UCAN celebrated March Madness with some terrific news from two major foundations in the last week – the Greater Cincinnati Foundation (GCF), which awarded UCAN’s largest capital grant, and the Ohio Animal Health Foundation (OAHF), which gave UCAN its first operating grant.
The week began on a high note with notification that UCAN’s application for a $75,000 capital grant has been approved in its entirety by the GCF board! The grant will be used to complete construction of the UCAN Spay/Neuter Clinic, slated to open in Queensgate on April 16th.
According to Kristy Moster, GCF senior grants administrator, approval of UCAN’s total grant request “speaks volumes” about the confidence GCF’s board has in the ability of UCAN to accomplish its spay/neuter mission, and ultimately to reduce pet over-population and euthanasia rates in this region.
Receipt of the GCF grant brings the UCAN capital campaign to 93% of its $490,000 goal for clinic construction and start-up. With expert project management and some timely in-kind equipment donations, however, UCAN expects to save enough to make up most, if not all, of the difference. This means that 93% of goal may actually turn out to cover 100% of capital costs for the UCAN Spay/Neuter Clinic!
“This is a $75,000 vote of confidence from the region’s largest community foundation, and a tangible endorsement of our efforts,” Sanger said. “We are most appreciative of GCF’s generous financial support, and grateful that they believe so strongly in our ability to deliver positive results for the people and pets of our region.”
The second grant received by UCAN last week – an award of $5,000 in operating funds from the Ohio Animal Health Foundation – will directly benefit those most in need.
Operating grants such as this differ from capital grants in that they can be used to defray everyday expenses. Thus, the OAHF grant will enable the UCAN clinic to offer further subsidies to low-income people who can’t afford our already low spay/neuter pricing of $30 for cats/$55 for dogs.
“We don’t want to turn away any individual who brings their cat or dog to the UCAN clinic for spaying or neutering,” said Sarah Skoglund, clinic executive director. “Yet to be sustainable as a non-profit clinic, we need to cover our expenses. This grant from the Ohio Animal Health Foundation will help us do both.”
Then, echoing sentiments felt by everyone involved with UCAN, she added: “We thank the OAHF board for its help toward fulfilling our mission of serving lower-income populations in the tri-state.”
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