Please note that our microgrant applications are currently closed. Stay tuned!
Microsanctuary Resource Center microgrants are available for individuals and organizations engaged in rescuing and caring for farmed animals and other exploited species, especially on small scales.
Our microgrants of $500 (for individuals) or $1,000 (non-profits) aim to help microsanctuaries and sanctuaries with a variety of expenses, from infrastructure, to special projects, to veterinary care.
Please also note that projects or procedures must have an estimated cost of $5,000 or less to be eligible for consideration.
You can find the link to our grant application form at the bottom of this page. Before applying, be sure to read the eligibility guidelines and FAQ below. In addition, you must read the following resources to understand fully the principles and goals of Microsanctuary Resource Center:
Eligibility Guidelines
Reproductive Healthcare Fund
- Applicant is vegan.
- Used for contraception and other reproductive healthcare, by a veterinarian.
- Limited placements/adoptions.
- No unsupervised free-ranging of birds.
- Ability to demonstrate proper, species-appropriate predator protection for any outside animals (fences, covered runs, digging barriers, etc.).
- Ability to accommodate special needs, such as feeding of Cornish Crosses, when applicable.
- Appropriate habitat for good quality of life.
- Reproductive grants can be renewed once every 12 months from receipt of grant.
Startup Fund
- Applicant is vegan.
- One-time grants to help with starting a microsanctuary or specific care expenses.
- Microsanctuary should be less than one year old.
- Ongoing expenses like food and supplies will not be considered.
- 20 total animals or fewer.
- VERY limited fundraising.
- Limited placements/adoptions.
- No unsupervised free-ranging of birds.
- Ability to demonstrate proper, species-appropriate predator protection for any outside animals (fences, covered runs, digging barriers, etc.).
- Ability to accommodate special needs, such as feeding of Cornish Crosses, when applicable.
- Appropriate habitat for good quality of life.
- Startup grants are not renewable.
Special Projects Fund
- Applicant is vegan.
- The goal of these grants is to assist with specific projects with expected cost of $5,000 or less, as well as specific medical care expenses for a resident or residents. Grants are for $500 (individuals) or $1000 (non-profits). While our other grant funds are focused on microsanctuaries, the Special Projects Fund is open to sanctuaries of all sizes.
- However, sanctuaries must operate consistently with MRC’s Core Principles (including, obviously, promoting veganism) to receive a grant.
- Ongoing expenses such as food, utility bills, etc. will not be eligible for funding.
- The estimated cost for the project in question should not exceed $5,000.
- Medical care for one resident or a specific medical need can be considered.
- Grants are not renewable.
Microsanctuaries of Color Fund
- This program provides grants for vegans of color to help with starting a microsanctuary, making improvements to an existing microsanctuary, and for selected care expenses.
- Applications are reviewed immediately upon submission.
- Grants are renewable every 12 months.
- CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR MICROSANCTUARIES OF COLOR FUND!
If you have questions, please reach out to us at info@microsanctuary.org.
FAQ
1. Do I have to be a tax-exempt non-profit organization to receive a grant?
No! Microsanctuaries are about individuals devoting their time, energy, and resources to rescuing and caring for farmed animals, to whatever capacity they can to be sustainable. While some people with microsanctuaries do become non-profit organizations and receive tax-exempt status, that is not required–and in many cases it may not be preferable for a microsanctuary.
2. What if I’m not vegan?
As we discuss in our Core Principles, ethical veganism is the guiding principle of microsanctuaries. As such, we cannot fund projects or organizations that do not embrace non-exploitation of animals, and we will not fund anything that continues the use of animals for food or other purposes.
This means, for example, that you and others in your household must not eat, sell, give away, or otherwise allow for human use the eggs that your hens and other female birds lay. Feathers, wool/hair, milk, even feces are not meant to be treated as a “resource” that humans may use. Breeding is also prohibited, as is riding of larger animals like horses. Please see our Core Principles for additional information.
This doesn’t mean that your sanctuary has to be doing constant vegan outreach and education (though we love when that’s the case!). It does mean that the sanctuary should be founded by vegans who operate with and display vegan principles.
3. Can I apply if I’m not in the United States?
MRC is a US-based nonprofit organization, and our primary target for grant funding is caregivers in the US. However, we are able to support sanctuaries and microsanctuaries outside of the US in a more limited degree. If you represent a registered charity in your country, we ask for proof of charity status as well as information about your current Board of Directors. We also can only send funds to grantees in countries with access to electronic funds transfer via approved platforms (currently PayPal).
4. How many funds can I apply to, and how often?
While we have several different funds in our grant program, we can only provide 1 grant per person or organization from any fund within a 12-month period. So, for example, if you apply for and receive a reproductive healthcare grant, you cannot also apply for/receive a special projects grant. Once you receive a grant, you can apply for additional grant funding after 12 months from the time of funding.
5. What can I use the money for?
You can use a grant to cover a variety of expenses related to your microsanctuary. Typically, we fund one-time projects that will have a lasting impact on residents, such as new housing, fencing, renovations to an existing structure, and a specific medical need. We usually do not fund ongoing general or operational expenses, like food and utility bills. Our reproductive care fund covers specific veterinary care.
6. Can I get a grant for dog or cat rescue?
While we recognize that dogs and cats are very often members of a microsanctuary family, and are of course worthy of rescue and care, our grant program is focused on farmed animals and other commonly exploited species who aren’t typically considered to be “companions.” This means that projects or other expenses that involve primarily dogs and cats are not eligible.
7. What if I rescue exotics?
While victims of the “exotics” pet trade (i.e., wild animals captured from their native habitat for sale, breeding, etc.) certainly suffer from various forms of exploitation, we typically do not provide grants for exotics care; the one exception to this is aquatic species, which are a growing interest for vegan microsanctuaries.
8. Will I find out if I may application is not approved, and can I reapply if I’m rejected?
We try to notify applicants about the status of their application when possible. Once you apply, you can email us to check the status of your application. If you are not approved for a grant, you are welcome to reapply in the future–though we recommend waiting about a year before reapplying.
9. How long will it take for me to get funds?
The application review process should take no more than 4 weeks after submission, though that can vary depending on current number of applications and other factors. We prefer to send funds electronically via PayPal, Venmo, or Zelle, but we can send a paper check as well; we also can make payments directly to your vet. All international grants must be via PayPal or vet payment. Please specify in your application if you need funds by a particular date or method.
10. Do grant funds have to be paid back?
Grant funds are not loans and do not need to be paid back or returned as long as they are used for approved purposes. If your needs change after grant application approval, please be in touch for our approval.
11. What happens after I get my grant?
Within 12 months after receipt of your grant, we request you submit a final narrative report describing the impact of the grant along with copies of receipts showing use of funds for the approved expense. The report doesn’t need to be extensive or formal, but we do ask for some details on how the grant helped your residents. Photos and videos are welcome!
12. If I get a grant, can I apply for future grants?
Yes! We accept applications for renewal funding for grantees. However, we can only provide one grant per person/organization in a single 12-month period. If you wish to apply for renewal funding, please wait a year before submitting another application.
For more information on our review process, read “How we review applications”.
If you have questions, please reach out to us at info@microsanctuary.org.