Flexible Funds Support the Humane Society > Chautauqua Region Community Foundation

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Flexible Funds Support the Humane Society
Friday, September 19, 2008

By Rose S. Prinzi

Squeaky, Ladybug, Frosty, Gunther, Lucy, Trigger, Pepper. Last year, these cats and dogs and 85 others from the Humane Society found their forever homes with the help of a Community Service Grant from the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation.

Community Service Funds are by far the most flexible and powerful tool available to the Foundation. Contributors to these funds have the unique opportunity to be proactive by supporting urgent needs of a charitable organization while supporting the mission of the Community Foundation

The decision to end an animal’s life is an extremely serious one, and is always treated as such. In 2003, the Humane Society’s Board of Directors implemented a policy that no healthy and friendly animal would be euthanized due to overcrowding. The Chautauqua County Humane Society has created a shelter that has “no need to kill.”

The key principles of this policy are to work aggressively towards solving the problem of overpopulation by promoting the adoption of animals and conducting extensive spay/neuter programs rather than destroy animals simply because there are not enough homes. The Chautauqua Region Community Foundation has partnered with the Humane Society to this end. Over the years, the Foundation has enabled the Human Society to make incredible progress through financial support to their Spay/Neuter Program and the Reduced Adoption Fee Incentive Program. The number of incoming animals is decreasing and no healthy and friendly animal is put down due to overcrowding

The importance of Community Service Grant funding cannot be overstated. Many of the CRCF grants have some restrictions or criterion built into them, meaning they can only be awarded to certain causes, interests, or organizations. However, Community Service Grants come from the Community Foundation’s unrestricted funds. Therefore, these unrestricted monies can be granted to any project, cause, or organization. This form of grant funding allows the Foundation to address the broadest range of community needs and provides the greatest level of grant flexibility for response to the community's most urgent needs, today and tomorrow. By the end of 2008, local charitable organizations will receive over $350,000 in Community Service Grants. So far this year, the following organizations are among the 45 non-profit groups demonstrating an important need for assistance and have received monies from these flexible funds: Family Service of the Chautauqua Region, Jamestown Audubon Society, Chautauqua Blind Association, Chautauqua Watershed Conversancy, James Prendergast Library Association and the Chautauqua County Historical Society.

As demonstrated by the Human Society funding, the Community Foundation grants could have a large impact on all aspects of the community. Take the time to research Community Foundation grants. Whether you’re thinking about giving or receiving, you would be amazed at the ways you can help too!

If you wish to be a contributor to these powerful, flexible, Community Service Funds call 661-3390 or visit the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, 418 Spring Street, Jamestown, New York.

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