564: Blending the Head and Heart to Help Animals, with Stephanie Mathers, Founder of Grants 4 Animals
06/11/24 • 35 min
Ever wondered how treating a nonprofit like a business can unlock millions in funding? Join us for an inspiring conversation with Stephanie Mathers, a passionate animal welfare advocate and skilled grant writer, who has transitioned from the world of education to founding Grants for Animals.
Stephanie’s journey began with the adoption of her first cat, Shakespeare, and led her to significant involvement in TNR programs in Michigan. Overcoming numerous challenges, she has since secured over $2 million in funding for animal-related nonprofits, profoundly impacting TNR initiatives and beyond.
Discover the essential steps to getting your nonprofit grant-ready, from solid financial systems to maintaining an up-to-date board member list. Stephanie highlights the importance of building an active online presence and cultivating relationships with grant-giving entities like corporate and community foundations. Learn how understanding their specific grant cycles and requirements can dramatically increase your chances of securing necessary funding. We also discuss various platforms for finding grant opportunities and the significance of treating your nonprofit with the same rigor and professionalism as any thriving business.
Marketing and outreach are crucial, and Stephanie shares effective strategies for animal welfare organizations. Stephanie offers best practices for grant writing, including researching foundation histories and building relationships with funders without compromising your mission.
In this episode, you will hear:
- Funding trap neuter return programs
- Grants for community cat care
- Preparing for grants with necessary documents
- Finding funding for animal welfare organizations
- Prospecting foundation money for cats
- Grant readiness importance for nonprofits
Resources from this Episode
Grants 4 Animals Website - http://www.grants4animals.com
Grants 4 Animals Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/grants4animals
Grants 4 Animals Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/grants4animals
Grants 4 Animals YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@grants4animals
This episode is sponsored in part by Maddie’s Fund (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/maddies564) and The Community Cat Clinic (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/catclinicga).
Follow and Review:
We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.
Episode Credits
If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.
Ever wondered how treating a nonprofit like a business can unlock millions in funding? Join us for an inspiring conversation with Stephanie Mathers, a passionate animal welfare advocate and skilled grant writer, who has transitioned from the world of education to founding Grants for Animals.
Stephanie’s journey began with the adoption of her first cat, Shakespeare, and led her to significant involvement in TNR programs in Michigan. Overcoming numerous challenges, she has since secured over $2 million in funding for animal-related nonprofits, profoundly impacting TNR initiatives and beyond.
Discover the essential steps to getting your nonprofit grant-ready, from solid financial systems to maintaining an up-to-date board member list. Stephanie highlights the importance of building an active online presence and cultivating relationships with grant-giving entities like corporate and community foundations. Learn how understanding their specific grant cycles and requirements can dramatically increase your chances of securing necessary funding. We also discuss various platforms for finding grant opportunities and the significance of treating your nonprofit with the same rigor and professionalism as any thriving business.
Marketing and outreach are crucial, and Stephanie shares effective strategies for animal welfare organizations. Stephanie offers best practices for grant writing, including researching foundation histories and building relationships with funders without compromising your mission.
In this episode, you will hear:
- Funding trap neuter return programs
- Grants for community cat care
- Preparing for grants with necessary documents
- Finding funding for animal welfare organizations
- Prospecting foundation money for cats
- Grant readiness importance for nonprofits
Resources from this Episode
Grants 4 Animals Website - http://www.grants4animals.com
Grants 4 Animals Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/grants4animals
Grants 4 Animals Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/grants4animals
Grants 4 Animals YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@grants4animals
This episode is sponsored in part by Maddie’s Fund (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/maddies564) and The Community Cat Clinic (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/catclinicga).
Follow and Review:
We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.
Episode Credits
If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.
Previous Episode
563: Nuggets of Hope, with Kim Lengling, Author and Host of the Let Fear Bounce Podcast
When Muffin, a little ball of fur with mischievous eyes, first claimed a corner of my heart, I never imagined where that love would lead. Now I'm joined by Kim Lengling, whose story mirrors the transformative power of companionship, not just with our four-legged friends but with those who share our human journey.
Kim, a vocal supporter of veterans and advocate for cats, delves into her life's narrative that wove together the threads of animal love and the resolve to aid those battling PTSD. Her poignant experiences, beginning with a childhood feline friend and extending to her advocacy for female veterans, are a testament to the healing that comes from caring – both given and received.
As we navigate the landscape of feline welfare and veteran support, the conversation blossoms into a rich exploration of community connections. We discuss the anticipation surrounding the 2024 online kitten conference and the imperative work of the Community Cat Clinic, a beacon of hope for TNR proponents and feline health.
Our chat culminates with a touching look at "Pawprints on the Couch," Kim's latest anthology that's been warming the hearts of readers and topping charts. It's a reminder of the deep bonds we share with our pets, and how these stories of love and loss resonate within us all. This episode is an open invitation to embrace storytelling's power to unite, inspire, and embolden us in the face of life's challenges.
In this episode, you will hear:
- Advocating for veterans in need
- Unconditional love between animals and humans
- Writing anthologies for a cause
Resources from this Episode
Kim's Website - http://www.kimlenglingauthor.com
Kim's Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/letfearbouncepodcast
Kim's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/lenglingauthor
Kim's Amazon Link - https://www.amazon.com/stores/Kim-Lengling/author/B00L9N6VBO?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true
This episode is sponsored in part by Maddie’s Fund (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/maddies563), The Community Cat Clinic (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/catclinicga), and Tomahawk Traps (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/tomahawk.
Follow and Review:
We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.
Episode Credits
If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.
Next Episode
565: Trappers Tips and Tricks, Part 1, with Bryan Kortis, National Programs Director, Neighborhood Cats
What if you could turn the most elusive feral cat into a successfully trapped and cared-for community member? Join Bryan Kortis from Neighborhood Cats as he brings extensive experience to the forefront in this special two-part audio presentation. Learn effective cat trapping techniques, established feeding patterns, and the use of various traps such as roundhouse and drop traps.
Get ready to explore the nuts and bolts of using the uniquely designed roundhouse trap to catch feral cats. We'll discuss why having a variety of traps is crucial and offer practical tips for transferring cats and selecting the right bait. The episode also covers the best practices for trap placement, making sure you maximize your capture success rate, especially for those tricky, hard-to-catch felines. Additionally, you’ll discover cost-effective methods like using trap mats for a more comfortable and effective trapping experience.
Finally, hear the riveting story of rescuing cats after a fire and the innovative techniques that emerged from this crisis. Learn about the development of the tunnel trap and auto drop trap – two game-changing innovations that are set to become new standards in cat rescue. Don’t miss this episode if you’re passionate about cat rescue and want to stay updated on the latest trapping technologies.
In this episode, you will hear:
- Cat trapping tips and tricks
- The intricacies of using the roundhouse trap for catching cats
- Trap mats and catching cats with drop traps
- Rescuing cats after a fire
- The basics of trap training for community cats
- Feral cat trap preparation
- Trap innovation for cat rescue
Resources from this Episode
For the Full Recording and Downloadable Handouts - https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/tnrtraining
Neighborhood Cats Website - https://www.neighborhoodcats.org
Neighborhood Cats Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/neighborhoodcats/
Neighborhood Cats Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/nbrhoodcats/
The Everything TNR Playlist - https://communitycatspodcast.com/everythingtnr
Visit TNR Workshops and Community Cat Care Training for more webinars like this - https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/community-cat-care-training-education/
This episode is sponsored in part by Maddie’s Fund (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/maddies565), Tomahawk Traps(https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/tomahawk), and The Community Cat Clinic (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/catclinicga).
Follow and Review:
We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.
Episode Credits
If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.
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