2018 Report to Friends of The Binky Foundation

Our First Steps Grant Program continues to introduce us to amazing people across the country who are devoted to help protect and care for animals of all sorts and often under incredibly challenging conditions. We know we cannot help them all, but we try to focus on those with the greatest need and the greatest potential, particularly newer organizations seeking sustainability.

In the first quarter of this year, we awarded grants totaling in excess of $50,000 to 20 organizations. These grantees were among the 300+ organizations that submitted letters of inquiry in 2017 that we carried over to 2018. Because of the time it took to process the volume of requests received last year, we streamlined our application process this year. Most significantly, we created an online application process that has cut down considerably on the review process as well as making it an easier process for applicants. We also lowered the maximum grant from $2500 to $2000 so we could accommodate more organizations.

We introduced the new online process this fall, during which we received over 200 online applications. We are processing these now and will be awarding grants from these applications from now through the first quarter of 2019. Our primary focus remains on providing “First Steps” grants to new organizations with sustainable plans for future viability.

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Our updated website continues to garner positive reviews, particularly our ever-popular Remembrance page. We would love to hear from you with your comments about our website or on any other aspect of our mission. Many thanks for your continued interest in our efforts.

With appreciation from the Board,

Michalina Bickford

Kathleen Bickford Berzock

Peter Bickford