Doris Day and Terry Melcher Foundation
The Doris Day and Terry Melcher Foundation is a Form 990-PF (a private foundation) based in Omaha, Nebraska. It supports animal welfare through grants to charitable organizations, including for animal care, veterinary scholarships and research, rescue, and related programs.
Doris Day and Terry Melcher Foundation at a glance
In short: Doris Day and Terry Melcher Foundation gave $1.3M across 11 grants in 2024 (avg $118K), mostly in California. 10% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,303,362
- -0.3% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 11
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $118,487
- -0.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $100,000
- Total assets
- $26,638,212
- +3.4% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 10% first-time grantees (1 of 10, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- California (63% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Doris Day and Terry Melcher Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 9375 Burt Street Suite 103, Omaha, NE 68114
Phone: (831) 620-0811
Website: https://dorisday.com
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Doris Day and Terry Melcher Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 9 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Doris Day Animal Foundation ($298K). Together the top 9 received $1.1M.
Organizations only. It also paid 2 individual scholarships ($200,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
27 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 22 grants of 27 (81%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2024 filing reports that grant dollars went to recipients in California (63%), Illinois (8%), New Jersey (8%), Colorado (8%), and Arizona (8%). Listed 2024 grantees also included Nebraska Humane Society in Omaha.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 11 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Doris Day and Terry Melcher Foundation open to new grantees?
10%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 1 of 10 grantees (10%) were first-time recipients. With only 10 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 10 points. First grants averaged $100K; repeat grants $134K. How we count
Medians: $100K first-time, $100K repeat.
- 70% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2022–2024). 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 2022 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $612K (2022) to $1.3M (2023). In 2024 it made 11 grants totaling $1.3M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Doris Day Animal Foundation Los Angeles, CA | The doris day animal foundation has the straight forward mission of helping animals and those who love them. Ddaf provides funding to other 501(c)(3) entities for animal welfare programs, spaying and neutering, and animal rescue. | $298,362 |
| Pasadena Humane Pasadena, CA | To support veterinary care through their miracle medical fund. | $150,000 |
| American Veterinary Medical Foundation Schaumburg, IL | Grant given to fund scholarship endowment for veterinary medicine - preference given to students studying shelter medicine. | $100,000 |
| Everycat Health Foundation Wyckoff, NJ | To support genetic research to help solve cat diseases. | $100,000 |
| Ventana Wildlife Society Monterey, CA | To support veterinary care of shelter animals, and vaccinations for the California condor. | $100,000 |
| 2 individual scholarships Recipients not named | — | $200,000 |
| University of Arizona Foundation Tucson, AZ | Grant given to fund scholarship endowment for veterinary medicine - preference given to students studying shelter medicine. | $100,000 |
| Pacific Marine Mammal Center Laguna Beach, CA | Grant given to provide medial care for the marine mammal rescues. | $100,000 |
| Nebraska Humane Society Omaha, NE | To support animal care through their duffy day program. | $80,000 |
| Lifesavers Caliente, CA | Grant given for hay purchase to support the senior horse program. | $75,000 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $26,638,212 | $1,758,949 | $1,540,112 | $1,303,362 | 11 | $1,303,362 | $1,196,705 |
| 2023 | $25,760,291 | $1,827,835 | $1,582,119 | $1,307,000 | 11 | $1,307,000 | $1,203,329 |
| 2022 | $25,514,575 | $1,388,460 | $883,487 | $612,490 | 5 | $612,490 | $1,253,975 |
| 2021 | $21,510,252 | $21,532,290 | $22,038 | — | — | — | $178,424 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s filing describes its purpose as advancing animal welfare through rescue, adoption, legislative advocacy, and community programs. Its 2024 grants included support for veterinary care, scholarships with a preference for students studying shelter medicine, feline health research, wildlife and marine mammal care, and a senior-horse program.
The grantees describe their own work in varied terms. The American Veterinary Medical Foundation says it advances veterinary medicine and supports animal care, student scholarships, research, and community service. EveryCat Health Foundation says it fosters feline health through research and education. Ventana Wildlife Society describes its work as conserving native wildlife, including bald eagles and California condors, and managing wildlife sanctuaries. Lifesavers says it works to prevent abuse and neglect of mustangs and domestic horses through rescue, adoption, sanctuary, and education.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 11 grants totaling $1,303,362. Grant amounts ranged from $75,000 to $298,362, with a median of $100,000.
The largest grant was $298,362 to Doris Day Animal Foundation for animal welfare programs, spaying and neutering, and animal rescue. Other grants included $150,000 to Pasadena Humane for veterinary care through its Miracle Medical Fund; $100,000 each to the American Veterinary Medical Foundation, EveryCat Health Foundation, Ventana Wildlife Society, Colorado State University Foundation, UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Arizona Foundation, and Pacific Marine Mammal Center; $80,000 to Nebraska Humane Society; and $75,000 to Lifesavers.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists T. Robert Bashara, DVM, as CEO and director; Peter C. Bashara, DVM, as CFO and director; and Piper Magallanes as secretary and director. Other directors listed are Roger Brown, DVM; Margeret Pomeroy Hunt; Steve Going; and Gordon Krentz.
Doris Day and Terry Melcher Foundation is led by T. Robert Bashara Dvm Ceo, CEO & Director on every filing since 2021; none of the 7 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
T. Robert Bashara Dvm Ceo
CEO & Director
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Margeret Pomeroy Hunt
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Peter C. Bashara Dvm Cfo
CFO & Director
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Piper Magallanes
Secretary & Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Roger Brown Dvm
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Gordon Krentz
Director
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Steve Going
Director
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (5)
- Former: Janice C. Bashara (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Don Leach (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Roger Brown (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: David M. Dvorak (2020) — Secretary & D
- Former: T. Robert Bashara (2020) — CEO & Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Doris Day and Terry Melcher Foundation
How much does Doris Day and Terry Melcher Foundation give each year?
Doris Day and Terry Melcher Foundation gave $1.3M across 11 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $1.3M across 11 grants.
What is Doris Day and Terry Melcher Foundation's typical grant size?
Doris Day and Terry Melcher Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $100,000, and its average grant was $118,487, across 11 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Doris Day and Terry Melcher Foundation that year got $100K on average.
Where does Doris Day and Terry Melcher Foundation give grants?
Doris Day and Terry Melcher Foundation gives mostly in California: 63% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Illinois (8%) and New Jersey (8%).
Does Doris Day and Terry Melcher Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 11 grants with a stated purpose on Doris Day and Terry Melcher Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are Doris Day and Terry Melcher Foundation's largest grantees?
Doris Day and Terry Melcher Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Doris Day Animal Foundation ($298,362), Pasadena Humane ($150,000) and American Veterinary Medical Foundation ($100,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 2 individual scholarships ($200,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 42% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Doris Day and Terry Melcher Foundation?
Doris Day and Terry Melcher Foundation reported $26.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Its revenue that year was $1.8M.
What does Doris Day and Terry Melcher Foundation fund?
The foundation’s filing describes its purpose as advancing animal welfare through rescue, adoption, legislative advocacy, and community programs. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Doris Day and Terry Melcher Foundation?
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Doris Day and Terry Melcher Foundation's EIN?
Doris Day and Terry Melcher Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 27-2805632. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Doris Day and Terry Melcher 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 September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Doris Day and Terry Melcher Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/doris-day-and-terry-melcher-foundation-morg_03c656656f22469c8e67f7a69afa1421
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_272805632_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Doris Day and Terry Melcher Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/doris-day-and-terry-melcher-foundation-morg_03c656656f22469c8e67f7a69afa1421},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-15. 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 Doris Day and Terry Melcher 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.
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