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Fund for Animal Welfare

The Fund for Animal Welfare supports grants to nonprofit organizations that provide care, shelter and/or medical services to animals. 

The Fund for Animal Welfare offers these types of grants: operational, capacity, or capital. Learn more below.

The 2023 application process opens Tuesday, July 25 and closes Thursday, August 31.

Eligibility

Organizations must have a complete and up-to-date Gold Level profile on GuideStar. By the time of application submission, the following must be uploaded to GuideStar:

  • All requirements to reach the GuideStar Gold Seal
  • Current board list
  • Most recent 990

Organizations must be located and provide services in Richmond, Chesterfield, Hanover, Henrico, Petersburg, Hopewell, Colonial Heights, Goochland or Powhatan. Priority will be given to organizations that have clearly defined goals and collaborate with other animal welfare nonprofits or government. 

Grant Priorities

Grants support activities and expenses related to the care, shelter or medical services, including:

  • Spay and neuter facilities, outreach efforts and/or education programs
  • No-kill animal shelter/adoption programs
  • Education and outreach programs for cat and dog owners
  • Support for cats and dogs owned by low-income or elderly residents
  • Training or placing companion animals for people with mobility or therapeutic needs.
  • Training for staff and/or volunteers
  • Improving fundraising or financial management
  • Expanding services and programs
  • Developing and implementing business or strategic plans
  • Improving board operations.
  • Improving the physical space.

Additional Considerations

The Community Foundation gives preference to proposals that:

  • Have clearly defined targets or goals and a practical strategy to measure progress
  • Have the greatest potential to positively impact the community or the organization
  • Partner or collaborate with other animal welfare nonprofits or government agencies
  • Include other sources of funding to support the proposed work

Grant Amount

Typical grant awards will range between $5,000 - $50,000.

Apply now

Applications must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 31 via our online grants management system.

Recent Grants

Atlantic Outreach Group
$5,000 to support the purchase of pet food for elderly, disabled, and/or low-wealth residents through AOG's mobile food pantry program.

Better Housing Coalition
$125,000 to support construction expenses for a dog park at Winchester Forest site in Chesterfield.

Capital Area Rescue Effort, Inc. (CARE)
$25,000 to support medical expenses associated with saving dogs from euthanasia.

Capital Region Land Conservancy
$200,000 to support the purchase of acreage along the Appomattox River in Chesterfield County to protect the land and habitat of wildlife species in perpetuity through conservation easements.

Chesterfield Food Bank Outreach Center
$50,000 to support Food for Fur Babies program, providing pet food relief to companions of limited-resource elderly residents and local animal shelters, foster programs, and adoption agencies. 

Children's Museum of Richmond
$15,000 to support enhancements/renovations within the Veterinary Exhibit space at the Chesterfield location

Feedmore
$17,000 to support the creation of an emergency pet aide fund that will provide assistance for emergency and preventative health needs of clients’ companion animals.

FETCH a Cure
$25,000 to support the Companions in Crisis program in underserved and underrepresented communities in the counties surrounding the city of Richmond.

FreeHorse Arts
$20,000 to support Boarding, feeding, and medical expenses for horses.

GoochlandCares
$25,000 to support the provision of pet food to low-income individuals in Goochland County who utilize GoochlandCares’ Food Pantry.

Goochland Community Cats
$15,000 to support Trap, Neuter, Release (TNR) and medical care for community (feral) cats, as well as food support for colonies throughout Goochland.

Goochland Pet Lovers
$60,000 to support the Good Neighbor Fund and Dr. Elliott Medical Fund.

Henrico Humane Society
$80,000 to support the hiring of a paid, Volunteer Manager.

Henricus Historical Park
$16,000 to support the annual upkeep, feeding, veterinary care, and housing of multiple rare and heritage breed animals at Henricus Historical Park, including purchasing new materials for constructing pasture fencing and refurbishing animal pens and enclosures.

James River Horse Foundation
$25,000 to support medical expenses for retired race horses in Goochland.

Lost Dog Foundation
$50,000 to support Trap-Neuter-Release for feral cats in Chesterfield and Henrico counties.

Maymont Foundation
$27,000 to Veterinary expenses and food for the ongoing care of animals.

Prevent A Litter Veterinary Hospital
$50,000 to support all programs providing free veterinary care to pet owners from Chesterfield, Henrico, Goochland, and Powhatan, including PitFix, Coins for Critters, and Special Surgeries Fund.

project:HOMES
$15,000 to support an animal wellness clinic and other supplies to improve the welfare of companion animals in Bermuda Estates Manufactured Home Park.

Richmond Animal League
$250,000 to support general operating costs.

Richmond Animal Welfare Foundation (Richmond Animal Care & Control)
$35,000 to support Emergency veterinary care for Richmond animals, including pet vaccines.

Richmond Community Toolbank
$30,000 to support the construction of humane shelter for dogs in collaboration with Ring Dog Rescue's Doghouse Project.

Richmond SPCA
$50,000 to support the Markel Veterinary Hospital to provide low-income families full-service veterinary care for their pets.

Richmond Wildlife Center
$50,000 to support the purchase of a Mobile Veterinary Unit.

Ring Dog Rescue
$65,000 to support the veterinary, feeding, and sheltering costs associated with the Doghouse Project as well as Posy's Pocket program expenses.

Sacred Heart Center
$10,000 to support the purchase of pet food, distributed to low income families via the low-barrier food pantry.

Salem's Light
$15,000 to support all veterinary care and services, including spay/neuter, for pets in need.

Sanctuary Rescue, Inc.
$70,000 to support general operating costs.

SOUR 365
$5,000 to support the costs of food, shelter, and care of the equine therapy horses at the Applewhite Farm (paired with Camp Baker).

St. Francis Humane Association
$20,000 to support Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) and Cat Adoption expenses.

Street Dog Coalition
$16,000 to support extended, veterinary care and spay/neuter services for pets in Richmond's surrounding counties.

Virginia Equine Welfare Society
$10,000 to support medical, nutritional, and rehabilitation expenses for rescued horses.

Online Grants System

Qualified organizations must submit a proposal through our online grants system.
Staff is available for technical support during office hours, 8am-5pm, Mon-Fri.

Access the online grants system