Three Questions the GRF Asks:

• Is the request pertinent to the GRF's purposes?
• Is the group creditable (giving evidence of outside financial support, best accounting and operating practices, successful with its mission, longevity, references, etc.?)
• Does the GRF have the money?

Things to Consider:

• Philanthropy that does not have demonstrable outside support becomes welfare or paternalism.
• Funding operating expenses decreases a group's reliance on local support.
• Large grants often work best if they grow out of relationships that are established by small grants.

What the GRF does fund (but is not limited to)

• Capital expenditures (kennels, phone line installation, etc.)
• Infrastructure building (501(c)3 incorporating, etc.)
  
• Jump starting well defined, fund raising projects
  
• Public education projects with a specific focus
• Expansion plans that increase a group's effectiveness
• Emergency funds for natural disaster events and puppy mill closings
• Peer reviewed canine medical research studies
  
• Medical expenses for rescued dogs

What the GRF does NOT fund:

• General operating expenses for any group or individual (except April Fund grants)
• Debt reduction
• Wages or other financial enrichment of individuals or groups (except medical research studies)
• Endowment funds
• Grant requests from groups or individuals that show little or no other funding sources
  besides the GRF
  
• Purchases at puppy mill auctions or dispersal sales.

What the GRF requires:

• Completed GRF application form;
  
• Participation in GRCA's National Rescue Committee's annual survey, if the grantee
  is a Rescue group;
  
• 501(c)3 status for groups with requests in excess of $3,000;
  
• Grant money be used for the stipulated purposes;
  
• Report on the use of the grant, its effectiveness for the group and any other pertinent information. This report is to be filed with the GRF within a year of receiving the grant;
  
• Acknowledgment of the GRF's grant in appropriate grantee publicity.

Note: Requests that show other financial support are preferred over requests that ask for 100%
funding from the GRF.

Funding Cycles:

The GRF does not have specific funding cycles with grant request deadlines.

Additional Comments on Grants:

The GRF has tried to keep its policy broad in order to accommodate the variety of requests that come into the Foundation. It is the intent of the Foundation to be flexible in analyzing these requests and the applicants. The Directors recognize that there are many roads to Mecca. This is particularly true in Rescue. Groups grow out of their local conditions and this is part of each group's strength. However, there are certain minimal standards which the Foundation must apply to all applicants. These standards involve the fiscal responsibility and the reliability of the applicant. The Foundation is a public entity using public funds. Accountability to the public and to the IRS is part of the Foundation's responsibility.

If you are not sure how to fill out an application or whether your request falls within the guidelines, please contact us directly by e-mailing, writing or calling any of the directors. The GRF's purpose is to help.