It's really a shame that your own community, who you directly benefits from your work, couldn't be a bit generous. I'm sure Rhonda would love to pay long-term, effective volunteers so they could work with the rescue full time. I know it's hard to see, but we are slowly making a difference in our own community's impression of the rescue. It's just a long game that requires saintly patience, an abundance of time and, unfortunately, resources.
Never hesitate to accept money for your good works. Bad actors use money to advance themselves. Virtuous intentions can benefit the same.