Grant Prep Sheets
Deep research on what each funder wants + draft responses ready to customize

Draft: This grant will support "Gentle Steps Outdoors" — an outdoor-based compassion education program that connects [Eagle County/Denver Metro] youth from underserved communities with Colorado's animal sanctuaries, rescue ranches, and wildlife habitats. Students from Title I schools will visit equine therapy centers, wildlife rehabilitation facilities, and farm sanctuaries, building empathy and environmental stewardship through direct interaction with animals in their natural outdoor environments. The program serves [X] students from [specific communities] across [X] schools, with priority given to youth from low-income households, communities of color, and students with disabilities who have limited access to outdoor animal experiences.

Draft: We will engage [150-300] K-8 students and their families from [County Name], focusing on Title I schools where 60%+ of students qualify for free/reduced lunch. Target communities include [specific neighborhoods/towns]. Demographics: approximately [X%] Hispanic/Latino, [X%] African American, [X%] white, with [X] students receiving special education services. Families will be invited to quarterly outdoor events at partner facilities, extending the program's reach to siblings and parents who may never have visited an animal sanctuary or rescue ranch.

Draft: The program runs 8 months (October 2026 – May 2027) with monthly outdoor excursions progressing from local (school therapy dog visits in outdoor classrooms) to regional (shelter field trips, equine center visits, wildlife habitat walks). Each visit includes: (1) guided animal observation in outdoor settings, (2) nature journaling and scientific sketching, (3) age-appropriate animal care tasks (grooming, feeding, habitat maintenance), and (4) reflection circles connecting animal welfare to environmental stewardship. Partner facilities include [Far View Horse Rescue / Humane Colorado / specific partners] — all located in outdoor, natural settings that immerse students in Colorado's landscapes while building compassion skills.

Draft: $75,000 — covering transportation ($18,000), partner facility fees ($12,000), program staff/handlers ($24,000), materials and equipment ($8,000), family engagement events ($6,000), evaluation ($4,000), and administration ($3,000).

Draft: Gentle Steps is a Colorado-based nonprofit [or: operating under fiscal sponsorship of X] dedicated to building compassion in children through structured, progressive animal interaction. Founded in [2026] by [Dolly], a lifelong educator and animal welfare advocate, Gentle Steps fills a gap that no other organization occupies: a complete K-12, standards-aligned curriculum that uses direct animal experience — not just animal themes — as the medium for social-emotional growth. We currently serve [or plan to serve] [X] students across [X] Colorado schools.

Draft: Gentle Steps delivers twice-monthly sessions where certified therapy animals visit classrooms, guided by trained handlers following a structured curriculum. Students progress from observation (K-1) to hands-on care (2-3) to community engagement (4-5) to shelter volunteering (6-8) — each tier building on the previous. This Latham-funded program will specifically implement our Tier 3-4 service-learning component: middle school students volunteering at [local shelter/rescue], reading to shelter animals, creating enrichment toys, and documenting animal behavior for adoption profiles — authentic service that benefits real animals while developing empathy, responsibility, and civic engagement.

Draft: Our program directly embodies the Latham Steps hierarchy: (1) AWARENESS — students first observe animals, learning to read body language and recognize needs; (2) KNOWLEDGE — understanding animal welfare science, species-appropriate care, and the human-animal bond; (3) COMPASSION — developing emotional connection through sustained relationship with specific animals over time; (4) RESPONSIBILITY — taking action through service that benefits animals (the 2026 service-learning priority); (5) ADVOCACY — older students developing voice to speak for animal welfare in their communities. Each tier of our K-12 curriculum maps to a Latham Step, creating a complete developmental journey from awareness to advocacy.

Draft: The service-learning component places [6th-8th grade] students in direct service roles at [partner organization]. Students provide: (a) shelter animal socialization — 30 minutes of structured reading/gentle interaction with kenneled dogs, reducing stress behaviors; (b) enrichment creation — designing and building puzzle feeders, comfort toys, and sensory items for shelter animals; (c) adoption profile photography and behavior documentation — students photograph and describe animals to improve adoption listings. The education-service link is explicit: classroom lessons on animal behavior and welfare (education) directly inform and improve the quality of shelter service (hands-on component). Students document their learning through reflective journals and present findings to peers.

Draft: We measure four dimensions: (1) EMPATHY — pre/post validated empathy scale (Bryant Index of Empathy for Children); (2) SERVICE QUALITY — shelter staff assessment of student contributions (animal stress reduction metrics, enrichment quality ratings); (3) KNOWLEDGE — animal welfare knowledge assessment (pre/post 15-item instrument); (4) ENGAGEMENT — attendance, participation rubrics, and student self-assessment of growth. Final report will include quantitative outcomes, student testimonials, and shelter partner assessment within one month of program conclusion.

Draft:
Transportation to shelter (24 trips × $150): $3,600
Program materials & supplies: $1,800
Handler/coordinator stipend (part-time): $2,400
Assessment instruments & evaluation: $800
Enrichment supply budget (student-created): $900
Documentation & reporting: $500
Total: $10,000