Mounted search and rescue

["Irvin Lichtenstein " <ilichten1@verizon.net>]

The key to wining grants is to have a program the granting agency wants to
support.  The federal grants to fire and EMS require you to be the
contracted service for the municipality.  Most state money is the same way.
PA used to have WAM but now has DCED.  Your local legislator earmarks you
for up to $5000 of no match money, disbursed when available.  Other programs
build trails, parks, etc. but need either local matches of 20% or more or
for trails require you to put out first and then be reimbursed after an
audit. Read the program guidance diligently and aim your project towards
what the grant maker wants to fund.  And make your case in a way the
examiner will understand.  

Selling stuff creates an unrelated activity and the profits may be taxable. 
You may have to collect and pay sales tax/VAT on the items as well.

On a dollar raised per man hour expended level simple things work best. A
simple event like a ride and seek along already marked trails can be a
winner if promoted well.  Offering educational presentations to other horse
groups can get you an honorarium or a donation for a few hours work.
And if you qualify you can do the first aid station at local horse shows. 
They can give you $250-500 for maybe 16 man hours instead of $3200 to the
local ambulance company.  These costs can break a local show.  

As always check your insurance and local laws.  Food sales often run afoul
of the Health Department.  We always use a caterer with a county license,
insurance, and comp for the staff to protect us from claims.

Irv Lichtenstein 
SE PA SAR

-----Original Message-----
From: msar-riders-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org
[mailto:msar-riders-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of Lois Guyon
Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2010 3:21 PM
To: MSAR-Riders@lists.ibiblio.org
Subject: [MSAR] funding MSAR