2013 Report to Friends of the Binky Foundation

2013 has been another fulfilling year for The Binky Foundation! Even with its ups and downs – mostly ups – we continue to be amazed by the number of compassionate, dedicated people across the country who are working to protect, rescue and care for domestic and wild animals and their habitats.

This past year was also another step in our effort to refocus on the First Steps Grant Program, a smaller grant that lets us better use our limited resources for the greatest return. This program is consistent with our objective of supporting specific initiatives, particularly in their early stages, which help small, local organizations get a firm basis for future sustainability. During 2013 we awarded a total of 31 grants to organizations in 18 states under our First Steps Program.

As our experience in reviewing and analyzing applications over the years has grown, we have been able to significantly broaden our understanding of how shelters, clinics, rescue organizations, sanctuaries and other support groups operate successfully. This increased expertise not only allows us to be more discriminating in our awarding of grants, but also has provided us with a platform for helping applicants whose compassion and desire is on target, but whose business planning is lacking or is in need of guidance. In many cases, even where we have declined to award a grant, we have directed the applicant to appropriate resources that can help them find the resources they need for proper planning to achieve a successful result.

Also, as a result of our growing experience and expertise, we are in the process of revising our application forms to better meet our needs and guide applicants to focus on the important details. We hope to launch these new forms on our website after the New Year in time for our next grant window – March 1, 2014.

As we have done for the past few years, we will post details about the wonderful work of our 2013 grantees on our website, www.binkyfoundation.org after the New Year. While checking our website, do not forget our Remembrance page, which continues to be very popular as a means of honoring our lost but never forgotten animal friends and companions.

Many thanks for your interest in our efforts, and please know that 100% of any donations received from our friends will be used in support of our First Steps Grant Program.

Michalina Bickford

Kathleen Bickford Berzock

Peter Bickford