2009 Grantees

First Step Grants

The Binky Foundation has supported a wide variety of organizations that exemplify our mission. In 2009, we awarded two First Steps grants to the following:

• An Ohio based organization animal rescue organization to support its veterinary care program. (Ohio Pro Life Animal Rescue, Inc.)
• A Colorado based organization devoted to conserving birds and their habitat in support of its environmental education program. (Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory)

Congratulations to Maeve Gallaghar!

We were also very pleased to provide a Step Up Student Grant to a ninth grade home schooler in Western Massachusetts in support of her effort to collect food and supplies for a local animal shelter that was facing difficult times in a down economy. Our thanks and congratulations to Maeve Gallaghar (see her picture below with the results of her efforts!) for teaching us that big hearts are more important than big money in helping our animal friends.

We also awarded three new Forward Steps grants in 2009 to the following:

• The Not-Home-Alone pet care project of the New York City Mayor’s Alliance for Animals, helping hospitals develop and implement programs to assist patients find care for their pets of during hospital stays. (www.nothomealonenyc.com)
• A Mid-Western nature center in support of an unusual scientific project to study the effectiveness of using goats to remove invasive plant species to restore animal and bird habitat. (Pringle Nature Center, Inc.)
• A California based organization devoted to strengthening the bond between animals and people through emergency shelters, disaster relief services, financial assistance and education. We are supporting its Humane Education Ambassador Reader (HEAR) program, a volunteer reader program for young children. (United Animal Nations) for information on its LifeLine Grant Program providing financial assistance for veterinary care, go to www.uan.org/lifeline.

Forward Steps Grants

The Binky Foundation also continues to support a number of organizations that provide significant and important services to animals and their habitat, including grants to:

• A small refuge in Southern New Jersey providing a haven for beavers, other indigenous wildlife and migratory birds, protecting them from encroachments of farmers, hunters and civilized development. (Unexpected Wildlife Refuge)
• An organization in Central New Jersey providing for the rehabilitation and re-entry in to the wild of injured or orphaned raptors and other birds, most of which are harmed by their proximity to the New York metropolis. (The Raptor Trust)
• A conservation organization in Alaska supporting the protection of wildlife and their habitats through partnerships with business, native interests or local communities on matters of common concern and mutual benefit. (Northern Alaska Environmental Center)
• Provide educational internships through conservation groups with compatible goals and excellent educational track records. (Alaska Conservation Foundation)
• Provide a sanctuary for abandoned or abused farm animals in Upstate New York (Catskill Animal Sanctuary)
• Support an environmental law fellowship dedicated to wildlife protection initiatives in the Midwest (Environmental Law & Policy Center)
• A nationally and internationally know animal sanctuary in support of its educational programs (Best Friends Animal Society)