The Ballot Initiative
 Spokane, Washington

Introduction

The Spay/NeuterTrust Fund

SPCA Petitions County

The Ballot Initiative

Coalition of Organizations Petitions County

Nonprofit organization initiates volunteer-run city s/n fund
In 1995, in Spokane, LaVerne Kettlety and Margaret J. Leonard prepared an initiative proposing that one-tenth of one percent (.001) of the city's general fund be used solely for spaying and neutering of cats and dogs residing within the city limits. The funding was estimated to come to about $100,000 per year. They brought the proposal to City Council to vote on. They were turned down.

Undaunted, the women took their idea directly to the voters and the initiative passed by 55%. Spokane voters endorsed the offering of free s/n services to city cats and dogs. The plan was voted in for three years!

At the end of the three years, City Council makes the decision to continue the program or to eliminate it. One of the City officials feels it may be better to “fix” roads rather than “fixing” pets. If the program continues, there have been recommendations to “alter” it. Instead of being tied to the general fund, it has been proposed that three dollars from license fees go to cover the s/n expenses. The funds will go further since the altering will no longer be free, but will carry a discount voucher instead. Veterinary clinics would set their own fees and accept the vouchers as partial payment. All of the money generated by the $3 will be used for s/n discounting. Under the old plan about 2,000 animals per year were altered free of charge.

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Next: Coalition of Organizations Petitions County

Articles:
Writing A Grant Do's and Dont's
Successful Grant Applications (a PDF of a PowerPoint presentation)

Granting Foundations:
DJ & T Foundation
PETCO Foundation
PETsMART Charities Foundation

Fundraising Initiatives:
Putting the Fun Back in Fundraising
Finding Funding to Fix Feral Felines
iGive.com

Government Grants or Appropriations:
Block Grants

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