What happens when your love for animals begins to shape not only how you live and eat, but also the work you choose to do?
In this episode of the Plant Based Eating for Health Podcast, Kathleen Gage talks with Stephanie Mathers, founder and CEO of Grants 4 Animals. Stephanie shares how adopting her first cat, Shakespeare, led to animal rescue, TNR work, sanctuary advocacy, veganism, and ultimately a purpose-driven business helping animal nonprofits secure funding.
Since launching Grants 4 Animals, Stephanie and her team have helped secure, manage, and report on more than $6 million in grant funding for animal-related nonprofits.
From Animal Lover to Vegan Advocate
Stephanie grew up in a traditional meat-and-potatoes household and experimented with vegetarianism before becoming vegan in 2012. Learning about the treatment of dairy cows became
a turning point that transformed a 30-day vegan experiment into a permanent commitment.
She and Kathleen discuss how veganism often develops over time as our food, purchasing, and professional choices begin to align more closely with our compassion for animals.
Creating a Purpose-Driven Business
After spending 20 years in education, Stephanie realized her career no longer felt right for her. Her first attempt at starting a business did not work as planned, but it introduced her to animal sanctuaries and eventually led to Grants 4 Animals.
Her experience is a reminder that an unsuccessful idea is not always a dead end. Sometimes it points us toward the work we are truly meant to do.
Is Your Nonprofit Grant-Ready?
Many nonprofits begin searching for grants before they have the necessary foundation in place. Stephanie explains that receiving 501(c)(3) status does not automatically make an organization ready to apply for funding.
Grant readiness may include:
- Clear financial and animal-tracking systems
- Established policies and procedures
- Strong organizational and program descriptions
- A compelling and consistent story
- An active email list
- Realistic funding goals
- The ability to manage and report on awarded funds
Becoming grant-ready takes time, but the process strengthens every area of fundraising, including donor communication, email marketing, major-gift conversations, and social media campaigns.
Grants Are Only Part of the Solution
Grants can become an important source of revenue, but they are rarely the answer to an immediate financial crisis. Animal nonprofits need multiple income streams, which may include individual donors, monthly giving, corporate sponsorships, merchandise, educational programs, tours, events, and grants.
Stephanie also explains why organizations must consider the time and effort required for each fundraising activity, not simply how much money it might generate.
Train Your Own Grant Writer
Stephanie created Train Your Own Grant Writer to help animal nonprofits develop grant-writing skills from within their organizations. A staff member, board member, or committed volunteer can learn the systems, tools, and strategies needed to build a sustainable grant campaign.
In This Episode, You’ll Discover
- How Stephanie’s love for animals led her to veganism
- Why her first business idea helped reveal her true path
- What nonprofits frequently misunderstand about grants
- The essential elements of grant readiness
- Why grants should never be an organization’s only funding strategy
- How an email list supports fundraising and grant compliance
- Ways to create multiple nonprofit income streams
- How to transition toward work that reflects your values
Connect With Stephanie Mathers
Learn more about Stephanie, Grants 4 Animals, and the Train Your Own Grant Writer program at Grants4Animals.com.
You can also find Grants 4 Animals on social media.
About Stephanie Mathers
Stephanie Mathers has been involved in animal welfare since adopting her first cat, Shakespeare, in 2002. As her love for animals grew, she rescued more cats (along with a few house bunnies) and became involved in TNR for community cats in Williamston, Michigan.
After moving to Utah in 2010, Stephanie started helping animal rescues in her spare time. Her roles varied from animal care volunteer to board member to grant writer. After exploring vegetarianism on and off, she became vegan in 2012 and turned her focus to helping sanctuaries and organizations that worked with rescued farmed animals.
In the meantime, she fostered a career in education, with roles including English Teacher, Principal, Curriculum Director, and Policy Writer. During this time, she also wrote grants in the education sector and ran a short-lived vegan travel blog called Veg-X.
In 2021, through connections made with Veg-X, Stephanie began devoting more time and energy to her work writing grants for animal-related nonprofits and officially launched Grants 4 Animals LLC. She quickly recognized a deep need among animal-related nonprofits for grant-writing assistance. Today, Stephanie works with a small group of grant-writing clients and enjoys providing training, tools, and courses for animal-related nonprofits seeking to earn grants and develop additional income streams.
Since its formation, Grants 4 Animals LLC has secured, managed, and reported on over $6 million in funding for animal-related nonprofits, and its courses and resources have helped hundreds of nonprofits build grant capacity and earn funding.
About Kathleen Gage
Kathleen Gage is a multifaceted professional, renowned as the founder of Vegan Visibility. With certifications in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) and Plant-Based Nutrition from eCornell University, she’s a seasoned business consultant, keynote speaker, and marketing strategist.
Kathleen’s impact extends to hosting the Vegan Visibility Virtual Summit, a niche event supporting vegan and plant-based entrepreneurs with top-tier training from industry experts. Since establishing her business in 1994, she’s navigated economic challenges across various sectors, including high-tech, healthcare, and publishing.
Her influential voice resonates through popular podcasts like “Vegan Visibility” and “Plant Based Eating for Health,” where she advocates for a sustainable, compassionate world and provides guidance to thousands globally. Moreover, as an award-winning speaker and past president of Utah’s National Speakers Association chapter, Kathleen excels in crafting effective marketing strategies.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Kathleen resides in Central Oregon, where she champions animal rescue and enjoys outdoor activities. Her commitment to creating a more compassionate and sustainable world shines through in both her personal and professional pursuits. Kathleen recently joined the Board of Directors for Blue Barn Farm and Sanctuary in Creswell, Oregon.