The Binky Foundation

Twenty-one years ago, we created and funded The Binky Foundation as a way for us to vet and support organizations dedicated to saving animals and their habitats.  Over the years we realized that with our limited resources, both financial and organizational, we were best suited to serve small animal welfare groups just starting rather than more established groups requiring substantial funding and less guidance.  This ultimately led to our First Steps grants program, providing grants to new small animal welfare organizations based on the premise that their long-term sustainability depends on training, education and — most importantly — planning. Over the past five years, The Binky Foundation has awarded First Steps grants to almost 200 groups meeting our three basic requirements: (i) it is small and new, (ii) has appropriate experience and/or training, and (iii) has a purposeful plan to fulfill its mission.

An Ending . . .

The Binky Foundation has been one of the few organizations providing grants to newly created animal welfare organizations. Unfortunately, the unique nature of our First Steps grant program has now resulted in interest beyond our capacity to meaningfully attend to each request.  We have therefore made the difficult decision to discontinuing our First Steps grants program effective January 1, 2026.

And a Beginning . . .

But that does not mean we are abandoning the concept of our First Steps program.  We are proud and excited to announce our endowment of a program based on the concept of our First Steps program through Best Friends Animal Society, in our view, perhaps the most impactful animal welfare organization in the US.

The Future . . .

As Best Friends continues its nationwide efforts to save and protect animals, we are working with its Learning Advancement Team to establish the Binky Incentive Award program, which will provide grants to new small organizations dedicated to helping animals.  This program will enhance the efforts of Best Friends by promoting the importance of building towards sustainability through education, training and planning.  We look forward to Best Friends announcement of the details of its Binky Incentive Award program in the coming months.

And Playing it Forward . . .

This passing of the First Steps torch to Best Friends does not mean the end of The Binky Foundation.  We will continue our invitation-only Forward Steps program, and we will expand our efforts to provide encouragement and education for new organizations, with our focus on the importance of creating purposeful plans to achieve a sustainable future.

And, of course, we will continue our popular Remembrances page.

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We are proud of the outsized impact The Binky Foundation has achieved over the past two decades on behalf of new small animal welfare organizations. We look forward to our next chapter and to providing helpful tools for new groups to acquire the business skills and planning practices necessary for transforming a keen passion for helping animals into a sustainable animal welfare organization.

With appreciation for your support and understanding,

Michalina (“Mickey”) and Peter Bickford
Co-Founders, The Binky Foundation

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EXCITING CHANGES COMING IN 2026!

December 2025

2025 has been an eye-opener for us. On the one hand we received so many applications for our First Steps Grant Program – providing $1000 grants to newly formed animal welfare groups meeting our education, training and planning criteria – that we closed our application window a month and a half early to address the workload. Even with this shorter application window, we received 60% more applications this year than in all of 2024. That’s the good news. The bad news is that the number of applications meeting our expectations for a grant fell from 36% to less than 25%. Our analysis of the volume of applications and the drop in their overall quality has led to our making some serious decisions for the future of our First Steps Grant Program and for The Binky Foundation itself.

One of our primary concerns with the response to our criteria was the quality of our requirement for a purposeful action/business plan. We perceived that applicants were not understanding our expectations for a purposeful plan, or were using stilted, impersonal business plan templates found online. In response, we expanded and updated our website explanation of our criteria, including an update to our online memorandum, Understanding our First Steps Grant Criteria. Unfortunately, our efforts did not improve the quality of the submissions by applicants.

On the bright side, however, we received many exemplary First Steps submissions, as well as wonderful responses from prior grantees under our Forward Steps program relating their experiences in the year after receiving a grant from us: confirming to us that, if done right, our First Steps program works and can be an important factor in helping new organizations achieve their goals. (See excerpts on reverse).

As a result of our experiences this past year, both negative and positive, we are in the process of developing two sea changes: one regarding the future of our First Steps program, and the other addressing the tools available to newly formed animal welfare groups in planning to achieve a sustainable future. We look forward to announcing these new, exciting developments in the New Year.  

With appreciation from the Board for all of you who have supported us over the years,

Michalina Bickford

Kathleen Bickford Berzock

Peter Bickford

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Excerpts from the submissions from 2025 Forward Steps Grant recipients:

The First Steps Grant really helped us start in the right direction and get things going! It also helped us to focus on the most important goals in our Business Plan. Starting a business has proven to be a challenging undertaking, but the First Steps Grant certainly gave us some much-needed tools and ideas.

Little J Ranch Farm Sanctuary, Cloudcroft, NM

Thanks to First Steps funding we had the space to really think through the funding problem for TnR and learned that recurring donations are typically what sustains rescue programs like this. . . . 

 I don’t think we would have formalized our business plan if it hadn’t been required by Binky Foundation to do so and the formalization of our business plan really allowed us to make our vision for a TnR program a reality.

Lucky Penny Rescue Network, Laredo, TX

I posted about the Binky Foundation First Steps award on Meta & LinkedIn. It seems to have opened the door for other donors and grants. Establishing regular donations helps Lupa Legacy become more sustainable long term. . . .

One reason we struggle with social media fundraising is because we have a policy against showing images of animals (or people) in pain and stress. Many of our clients have hoarding tendencies. Building trust takes time. This relationship could be destroyed by a picture on social media. The animals would suffer more as a result. [We at The Binky Foundation Agree with this policy!}

Lupa Legacy Animal Rescue, Noble, OK

That said, you mentioned in your letter that running an animal welfare organization is more than simply caring for animals. We seem to learn that piece of wisdom over and over! After two-plus years “on the ground,” so to speak, we have discovered many pitfalls and a generous handful of ways to succeed as well.  That structured education started when you encouraged us to take significant time and effort to produce a thorough business plan.  I’m not sure we did all we should — and we are about to revise it — but that one task was pivotal in setting us on a path with purpose. We continue to learn more with each step and often look to some of our peer organizations (who are much more established) for examples and guidance.  In turn, we are still pretty proud to share our business plan with others.

Robin’s Nest Rescue, Ramona, CA

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TWENTY YEARS OF HELPING PEOPLE HELP ANIMALS!

December 2024

Dear Friends:

It is hard to believe that we have been awarding grants to animal welfare groups for twenty years now. In that time The Binky Foundation has awarded more than $1.5 million in grants to over 300 animal welfare groups and individuals for all kinds of needs and projects. For the past four years our priority has been our First Steps/Forward Steps grant program designed to recognize newly established groups for taking those steps that are important to achieving long-term sustainability in their community.

As previously reported, our $1000 First Steps grants are awarded to those newly formed groups that meet our three basic requirements: (i) it has received 501c3 status as a public charity within three years of application, (ii) its principals and/or staff have appropriate training in the business of running an animal welfare group as well as in appropriate animal care issues, and (iii) it has a purposeful action/business plan mapping its plans to achieve long-term sustainability in its community.

For 2024, we have awarded forty (40) First Steps grants out of 112 applications, a significant increase over last year’s 30 First Steps grants from 79 applications. This significant increase, we believe, is a result of a growing understanding of the value of our unique program providing grants based on planning, preparation and structure rather than the customary grants for specific or immediate needs.

In 2024, The Binky Foundation also awarded nine (9) Forward Steps grants to 2023 First Steps grantees. These grants are an important barometer for us to know if our requirements, particularly our business/action plan requirement, are helping organizations achieve their goals. We are continuously updating our website and our communications with applicants in an ongoing effort to better explain the purpose and importance of our criteria. Our reward is hearing from grantees in their own words about the lessons learned from our grant process.  See examples below (p.2).

With appreciation from the Board,

Michalina Bickford

Kathleen Bickford Berzock

Peter Bickford

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Excerpts from the submissions from 2024 Forward Steps Grant recipients:

As with any startup, whether it’s for profit or non-profit, like ours. If you knew exactly how much effort it would require, how many setbacks you encounter, or even heart-ache… you probably would have never even gotten started. It’s so important to establish a vision, set a mission that envelopes the mission and cherish the smallest wins along the way. 

Happy on the Homestead, Elmer, NJ

In reflecting on our start-up experience, we have learned valuable lessons that we believe could benefit others in a similar position. The most important is details, details and then more details in our yearly plan and budget. Our journey has also taught us the importance of resilience, adaptability, and planning in navigating the challenges of starting and running a nonprofit organization.

Aiding 2 Adoption Rescue, Pocatello, ID

In the beginning, you hear “no” a LOT—almost to the point of wanting to quit. It’s a challenging process, filled with rejections until you build credibility and a solid reputation. The First Steps grant provided that crucial validation, affirming that we were on the right track and giving us hope for the future.

Silverstray Social, La Porte, IN

One of the most crucial aspects of our journey was having a solid business plan. A detailed plan provided a clear roadmap for our goals, financial projections, and operational strategies, which was essential for establishing the foundation of our organization.

Lotsa Heart Animal Sanctuary, Aiken, SC

Being awarded the First Steps grant was first and foremost, a great encouragement to us as a new organization. This award encouraged us to look for and apply to other grants and helped validate our efforts.    . . .    I do not think last year would have been as successful as it was if we had not gone through the process of preparing for the First Steps grant application. You helped set us up for success.

Claws & Toe Beans, Cleburne, TX

Overall, the First Steps grant has been transformative—not only did it strengthen our financial planning, but it also amplified our fundraising capabilities by fostering a more informed and engaged community around our cause.

Amber’s Foundation, Inc., San Juan, PR

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