"We are a unique charity, very innovative in this space. What you're really doing is you're inviting people to touch your mission. The number one reason anyone gives to any charity or any cause is to fulfill something within themselves, within their own heart."

This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie’s Fund.

In this financial innovation episode, host Stacy LeBaron speaks with Adam Spencer, founder of Furlanthropy, the first charity-owned and operated crowdfunding platform exclusively for animal-related causes. Adam's journey began with his beloved rescue cat Kobe, who lived over 20 years and provided profound emotional support during difficult times. When Adam and his wife later rescued a pet whose original owners had surrendered her due to inability to afford life-saving care, it opened his eyes to the tremendous financial barriers preventing pet parents from accessing veterinary care. As a certified fundraising executive (CFRE), Adam was surprised that no nonprofit crowdfunding platform existed specifically for animal welfare needs.

Adam explains how Furlanthropy's nonprofit status provides donor protections unavailable on for-profit platforms like GoFundMe. The platform verifies every campaign and sends funds directly to veterinary hospitals rather than fundraisers, ensuring money reaches its intended destination. With 90 cents of every dollar going directly to campaigns and the remaining 10% supporting administrative costs and underfunded campaigns, Furlanthropy offers transparency that allows donors to research executive compensation through IRS 990 forms. The platform supports immediate campaign creation without waiting periods, accommodates various donation methods including stock gifts and donor-advised funds, and can reimburse past expenses to alleviate financial burdens.

The conversation explores fundraising strategy for small grassroots TNR organizations, addressing the common perception that spay/neuter is harder to fundraise for than kitten adoptions. Adam emphasizes that donors give primarily to fulfill something within themselves, often in tribute to their own beloved pets, making prevention-focused campaigns viable when the story connects emotionally. His advice centers on inviting people to become ambassadors for missions they care about, recognizing that not everyone can give financially but everyone can share stories and expand reach through their networks.

Press play now for:

• How Kobe the rescue cat's emotional support inspired a platform serving all animals in need
• The donor protection advantages of nonprofit vs. for-profit crowdfunding platforms
• Direct payment to veterinary hospitals ensuring funds reach intended recipients
• 90/10 fee structure with transparency allowing donor research of executive compensation
• Immediate campaign launch capability without approval delays or waiting periods
• Support for past, current, and future expenses to alleviate caregiver financial burdens
• Stock gifts, donor-advised funds, and multiple donation methods for sophisticated giving
• PetSmart Charities $200,000+ grant validation and upcoming partnership announcements
• Strategic fundraising advice for small TNR organizations and grassroots groups
• Why prevention-focused campaigns succeed when stories connect with donor hearts
• Ambassador model allowing supporters to create campaigns for causes they care about
• The power of multiple smaller gifts vs. single large donations for building supporter base

Resources mentioned:

• Furlanthropy website (https://furlanthropy.org/)
• Furlanthropy Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/furlanthropycharity/)
• Furlanthropy Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/furlanthropycharity/)
• Furlanthropy Twitter/X (https://twitter.com/Furlanthropy1)
• Furlanthropy LinkedIn (https://linkedin.com/company/furlanthropy/)
• Email contact: [email protected]
• Phone: (434) 207-2790
• PetSmart Charities (https://petsmartcharities.org/)
• Forever Legacy Society for planned giving (https://furlanthropy.org/ways-to-give/furever-legacy-society/)
• GuideStar nonprofit profile (https://www.guidestar.org/profile/87-4346748)

Sponsor Links:

• Maddie's Fund (https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/maddies632)

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