Animal Assistance Foundation
The Animal Assistance Foundation (AAF) is a private foundation based in Lakewood, Colorado, that supports companion-animal welfare organizations serving animals in Colorado. Its grantmaking includes support for animal care, organizational capacity, innovation, and emergency needs.
Animal Assistance Foundation at a glance
In short: Animal Assistance Foundation gave $1.5M across 64 grants in 2025 (avg $24K), mostly in Colorado. 30% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,520,000
- +10.8% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 64
- +1.6% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $23,750
- +9.1% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $8,500
- Total assets
- $21,382,679
- +2.3% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 30% first-time grantees (16 of 54, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Colorado (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Animal Assistance Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
AAF states on its filing that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests. Organizations seeking funding must submit an application through the online portal during the annual grant cycle. Eligible applicants include qualifying nonprofits, fiscal sponsors, or government entities located in Colorado and primarily serving animals already in the state. Applicants must align with AAF’s mission and demonstrate collaboration and community responsibility; applicable organizations must have a current PACFA license and report data to Shelter Animals Count or the Equine Welfare Data Collective. AAF does not fund organizations outside Colorado, organizations that primarily import animals into Colorado, endowments, individuals or individual pets, medical or scientific research, or debt retirement.
- Review Cycle
- The 2026 annual cycle closed September 30, 2026. Responsive grants are available on an ongoing basis.
- Deadline
- The 2026 annual cycle closed September 30, 2026.
- Contact
Application contact: Infoaaf-Fdorg
Mailing address: 165 South Union Blvd Suite 670, Lakewood, CO 80228
Phone: (303) 744-8396
Website: https://animalassistancefoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
4 open opportunities from Animal Assistance Foundation
AAF Capital Grants
Animal Assistance Foundation
Amount
More than US $100,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Animal Assistance Foundation Annual Grants
Animal Assistance Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Animal Assistance Foundation Capital Grants
Animal Assistance Foundation
Amount
From $100K
Deadline
Rolling
Who Animal Assistance Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Noco Humane (Formerly Larimer ($265K across 2 grants). Together the top 10 received $1.1M.
Grant Size Distribution
288 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 243 grants of 288 (84%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
AAF’s grantmaking is focused on Colorado. Its website says eligible organizations must be located in Colorado and primarily serve animals already in the state. All reported 2025 grant dollars went to recipients in Colorado.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 64 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Animal Assistance Foundation open to new grantees?
30%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 16 of 54 grantees (30%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $48K; repeat grants $20K. How we count
Medians: $9K first-time, $8K repeat.
- 69% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+17%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 132% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2021–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $1.3M (2021) to $1.5M (2025). In 2025 it made 64 grants totaling $1.5M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Noco Humane (Formerly Larimer Loveland, CO | General Operating | $165,000 |
| Humane Colorado (Formerly Denver, CO | Innovation Grants | $103,200 |
| Grand Country Pet Pals Granby, CO | Capital Grants | $100,000 |
| Noco Humane (Formerly Larimer Loveland, CO | Capital Grants | $100,000 |
| The Humane Society of Colorado Springs, CO | General Operating | $80,000 |
| Dogster's Spay & Neuter Program Durango, CO | Innovation Grants | $77,800 |
| Second Chance Animal Lamar, CO | Innovation Grants | $76,500 |
| Animal Welfare Association of Denver, CO | General Operating | $60,000 |
| Colorado Pet Pantry Boulder, CO | General Operating | $60,000 |
| Dogster's Spay & Neuter Program Durango, CO | General Operating | $60,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $21,382,679 | $2,909,541 | $2,429,506 | $1,520,000 | 64 | $2,215,247 | $2,703,156 | $1,677,722 |
| 2024 | $20,902,644 | $1,188,398 | $2,168,585 | $1,371,990 | 63 | $1,980,962 | $801,050 | $1,623,451 |
| 2023 | $21,882,831 | $2,141,536 | $2,045,733 | $1,330,000 | 51 | $1,829,381 | $1,271,129 | $1,519,862 |
| 2022 | $21,791,783 | $668,770 | $1,498,069 | $1,294,834 | 53 | $1,468,965 | $637,267 | $618,563 |
| 2021 | $22,133,224 | $2,438,335 | $1,789,433 | $1,276,883 | 57 | — | $2,303,479 | $1,622,924 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Animal Assistance Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.7M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
AAF’s stated mission is to advance the welfare of companion animals in Colorado through community investment, collaboration, and leadership.
Its annual grants support three categories: general operating costs for organizations with an established funding relationship with AAF; animal-population programs such as spay-neuter, access to care, behavior services, and in-state animal transfers; and organizational-capacity needs such as training, equipment, technology, emergency preparedness, and fundraising assistance. AAF also offers capital grants for qualifying projects involving assets with a useful life of more than one year, and responsive grants for emergencies.
Grantees’ own descriptions illustrate the types of organizations supported. Dogsters Spay and Neuter says it provides low- or no-cost spay-neuter and veterinary services to low-income families. Colorado Pet Pantry says it temporarily feeds pets so families can better care for them and keep them out of shelters. Roice-Hurst Humane Society describes providing shelter and care to homeless dogs and cats, adoption services, and pet resources.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, AAF reported 64 grants totaling $1,520,000. Awards ranged from $1,000 to $165,000, with a median grant of $8,500. Among the largest were $165,000 to NOCO Humane for general operating support; $103,200 to Humane Colorado for innovation grants; $100,000 each to Grand Country Pet Pals and NOCO Humane for capital grants; and $80,000 to the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region for general operating support. Dogsters Spay and Neuter received $77,800 for an innovation grant and $60,000 for general operating support.
AAF’s website says its annual application period runs from September 1 through September 30. The 2026 annual application deadline was September 30 at 5 p.m. MDT and has passed. The website says applicants are notified by mid-December and funds are delivered by December 31. Responsive grants are available on an ongoing basis for emergency needs.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Ashley Beck as chair, Mike Duffy as vice chair, Barbara Krause as treasurer, and Kristie Hansson as secretary. Other listed members are Jayme Nielson, Rebecca L. Kennedy, Cathlin Craver, DVM, Jo Scharmann, and Gina Rodriguez, DVM. Emily Stone is listed as executive director.
Animal Assistance Foundation is led by Emily Stone, Executive Director on every filing since 2022; 1 of 10 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Emily Stone
Executive Director
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$34K (2022) → $189K (2025)
Ashley Beck
Chair
Member → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Barbara Krause
Treasurer
Member → Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jayme Nielson
Member
Secretary → Member, 2022
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kristie Hansson
Secretary
Member → Secretary, 2022
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mike Duffy
Vice Chair
Member → Vice Chair, 2023
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Cathlin Craver Dvm
Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rebecca L. Kennedy
Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gina Rodriguez Dvm
Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jo Scharmann
Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (9)
- Former: Donna Middlebrooks (2021–2023) — Chair
- Former: Julie Martin Dvm (2021–2023) — Member
- Former: Kathy Strandberg (2021–2023) — Member
- Former: Dean Vicksman Dvm (2022–2023) — Member
- Former: Rosa Delacruz (2022–2023) — Chair
- Former: Lori Knutson (2021–2022) — Member
- Former: Erin Claire Michaels (2021) — Executive Director
- Former: Katie Parker (2021) — Executive Director
- Former: Tom Parks DVM (2021) — Vice Chair
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $189K, to Emily Stone (Ex. Director).
Frequently asked questions about Animal Assistance Foundation
How much does Animal Assistance Foundation give each year?
Animal Assistance Foundation gave $1.5M across 64 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $1.4M across 63 grants.
What is Animal Assistance Foundation's typical grant size?
Animal Assistance Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $8,500, and its average grant was $23,750, across 64 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Animal Assistance Foundation that year got $48K on average.
Where does Animal Assistance Foundation give grants?
Animal Assistance Foundation gives mostly in Colorado: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Denver, CO (6 grants), Durango, CO (3 grants), Boulder, CO (3 grants) and Colorado Springs, CO (3 grants).
Does Animal Assistance Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 42% of Animal Assistance Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (27 of 64) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Colorado Animal Population" (25 grants) and "Innovation Grants" (5 grants).
Who are Animal Assistance Foundation's largest grantees?
Animal Assistance Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Noco Humane (Formerly Larimer ($265,000 across 2 grants), Dogster's Spay & Neuter Program ($137,800 across 2 grants) and Humane Colorado (Formerly ($123,200 across 2 grants), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 35% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Animal Assistance Foundation?
Animal Assistance Foundation reported $21.4M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $2.2M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.7M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Animal Assistance Foundation fund?
AAF’s stated mission is to advance the welfare of companion animals in Colorado through community investment, collaboration, and leadership. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Animal Assistance Foundation?
AAF states on its filing that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Animal Assistance Foundation's EIN?
Animal Assistance Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 84-0715412. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Does Animal Assistance Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 4, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 13, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 2, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 11, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Animal Assistance Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Animal Assistance Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 4, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/animal-assistance-foundation-morg_9f6144dc5b344a938e8c05ee207d078a
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_840715412_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Animal Assistance Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/animal-assistance-foundation-morg_9f6144dc5b344a938e8c05ee207d078a},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-04. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Animal Assistance Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Animal Assistance Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?