In 2012 The Binky Foundation continued to experience a major increase in grant applications. With our focus now primarily on the smaller First Steps grants, we have been able to help many more organizations that we have determined would bring long-term benefits to the grantee as opposed to simply helping with current operating expenses. Our criteria and information on our application windows for 2013 can be found on our Grant Program page.
First Step Grants
During 2012, First Steps grants of $2500 or less were awarded to a record 34 organizations in 17 states. These grants, listed below, largely reflect our mission and criteria as described on our Grant Program page:
- Cat Rescue of Maryland, Inc. (MD), to help it upgrade equipment for its Trap Lending Program.
- Wildlife Rescue Aid Project (OR), for the repair and replacement of skunk habitat pens.
- Helping the Helpless Pet Rescue (PA), to help fund its Kennel Restoration Project.
- Bend Spay and Neuter Project (OR), to fund the purchase of a Smart Tags pet tag-engraving machine for use in its clinic.
- Central Coast Humane Society (OR), to fund the purchase of materials to construct kitty yurts.
- Sart, Inc. (OH), to help fund the construction of an addition to its shelter facility and outside, screened runs for rescue cats.
- Harley’s Hope Foundation (CO), in support of its Hope Series of educational programs.
- Isaiah 11 Ministry (IN), for improvements and repairs to its facilities, including fencing, stalls, pens and running water.
- Abbe-Freeland Animal Sanctuary, Inc. (NY), for chain link and hardware for its dog play yard.
- Equine Rescue Outakuntrol (CA), to help fund the purchase of equipment, including corral panels and gates, for its Mobil Emergency Disaster/Fire Evacuation Unit.
- Utah Animal Adoption Center (UT), to fund the purchase of IV pumps for its animal clinic.
- Saving Animals for Everyone (SAFE) Sanctuary (FL), to fund the purchase of materials for micro chipping and scanning rescue animals.
- The Cat People (CA), to fund the acquisition of two kitten incubators.
- Green Acres Farm Sanctuary (OR), to help fund the construction of two chicken coops with fenced yard.
- Fairy Tail Endings, Inc. (FL), to help fund its educational Development Video Project.
- Linn County Animal Rescue (OR), to fund the purchase of stall doors for newly constructed stalls.
- Aslan’s Cats, Inc. (NY), to help fund the restoration of the heating and ventilation system in its barn damaged by Hurricane Irene.
- Homestretch Hounds, Inc. (OH), to help fund upgrades to its kennels.
- San Antonio Pets Alive! (TX), to help fund installation and restoration of donated parvo kennels.
- S.A.V.E. Rescue Coalition (TX), to help fund the formation and organization of a rescue coalition.
- Hamil Animal Wellness Foundation, Inc. (TN), to help fund the purchase of dog bite prevention DVDs for use in youth educational programs.
- Haile’s Angels Pet Rescue (FL), to help fund the purchase of a van for use in its rescue efforts.
- Homeless Animal Rescue Team (HART) of Maine (ME), in support of its Cat Behavior Modification Project.
- Sanctuary One at Double Oak Farm (OR), to fund the purchase of a shed for the rescue and care of chickens.
- Second Chance Bunnies, Inc. (CA), for improvements to its rabbit rescue and bunny sitting rooms.
- Lighthouse Farm Sanctuary (OR), in support of its project to repair and replace damaged fencing and gates.
- Whiskers & Tails Foundation, Inc. (CA), for the purchase of equipment for its kennels.
- Unchained, Inc. (CA), to help fund a pilot animal educational program.
- Kitty City Kansas Rescue (KS), to help fund the purchase of an incubator and nebulizer chambers for its clinic.
- Cocker Spaniel Rescue of Austin & San Antonio (TX), to help fund the purchase of educational materials for its Seniors for Seniors Program.
- Oaken Acres Wildlife Center (IL), to purchase an examination table for its clinic.
- All Critters Rescue, Inc. (NJ), to help fund repairs to fencing damaged by Superstorm Sandy and the subsequent snowstorm.
- Watermelon Mountain Ranch (NM), to help fund the purchase of beds, carriers and other equipment for its rescue facility.
Forward Steps Grants
Although The Binky Foundation is focused primarily on its First Steps grant program, it also provided support in 2012 for a few new larger Forward Steps programs that our grant committee determined would provide long-term, valuable benefits for animals or habitat, including:
- Forest Preserve District of DuPage County (IL), to help fund renovations to the Duck Day Enclosure at its Willowbrook Wildlife Center.
- Austin Pets Alive! (TX), to help fund the purchase of much needed equipment for its animal behavior program.
- Union Humane Society, Inc. (LA), to help support its spay/neuter program.
The Binky Foundation also continues to provide ongoing support for several “old friends”—organizations that provide significant and important services to animals—domestic and wild—and their habitat, including grants to:
- Unexpected Wildlife Refuge, 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.
- The Raptor Trust, 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 Environmental Law & Policy Center in Chicago, Illinois, in support of its Wildlife Habitat Protection Initiative and an environmental law fellowship.