Animal Protection Program Grants

The Animal Protection Program Grants, offered by the Summerlee Foundation, aim to support organizations focused on rescuing and advocating for animals. With a strong emphasis on sterilization and vaccination in underserved communities in the Americas, these grants prioritize projects that address the root causes of animal suffering. The foundation has contributed over $65 million to various initiatives, ensuring that the most overlooked animals receive the help they need.

(Please be advised this can happen very quickly – in just a couple of hours.) This is for organizations wishing to apply for our February 2026 grant cycle.
Background
We support efforts to research, rehabilitate, rescue, protect, and advocate for animals. Our grantees give second chances to companion animals and injured or orphaned wildlife, provide refuge and sanctuary for exploited wild and domestic animals, and increase the understanding and protection of wildlife commonly vilified.
Collectively, we advance and expand the rights of animals, defend the laws that protect them, and create policies and programs to address grievances against them. Through thousands of grants totaling over $65 million, the Summerlee Foundation is honored to play a small role in the accomplishments of so many passionate, effective organizations in their tireless work to protect animals.
Program Goals
Much of our funding goes to small and medium-sized lean and agile groups where we believe our contribution can be utilized quickly with an out-sized impact.
Cats only in the United States and Canada
The tragedy of cat overpopulation and homelessness in this country results in intense and immense suffering due to disease, starvation, and inhumane practices by some local communities and agencies. Funding emphasis is on sterilization and vaccination primarily in rural or underserved communities.
Dogs only in the United States, Latin America or living in First Nations/Native American communities
Emphasis on sterilization, vaccination, and humane euthanasia.
Wildlife
Primarily mountain lions, bobcats, coyotes, and black bears, funding only those programs which protect through ethical-based research and advocacy/educational campaigns.
Marine Life
Emphasis on addressing marine mammal issues, health and well-being and anti-captivity (dolphins and orcas).
Sanctuary for Captive Wild Animals
Captive wild animal sanctuaries should be verified or accredited by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries.
Wildlife Rehabilitation
Emphasis on hands-on animal care and well-being (emergency rescue, food, medications, housing improvements).

Eligibility

Geographically
The Americas with special emphasis on those communities that are the most underserved and the most challenged.Must be a 501(c)(3) public charity.  Animal sanctuaries must be accredited or verified by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries. We also respectfully ask organizations to wait 18 months between receiving a Summerlee Foundation grant and applying for another. This spacing allows us to reach more and new organizations rather than fund the same (albeit great) organizations year after year.

Ineligibility

We do not fund individuals.With rare exceptions we do not fund capital campaigns, endowments, buildings, government entities, organizations with large cash reserves, reintroduction of ‘listed’ endangered species, and land preservation.