Thelma Doelger Trust for Animals
The Thelma Doelger Trust for Animals is a private foundation based in Alameda, California. Established in 1999, it operates as an independent grantmaking foundation focused exclusively on animal welfare and protection.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$7.9M
+2.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$410K
-7.2% YoY
Grant Count
21
+5.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$20K
-11.7% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Thelma Doelger Trust for Animals reported a distributable amount of $561K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The mission of the Thelma Doelger Trust for Animals is to support those organizations that effectively and efficiently make better the lives of animals, both wild and domestic, through direct intervention and education.
The foundation's primary funding interests include:
- Animal rescue and welfare
- Wildlife protection and care
- General support for animal-focused organizations
- Specific initiatives such as the Vet SOS Project and the "Raptors Are the Solution" project
Grantmaking
The foundation accepts applications and is open to new proposals. It has limited staffing, with no full-time paid employees.
Grant Range
$5,000–$50,000
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in California, with emphasis on the Northern California region and the San Francisco Bay Area. Grants are made in-state only.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total assets: $7,711,863–$7,897,515
- Total annual giving: $410,000–$442,000
- Total revenues: $563,343
- Total expenses: $575,470
- Giving rate: Approximately 5.7% of assets
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $7,897,515 | $7,711,863 | $7,723,990 |
| Revenue | $741,889 | $563,343 | $354,318 |
| Expenses | $556,237 | $575,470 | $494,332 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $531,704 | $558,933 | $477,295 |
| Net Investment Income | $717,331 | $546,750 | $337,199 |
| Distributable Amount | $560,879 | $511,597 | $480,792 |
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 2025
Grant Size Distribution
93 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Thelma Doelger Trust for Animals
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest include Humane Society of Sonoma County ($50,000), Humane Society of Truckee-tahoe ($35,000), Vets in Vans ($35,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| COMPASSION WITHOUT BORDERS SANTA ROSA, CA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $15,000 |
| WILDCARE SAN RAFAEL, CA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| PETS LIFELINE SONOMA, CA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $15,000 |
| FIX OUR FERALS PINOLE, CA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $25,000 |
| HUMANE SOCIETY OF TRUCKEE-TAHOE TRUCKEE, CA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $35,000 |
| TRINITY ANIMAL SHELTER AUXILIARY WEAVERVILLE, CA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $5,000 |
| CAT TOWN OAKLAND, CA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $25,000 |
| MARINE MAMMAL CENTER SAUSALITO, CA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $25,000 |
| PASADENA HUMANE PASADENA, CA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $25,000 |
| FRIENDS OF OAKLAND ANIMAL SERVICES OAKLAND, CA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $25,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation is governed by three trustees:
- Katherine Doelger
- Margaret K. Burks
- Paul M. Gordon
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| KATHERINE DOELGER | TRUSTEE | 4 | $33,386 |
| MARGARET K BURKS | TRUSTEE | 4 | $33,386 |
| PAUL M GORDON | TRUSTEE | 4 | $33,386 |
Contact Information
Address: 1516 Oak Street, Suite 318, Alameda, CA 94501-2958
Phone: 510-465-0900
Website: thelmadoelgertrustforanimals.org
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Thelma Doelger Trust for Animals fund?
The mission of the Thelma Doelger Trust for Animals is to support those organizations that effectively and efficiently make better the lives of animals, both wild and domestic, through direct intervention and education. The foundation's primary funding interests include: • Animal rescue and welfare • Wildlife protection and care • General support for animal-focused organizations • Specific initiatives such as the Vet SOS Project and the "Raptors Are the Solution" project
How do I apply for a grant from Thelma Doelger Trust for Animals?
**Grant Characteristics:** • Typical grant range: $5,000–$50,000 • Median grant amount: $20,000–$25,000 • Annual giving: Approximately $410,000–$442,000 • Number of grants: 16–21 grants annually **Recent Grantees (2024):** • The Marine Mammal Center ($50,000) • Tri County Wildlife Care ($40,000) • Cat Town ($30,000) • Humane Society of Sonoma County **Application Process:** The foundation accepts applications and is open to new proposals. It has limited staffing, with no full-time paid employee…
Where does Thelma Doelger Trust for Animals make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in California, with emphasis on the Northern California region and the San Francisco Bay Area. Grants are made in-state only.
What size grants does Thelma Doelger Trust for Animals award?
In 2025, Thelma Doelger Trust for Animals awarded 21 grants totaling $410K — an average of about $20K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Thelma Doelger Trust for Animals required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2025, Thelma Doelger Trust for Animals reported a distributable amount of $561K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Thelma Doelger Trust for Animals's EIN?
Thelma Doelger Trust for Animals's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 94-3318485. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
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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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