Belvedere Animal Welfare Fund Grant

The Belvedere Animal Welfare Fund Grant, established in 2007, focuses on advancing animal welfare in Maine through one-year project proposals for organizations addressing population control for cats and dogs. Eligible applicants include nonprofits, municipalities, and public agencies. The fund emphasizes keeping low-income pet owners and their animals together and supports education on humane treatment. Note: No new general support applications will be accepted until 2025, but project proposals are welcomed.

NOTE: No new applications will be accepted for general support until 2025. We will consider one-year project proposals from organizations that did not receive general support grants in 2022.
Background
The Belvedere Animal Welfare Fund, established in 2007 by an anonymous donor, supports organizations and programs that address population control for cats and dogs. The fund is further supported by the Doree Taylor Charitable Foundation, Bank of America, N.A. Trustee.
Purpose
The Animal Welfare Fund supports organizations dedicated to advancing animal welfare in Maine.
Types of Funding
One-year project grants to animal welfare organizations for one or more of the following:

• Programs that help low-income people and their pets stay together to prevent surrender/abandonment, especially at times of hardship
• Population control activities for cats and dogs
• Education of pet owners and/or community members about the care and humane treatment of animals
• Statewide coordination among shelters
• Coordination with human services agencies to make interventions that support animals in crisis situations.
• Three-year general support grants to animal shelters focused on cats and dogs that do all of the following:

Help low-income people and their pets stay together to prevent surrender/abandonment, especially at times of hardship, e.g., domestic abuse, homelessness, serious illness, etc.
Support population control activities for cats and dogs
Educate pet owners and community members about the care and humane treatment of animals.

Eligibility

Who is eligible to applyNonprofit, charitable organizations tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and also classified as an organization described in sections 509(a)(1) or 509(a)(2)
Public agencies working for the State of Maine
Indian tribal governments (or political subdivisions) recognized by the Department of the Interior
Groups without any tax status may apply with a fiscal sponsor that is an eligible organization as described above.

Ineligibility

What we will not fund, without exception:Expenses already incurredPolitical campaignsLobbying in the form of calls to action on a specific voteReligious activities: including, but not limited to, religious services, promotion of religious beliefs, or activities that are restricted to church or religious group membership