Thelma Doelger Trust for Animals logo

Thelma Doelger Trust for Animals Grant

Thelma Doelger Trust for Animals

Funding Amount

Not stated

Deadline

Deadline not published

Grant Type

Foundation

Deadline history & next window

Cycle
Rolling — applications accepted year-round
Tracked since
April 2026

From the program guidelines: “Applications are considered throughout the year and may be submitted at any time.”

Can we apply?

Check your organization against each line. Taken from the listing; confirm with the funder's guidelines.

Required status

  • 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status

Other requirements

  • We read and consider applications from anywhere in California.
  • However, our grantmaking is focused in Northern California and the San Francisco Bay Area.
  • We don't want to discourage qualified applicants, but if your grantwriting resources are limited, you may wish to take this into consideration.

Not eligible / not funded

  • Not eligible: Individuals

Overview

The Thelma Doelger Trust for Animals provides grants to 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations in California focused on improving the lives of animals. Organizations are encouraged to submit a Letter of Inquiry before applying, especially if they have not received funding before. The Trust prioritizes applications from Northern California and the San Francisco Bay Area, although they accept applications from across the state.

The Trust is not able to fund all of the proposals it receives. Accordingly, organizations that have not previously received a grant from the Trust are encouraged to submit a Letter of Inquiry before devoting the resources necessary to prepare a formal grant application.
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.
Applications are considered throughout the year and may be submitted at any time.  Accordingly, organizations that have not previously received a grant from the Trust are encouraged to submit a Letter of Inquiry before devoting the resources necessary to prepare a formal grant application.

Eligibility

Your organization is eligible if it:is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization;operates within the State of California, subject to the jurisdiction of the Attorney General of the State of California; and is dedicated to the care and maintenance of animals and/or the prevention of cruelty to animals. We read and consider applications from anywhere in California.
However, our grantmaking is focused in Northern California and the San Francisco Bay Area.
We don't want to discourage qualified applicants, but if your grantwriting resources are limited, you may wish to take this into consideration.

Ineligibility

Please note that the trust does not make grants to individuals.

What Thelma Doelger Trust for Animals actually gave

Source: IRS Form 990-PF, 2025

Grants in 2025
21
Total given
$410K
Median grant
$20K
Range
$5,000–$50K
  • By dollars: California 95%, District of Columbia 5%. Top recipient cities: Oakland, CA; Santa Rosa, CA; Truckee, CA.
  • 24% of recipients were new grantees, not repeat recipients.

Example grants

  • Humane Society of Sonoma County · Santa Rosa, CA

    $50K

  • Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe · Truckee, CA

    $35K

  • Vets in Vans · Alameda, CA

    $35K

  • Fix Our Ferals · Pinole, CA

    $25K

  • Cat Town · Oakland, CA

    $25K

IRS Form 990-PF, 2025. Amounts as reported by the funder. Full 990 history →

Focus Areas & Funding Uses

Fields of Work

  • Nonprofits
  • Animal rescue

Categories

Browse similar grants by category

Related Grants

Open grants from this funder and similar programs

Your AI grants department

Ready to apply for Thelma Doelger Trust for Animals Grant?

Grantable helps you assess fit, draft narratives, and track deadlines — so you can submit stronger applications, faster.

You found Thelma Doelger Trust for Animals Grant. Now let's win it.

Start writing