The program’s aim is to advocate for animal assisted activity with Therapy/Comfort Dogs and their roles as supportive friends and trusted companions.
The Charlotte’s Litter Therapy Dog Program advocates for therapy dog programs in educational settings and is committed to financial support for K-12 schools that provide these services. The Charlotte’s Litter Grant Program accepts grant applications all year and makes determination on eligibility twice a year in January and August. To apply, organizations must meet the following criteria and guidelines. Charlotte’s Litter is a program of the Charlotte Helen Bacon Foundation.
Click through the tabs below to learn more about the grant and our requirements:
The purpose of the grant is to increase the availability of qualified dog handlers, therapy dogs, and effective programs that utilize therapy dogs in educational settings. Organizations chosen to receive funding will be spotlighted and recognized on the Charlotte’s Litter website.
Restrictions:
- Grants may only be applied to training, current programs, or developing programs that use therapy dogs in K-12 schools (public or private)
- Charlotte’s Litter believes strongly that ownership of a therapy dog must lie with the institution and will not accept grant applications requesting funds for the purchase of a dog.
- We expect that all dogs have successfully completed basic obedience training. Grants will not be considered until this minimum level of training is completed.
- Charlotte’s Litter only funds organizations classified as tax exempt under the section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service. Individuals are not eligible.
- Please note: Other foundations/organizations supporting this kind of work financially or programmatically are not eligible to receive funds through a Charlotte’s Litter grant.
The purpose of the grant is to increase the availability of qualified dog handlers, therapy dogs, and effective programs that utilize therapy dogs in educational settings. Organizations chosen to receive funding will be spotlighted and recognized on the Charlotte’s Litter website.
For continuing programs, your proposal should include:
- A description and history of your institution/school district
- An outline of your program and continued training
- Detailed description of who and how your program reaches students
- A track record of long-time service demonstrating deep connections between your therapy dog and students. This is your place to WOW us with your most compelling story.
- Annual costs incurred by your organization. Please be specific.
- Organization legal name, mailing address, phone number, and email
- A copy of your IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter or other tax exempt document
- Organization form 990
For new programs, your proposal should include:
- A description and history of your school district/institution
- A timeline of your training program including therapy dog certification and school program start date.
- Inclusion of signed contracts by dog training organization
- Progress report and successful milestones your dog has reached.
- Detailed description of who and how your program reaches students.
- Costs incurred by your school district/institution to implement this program. Please be specific.
- Institution/school districts legal name, mailing address, phone number, and valid email address
- A copy of your IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter or other tax exempt document
- 990 form
A Grant Evaluation Report must be submitted by the organization within 12 months of receiving funding from Charlotte’s Litter. The report should include the following criteria:
1. Identification
- Organization
- Project/Program
- Period covered by this report
2. Results to date
- Your actual results and how they relate to your original projected results
- Changes you made to the program/project’s initial concept and why
- How you evaluated your program/project (questionnaires, surveys, etc.)
- Number of people actually served
- Do you plan to continue the program/project?
3. Public Relations
- If possible, please provide any quotes or human interest stories that illustrate the success of the program/project
- Please attach copies of any news article, photos of your program in action, support letters, evaluation or other relevant information
For new programs, your proposal should include:
All schools are required to complete a Grant Evaluation Report within 12 months after receiving funding. Criteria for the report will be provided to the organization when initial funding is received. Failure to submit the report, will forfeit the school’s eligibility for future support.
Proposal and documents can be submitted here, mailed to CHB Foundation, PO Box 681, Newtown, CT 06470 or emailed to charlotteslitter@gmail.com. Charlotte’s Litter reserves the right to determine appropriate funding allocation.
Charlotte’s Litter Therapy Dog Grants & StoryWalk®
Recipients of our Therapy Dog Grants frequently enjoy participating in our StoryWalk® program, a fun and creative way for kids—and adults—to enjoy reading and the outdoors at the same time. Charlotte’s Litter grant recipients will receive free books and an intro to the StoryWalk® program to help get it started.
“At the time of the original grant request, Gabriel’s Angels was partnering with 29 schools and served over 3500 children. With your support, Gabriel’s Angels is currently partnering with 37 schools and provided pet therapy to 4,070 at-risk children through our school based Pet therapy program.”
Michele Shipitofsky, Gabriel’s Angels, Phoenix AZ, 2017 recipient
“There is so much research that suggests that the use of therapeutic animals is beneficial for learning self regulation and empathy. These are skills that make our students better learners. We are so fortunate to have this grant and these precious four legged empathy ambassadors in our district. ”
Nelba Márquez-Greene, LMFT, The Ana Grace Project, 2017 recipient
Amazing and so generous. We will honor Charlotte through Rudy and her work with our students. We are honored and excited to share your foundation, your story, and Charlotte with our community.