Today we’d like to introduce you to Holly Gaske
Hi Holly, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Our organization, The Gaske Cat Foundation, really began with a simple observation. During her travels, our founder, Holly Gaske, was a long-time volunteer for various animal shelters throughout the US. She noticed that while many dedicated individuals and organizations were directly rescuing and caring for cats, there was often a significant gap in funding for essential needs like specialized medical care, spay/neuter programs for community cats, and larger-scale initiatives to improve feline welfare.
As a cat lover, she was compelled to address this. Over 15 years ago, through grassroots efforts, she started informally fundraising for charities and cats in need. Word began to spread, not just locally but regionally. Once her phone began to ring with national calls for help, The Gaske Foundation was incorporated. In 2023, along with an outstanding group of dedicated Board Members, our 501c3 status was granted.
Today, GCF is proud to support a diverse range of cat welfare organizations throughout Texas and the United States. We provide funding for the shelters, rescues, community groups, and initiatives that need it most. We’re constantly striving to identify the most pressing needs within the feline welfare community and find innovative ways to support them. 100% of all donations go toward our mission and directly impact a cat’s life for the better.
Currently, we are raising funds and awareness to support domestic violence victims. Only about 5% of the domestic violence shelters in the US accept cats, and over 90% of victims cite their pets as a reason they stay with their abusers. The money we raise for this campaign will provide much-needed funding for two invaluable organizations: A cat-friendly DV Shelter and a rescue that will foster cats long-term for those fleeing. For information on our partners or to donate, please visit our website: www.gaskecatfoundation.org.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Absolutely not. It hasn’t always been a smooth road. Like any young nonprofit, we’ve faced our share of challenges. One of the earliest struggles was building awareness and credibility. Brand recognition is a process. Convincing potential donors and even some of the smaller rescue groups that we were a trustworthy and effective avenue for support has taken time and consistent effort. We had to prove our commitment and demonstrate tangible results with our initial limited funds.
Navigating the diverse needs within the cat welfare community also presented challenges. Different organizations have different priorities and approaches. Ensuring our grant-making process was fair, transparent, and addressed the most critical needs across the board required careful consideration and ongoing dialogue with the organizations we aimed to support. We had to learn how to assess partners and applications effectively. When the demand for funding exceeds available resources, difficult decisions must be made. There is also the inherent emotional toll of working in animal welfare.
So, while our journey has been incredibly rewarding, it has involved navigating various obstacles. Each challenge, however, has provided valuable lessons and ultimately helped us refine our approach, strengthen our org, and become more effective in our mission to support the incredible charities dedicated to helping cats.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Gaske Cat Foundation?
What sets Gaske Cat Foundation apart from other animal welfare organizations is what we’re most proud of from a brand perspective. Firstly, our specific focus on funding other cat charities is a significant differentiator. While many wonderful organizations are directly involved in rescuing, sheltering, and adopting cats, we intentionally position ourselves as a grant-making body. Our primary mission isn’t to run a shelter ourselves but rather to empower and support the vital work of existing organizations. This allows us to have a broader reach and amplify the impact of numerous dedicated groups across Dallas, Texas, and the United States. Secondly, we pride ourselves on our rigorous due diligence in choosing the proper charities to partner with. We investigate them to ensure they are reputable. We rate them on their financial transparency, developed systems, and fair and ethical practices, and they can ensure us (with more than words) that funds will be directed to clear needs. We only partner with credible organizations that provide proven track records, accountability systems, and the capacity to make a real difference in the lives of cats. Above all else, we are good stewards of the donations we receive. Nothing else is acceptable. Providing our donors with the confidence that their contributions are being used effectively is what we are known for.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Donations can be made directly on our website: www.gaskecatfoundation.org in any denomination. If you would like to collaborate with us, please email: meow@gaskecatfoundation.org
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.gaskecatfoundation.org
- Instagram: @gaskecatfoundation
- Facebook: @gaskecatfoundation
