Morris Animal Foundation is a nonprofit research organization headquartered in Denver, Colorado, dedicated to advancing animal health through scientific innovation. Founded in 1948, the Foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization and serves as a global leader in funding veterinary research. The organization has invested nearly $170 million in over 3,100 studies to improve the health and quality of life for companion animals, horses, and wildlife worldwide.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$112.2M
+2.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$6.2M
+105.4% YoY
Grant Count
33
+37.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$189K
+49.4% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Morris Animal Foundation's mission is to bridge science and resources to advance the health of animals. The Foundation funds researchers worldwide who are solving critical health problems across multiple species including dogs, cats, horses, llamas, alpacas, and wildlife species.
Primary research focus areas include:
- Cancer prevention, diagnostics, and treatment
- Infectious disease
- Pain management
- Aging-related health issues
- Genetic risk factors and environmental threats
- Vaccines and surgical techniques
- Endangered species health
The Foundation's work encompasses program awareness and education, including the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study, described as the largest and longest study ever undertaken in the United States to understand cancer in dogs. The Foundation also distributes animal health information to supporters and the general public through various channels.
Grantmaking
Morris Animal Foundation operates a rigorous, competitive grants process to ensure donor dollars fund the most promising, high-impact studies.
Grant Types
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation's grant-making has primary focus in Illinois, California, and Massachusetts. The organization operates globally, with funded research conducted internationally across multiple countries.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year Ending June 2024:
- Total Assets: $112,233,574
- Total Revenue: $14,361,900
- Total Expenses: $21,210,085
- Net Income: -$6,848,185
- Total Liabilities: $10,300,000
- Net Assets: $101,937,120
Staffing: The organization employs 63 staff members as of 2024.
Tax Status: Tax-exempt since July 1956. EIN: 84-6032307.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $112,233,574 | $109,695,507 | $106,653,429 |
| Revenue | $14,361,900 | $11,557,696 | $18,067,931 |
| Expenses | $21,210,085 | $17,102,993 | $15,109,381 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $848,892 | $125,536 | $1,986,400 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
125 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
27 open opportunities from Morris Animal Foundation
Annual Canine Health Grants: Established Investigator
MORRIS ANIMAL FOUNDATION
Amount
Approximately US $100,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Annual Canine Health Grants: Fellowship Training
MORRIS ANIMAL FOUNDATION
Amount
Up to US $145,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Annual Canine Health Grants: First Award
MORRIS ANIMAL FOUNDATION
Amount
Up to US $120,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include University of Minnesota ($686,554), University of Georgia ($680,084), University of Illinois ($649,319).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AUBURN UNIVERSITY AUBURN, AL | ANIMAL HLTH STUDIES | $38,120 |
| CHICAGO ACADEMY OF SCIENCES CHICAGO, IL | ANIMAL HLTH STUDIES | $58,374 |
| COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY FORT COLLINS, CO | ANIMAL HLTH STUDIES | $318,692 |
| CORNELL UNIVERSITY ITHACA, NY | ANIMAL HLTH STUDIES | $286,148 |
| ELIAS ANIMAL HEALTH LLC OLATHE, KS | ANIMAL HLTH STUDIES | $158,152 |
| ETHOS DISCOVERY SAN DIEGO, CA | ANIMAL HLTH STUDIES | $166,761 |
| GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY PHILADELPHIA, PA | ANIMAL HLTH STUDIES | $144,805 |
| IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY AMES, IA | ANIMAL HLTH STUDIES | $59,055 |
| MEMORIAL SLOAN KETTERING CANCER CTR NEW YORK, NY | ANIMAL HLTH STUDIES | $25,000 |
| MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY EAST LANSING, MI | ANIMAL HLTH STUDIES | $166,698 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| TIFFANY GRUNERT | CEO (THRU 08 | 40 | $406,470 |
| RYAN WELCH | INTERIM CEO | 40 | $233,812 |
| KATHLEEN TIETJE | CHIEF PROGRA | 40 | $227,556 |
| GREGORY KNADDISON | CHIEF TECHNO | 40 | $207,905 |
| CAROL BORCHERT | CHIEF MARKET | 40 | $177,512 |
| DAN STENCEL | VP OF DEVELO | 40 | $155,856 |
| RYAN MCVEIGH | SR DATABASE | 40 | $149,355 |
| JOE MALUSO | DIRECTOR OF | 40 | $144,638 |
| LEO KACENJAR | SR DATABASE | 40 | $141,080 |
| PATRICK COLLINS | PRDCT MGR, T | 40 | $139,262 |
| STACEY ROIGER | DIR. OF FIN | 40 | $122,436 |
| ROBERT C GAIN JR | CHAIR | 3 | — |
| VERN NORVIEL | VICE CHAIR | 3 | — |
| CARLTON OSBORNE | TREASURER | 3 | — |
| ALLAN GOLDBERG | SECRETARY | 3 | — |
| GREG AUSTIN | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| KRISTIN BLOINK DVM | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| ADAM BOYKO | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| ASAD BUTT | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| DONNA DAMBACH VMD PHD DACVP | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| DEBORAH DAVENPORT DVM MS DACVIM | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| ROBIN DOWNING DMV | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| STEVE FISHER DVM | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| AJAY GOPAL | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| AMY HUNKELER DVM DACVO MBA | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| JONATHAN JACHIMIEC | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| LEAH LAMBRAKIS | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| ANITA MIGDAY DVM MS | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| CYNTHIA MORRIS | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| DAVID MORRIS | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| KYLE OFFERMANN | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| CHUCK STEPHENS | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| BILL SUTHERLAND | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| STAN TEETER DVM | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Foundation continues to actively fund animal health research across multiple species and disease areas. Recent grant announcements include funding for new canine and feline health studies, with awards exceeding $1 million for new research initiatives. The Foundation regularly accepts applications for wildlife health research grants and maintains ongoing support for veterinary student scholars and fellowship training programs.
Morris Animal Foundation Now Accepting Wildlife Health Research ...Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Morris Animal Foundation fund?
Morris Animal Foundation's mission is to bridge science and resources to advance the health of animals. The Foundation funds researchers worldwide who are solving critical health problems across multiple species including dogs, cats, horses, llamas, alpacas, and wildlife species. Primary research focus areas include: • Cancer prevention, diagnostics, and treatment • Infectious disease • Pain management • Aging-related health issues • Genetic risk factors and environmental threats • Vaccines and…
How do I apply for a grant from Morris Animal Foundation?
Morris Animal Foundation operates a rigorous, competitive grants process to ensure donor dollars fund the most promising, high-impact studies. **Grant Types and Sizes:** • Typical award range: $10,000–$915,749 • Current active grant opportunities: 25 live programs **Active Grant Programs Include:** • Wildlife Health (Reptile and Amphibian) - Pilot Study Awards • Wildlife Health (Reptile and Amphibian) - First Award • Wildlife Health (Reptile and Amphibian) - Established Investigator • Wildlife …
Where does Morris Animal Foundation make grants?
The Foundation's grant-making has primary focus in Illinois, California, and Massachusetts. The organization operates globally, with funded research conducted internationally across multiple countries.
What size grants does Morris Animal Foundation award?
In 2024, Morris Animal Foundation awarded 33 grants totaling $6.2M — an average of about $189K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Morris Animal Foundation's EIN?
Morris Animal Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 84-6032307. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Morris Animal Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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