Grant Guidelines and Application Process

Grant Guidelines and Application Process

Category We Support (Eligible) We Do NOT Support (Ineligible)
Organization Type
  • Nonprofits currently identified as a 501(c)(3) by the IRS
  • Humane societies
  • Animal welfare organizations focused on companion animals
  • Nonprofit spay/neuter clinics
  • Wildlife rehabilitation and nature centers
  • Educational institutions
  • Equine organizations with therapeutic riding or adoption programs
  • Individuals
  • Breed-specific organizations
  • Sanctuaries
  • Government agencies
  • Organizations focusing on farmed or exotic animals
Geography
  • Organizations located outside of the specified geographic boundaries
  • Unsolicited applications of national scope
Funding Scope
  • Animal adoption, behavior training and fostering
  • Continuing education and training
  • Humane and wildlife education
  • Advanced medical care and rehabilitation
  • Pet and feral animal population control through spay/neuter
  • Equipment directly impacting animal care
  • Other animal care initiatives
  • Capital project support
  • General operating support
  • Multi-year requests
  • Deficit reduction or endowments
  • Fund Films or other media
  • Litigation-related activities
  • Legislative advocacy
  • Fundraising events

Additional applicant requirements:

  • Provide evidence of proper financial stewardship
  • Financial support from 100% of board members
  • Pursue a high quality of life for individual animals and improve the situation of significant numbers of animals.
  • Deliver outstanding humane care, in facilities that meet or exceed accepted health and safety standards
  • Have written policies on adoption procedures, spaying/neutering companion animals leaving the agency, display/release of wildlife, and keep records on intake/disposition of all animals.
  • Annual revenue for basic animal sheltering, rescue, and care activities from sustainable sources.

 
Preference will be given to organizations established for more than five years with an annual budget exceeding $50,000.

Unsolicited applications for activities of national scope or from organizations located outside of our geographic boundaries WILL NOT be considered.

The Kenneth A. Scott Charitable Trust invites applications for projects to advance the quality of life for companion animals and native wildlife. It is focused on helping organizations go beyond basic care with innovative projects that provide an enhanced quality of life today and in the future. 

 

 

APPLICATION PROCESS 

 

Letter of Inquiry (LOI) using the online form. Required by all applicants including previous grantees. The LOI will begin with eligibility questions. An email confirmation will be sent after the LOI has been submitted. You will receive a response to indicate that the Scott Trust will accept a full application. 

Begin LOI

2027 Grant Application Calendar

LOI DeadlineFull Application DeadlineDistribution Meeting
December 15, 2026January 15, 2027March 2027
April 15, 2027May 17, 2027August 2027
July 15, 2027August 16, 2027November 2027

LOI’s received after these dates will be held until the next grant cycle. Grant awards will be announced shortly after each distribution meeting. 

PROGRAM AREAS

The Kenneth A. Scott Charitable Trust’s priority is helping organizations go beyond basic care to support initiatives that will provide an enhanced quality of life for homeless and abused companion animals today and in the future. Funding applications should address one of the following program areas: 
  • Animal Adoption, Behavior Training, and Fostering
  • Continuing Education and Training
  • Humane and Wildlife Education
  • Medical Care, Rehabilitation, and Wellness Care for Animals
  • Pet and Feral Animal Population Control through Spay/Neuter Equipment
  • Other Animal Care Initiatives
Examples of projects preferred by the Kenneth A. Scott Charitable Trust include:
  • Animal Adoption, Behavior Training, and Fostering – projects to increase successful adoptions or other non-capital means of expanding shelter capacity.
  • Continuing Education and Training – opportunities for staff and volunteers to improve delivery of care and retain employees.
  • Humane and Wildlife Education – school and community programs that address respecting animals, humane care, health issues and human/wildlife conflicts.
  • Medical Care, Rehabilitation, and Wellness Care for Animals – improving access to care for native wildlife and owned companion animals in under-resourced urban/rural areas, as well as reducing owner surrender.
  • Pet and Feral Animal Population Control through Spay/Neuter – assistance for owned pets from under resourced households, incentive programs encouraging adoptions from shelters and humane control numbers of community cats or dogs.
  • Equipment – items that directly benefiting homeless or injured animals
  • Other Animal Care Initiatives – projects that celebrate the human-animal bond.