Park Foundation: Animal Welfare Grants

The Park Foundation Grants for Animal Welfare focus on advancing the protection and conservation of wildlife, particularly through policy and advocacy efforts for threatened species. The foundation supports innovative, solution-oriented models that foster systemic change and compassion. Key areas include organizing for endangered wildlife, indigenous management practices, and supporting sanctuaries for great apes. Additionally, the foundation is committed to local efforts, including support for the Tompkins County SPCA, ensuring a compassionate society for all living beings.

NOTE: Prospective applicants may want to consider submitting a Letter of Inquiry as a preliminary step before submitting a full proposal.  Letters of Inquiry (LOI) are accepted at any time. Once an LOI is submitted, please do not submit a full proposal unless contacted by a staff member. If you have recently (within the last year or two) received a grant from Park Foundation, it is not necessary to submit an LOI before submitting a renewal proposal.
We are principled, strategic and fearless in our grantmaking, collaborative with our partners, and nimble and innovative in our approach.
Our Funding Priorities
The Park Foundation funds a variety of non-profit partners, from local Tompkins County grassroots programs to initiatives with national impact.
EnvironmentCivic ParticipationMediaDemocracyCommunity NeedsSustainable IthacaAnimal WelfareSchool Food & Nutrition
The Foundation is focused on nationally significant efforts to advance the protection and conservation of wildlife with an emphasis on policy and advocacy work related to threatened and endangered species.
The program supports innovative, comprehensive, solution-oriented models that lead to systemic change, reduce suffering, and foster a more compassionate society.
In addition, the Foundation has decided to focus on the following specific areas:
Organizing, education, legal advocacy and power building in support of endangered wildlife and significant national policies that are protective of endangered species and related ecosystems
Indigenous wildlife management practices
Maintaining support for existing partner sanctuaries caring for great apes
National and regional efforts to preserve the following species/groups and related habitats:Pollinators
Birds
The Park Foundation has committed to providing support to the Tompkins County SPCA, which is located in the community where the Foundation offices are located, as the sole support for companion animals.

Eligibility

Eligible organizations must be classified under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.Unless you have a fiscal sponsor, your organization must be recognized as a 501(c)3 or 509(a)2 under IRS guidelines. In addition, as a private foundation, we may not grant to an organization for a total of more than two-thirds of its annual budget (see "public support test" under IRS guidelines).

Ineligibility

The Park Foundation is not accepting proposals for projects located outside of the United States.