The International Bengal Cat Society

Distressed Bengal Fund Official Guidelines

for the Grant Applicant

(version 12-31-2008)

TIBCS Distressed Bengal Fund provides our membership and the Bengal breed with a resource for donated assistance to Bengal Cats in need of rescue or in distress due to some unforeseen crisis.

There are two types of grants:

1) Rescue Aid for reimbursing expenses from rescue of Bengal cat(s) in peril; the cats do not belong to the member applying for the grant. An applicant for Rescue Aid may receive a maximum of three DBF Rescue Assistance grants per calendar year.

2) Disaster Relief Assistance for a member seeking financial aid due to cattery damages suffered from some kind of natural disaster, affecting the conditions of Bengal Cat care in their cattery. Any member may only apply for disaster assistance once within a 12 month period.

Any applicant to receive assistance from TIBCS’ DB Fund must meet the following requirements:

  • An applicant must be a TIBCS member for a minimum of 6 months prior to application.
  • Grants must only be used to provide immediate assistance to Bengal cats that are in an EMERGENCY situation. All grant monies must benefit the Bengal cat(s) rather than an individual person(s).
  • Requests must be for expenses in relation to one or several specific Bengal(s). Theapplication, including signature and tax ID of applicant, must be submitted by mail to the Accounts Treasurer to be filed and processed according to guidelines set forth. In addition, to expedite timely processing of the application, an electronic copy must be submitted via email to the DBF Committee but no grant monies will be disbursed until the signed, mailed copy is received by the AT. Please see the Grant Application Form for instructions.
  • Any member applying for a DBF grant for disaster assistance mustprovide pictures showing the extent of damage.
  • Other sources of reimbursement must be sought and the efforts and amounts received from those sources must be disclosed.
  • All grants are subject to contractual agreement and must be used for the intended purpose of the grant.
  • A Final Report letter describing the result of the grant assistance and the resolution of the cat(s) distressed situation must be submitted to the DBF Committee. If the member has received a prior grant from TIBCS DBF, then the Final Report letter must be received by TIBCS before the new grant can be considered.
  • Because TIBCS is an international organization dedicated to securing the future of the Bengal Cat, the DBF Committee will allow any necessary adjustments for unique situations within an individual country. If there are circumstances unique to your country affecting the cats’ welfare, please include a statement explaining them, so the committee may take it into account.

The following will not be considered for funding:

  • Any application submitted without documentation of the emergency expenses, or without tax ID. All requests for assistance must be accompanied by supporting documentation.
  • Emergencies that can be mitigated by other means, such as homeowners insurance, government disaster relief, breeder assistance, placement fees, donations from other sources, etc.
  • Salaries, travel expenses, general operating expenses, or a member’s personal belongings
  • Expenses in excess of what is deemed reasonable and typical.
  • Emergencies in which the person(s) involved lacks the means to correct the conditions creating the emergency after receiving the grant monies. DBF strives to award successful grants.
  • Non-Bengal cats.
  • A rescue situation when no attempt has been made to contact the original breeder.
  • A application by an individual who has been a member of the Society less than six months; by Non-members.
  • Memberships with an unresolved disciplinary action on file with TIBCS or Memberships with disciplinary action pending from a government agency pertaining to cats/animals in their charge.
  • Assistance that provides funds for illegal activities, including lack of proper cattery licensing with local authorities.
  • Assistance that would be in direct opposition to the society’s Mission Statement, Bylaws or Articles of Incorporation.

The International Bengal Cat Society, Inc.

Distressed Bengal Fund Grant Application Directions

Established in 2004, the Distressed Bengal Fund is a charitable activity of TIBCS, devoted to promoting the well being of all Bengal Cats. Among our guiding values is the belief that animals have rights to experience a life of respect, free from unnecessary suffering and distress.

How to Apply

Applications should be mailed to (include a self-addressed postcard to each of the following to acknowledge receipt):

Assistance Committee Chair

and to:

TIBCS Recording/Correspondence Secretary

All applications will be kept confidential and will not be open to the membership at large although, the membership will be made aware of assistance provided.

Applicants are encouraged to submit an email INQUIRY to determine if the intended funding request falls within the scope of TIBCS's funding program. Please include a brief description of your emergency and the amount and purpose for the request, along with your name, length of TIBCS membership and contact information. The purpose of this inquiry is to avoid the time and effort in presenting a full application for requests that are simply out of the scope of our grant program.

E-mail inquires can be sent to

GRANT REQUESTS will be considered on a continuous basis throughout the year. Grant applications will be reviewed no later than 60 days from receipt.

The grant application should include the following:

  1. Cover page
    Please include your name, address, phone number, email address and the date of application, if you have applied for assistance in the past from TIBCS (when, and results of that application; approved/denied) or have a pending request on file with TIBCS, and your social security number.
  2. Purpose of funding

A full description of the emergency, date occurred or date animal was placed in your care with supporting documentation, the amount of grant request and total funding needed to alleviate the emergency (make sure verifiable documentation is included), and a very brief summary of how funds will be disbursed. Please keep this within 300 words.

Please describe how this funding will address the emergency situation, and what is the anticipated time to complete/relieve the situation.

  1. Description of finances/documentation
    Please list/document the expenses accumulated because of this emergency. And identify where other sources of funding will be/have been acquired. Grant recipients must have the financial potential to complete/sustain relief of the emergency situation for which funding is sought following the period of requested assistance.