The Phoenix Fund

Named in honor of the dog whose story of abuse inspired the creation of the Show Your Soft Side campaign, The Phoenix Fund was created to support the medical needs of Maryland’s abused and neglected dogs. While shelters often fundraise to provide immediate, lifesaving care to the dogs that come through their doors, their long-term rehabilitation and ongoing medical needs ultimately fall on the rescue organizations that take them in. A dog who has suffered extreme neglect may require ongoing medical or dental care, as well as therapy, behavioral assessments, and training, which can place significant financial burdens on rescue organizations. With support from The Kroneberger Group at RBC Wealth Management, we created this fund to provide some immediate relief to Maryland rescues in good standing to ensure these dogs receive the care they need to prepare them for their forever homes.

The Phoenix Fund logo

In order to be pre-vetted, Maryland rescues should submit a copy of their IRS Determination Letter, W-9 and a current State Registration Renewal Letter to gro.edistfosruoywohsnull@mik. To apply, please review the guidelines below and submit an application below.

Guidelines

In 2020, Show Your Soft Side (SYSS) created The Phoenix Fund to provide grants to rescue organizations in Maryland that accept dogs into their adoption program that have endured prior neglect or abuse.  Please review the following guidelines before submitting an application for funding.

  1. The Phoenix Fund is limited to rescue organizations in Maryland.  Grants awarded under the Fund shall be used to assist with the care and rehabilitation of dogs that have endured prior neglect or abuse.
  2. The Phoenix Fund will provide grants of up to $500, which may solely be used to provide necessary veterinary care and medications, as well as special equipment/food and/or evaluations from animal behaviorists or trainers.  Funding requests for routine care, such as spay/neuter surgery, vaccinations, deworming, flea treatments, etc. will not be considered.  Disbursements will be limited by the necessity for treatment and the amount of funding available.
  3. Grants shall only be provided to 501(c)3 non-profit rescue organizations that are in compliance with all federal and state requirements for non-profit entities.  Applicants must be in good standing and shall submit copies of their 1) IRS Determination Letter 2) W-9 and 3) current state Charitable Registration Renewal Letter due in January ’22.  Applicant organizations may submit this documentation in advance.
  4. Grantees may submit successive applications for a dog, provided the grantee submits an accounting, including receipts, detailing how prior grant funds were expended.
  5. Grantees shall indemnify and hold SYSS harmless from any and all claims, damages, and other expenses relating to any dog that is the beneficiary of grant funding from the Phoenix Fund.
  6. SYSS will use its best efforts to allocate funds responsibly each year. SYSS reserves the right to deny funding for any reason, but will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, sex, religion, age, national origin, sexual orientation, political affiliation, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, personal appearance, marital or family status or other status protected by law.
  7. Within 90 days of receiving a grant from The Phoenix Fund, a grantee shall provide an itemization to SYSS, including receipts, detailing how such funding was utilized.

Funding Request Form

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