Laura J. Niles Foundation Grant

Laura J. Niles Foundation

Deadline: Rolling

Grant amount: Up to US $50,000

Funding uses: Education / Outreach, Research, Project / Program

Location of project: Preferred: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont Other eligible locations: Anywhere in the world

Location of residency: United States

Overview:

Mission

The primary mission of the Laura J. Niles Foundation is to encourage and support efforts to improve the lives of animals. The Foundation seeks to benefit animals in general, and dogs in particular, by supporting research, training, and adoption programs and projects. Programs which enhance the human-animal bond are viewed with favor.  

Primary Program Interests

Animals - The Foundation is seeking ways to benefit animals, particularly dogs, and is especially interested in programs that help animals and people, simultaneously. The Foundation is targeting areas that include animal medical research, animal protection, adoption, search & rescue, assistance dogs, equine therapy and similar areas of endeavor. Currently, the Foundation does not consider spay/neuter programs to be a priority, given the limited funds which are available. 

Education - a secondary area of focus for the Foundation is the education of economically disadvantaged youth. This program area includes primary, secondary and higher education.

Guiding Principles and Considerations 

• The goal of the Foundation's Board is to pursue a deliberate and proactive course of "strategic philanthropy"
• Favors programs addressing long-term solutions to the causes of problems, as distinguished from programs that simply treat the symptoms.
• Added emphasis on programs and organizations that address the intersection of its various interests.
• Encourages pilot initiatives that test new program models.
• Particular interest in organizations that promote collaborative efforts among groups and organizations.
• Qualities sought by the Foundation in its grantee organizations are: effective and dynamic personnel; passionate leadership; a bias against bureaucracy; prudent managements & governance practices; and commitment to results and overall assessment of program impact.

See FAQ for additional guidelines

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website.

Eligibility:

• The majority of the Laura J. Niles Foundation's grantmaking is focused in the northeastern United States, although, occasionally, grants may be made in other regions of the country and/or abroad.
  • However, any grant for international programs or projects will be made only through US tax-exempt organizations.
• All applicants must have tax-exempt 501(c)(3) status as a non-profit organization as defined by the Internal Revenue Service.
• The applicant must have an active board of directors with policy-making authority.
• The board should demonstrate competence in the sound financial management of the organization.

Preferences:

• Of particular interest to the Foundation are organizations that promote partnerships and collaborative efforts among multiple groups and organizations.
• The Foundation encourages pilot initiatives that test new program models.
• Priority will be given to requests that show specific plans for financial sustainability.

Ineligibility:

• Areas of Exclusion- The Foundation generally will not provide grants to the following:
  • organizations not determined to be tax-exempt under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code;
  • individuals;
  • general fundraising drives;
  • endowments;
  • government agencies; or
  • organizations that subsist mainly on third party funding and have demonstrated no ability or expended little effort to attract private funding.