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Fund Raising the Do's and Don'ts
Fund Raising and Grants
Our first fund raising site was YouCaring. We had a lot to learn about fund raising but we jumped into the running water. We quickly learned that the wording had to be very exact. In the first description we only listed the fence on Highway 318 as a single use for the funds gathered. After some time and conversations we realized that if the fence was never built or if we raised more than was needed, or if CDOT or the BLM paid for the fence, we would have to refund all the donations! But we also realized there were many other places the donations could be used in Sand Wash Basin to support the Wild Horses.
At that time we adjusted the wording to ; Donations will be used for water sources, signage, fencing needs, trail cameras to track our wild horses and other wild life in Sand Wash Basin and along the highway, DNA testing and the education of our followers and visitors to Sand Wash Basin.
The first time we participated in Giving Tuesday we listed only the fence on Highway 318 for the use of the funds collected. The funds from the Giving Tuesday and YouCaring that we received for the fence have been set aside in our books and we knew that they could not be spent on any other projects in Sand Wash Basin.
We received 14,909,28 for the Giving Tuesday Campaign in 2018
We received 3824.00 from WePay or YouCaring. The total 18, 733 could only be used for the fence on Highway 318. All other fund had a disclaimer attached allowing for the donations to be used for the fence, DNA, water projects, signs, and other needs to help keep our wild horses safe and improve their range. Other than administration costs WHW has not used one penny for our personal fuel, food, lodging or supplies to support our work for the wild horses of Sand Wash Basin
Both accounts require two signatures. Most of the donations go directly into the Foundations account. When we need to use money to pay for projects it is then transferred into the "working" account.
We currently have 3 individuals working on writing grants to help with the cost of the fence. With Covid we have been told that grants may be very hard to get. We have also asked for donations from fencing supply companies. All of this and more is in the works. We will update the public when we have news to share.
Comments
With the donations received for the fence project we also received many messages such as the following:
I am delighted to hear that so many people have joined in to help our precious wild ones. This money will be put to such good use. Thank you all so much.
I know this money will be well spent by Aletha Dove
I intended to send money for the Hwy Fence but please use as needed. ❤️
Wild Horse Warriros is very careful with the funds we have received in donations, and every purchase is discussed in detail.
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WHAT YOUR DONATIONS DID NOT PAY FOR
Personal Expenses of Volunteers
Each year there have been projects that Wild Horse Warriors has undertaken that involve expenses that are not reimbursed. Some of those expenses include:
The time and fuel for the tractor used at Lake Draw.
The large round tank that was donated at Lake Draw.
The fuel and use of the black truck and trailer used to haul the water tanks.
The use and fuel for the tractor used to seal the ponds.
Wild Horse Warriors did not pay to repair the suspension on the trailer that was used to haul the water tanks.
Although the purchase of trail cameras is listed on our donation page, to date all camera's, camera solar panels, the wi-fi subscription, and the lock boxes for the cameras, have all been purchased by individuals and no donation money has been used for cameras, lock boxes or solar panels or the batteries for trail cameras. Each month we were changing the batteries in 3 cameras every two weeks. That is 24 batteries each time we changed the batteries. There have now been solar panels donated that will help with the cost of the batteries.
We make numerous trips out to Highway 318 during the winter and to the water sources this summer to change batteries or check the camera and download the SD cards.
When the generators were being used there were several of us that made a trip out to check the water and turn on the generator. IF we did not stay in the basin we had to make a return trip to the basin to turn the generator off and the solar panels back on.
Wild Horse Warriors Tours paid for most of the fuel used in the generators.
The water tanks at Lake Draw need continual attention. Moss grows quickly in the tanks and if left unattended it plugs the drain pipes. WHW makes numerous trips to the basin to add Stock Defense to the tanks and clean the moss out. The Stock Defense slows the growth, but due to the amount of water that passes through the tanks it only works for a day or two.
Combined we spend close to 150 days in the basin each year. While in the Basin we are checking the water, vegetation, and the health of the wild horses . Wild Horse Warriors for Sand Wash Basin does not pay for our fuel for these trips.
Wild Horse Warriors does not pay for our business cards, the boosts on FaceBook, the net clothing to protect us from the gnats, sunscreen, bug spray, snake gators, our WHW t-shirts, our personal drinks or snacks while we are in the Basin.
As volunteers we understand that our time and the above items are donations.