/

Learn about animal and wildlife grants by exploring our curated list of top animal and wildlife funders below. Grantseekers can also research funding opportunities using the search tool for GrantFinder. Become a member.

Funding Trends

Funding for animals and wildlife is small relative to philanthropy as a whole, particularly as it relates to institutional giving. However, giving to the field is growing. For instance, according to Candid data, animal and wildlife funding doubled from 2014 to 2018. 

The largest share of funding (roughly $500 million/year) goes to causes that support companion animals (also known as domesticated animals or pets), while wildlife-related priorities are the second-leading area (roughly $250 million/year). The landscape of nonprofit organizations in the animals and wildlife sector varies across segments, as do relevant funding trends.

Companion animal organizations, like animal shelters and services such as animal rescue and adoptions, are generally smaller and locally focused, though there are some large nonprofits that play a major role in the field, including as grantmakers. Corporate foundations, most of which are supported via customer check-out donations, account for roughly half of all companion animal funding, according to advocates, with grantmaking public charities and private and family foundations making up most other funding.

The wildlife-focused organizations, on the other hand, tend to be quite large and more national or international (e.g., Ducks Unlimited and Wildlife Conservation Society). Some of the largest private foundations in the United States, alongside individual donors, provide support for wildlife (particularly from the tech and finance sectors). The “farmed animal” sector, which includes animal rights and the promotion of animal-free eating, is still nascent but fast-growing, with funding largely coming from small private and family foundations. 

Animal and wildlife funders currently face both new and longstanding opportunities and challenges. All funders in this area benefit to some extent from the special bond humans have with animals, whether in public support or fundraising. At the same time, each segment—and particularly companion animal funders—must navigate the disrespect and minimization of the sector by peers, who often see greater value in efforts focused on humans.

Foundations

ALCOA FOUNDATION

Alcoa’s giving for animals and wildlife centers on habitat restoration and biodiversity around the world.

PAUL G. ALLEN FAMILY FOUNDATION

The Paul G. Allen Family Foundation supports a wide range of animal and wildlife projects and programs.

ALSTOM FOUNDATION

The Alstom Foundation supports animal and wildlife organizations in regions of the world in which the company has an employee and operational presence.

ALTERNATIVES FOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION

The Alternatives for Research and Development Foundation funds scientists and investigators developing alternative methods to animal testing in scientific research.

AMERICAN HUMANE

American Humane invests in animal welfare organizations across the United States. It also connects veterans with service dogs.

AMERICAN WILDLIFE CONSERVATION FOUNDATION

The America Wildlife Conservation Fund invests in both research and outreach programs that focus on the relationship between wildlife and habitats, and human-wildlife interactions.

AMERICAN SOCIETY OF PRIMATOLOGISTS

The American Society of Primatologists supports research that addresses captive and wild-primates.

ANDERSON-ROGERS FOUNDATION

The Anderson-Rogers Foundation supports U.S. based animal and wildlife organizations working around the world. Major grantmaking interests include preserving animal and wildlife species in their natural habitats.

ANNENBERG FOUNDATION

This foundation has several interests, including animal welfare. It funds domestic animal rescue work, as well as exotic wildlife protection, and is mostly interested in funding work in the Greater Los Angeles region.

ARCADIA FUND

The fund conducts grantmaking for wildlife habitat and landscape conservation through its broad environmental program, which ultimately works to “safeguard and restore unique and biodiverse areas of land and sea.”

ARCUS FOUNDATION

Arcus is a leading supporter of work to protect great apes, and also gives a wide array of grants to organizations involved with all types of primates in the U.S. and abroad.

ASPCA

The ASPCA boasts one of the largest grant programs for animal welfare in the United States, giving to organizations in all 50 states and the territories that work specifically with cats, dogs and horses.

BAIRD FOUNDATION

While Baird supports philanthropy with a global reach, it only funds nonprofit organizations located in the United States. 

BANCKER-WILLIAMS FOUNDATION

The Bancker-Williams Foundation supports animal and wildlife organizations working domestically in the United States and abroad.

BAND FOUNDATION

The BAND Foundation awards grants to a wide variety of animal and wildlife protection and conservation organizations across the globe.

BAY & PAUL FOUNDATIONS

Grants for animals and wildlife are through its Research & Initiatives for Ecosystems area, with additional aims to preserve or repair biodiversity and emphasize culturally significant natural heritage.

GEOFFREY BEENE FOUNDATION

The Geoffrey Beene Foundation’s Protection of Animals focus area primarily centers around funding for two major organizations: ASPCA and Animal Medical Center.

BEN & JERRY'S FOUNDATION

The philanthropic arm of the ice cream company supports grassroots initiatives, with keen interest in environmental problem solving and animal well-being.

PRINCE BERNHARD NATURE FUND

The Prince Bernhard Nature Fund prioritizes animal and wildlife projects in developing countries, as well as, the tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

BERNICE BARBOUR FOUNDATION

This foundation awards grants to wildlife conservation organizations, as well as those working for the protection and wellness of domesticated animals. Of additional interest is medical research to benefit animals.

BLUE BUFFALO FOUNDATION

Blue Buffalo invests in organizations that conduct pet cancer research.

BOBOLINK FOUNDATION

Bobolink is devoted to the environment and birds. While a couple of big groups get the largest grants, there’s a long list of smaller grantees, including local initiatives.

DAVID BOHNETT FOUNDATION

The foundation of the tech investor has an interest in animal welfare and academic research, with a particular focus on great apes and chimpanzees.

LOUIS L. BORICK FOUNDATION

Borick funds animal welfare, conservation, and protection organizations.

BROMLEY TRUST

The trust supports wildlife habitats across the world.

DR. BRONNER’S FAMILY FOUNDATION

Dr. Bronner’s Family Foundation supports human rights, and immigrants and refugees, human rights, agriculture, animals and wildlife, and public health in places all over the world.

BROWN FOUNDATION

While the Brown Foundation does not name specific strategies, it supports animal welfare and wildlife conservation causes through its Civic and Public Affairs focus area.

BUTLER CONSERVATION FUND

The Butler Conservation Fund’s grantmaking broadly centers on environmental conservation causes.

CAMPION FOUNDATION

The Campion Foundation tends to support larger organizations rather than smaller grassroots groups.

CAPITAL GROUPS COMPANIES CHARITABLE FOUNDATION

The Capital Groups Companies Charitable Foundation invest in an array of animal and wildlife causes across the United States.

MARGARET A. CARGILL FOUNDATION

Cargill's animal and wildlife grants support efforts to boost the well-being of domestic animals, rehabilitate injured wild animals for eventual re-release, and increase compassion toward animals.

CATERPILLAR FOUNDATION

The Caterpillar Foundation invests in organizations that alleviate the root causes of poverty, focusing on education, the environment, and basic needs.

JPMORGAN CHASE FOUNDATION

The JPMorgan Chase Foundation funds local, regional, and national animal and wildlife organizations.

LIZ CLAIBORNE AND ART ORTENBERG FOUNDATION  

A key player in wildlife and wildlands conservation, this foundation supplies large grants to many big nonprofits working to preserve iconic species and natural resources overseas and in the western United States.

CLEVELAND METROPARKS ZOO

The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo awards grants to animal and wildlife conservation organizations working in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

COMMON STREAM

Common Stream awards animal and wildlife grants to organizations operating across the United States.

CONSERVATION, FOOD AND HEALTH FOUNDATION

The Conservation, Food and Health Foundation provides grants for small nonprofits performing research-based wildlife conservation in the developing world. Don’t apply unless you have highly qualified researchers on your team whose expertise directly relates to the project you are hoping to fund.

CTW FOUNDATION

The CTW Foundation invests in a variety of animal and wildlife efforts, which include those both national or local in scope.

DORIS DAY ANIMAL FOUNDATION

The great American actor and singer has long supported animal welfare, as well as programs involving animals that help humans, such as senior companion animals.

LEONARDO DICAPRIO FOUNDATION

LDF is a major player in wildlife conservation. It supports programs that reintroduce native populations to the wild, expand natural habitats, and end poaching, illegal hunting, and overfishing in critical regions. 

WALT DISNEY COMPANY

Among other things, Disney Conservation Fund awards grants for wildlife research and habitat protection, with a special interest in organizations that want to make a long-term impact on wildlife and habitats.

WILLIAM H. DONNER FOUNDATION

https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/grants-d/william-h-donner-foundation

MAX AND VICTORIA DREYFUS FOUNDATION

Makes relatively small grants that it believes can make a big difference for a program. It's pretty open to any animal or wildlife program.

ECOLAB FOUNDATION

Among other causes, this foundation supports animal welfare and wildlife preservation. It's particularly keen on programs that have a community education component. In order to qualify for a grant, your program must serve in an Ecolab region.

EDISON INTERNATIONAL

Edison’s grants for animals and wildlife habitats flows through its more general environmental giving. Past work in this space has addressed restoration and education, and wildlife rehabilitation, among other interests.

ENTERPRISE HOLDINGS FOUNDATION

The Enterprise Holdings Foundation broadly awards animal and wildlife organizations across the United States.

FOUND ANIMALS FOUNDATION

This foundation aims to reduce the number of euthanized animals through adoption, microchip identification and sterilization. A major component is its Michelson Prize and Grants for research in pursuit of a non-surgical sterility solution for cats and dogs.

FRIEDKIN CONSERVATION FUND

The Friedkin Conservation Fund’s Wildlife Conservation and Anti-Poaching work operates in five protected wilderness areas in Tanzania. The Fund makes grants for a variety of wildlife protection projects.

FUND FOR WILD NATURE 

The Fund for Wild Nature gives to small organizations on the front lines of the environmental movement that are working to preserve the wildlands and ecosystems that animals depend on for survival.

GEORGIA-PACIFIC FOUNDATION

The paper manufacturer's philanthropic arm devotes a significant chunk of its giving to environmental and animal issues; notably, all grants go toward general operating support.

proposals. 

T.S. AND K.D. GLIDE FOUNDATION  

This foundation awards grants to small animal welfare organizations, mostly within California, and prefers capital item acquisition efforts. Some grants also go toward habitat preservation and the rehabilitation of wild animals.

GOOD VENTURES

Good Ventures focuses its grantmaking on farm animal welfare and treatment.

GRAINGER FOUNDATION

The Grainger Foundation focuses its animal and wildlife grants on domesticated animal organizations.

GREENBAUM FOUNDATION

This foundation gives to non-mainstream organizations and projects devoted to animal advocacy, animal abuse prevention, animal sanctuaries, and halting the use of animals in entertainment and testing. It does not accept unsolicited

HAMILL FAMILY FOUNDATION

This funder supports animal and wildlife organizations involving local and regional Chicagoland organizations for the most part, but also some national and international outfits.

HEXBERG FAMILY FOUNDATION

The Hexberg Family Foundation does not maintain a specific grantmaking program dedicated to animals and wildlife; however, it offers a fair number of grants toward animals and wildlife.

ARTHUR L. AND ELAINE V. JOHNSON FOUNDATION

This foundation supports seeing-eye dogs and other service animals that work with people who have physical handicaps. But it also supports wildlife protection and environmental conservation.

KATE SPADE AND COMPANY FOUNDATION

The foundation invests in a variety of animal organizations across the United States.

ANNA-MARIA AND STEPHEN KELLEN FOUNDATION

The Anna-Maria and Stephen Kellen Foundation awards grants to animal and wildlife organizations located across the country, however; it appears to give funding favor to those located on the East Coast of the United States.

F.M. KIRBY FOUNDATION

The F.M. Kirby Foundation broadly supports a variety of animal and wildlife organizations across the United States.

LAWRENCE FOUNDATION

The Lawrence Foundation is a family foundation that prioritizes giving for environmental causes. It provides the flexibility of operating grants, as well as more typical program grants.

LAZAR FOUNDATION

Lazar names the preservation of biological diversity as one of its main areas of grantmaking interest and has funded several organizations and projects that aim to protect endangered species and habitats.

LUSH COSMETICS

The cosmetics company Lush focuses its conservation grantmaking on environmental justice.

LUDWICK FAMILY FOUNDATION

The Ludwick Foundation invests in a handful of animal and wildlife organizations across the United States.

MADDIE'S FUND

This foundation, bankrolled by tech billionaire David Duffield, is a leader in promoting the no-kill concept to animal shelters. It is currently in a period of transition, and is primarily funding veterinarian education.

MAKI FOUNDATION

Maki funds animal and wildlife organizations that work to protect multiple species, as well as, wildlife habitats.

MARS WRIGLEY FOUNDATION

While support for animals is not a stated funding priority, the Mars Foundation has made a number of grants in this area.

CHARLOTTE MARTIN FOUNDATION

The Charlotte Martin Foundation funds animal and wildlife conservation organizations that address ecosystem stewardship in the face of climate change.

MICHELSON FOUND ANIMALS FOUNDATION

The Michelson Found Animals Foundation aims to improve the state of animal welfareL. Programs from this foundation include adopt and shop, prioritizing Los Angeles.

MORRIS ANIMAL FOUNDATION

This large niche funder, which has very strict grant guidelines, is dedicated to advancing scientific research in veterinary care for cats, dogs, large companion animals (horses and llamas/alpacas) and wildlife.  

NATIONAL ANTI-VIVISECTION SOCIETY

The National Anti-Vivisection Society (NAVS) Sanctuary Fund is a niche grantmaker that supports organizations working to rescue animals in emergency situations where there is an immediate, dire need.

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SOCIETY   

National Geographic is a longtime leading supporter of wildlife. Grantseekers must demonstrate a proven history of success in their field.  

OAK FOUNDATION

Oak funds animals and wildlife grants to organizations that address illegal wildlife trade.

OPEN PHILANTHROPY PROJECT

The Open Philanthropy Project primarily focuses its animal and wildlife grantmaking on farm animals’ welfare.

PACKARD FOUNDATION

Although it does not accept unsolicited proposals, Packard gives heavily to protect marine wildlife (but does not explicitly fund efforts for other forms of wildlife unless they are part of a larger conservation effort).

PARK FOUNDATION

This foundation is devoted to spay/neuter programs, anti-dogfighting efforts and public education. It also supports advocacy work on behalf of threatened wildlife, and programs that care for primates after they're liberated from labs, entertainment venues and the pet trade.

PEDIGREE FOUNDATION

The Pedigree Foundation is dedicated to finding homes for dogs by funding a variety of programs and services that make dogs more adoptable.

PETCO FOUNDATION

The Petco Foundation invests in animal welfare, rescue and shelter organizations across the United States.

PEW CHARITABLE TRUSTS

The Pew Charitable Trusts do not name wildlife conservation as a subtopic of their environmental program, but a significant portion of funding has supported organizations working to protect endangered species and their habitats.

POLLINATION PROJECT FOUNDATION

The Pollination Project Foundation offers micro-grants to individuals and projects that support its compassion-oriented philosophy.

QUAIL ROOST FOUNDATION

The Quail Roost Foundation broadly supports philanthropic efforts that protect and support “all creatures.” It is particularly supportive of horse-related nonprofits, including horse welfare efforts and horse-based therapy programs.

RAPTOR RESEARCH FOUNDATION

The Raptor Research Foundation seeks individuals and organizations that study and protect birds of prey.

SALESFORCE FOUNDATION

The Salesforce Foundation invests in local and national animal and wildlife organizations. 

SAM SIMON FOUNDATION

The Sam Simon Foundation invests in animal groups, as well as rescued, abused or captive animals.

DR. SCHOLL FOUNDATION

The Dr. Scholl Foundation supports animal and wildlife foundations around the United States; however, organizations that are grantmaking entities themselves are not eligible for a Dr. Scholl Foundation grant.

SCHULTZ FAMILY FOUNDATION

The Schultz Family Foundation broadly funds animal welfare organizations across the United States, but does not name specific areas of interest.

SEAWORLD AND BUSCH GARDENS CONSERVATION FUND

This fund backs wildlife conservation on a global scale, and has four major areas of focus: species research, habitat protection, conservation education and animal rescue and rehabilitation.

SMOKE RISE FOUNDATION

The Smoke Rise Foundation broadly supports a variety of animal and wildlife organizations located across the United States. It does not name specific animal-related interests.

SVANEE’S FOUNDATION

The Svanee's Foundation primarily funds grantmaking related to animals.

TEMBO PRESERVE FOUNDATION

The Tembo Preserve Foundation was formed to provide a permanent, one-of-a-kind sanctuary for retired zoo elephants in Northern California. 

MARK PAUL TERK CHARITABLE TRUST

The Mark Paul Terk Charitable Trust broadly supports animal and wildlife conservation organizations working in the United States and abroad.

TOSA FOUNDATION

The foundation has no website and is difficult to reach, and tends to give more funding to conservation than animal welfare, but still—if animal and wildlife welfare is your cause, then it's worth inquiring. Just don’t expect too big an award for your trouble.

T. ROWE PRICE FOUNDATION

The T. Rowe Price Foundation supports animal and wildlife protection, as well as conservation organizations across the United States.

TURNER FOUNDATION

Supports the protection of wildlife, working through several entities that create opportunities for grantseekers working on land- and sea-based species and biodiversity conservation.

VAN SLOUN FOUNDATION

The Van Sloun Foundation largely invests in animal and wildlife work that relates to domestic animals.

VERIZON FOUNDATION

The Verizon Foundation’s animal-related giving often supports local chapters of the Humane Society, rescue shelters and pet adoption organizations.

WALLACE GENETIC FOUNDATION

This foundation gives mostly large grants to several major players in wildlife and biodiversity conservation, but the scope of its funding is quite limited, and it tends to stick with favorite grantees.

WIEDERHOLD FOUNDATION

This small foundation gives almost entirely to animal welfare, including aquariums and shelters, but also to some interesting veterinary medicine and research projects.

WILBURFORCE FOUNDATION

The foundation's grantmaking addresses animals and wildlife protections through science-based interventions, advocacy for effective policymaking, and capacity-building efforts to achieve sustainable outcomes.

WINSLOW FOUNDATION

The Winslow Foundation does not name wildlife conservation as a focus of its grantmaking, but a small portion of its environmental grantmaking has gone to organizations involved in species conservation.

WOODSHOUSE FOUNDATION

The Woodshouse Foundation supports organizations protecting animals and wildlife.

WORKDAY FOUNDATION

The Workday Foundation supports an array of animal welfare projects.

Additional Resources

Animal Grantmakers is the lone overarching affinity group in this space, welcoming all funders whose giving benefits animals, regardless of issue.

Farmed Animals Funders is intended for funders who can make a substantial commitment, with membership limited to individuals and institutions who give $250,000 a year or more to end factory farming. 

Environmental Grantmakers Association, which has the widest focus among these groups, also counts members that support animals and wildlife through their grantmaking.

Animal Charity Evaluators rates nonprofits on their perceived effectiveness in helping animals are influential within this space.

Notable Regional Funders