organization is young is very difficult. It will be your hardest task as you try to help more bunnies.

[MooBunnay]

I’m sorry to hear that you are having difficulties with getting donations and grants – it is always difficult to get people to give away their money. I agree that selling items may be a good way to get some income. Is it very easy to buy hay in the area that you are in? If not, selling hay can be a good idea. Also, consider networking with other more “established” rescues. A lot of dog and cat rescues get a lot my publicity, so why not tell them your predicament and ask if you can be associated with them – like their “rabbit division” ?

Here is a link to Best Friends Animal Rescue network – try networking with some people that are members, I bet that Best Friends has a lot of good potential ideas and resources: http://network.bestfriends.org/

[Author]

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