Jean Walker

Jean M. Walker

Jean M. Walker Fund

The aim of the Miccio Foundation's Jean M. Walker Fund is to raise public awareness to improve the humane treatment of animals, including promoting actions to end the cruel and inhumane treatment of animals. The primary focus is companion animals but we will consider all requests. Therefore, the Jean M. Walker Fund will award financial support to individuals and organizations 1) providing educational programming on the humane treatment of animals and/or 2) taking action to end inhumane treatment of animals, particularly the abuse and suffering of companion animals bred under inhumane conditions.

Grants will generally be made to organizations classified as public charities, educational and animal welfare organizations, municipalities, and community service groups. We will not support activities inconsistent with federal, state, or local laws and ordinances, and we reserve the right to a phone interview or a request for additional information prior to making funding decisions. Grants are limited to programs and projects that address the wellbeing of Iowa animals.

Grants within the humane education category can be used to support: mass media campaigns on animal welfare; educational programming in K-12 schools; culturally-sensitive educational programming in communities; continuing education for shelter staff and volunteers specific to their role as educators; and other proposals within the scope of humane education as it applies to overpopulation, care, or the need to adopt.

Grants within the category of ending inhumane treatment of companion animals can be used to support: animal cruelty workshops for the public; media campaigns to end puppy mills and other dog breeding under inhumane conditions; media and database projects documenting breeding facility conditions, dog fighting, abuse, outcomes of court cases, and/or anti-cruelty laws; staff training in prevention and investigation of animal cruelty; and other proposals within the scope of ending inhumane treatment of companion animals.

Projects of greatest interest are those that include:

Each funding cycle, individuals or organizations may apply for one Jean M. Walker Grant in addition to applying for a Mini or Standard grant from the Miccio Foundation. Funding cycles occur twice annually, in May and November. The Foundation will award up to $1,000 for a Jean M. Walker Grant.  Click here for a Jean M. Walker application.

 

Past Award Recipients

2010

Jean M. Walker Grants Awarded in May 2010
Amount
Iowa Federation of Human Societies (IFHS), Des Moines
Liz Ford, Board Member
Animal Welfare Conference
$1,000
Iowa Voters for Companion Animals (IVCA), Des Moines
Mary LaHay, Director
Education on the new law regarding better oversight of puppy mills  
$1,000

2009

Jean M. Walker Grants Awarded in November 2009
Amount
Iowa Equine Rescue & Awareness League (IERAL), Cedar Rapids
Karla Sibert, President
Helping law enforcement effectively investigate neglect and cruelty
$1,000
PAWS & More Animal Shelter, Washington - See Pictures!
Sue Murphy, Board Member 
Educational programming to improve the treatment of animals by children
$400
Jean M. Walker Grants Awarded in May 2009
Amount
Iowa Equine Rescue & Awareness League (IERAL), Cedar Rapids
Karla Sibert, President - See Pictures!
Helping horses in Iowa: Recognizing and responding to abuse
$1,000
Noah's Ark Animal Foundation, Fairfield
Janet Mullen, Director 
Humane education classroom and school tour launch materials
$960


2008

Jean M. Walker Grants Awarded in November 2008
Amount
Animal Welfare Foundation of Iowa, Oxford Junction
Nancy Crist, President
Got compassion? Multi-level animal cruelty prevention program
$1,000
Two by Two Campus, Dubuque
Kristin Woodward, Director
Kindhearted kids character and humane education programs
$1,000
Noah's Ark Animal Foundation, Fairfield
Janet Mullen, Director
Humane education traveling library
$428
Jean M. Walker Grants Awarded in May 2008
Amount
Iowa Equine Rescue & Awareness League (IERAL), Cedar Rapids
Karla Sibert, President
Training for state and county law enforcement personnel on how to respond to equine neglect and abuse
$1,000
Noah's Ark Animal Foundation, Fairfield
Janet Mullen, Director
Humane education certification training for shelter volunteers and staff
$660