In August 2009, I wrote created a mock grant proposal for the Pasadena Humane Society.  The Grant Proposal was for an event I made up called “Bark Park Day”, addressed to a make-believe possible donor.  I wanted to showcase my ability to write up a persuasive grant letter.

December 17, 2009

Mr. Don Or
Executive Director
Funder Foundation
123 Fourth Street
Burbank, CA 91506

RE: BARK PARK ADOPTION DAY EVENT

Dear Mr. Don Or,

The Pasadena Humane Society is pleased to present this proposal for your review.  We look forward to partnering with you to launch a new adoption event for our four-legged friends called Bark Park Adoption Day.  The Pasadena Humane Society has over 40 at-risk dogs with a fifty percent chance of staying at the shelter for more than two months without being adopted.  Statistics show that the average adoption is more likely to be completed by a potential applicant after a face to face socialization with the potential pet.  The objective of the Bark Park Adoption Day event is to increase the chances of adoption as well as decrease the length of stay at the shelter of every dog by allowing the public to socialize with all these wonderful animals at a hands-on level.

During the last year, we have been piloting the Bark Park Adoption Day event with a small select number of dogs and we have seen a dramatic improvement with the rate in which our dogs are adopted well before two months of first arriving at the shelter.  The Bark Park Adoption exposure provides our dogs with numerous advantages: an exciting day away from the confines of a kennel, exposure to potential adopters, and a chance to woo those potential adopters by allowing the type of hands-on socialization that is absolutely priceless and thoroughly enjoyed by both human and animal.

We have seen undeniable and measurable success and are now seeking to expand this event to include every single eligible dog at our shelter as well as the entire adoption-interested public in a one day event.  Our proposal requests $4,500.00 in funding to obtain all the components necessary to equip The Pasadena Humane Society to build this entire day event.

We truly appreciate Funder Foundation taking an interest in helping our animals develop an unprecedented adoption rate through our new adoption event.  Please give me a call at 626-792-7151 if you require any further information or have any questions at all regarding this proposal.

Thank you!

Alberta Lim
Development Associate
Pasadena Humane Society
361 S. Raymond Ave.
Pasadena, CA 91105
alim@phsspca.org

Bark Park Adoption Day:
Increasing Adoption Rate for At-Risk Dogs
Submitted to:  Funder Foundation

Date:  December 17, 2009

 
Event Abstract
The Pasadena Humane Society, in Pasadena CA, is seeking a grant to launch our Bark Park Adoption Day event with the objective of helping all our at-risk dogs increase the rate of their adoption while decreasing the length of stay at the shelter.  The objective is that by the end of the day of this event, more than half the dogs involved will either be completely adopted or at least in the finishing phase of the adoption process.  The Bark Park Adoption Day event is based on the latest statistics on effective methods for adoption success.  Funding in the amount of $4,500 is requested for all required materials and advertising for the event.

Statement of Need
The Pasadena Humane Society has over 50 dogs, of which 40 have been determined to be at risk of not being adopted at all or not being adopted in more than two months for a variety of reasons including not being exposed to the right potential adopter.  The resource and expense used to house and provide for these animals could be better used towards a method of increasing their rate of their adoption.  If these dogs are not given the opportunity to meet and socialize with any and all potential adopters and improve their chance of being adopted out of the shelter, they will, as studies show, at best remain confined at the shelter for more than is ideally recommended and at worse, be considered for euthanasia.  This is a thought we would not like to entertain.

Event Description
The Pasadena Humane Society’s Bark Park Adoption Day is a mix of a dog park, petting zoo, and adoption faire, all rolled into one.  Preparations will begin a few weeks before the event with attentive planning.  Our experienced adoption staff will go through our kennels to note any dog that may not be a suitable candidate for a dog-park type event, such as any dog with characteristics of aggressiveness, any dog with a history of conflicts with other animals, or any dog too sensitive due to past abuse.  Every dog that the staff deems suited for this event will be able to participate, with some wiggle room for any dog that might be adopted beforehand, or any possible new incoming dog.

In weeks before the Bark Park Adoption Day, advertising for the event will consist of fliers, web banners, ads in the newsletter, as well as in the newspaper.  As far as location of the event, the Pasadena Humane Society is already in talks with the City of Pasadena to borrow for the day a certain area called Alice’s Dog Park.  Alice’s Dog Park is a two and a half acre grassy fenced-in area already designed as a dog park.  Pasadena Humane Society will reserve the park for the entire day between the hours of 9 to 5, on a day of beautiful weather.  Although chosen date will be flexible, we foresee the event to be preferably on the months around April and September, for optimal chance of good weather. Ideally, this event shall be so successful as to warrant it to occur semi-annually.

With location set, we now turn our attention to the manner in which our dogs are transported to the event.  We are in talks with a reputable animal transportation company who are very experienced in the safe transport of animals.  The animals shall only be in transit for less than 20 minutes, as the distance from the shelter to the park is only five miles.

For this event, the Pasadena Humane Society intends to utilize its staff and volunteers, as well as hiring additional help if needed, to provide for every dog to be assigned to one person.  This staff/volunteer person shall be responsible for their dog, keeping an eye upon it for the entire event, as well as assisting any prospective adopters with information about their pet.

Upon arrival at the park, each staff/volunteer will enter their assigned dog into the park and unleash.    The public will be allowed to begin entering as well.  If necessary, any legality such as the release of liability or consent forms will be required to sign at admission.  The public will have an option to donate at admission, with all proceeds benefitting our animals directly.  Once inside, there shall be ample seating such as lawn chairs, as well as some dog toys such as tennis balls, to encourage interactive play between the public and the dogs.  There will also be a few volunteers with Polaroid cameras, and the public may have the option to take a picture with their dog of interest, maybe for the cost of a dollar or two with proceeds going to the shelter.

Each dog shall have a temporary collar with a tag which lists their personal ID number.  This will be used to clearly identify them should anyone be interested in their adoption.  A few adoption tables shall be set up just outside the park fence with complete necessary materials, to allow for an easy and yet attentive adoption process.  Also, water bottles will be sold outside the fence, again with proceeds going directly to benefit our animals.  Any food or drink other than water will not be permitted, as is usual in dog parks.

The day will continue as such, with the dogs allowed to run and play freely, and enjoy life outside the kennels for a while.  Meanwhile people will come and visit and play with the dogs, much like in a petting zoo, except for when they find a dog they like, they will have the option to adopt it.  They will be able to throw tennis balls for the dogs to catch, pet the animals, and see if there is any connection with any animals, and simply have a good time out doors with them.  With such a formula that is this event, The Pasadena Humane Society expects only the most successful turnout, with an unprecedented rate in completed adoptions.

Goals and Objectives
The goal of the Pasadena Humane Society’s Bark Park Adoption Day event is to enable at-risk dogs to improve their chances at adoption through an entire day event which will encourage socialization and bonding with potential adopters.  Studies have shown that potential adopters are more likely to complete the entire adoption process of an animal after socialization and playing with the animal.  Also, a match is more accurate when the adopter is able to meet and play and really feel the personality of his potential pet in an environment conducive to finding that bond, or realizing the potential for a strong bond.

The main objectives include:
1)      Providing a measurable increase of completed adoptions and adoption process beginnings, all in 1 day.
2)      Increasing adoption awareness in the community.
3)      Creating a fun day event with which the public may participate and enjoy the dogs.
4)      Allowing the animals one day away from the confines of the kennels to run freely and happily in a safe and fenced-in area.

Budget
The budget includes all necessary material essential to make this event successful and is budgeted for forty dogs participating in the event.

Evaluation
Standardized statistical tests will be conducted at the beginning and end of the day of the event, as well as in every succeeding event should we decide to continue semi-annually.  Accurate records will be kept to determine the effectiveness of the event in regards to adoption rate increase.  At the end of this event, sheer numbers of completed adoptions will convey the success of this event.