The Duffield Family Foundation
The Duffield Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Pleasanton, California. Maddie’s Fund describes itself as Dave and Cheryl Duffield’s family foundation, established in 1994 in honor of their dog, Maddie, and focused on animal well-being.
The Duffield Family Foundation at a glance
In short: The Duffield Family Foundation gave $14.0M across 181 grants in 2025 (avg $77K), top state California. 51% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $14,006,035
- +18.2% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 181
- -39.3% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $77,381
- +94.5% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $3,000
- Total assets
- $277,555,479
- +4.1% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 51% first-time grantees (92 of 181, 2025)
- Primary geography
- California (30% 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 The Duffield Family Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- Invitation Only
-
Maddie’s Fund says it generally does not accept unsolicited requests and that applications are by invitation only. Applications for individual opportunities are made available when announced and must be submitted during that opportunity’s application period. The website directs applicants to review the requirements and submit a completed application specific to the opportunity. Eligible organizations must share annual statistics publicly and, if they shelter pets, identify their outcome benchmark and calculation formula; past recipients must be current on reporting. University-funded projects have a 10% limit on indirect costs. The foundation’s 2023 filing states that grants are restricted to animal organizations and groups and directs applicants to its website for guidelines.
- Review Cycle
- Application periods vary by opportunity; the website says to consult the information for each individual opportunity.
- Deadline
- Application periods vary by opportunity; the website says to consult the information for each individual opportunity.
- Contact
Application contact: Amy Zeifang
Mailing address: 6150 Stoneridge Mall Rd Suite 125, Pleasanton, CA 94588
Phone: (925) 310-5450
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from The Duffield Family Foundation
Who The Duffield Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Companions and Animals for Reform and Equity ($1.5M). Together the top 10 received $9.1M.
Grant Size Distribution
1,168 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 974 grants of 1,168 (83%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2025 filing shows grants across multiple states. California received 30% of grant dollars, followed by Maryland at 11%, New York at 9%, Tennessee at 8%, and the District of Columbia at 7%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 181 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Duffield Family Foundation open to new grantees?
51%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 92 of 181 grantees (51%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $41K; repeat grants $115K. How we count
Medians: $3K first-time, $5K repeat.
- 33% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 31% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 149% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). 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 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $8.0M (2021) to $14.0M (2025). In 2025 it made 181 grants totaling $14.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Companions and Animals for Reform and Equity Baltimore, MD | 2023 Vision: Human and Animal Well-Being | $1,466,000 |
| San Francisco SPCA San Francisco, CA | 2022 - 2025 Comet Program | $1,158,767 |
| Uc Davis Foundation Davis, CA | Behavioral Euthanasia Study | $1,137,345 |
| Cornell University Ithaca, NY | Maddie's shelter medicine program, years 20 - 24 continuation grant | $935,000 |
| Humane Rescue Alliance Washington, DC | Community Conversations Steering Committee 2024-25 | $878,993 |
| University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WI | Maddie's Clinical Instructor | $827,014 |
| Best Friends Animal Society Kanab, UT | 2022 - 2025 Shelter Embed Program | $750,000 |
| University of Tennessee Knoxville, TN | Aligncare's 5-Year Strategic Plan Through 2029 | $704,983 |
| Inquiring Systems Inc Santa Rosa, CA | Maddie's university online course development - deep dive modules | $625,000 |
| Austin Pets Alive Austin, TX | Community Conversations Steering Committee 2024-25 | $572,500 |
Ready to take the next step with The Duffield Family Foundation?
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 | $277,555,479 | $17,231,773 | $18,289,043 | $14,006,035 | 181 | $19,423,612 | $15,785,387 | $13,034,108 |
| 2024 | $266,741,354 | $12,487,603 | $24,855,367 | $11,853,906 | 298 | $16,516,765 | $10,967,067 | $12,476,643 |
| 2023 | $259,973,566 | $15,164,945 | $16,187,369 | $10,048,057 | 264 | $14,533,056 | $13,731,740 | $12,245,655 |
| 2022 | $258,368,317 | $20,065,038 | $19,408,003 | $10,669,108 | 272 | $14,729,304 | $17,016,251 | $13,731,821 |
| 2021 | $297,383,341 | $10,740,095 | $22,997,893 | $7,975,984 | 153 | — | $9,172,956 | $13,067,599 |
| 2020 | $249,240,737 | $6,663,114 | $13,422,951 | $9,932,994 | 367 | — | $3,868,591 | $13,201,761 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Duffield Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $13.0M 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
Maddie’s Fund says it invests in keeping pets and people together, creating a safety net of care for animals in need, removing barriers, and working with inclusiveness and humility. It awards grants for research, leadership development, and solutions and collaborations in the animal-well-being field.
Its website says eligible applicants must be U.S.-based 501(c)(3) public charities or government animal-well-being organizations focused on dogs and/or cats; U.S. territories are not eligible. The foundation’s 2023 filing described support for national partnerships, research, and education. Examples included partnerships involving Human Animal Support Services and Maddie’s Million Pet Challenge, research on access to veterinary care, and conference scholarships, shelter medicine training, course development, and other trainings.
Grantees’ stated missions illustrate the kinds of organizations supported. Companions and Animals for Reform and Equity says it works to address bias in animal welfare and promote more inclusive adoption practices. Best Friends Animal Society says it works to end the killing of dogs and cats in shelters. Open Door Veterinary Collective says it works to improve access to affordable veterinary care through collaboration, innovation, and training.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation reported 181 grants totaling $14,006,035. Grant amounts ranged from $500 to $1,466,000, with a median of $3,000.
Among the largest 2025 grants were $1,466,000 to Companions and Animals for Reform and Equity for “2023 Vision: Human and Animal Well-Being”; $1,158,767 to San Francisco SPCA for the 2022–2025 Comet Program; $1,137,345 to UC Davis Foundation for a behavioral euthanasia study; and $935,000 to Cornell University for a continuation of Maddie’s Shelter Medicine Program. Other large grants included $878,993 to Humane Rescue Alliance for a Community Conversations steering committee and $827,014 to the University of Wisconsin–Madison for a Maddie’s clinical instructor.
The website describes weekly Community Conversations grants of up to $10,000 awarded through the calls, and monthly grants of up to $4,000 for eligible Maddie’s Pet Forum members participating in its Animal Welfare Professionals community.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Amy D Zeifang as chairman, Laurie Peek as secretary, Michael Duffield as a board member, Mary Ippoliti-Smith as executive leader, Valerie Stoltenberg as VP finance, and Steve Hill as treasurer.
The Duffield Family Foundation is led by Amy D. Zeifang, Chairman on every filing since 2020; 5 of 6 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Amy D. Zeifang
Chairman
On filings since 2020
30 hrs/week
$94K (2020) → $207K (2025)
Laurie Peek
Secretary
On filings since 2020
20 hrs/week
$234K (2020) → $138K (2025)
Mary Ippoliti-Smith
Executive Leader
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$239K (2020) → $327K (2025)
Steve Hill
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$57K (2020) → $21K (2025)
Valerie Stoltenberg
Vice President Finance
On filings since 2020
30 hrs/week
$153K (2020) → $189K (2025)
Michael Duffield
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "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 $327K, to Mary Ippoliti-Smith (Executive Leader). 5 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Duffield Family Foundation
How much does The Duffield Family Foundation give each year?
The Duffield Family Foundation gave $14.0M across 181 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $11.9M across 298 grants.
What is The Duffield Family Foundation's typical grant size?
The Duffield Family Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $3,000, and its average grant was $77,381, across 181 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Duffield Family Foundation that year got $41K on average.
Where does The Duffield Family Foundation give grants?
The Duffield Family Foundation's top state is California, with 30% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Maryland (11%) and New York (9%). The most frequent recipient cities were Washington, DC (3 grants), Austin, TX (3 grants), Asheville, NC (3 grants) and Oakland, CA (3 grants).
Does The Duffield Family Foundation give general operating support?
Occasionally: 1% of The Duffield Family Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (1 of 181) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Open Arms Challenge 2024" (67 grants), "2024 Hurricane Relief Grant" (12 grants) and "National Foster Survey 2024" (9 grants).
Who are The Duffield Family Foundation's largest grantees?
The Duffield Family Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Companions and Animals for Reform and Equity ($1,466,000), San Francisco SPCA ($1,158,767) and Uc Davis Foundation ($1,137,345), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 27% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Duffield Family Foundation?
The Duffield Family Foundation reported $277.6M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $19.4M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $13.0M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Duffield Family Foundation fund?
Maddie’s Fund says it invests in keeping pets and people together, creating a safety net of care for animals in need, removing barriers, and working with inclusiveness and humility. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Duffield Family Foundation?
Maddie’s Fund says it generally does not accept unsolicited requests and that applications are by invitation only. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Duffield Family Foundation's EIN?
The Duffield Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 94-3362163. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does The Duffield Family 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
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS March 9, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS March 16, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS March 17, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS March 28, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS March 13, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS March 19, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Live grants for the work The Duffield Family Foundation funds
Education Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Duffield Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Duffield Family Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 21, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-duffield-family-foundation-morg_881714a7ee944d09935994f862a79af3
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_943362163_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Duffield Family Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-duffield-family-foundation-morg_881714a7ee944d09935994f862a79af3},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-21. 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 The Duffield Family 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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