The Daily Rave

[iris lilies]

I want to give a shout out in the universe to the tiny cat rescue group in my town called “Ferals In Peril.” I’m blown away by the work they’ve been doing. Just in the last several months, they have opened an adoption center which is called The Cat Cafe where anyone can go in for a small fee and hang out with some cats and have some coffee.

They recently did a program at the public library for kids about cat care.

They have been operating for several years.

They are now expanding their trap, neuter, and release program throughout our county…
This is a wonderful example of what a small and dedicated group of people can do, and that’s why I urge everyone to get familiar with a couple of the nonprofit groups in your community and give your money to them. The big national groups may or may not be any good, I don’t know, but some of these tiny ones are just amazing.

https://www.facebook.com/feralsinperilinchermannmo.org?

Same for our Bulldog Rescue group which has been going for nearly 15 years now. I’m on the board. I know how the money is spent. The idea of anyone making any money from this operation is laughable. And like many organizations, I fear for its longevity when the current director decides to step down.

I don’t mean this exclusively for animal welfare organizations, I mean it for any small organization in your local community. Local support is very important, and don’t funnel your money through United Way, just give directly.

[early morning]

Local support is very important, and don’t funnel your money through United Way, just give directly.

yes! Having documented local support is often key to receiving grants also, both at the local and state/national levels. I volunteer at a local historical/educational museum. We are almost totally donation/grant funded. We do sell merch in our gift shop, but much of what we sell is also donated, or purchased by supporters for our resale. We have several (grossly under-)paid employees, and are partially volunteer-staffed. I do think having some paid staff leads to stronger continuity of the organization, especially when a large number of people leave/time out from the BOD. I get your bulldog rescue concerns!

And don't get me started on United Way - I will never be a supporter, due in part to their ham-fisted efforts to convince businesses to force their employees to donate by waving that 100% participation "accomplishment award" around. Where I used to work, we had to sign a United Way pledge form even if we weren't donating, that specified NO contribution. I always refused to sign. Years later, I found out the secretary, under pressure, signed my name to those forms. I was livid.

[rosarugosa]

yes! Having documented local support is often key to receiving grants also, both at the local and state/national levels. I volunteer at a local historical/educational museum. We are almost totally donation/grant funded. We do sell merch in our gift shop, but much of what we sell is also donated, or purchased by supporters for our resale. We have several (grossly under-)paid employees, and are partially volunteer-staffed. I do think having some paid staff leads to stronger continuity of the organization, especially when a large number of people leave/time out from the BOD. I get your bulldog rescue concerns!

And don't get me started on United Way - I will never be a supporter, due in part to their ham-fisted efforts to convince businesses to force their employees to donate by waving that 100% participation "accomplishment award" around. Where I used to work, we had to sign a United Way pledge form even if we weren't donating, that specified NO contribution. I always refused to sign. Years later, I found out the secretary, under pressure, signed my name to those forms. I was livid.

We had that very same thing going on with the UW at my large employer (minus the form forgery, at least as far as I know). At some point there was finally a change in leadership that changed the corporate giving policy, and employees were given the choice to donate to their own preferred charities, with a generous company match. Employee donations went WAY up, what a surprise, lol.