Animal Welfare Funding and Fundraising

The organizations listed below represent only a small sampling of grantmakers and information sources specific to animal welfare. For a more complete listing, please visit your local network partner of the Foundation Center where you can search the Foundation Directory Online database for many more relevant funding opportunities.

American Humane Association

Founded in 1877, the American Humane Association works to “ensure the welfare, wellness and well-being of children and animals, and to unleash the full potential of the bond between humans and animals to the mutual benefit of both.” The association runs several programs to help with emergency services and animal welfare.

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)

Founded in 1866, the ASPCA was “the first humane organization in the Western Hemisphere.” The Society aims “to alleviate the injustices animals faced then, and [they] continue to battle cruelty today.” The following pages are of particular interest to those seeking funding: ASPCA Grants and Guidelines for ASPCA Grants.

Animal Welfare Trust

“Animal Welfare Trust’s grant program seeks to assist organizations whose work can help alleviate animal suffering and/or raise public consciousness toward giving animals the respect they so need and deserve.”

Banfield Foundation

The Banfield Foundation has 4 grant programs available to nonprofit organizations. These programs are designed to support nonprofit organizations that provide veterinary assistance to pet owners and work to keep pets in homes with their families. The programs include: Veterinary Assistance Grants, Pet Advocacy Grants, Disaster Relief Grants, and Flea/Tick Grants.

Build-A-Bear Workshop Foundation

BABWF is “committed to improving communities and impacting lives through unique philanthropic programs that help children and families, animals and the environment.”

Foreclosure Pets Grant (AHA)

“Grant monies… are awarded to qualifying American Humane member shelters. Grant monies must be used to offset expenses already incurred in providing direct care to animals that have been impacted by a foreclosure situation.”

Fundsnet Services: Animal & Wildlife Grants

A well-documented listing of foundations which fund programs for animal welfare, wildlife preservation, and related causes.

Glaser Progress Foundation

GPF champions “twin goals of increasing legal rights for animals, while decreasing the amount of their suffering, we focus resources specifically in the areas of companion animals, great apes and farmed animals.”

IFAW.org

IFAW aims to “engage communities, government leaders, and like-minded organizations around the world and achieve lasting solutions to pressing animal welfare and conservation challenges-solutions that benefit both animals and people” through programs such as Community Led Animal Welfare (CLAW), among others.

Meacham Foundation Memorial Grant (AHA)

Provides “financial assistance to agencies for shelter expansion or improvements.”

Maddie’s Fund

Large grants are available particularly for no-kill animal welfare organizations and shelters, plus veterinary facilities for companion animals. Has information on shelter management for animal organizations.

Planet Dog Foundation

PDF funds “initiatives that bring people and pets together for mutual benefit and support. Funding is allocated nationwide to promote and financially support service-oriented canine programs such as assistance dogs, therapy dogs, search and rescue programs or police, fire and military dogs.”

PetCo Foundation

Offers assistance with local spay/neuter programs, humane education and training, and adoption of dogs and cats by local humane groups.

PetSmart Charities

The PetSmart Charities mission is to improve the quality of life for all companion animals by creating and supporting programs that save the lives of homeless pets and promote healthy relationships between people and pets.

RedRover Relief

RedRover Relief provides financial assistance grants and additional resources so pet owners and rescuers can care for animals who need urgent veterinary care. Visit the grants page for eligibility requirements and application. RedRover also offers financial assistance for victims of domestic violence and their pets. To learn more about this program, see the domestic violence resources.

Regina Bauer Frankenberg Foundation

Supports two main areas of animal welfare: “1. protect[ing] endangered and threatened species by supporting conservation and research; and reduc[ing] the homelessness, mistreatment and euthanasia of companion animals by supporting adoption, training, spay/neuter and other programs and by strengthening the capacity of organizations doing this work.”

Second Chance Fund (AHA)

Provides “financial assistance, in select cases, to animal welfare organizations responsible for the temporary care of animals as they are prepared for adoption into permanent, loving homes, the program provides animal victims of abuse or neglect with a second chance at life.” Available to AHA Member Sheltering Organizations only.

U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency

This site lists organizations which may provide help and services during disasters and emergencies.

United Animal Nations

North America’s leading provider of emergency animal sheltering and disaster relief services and a key advocate for the critical needs of animals. See their Programs and especially their Lifeline Grants.

William and Charlotte Parks Foundation for Animal Welfare

“Grants to support animal protection to both animal protection organizations and to individual scholars who are pursuing a course of study that might advance the goals of the Trust founders.”

Winn Feline Foundation

Offers grants to the “scientific community including both clinicians and researchers from veterinary and human medicine” for projects “of value to cats” and with “humane considerations to any cats involved.”

World Animal Net Directory

Includes approximately 15,000 listings and links to over 8,000 Internet sites. Searchable by categories such as anti-vivisection, fur, farm animals, animals in entertainment, genetic engineering, and others, as well as by geographic area. Also of interest is its Fundraising section.