Grant and Funding Programs Offered by Help a Buddy Fund

Help a Buddy Fund is a registered charitable fund operating in Alberta, Canada, dedicated to supporting animal welfare organizations that provide long-term care and rehabilitation for animals in need. The fund focuses on rescues, shelters, sanctuaries and similar groups that rehabilitate, rehome or provide sanctuary to animals, particularly those requiring extended foster or sanctuary care. Through its granting programs, Help a Buddy Fund channels donations and proceeds from joint fundraising events back into the sector as direct financial support.

The organization administers two primary funding streams. Its annual grant program opens each March to eligible animal welfare groups in Alberta and aims to distribute a minimum of $4,000 per year. Within this program, general grants and a dedicated Bella Bucks grant are offered, with available amounts announced each cycle and recipients chosen through a needs-based application process.

In addition, the Bella Bucks Emergency Fund operates year-round as a small emergency donation program. It provides up to $500 per case, while funds are available, to assist with emergency veterinary procedures for animals under the care of rescue organizations. Applications for this stream are accepted continuously and reviewed by the Board of Directors.

Funding is directed to non-profit animal welfare organizations that are registered charities with the Canada Revenue Agency and operate within Alberta. Eligible groups are typically involved in animal rescue, adoption, and humane care, and must have at least one animal in long-term foster or sanctuary care for a year or more to qualify for the main annual grant streams. Clear eligibility criteria are published for both the annual grants and the Bella Bucks program, and applicants submit online forms for consideration.

Help a Buddy Fund actively partners with rescues throughout Alberta to host joint fundraising events such as paint parties, video game marathons and online auctions. These collaborations relieve animal charities of the burden of organizing large fundraisers and provide additional volunteer capacity. The share of event proceeds retained by Help a Buddy Fund is reinvested into its granting programs, amplifying the impact of community donations.

The fund’s mission is to raise awareness of the work done by animal welfare groups engaged in long-term rehabilitation and to ease the financial pressure they face. Its approach combines community education on neglect and abuse, human resources support, and direct financial assistance to charitable animal welfare organizations. Guided by values of compassion and community, Help a Buddy Fund is overseen by a volunteer Board of Directors that steers fund development, governance, and community relations, ensuring that resources are used to strengthen animal welfare capacity across Alberta.