Hi there!
Since 2016, Microsanctuary Resource Center’s microgrant program has been one of only a few sources of grants available to both private and nonprofit animal sanctuaries.
Our goal has been to support vegan sanctuaries of all sizes with microgrants for specific projects.
We provide microgrants of $500 for private individuals and $1000 for tax-exempt nonprofit sanctuaries.
Let’s learn a little more about MRC’s grant program!
MRC currently offers grants in four main funds: Microsanctuaries of Color, Startup, Reproductive Healthcare, and Special Projects.
The Microsanctuaries of Color Fund is available to vegans of color, for use when starting a microsanctuary, making improvements to an existing microsanctuary, and for selected care expenses.
The Startup Fund is available to microsanctuaries that are less than a year old and have fewer than 20 residents. These can be used for infrastructure, care expenses, and other startup costs, but cannot be used for administrative fees, 501c3 application fees, or other expenses not directly related to animal care.
The Reproductive Healthcare Fund is available for contraception and other reproductive healthcare, administered by a qualified veterinarian.
The Special Projects Fund can be used to assist with projects costing $5,000 or less. Qualifying projects can include infrastructure as well as medical care, but ongoing costs such as food, bedding, and utilities are not eligible.
We also have an Emergency Grant program for unexpected emergency expenses, such as emergency medical care or property damage.
To be eligible for ANY of our grant programs, applicants must operate consistently with the MRC Core Principles. This means, among other things:
- that the sanctuary is run by vegans and promotes veganism;
- that the sanctuary does not give away or sell residents’ parts or secretions, including eggs, fiber, or honey;
- that the sanctuary does not allow riding or other forms of “use” of residents;
- and that the sanctuary does not promote or excuse so-called “humane” forms of animal farming
If a sanctuary meets these and our other eligibility requirements, they can apply to ONE of our current funds at a time. We cannot award multiple grants from different funds at a time to the same person or sanctuary.
While the majority of our microgrants go to United States–based sanctuaries, we do have some ability to provide grants to sanctuaries outside of the U.S. as well!
Because MRC was founded to promote the rescue and care of species who are not typically seen as companions, our microgrants are not available for expenses related to rescue or care for dogs and cats. The focus of our grants is farmed animals; however, we do also consider applications for other exploited species, such as animals rescued from laboratories, invertebrates, and aquatics.
When it comes to the Special Projects Fund, we sometimes find there to be confusion about the project budget guideline and our grant award. So let’s clarify that a bit!
- To be eligible for a Special Projects Grant, we require an estimated project budget that shows the anticipated cost for completing the project. If the estimate is over $5000, it is not eligible for a Special Projects Grant.
- If the estimated cost is less than $5000, the project is eligible for our grant program. If approved, the maximum grant is $1000 for nonprofits and $500 for individuals. This means that funds for the remaining cost for the project will need to come from other sources.
- Just to sum that up once more: Special Projects Grants of UP TO $1000 are available for projects COSTING LESS THAN $5000.
Please also note that past grant recipients ARE eligible to apply again! However, outside of emergency situations, we require a 12-month waiting period between grant awards.
MRC is thrilled to have helped so many microsanctuaries and sanctuaries through the years! If you’d like to learn more about our grant program, and to apply, please visit our website at microsanctuary.org.
Go vegans!
Video includes residents from sanctuaries including: Sweet Peace Farm Sanctuary, Good Sprout Rescue, Triangle Chicken Advocates, Perch Potatoes Microsanctuary, Institute for Animal Happiness, Misspits Rescue, and Friends of Phillip Fish Sanctuary.