Animal-Assisted Therapy Fund Grant

Animal-Assisted Therapy Fund Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Boreal Waters Community Foundation
Amount: Up to US $2,000
Last Updated: January 19, 2026

Summary

The Animal Assisted Therapy Fund, in memory of Cordelia Anne Brinton, supports animal-assisted therapy to aid individuals facing mental and emotional challenges. By prioritizing the well-being of animals in therapeutic settings, this fund promotes programs that enhance emotional growth through animal interactions. Eligible organizations include those providing mental health services and animal therapy programs, particularly within specified regions in Wisconsin and Minnesota. Examples of supported organizations range from local therapy centers to animal rescue initiatives.

Overview

Mission The Animal-Assisted Therapy Fund promotes and provides animal-assisted therapy for people of all ages with mental, emotional and psychological challenges. The fund supports this work in the memory of Cordelia Anne Brinton. The fund prioritizes work in which animals are nourished and cared for in therapeutic healing processes versus companion animals. Examples The following are representative but not exclusive examples of projects that could receive a grant from this fund: Teaching people to interact with animals in a way that fosters emotional growth and learning to improve emotional, behavioral and mental health Broadening dimensions or understanding of an individual’s life challenges through interaction with animals Impactful programs that meet the emotional and developmental needs of individuals The following are representative but not exclusive examples of services provided by organizations that could receive a grant from this fund: Programs that provide mental health therapy inclusive of animal-assisted therapy Services to clients with mental health issues, including those that may arise with physical health challenges Animal-assisted therapy programs focused on safe, therapeutically sound, goal-oriented sessions in cooperation with physicians, therapists, educators, instructors and volunteers Programs to rescue abused and neglected animals to train and restore them to health for facilitating therapeutic healing. The following are representative but not exclusive examples of organizations that could receive a grant from this fund: North Country R.I.D.E. Forget-Me-Not Foundation Seeds of Hope Youth Ranch Unbridled Hope Equine Assisted Learning Center Solvay Hospice House Can Do Canines Reins of Inspiration Amberwing’s Dialectical Behavioral Therapy Programs Changing Gaits Giant Steps

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. To be eligible to apply for funding, an organization must:Be classified as a charitable organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or classified as an organization under Section 170(c)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code or have a fiscal sponsor classified as a charitable organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or an organization under Section 170(c)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code Be located in or provide service to residents within: Bayfield, Douglas and Ashland Counties in northwest Wisconsin; or Aitkin, Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake and St. Louis Counties in northeast Minnesota; or the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa/Mashkiiziibii, the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa/Atisokanigamig, the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa/Nah-Gah-Chi-Wa-Nong, the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa/Gichi Onigaming, the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe or the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa/Gaa-Miskwaabikaang