grantmaking

grantmaking goals

The Planet Dog Foundation (PDF) strives to support worthy organizations through a grant-making program designed to financially support 501(c)(3) not-for-profit partners across the U.S. The goal of our grant program is to fund programs that train, place and support dogs helping people in need. Funding is allocated nationwide to promote and financially support service-oriented canine programs such as assistance dogs, therapy dogs, search and rescue programs or police, fire and military dogs. Before taking the time to apply, please read the application restrictions, guideline and deadlines very carefully.

pdf giving guidelines

We are looking to support like-minded organizations that will most benefit from our support. As our grants do not currently exceed $7,500, we will be reviewing annual operational and project budgets to fund those organizations best able to maximize a PDF grant. While not a requirement, we seek programs that are able to creatively serve multiple populations or otherwise maximize the value of our modest grants whenever possible.

The Planet Dog Foundation only funds organizations classified as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service. Programs we fund include:

Assistance dog programs: These include service dogs, guide dogs, hearing dogs and medical alert dogs. Applicants for an assistance dog grant MUST be an accredited member of Assistance Dogs International. For more information about our eligibility requirements, please contact the Executive Director.
Therapy dog programs: These include animal-assisted physical or emotional therapy, hospital and other facility visitation programs, reader/literacy dogs and psychiatric service dogs. Programs applying for a therapy dog grant MUST require membership of their volunteer teams by the Delta Society, Therapy Dogs International, Therapy Dogs, Inc. or other nationally recognized certification program.
Other canine service programs: These include K-9 search and rescue programs, police, fire and military dogs, wildlife conservation dogs, disease detection dogs or other innovative programs. Grants in these categories WILL fund training or other activities but WILL NOT fund the purchase of any form of equipment. Police and fire dog programs must apply through an eligible 501(c)(3) organization - we cannot fund municipalities with any other status.

Click here to see our grantees to date in each category.

important application restrictions

ALTHOUGH WE VALUE AND RESPECT THE HARD WORK OF SPAY/NEUTER PROGRAMS, ANIMAL
SHELTERS AND RESCUE PROGRAMS, UNFORTUNATELY THEY ARE OUT OF THE SCOPE OF OUR
GRANT-GIVING GUIDELINES.

WE DO NOT FUND ANY PROGRAMS ENGAGED IN ANIMAL CRUELTY OR TESTING.

We do not fund the following. Please do not submit an application if your program falls under one of these categories.

Spay/Neuter Programs
Adoption, Shelter or Rescue Program Operating Expenses
Individuals
Political Groups
Religious Groups (or groups with any religious affiliation)
For-profit Organizations
Scholarship Programs
Government Agencies
Non-profit agencies with any determination other than 501(C)(3)
Programs spending more than 35% of expenses on administrative costs
Any program engaged in animal testing or animal cruelty

application guidelines & deadlines - updated July 12, 2010

Applicants for cash grants must submit a letter of intent. For instructions on what to include in a letter of intent in Microsoft Word, click here. For a PDF, click here. Letters of intent are due in the PDF office by September 3, 2010.

After review, Planet Dog Foundation staff will contact those organizations who are invited to submit additional materials to complete a full proposal. Additional Materials will be due within 2 weeks of notification. Those not selected will be notified.

If you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact us via email, regular mail or by phone. On behalf of everyone involved in the Planet Dog Foundation, we wish all canine service programs the very best.